Page 56 of Entangled Vows

“Gross. I’d rather miss out and live my life peacefully.”

“Suit yourself.” Vikram walked to the wardrobe and swung the doors open with a practiced flick. “By the way, your stuff’s on the left. Clothes and accessories in the top drawer, shoes below. Right side’s mine.”

Mahika blinked, visibly thrown off. “You actually made space for me?”

He turned to look at her, his expression unreadable. “Of course. I wasn’t about to let you live out of a suitcase.”

A beat passed.

Her gaze held his for a moment longer than necessary before pulling away. “Thanks. I guess.”

Vikram picked out a black T-shirt and grey sweatpants, his voice regaining its dry wit and quiet power. “Vampire Rabbit’s spot is in the corner near the balcony door. The staff will move the plants in the morning so he can get some sun.”

She immediately responded, “He’s not a vampire rabbit.”

“I said I would ensure he gets adequate sun, and all you hear isvampire rabbit,” he said, exasperated.

She blinked, obviously not used to this nicer side of him.

“That’s… awfully nice of you. But calling him a vampire rabbit is rude, Grizzly.”

“And calling me Grizzly is polite, huh?” He raised his brow at her in a way that made her insides clench.

Mahika’s cheeks burned. “Calling me Momo is not polite either.”

He shrugged, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. “I suppose that makes us even.”

She opened her mouth to retort, but he interrupted smoothly. “I’m heading to the gym across the hall. Make yourself comfortable. Unpack. Sleep. Do whatever you need.”

She nodded, grabbed the rabbit’s cage, and headed towards its corner. “Grizz... can I get more blankets, please?”

Vikram stopped in the doorway. “The one on the bed is the thickest and cosiest thing in the house. You won’t need extras.”

Her gaze lifted. “We arenotsharing a bed. I’ll take the couch, so I need—”

She didn’t get to finish.

Vikram moved fast and without warning. One moment, he was standing by the door; the next, he had her trapped between the wardrobe and his solid frame. His hand rested lightly near her head, as he towered over her, his overwhelming presence filling the space between them. He hadn’t touched her, yet she felt the heat radiating off him, making her cheeks warm.

“No one is sleeping on the couch,” he said, his voice a low, lethal growl.

Mahika’s spine snapped straight, her chin lifting in defiance.

“You don’t get to decide that,” she said sharply. “This isn’t one of your corporate meetings.”

His eyes darkened like a storm cloud, his jaw locking into a rigid line.

“No,” he said, his voice icy, “this is aboutourmarriage. And this isourbedroom. No matter how much you want to, I will not let you treat me like a stranger. So stop playing games.”

She gave him a dirty look. “I’m not playing anything. I’m trying to set boundaries. Something you clearly bulldoze through every chance you get. I need my space.”

“I’ve given you space in every sense, Momo, both figuratively and literally. I cleared out half my closet. I gave up a corner of the room for your rabbit. Andyouthink I’m the one crossing lines?”

“You think this is all sunshine and rainbows for me? We’ve made it very clear that this marriage is strictly about duty and business. You shouldn’t expect me to jump into bed with you.”

His expression hardened, his jaw twitching as he stepped closer. The air between was charged with tension.

“You’re not listening, sweetheart. I don’t want you to jump into anything. But this is non-negotiable. Youwillsleep in that bed,” he said, his voice dropping to a quieter, more dangerous tone. “Not because I want you close. Not because I expect anything. But because you’re not just a guest I’m putting up for the night. You are my wife. This is where you live. This is where you sleep. Right here. In our bed.”