Page 85 of Carnal Games

“Hi, Arjun,” I greet. “Nice to meet you again.”

“Morning,” he says tightly, regarding me with a purse of his lips. “Congratulations on the job.”

His tone takes be aback. It’s not as welcoming as I’d hoped.

What has Kian told him about how I got hired?

Did he tell him the circumstances under which I was offered the position?

“Thanks,” I reply, his standoffish attitude making me curl into myself. He seemed so friendly the first time we met. I thought I’d at least have one familiar person on my side. “Kian—”

“It’s either Mr. Singhania or sir,” he cuts in sharply.

I flinch. “I’m-m sorry.”

“He might be your brother-in-law but here, he’s your boss. Being his family doesn’t earn you any privileges since you like to throw them around. You will be treated just like any other employee. Understood?”

Oh my god. He thinks I used my connection to get this job. How do I confess I never even asked for it?

“It was a slip of the tongue. It won’t happen again. And I don’t expect to be treated any differently. I plan to work just as hard as everyone else.”

“Good. I’m not one for handholding. I have enough on my plate to take over tasks for Farah. You’ll have to quickly learn her duties.”

“I will.”

“Let’s go. Mr. Singhania wants to see you.” Twisting on his heels, he strides toward the elevator and waves an ID card in my direction. “It’s your identification card. Wear this at all times.”

I quickly grab it as soon as he lets go. “Got it.”

“As soon as your meeting is over, come find me and I’ll give you a tour. We’ll also go over your tasks and duties. I’ll share the notes Farah has left.”

The elevator jerks into motion. The entire ride is tense as Arjun ignores me like I’m a fly on the wall. His crap treatment couldn’t possibly be because he thinks I’m undeserving. He’s acting like I came after his job. I want to tell him that he should take it up with his boss.

However, I hate confrontations.

I tend to have solid arguments in my brain but when it comes to saying them out loud, my throat stops functioning and I become a sweaty mess.

We reach our floor and I trail after Arjun. He goes behind his desk and without looking my way, says, “He’s inside. Go.”

I’m trembling for a whole other reason as I knock on the door softly before stepping inside. My eyes find him immediately as he sits on his desk with his head bent. Nothing has changed about his lair in terms of decor, yet it doesn’t seem lifeless as last time.

His presence flips the aura of the space.

Kian is the definition of owning the room by simply being present.

It doesn’t mean he can’t do with sprucing up the office a bit. Maybe once I learn his likes and dislikes, I can ask Bianca for ideas and decorate it myself.

At the sound of my heels, steel gray eyes clash with mine.

An electric shiver passes through me.

My relief is stark when I see he’s in a different suit. A dark gray one with a vest that makes his gaze even more magnificent.It means he came home at some point. But was it with someone or alone? I can imagine any of those women in the auction dumping the guy who bought them for a chance with Kian.

I hate I can’t stake my claim on him.

Well, not yet.

I will for his gaze to roam down the length of my body, like mine just did. But those stern eyes of his don’t stray below my face, not even to my throat.