Page 54 of Entangled Vows

“Then I’ll turn every punishment into a pleasure you’ll beg for again and again,” he said, his voice deadly soft with a promise that made her pulse stutter.

“If you want someone who follows directions, you married the wrong woman. I don’t even listen to Google Maps.”

He wanted to grab her and shut that oversmart mouth with a punishing kiss. The way she provoked him was reckless, and it lit a dangerous spark in his veins.

Vikram rubbed his jaw, a low chuckle rumbling from his chest. He stepped in, close enough to feel her breath hitch.

“So defiant… so rebellious,” he murmured, his gaze flicking to her lips. “Cute.” He shook his head, a slow exhale escaping him. “But you’ll come around, wifey. Sooner or later.”

Mahika spoke sharply. “Come around to what? To forgetting who I am, or erasing my life before this? You can’t just tie a mangalsutra around my neck and expect me to become someone I’m not.”

Regret flickered beneath the possessive edge in his gaze as he leaned closer, drawn to the fire in her eyes and the storm of emotion behind them. God, she was beautiful, even when she hated him.

“No, Momo,” he said in that deep, commanding baritone. “I don’t want to erase who you were. I want you to remember who you arenow. And that version of you doesn’t get to be starry-eyed for any other man, least of all my brother.”

Mahika snapped, her eyes blazing with fury. “I’myourwife. Something you’ve reminded me a gazillion times already. So maybe try trusting me a little, you arrogant ass.” She stepped closer, her chin lifted up in defiance. “If you think you can bullyme into cutting off the people I care about, then you’re straight-up delusional.”

Vikram practically growled. “Call me whatever the hell you want. I don’t care. You’re mine. And I don’t share.”

“Why the fuck are you suddenly acting like some jealous, territorial boyfriend? You don’t even like me. You’ve always hated me, Grizzly,” she shot back.

His fingers caressed her chin, his breath ghosting over her lips, making it impossible to tell if the tension between them was fury or foreplay.

“You think I am jealous?” His voice was low, mocking. “Please. Don’t flatter yourself. And hate is too weak a word. I just don’t like to complicate things, especially when they’re mine.”

Her eyes narrowed. “You and your arrogant sense of ownership. Pathetic.”

“Pathetic is… thinking you have any say in this,” Vikram gritted out, leaving no room for argument.

He stepped back, inhaling sharply as if trying to regain control. Then, without another word, he stormed down the corridor, his footsteps echoing with frustration, silently signalling her to follow.

Shit!Something about her always seemed to strip away his basic manners. One look from those fire-lit eyes, and logic went straight to hell, replaced by instincts he refused to name. Running a hand through his hair, he let out a harsh exhale, mentally cursing himself. It was day one, and he was already losing it.

Without looking back, he yanked open the oak door.

“This is our room,” he bit out, voice clipped and cold. “You’d better get used to it.”

∞∞∞

Mahika stood frozen, her shock quickly flaring into anger. She couldn’t believe she was married to a man so unpredictable and emotionally barricaded. He went hot and cold so often that she was getting emotional whiplash. Hadn’t he been a jerk just a minute ago? And now here he was, playing the gracious host, inviting her into their bedroom? Her chest rose and fell unevenly, a mix of frustration and disbelief warring inside her.

Our room?

How could he not see it? Nothing about this marriage felt like theirs. And yet, the way he’d said it, in that terse, cold, and possessive way, made her want to scream in frustration.

Mahika crossed her arms, refusing to cower. “You think sharing a room could suddenly rewrite the rules of this relationship,” she snapped.

“Think what you want. This is my room. And now that we’re married, it’sours. No point fighting over something that’s already sealed and delivered.” Vikram sighed, as if he alone were the one being inconvenienced.

Her fingers flexed as she stood at the doorway, her heart thudding with a stubborn mix of anger and incredulity. She could feel the heat of his gaze on her.

“I’m not—”

“I said come inside.” His tone was commanding.

“Say please,” she shot back, refusing to bend to his will.

“Momo, I swear to God—”