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An hour later,I left Veer to his parents, who’d just arrived, and sneaked into the kitchen for a quick break from the crowd outside.

Caterers and servers shuffled around the large room, preparing dish after dish. Jacinta had something for everyone, including Indian dishes for Veer’s parents, who were vegetarian.

I loved that girl. She was not only a brilliant litigator but a top-of-the-line hostess.

I walked around the large island, enjoying all the delicious smells. Well, except the meat. It smelled too pungent.

I moved to a tray of naan, grabbed a piece to nibble on, and then had the urge to use the bread to scoop up some paneer tikka masala, a dish I hadn’t made in ages.

I used to make all kinds of Indian dishes, especially those from the region of Gujarat, where my family originated. Over the past year, I never seemed to have time and then when I did, I was too tired to cook and ordered takeout which left me disappointed and hungry. Restaurant food never tasted as good as the homemade dishes my mom taught me to make.

“Here you go, Ms. Kumar.” The chef handed me a plate filled with samples of all the Indian dishes. “Ms. Camden had a feeling you’d sneak in here. She said you’ve barely eaten today.”

“Thank you.” I took my plate to the breakfast nook in the back of the room.

I dug in, and before I realized it, I’d all but licked the plate clean.

Whoever Jacinta hired to make the food was a rock star. It was almost to Anya Kumar standards, and comparing anyone to my mom’s level of cooking was a compliment.

I missed her so much.

Ashur had said he was going to do his best to get Mommy to come, but I doubted it would happen. Papa had a tight hold on her, and she never did anything without his permission.

At least I’d get to see my big brother.

I got up to set my plate in the sink and then ran upstairs to make a quick pit stop in my old room to brush my teeth. Jacinta always kept extra hygiene supplies in the medicine cabinets. Indian food had a very aromatic scent that I loved. However, not everyone shared my opinion.

After freshening up, I made my way down the hall leading to the front of the house. Ashur was due to arrive within the next half hour, and I wanted to be outside when his car approached.

Just as I passed the library, someone pulled me into a nearby room and covered my mouth with their hand.

“Don’t make a sound. I have something to discuss with you.”

Chapter Fifteen

I gaspedas Dev’s hand slid from over my mouth.

“Devin, have you lost your mind?” I admonished, but the look in his eyes had my heartbeat accelerating. “No. Don’t even think about it. Haven’t you gotten enough? You fucked me three times this morning.”

He took a deep breath, his chest expanding as he scanned me from head to toe. He lingered on my breasts in a way that made my nipples pebble and my pussy flood with need.

“You are mine.” He pushed me hard against the wall and cupped my crotch.

His touch shot through me like a fire igniting. I held my breath in hopes of pushing back the desire pulsing to life inside my body.

“This is mine. Don’t ever let Veer or any man think they have a chance with you.”

How could he be jealous of Veer? How could Devin not understand that the only man I’d ever want was him?

“Veer is my friend. I think of him as a brother. How many times do I need to tell you this? Nothing has ever happened between us and it never will.”

He gripped the bottom of my dress, jerking it up, and then ripped my underwear, making me gasp.

“You can’t fuck me here. We’re in a housekeeper’s closet. Anyone could come by or hear us.”

Dev ignored me and flipped me around until my front pressed against the wall.