Page 85 of Entangled Vows

Vikram met his gaze head-on. “Yes, it’s a new trend. No work, no social outings, no interruptions. Just the two of us at home.” He tightened his grip on her. “The best part of being newly married.”

Karan stared at Vikram for a bit. “Sounds… intense.”

“It is,” Vikram said, a thin smile curving his lips. “And it starts tonight.”

Karan’s gaze flicked between them, and he nodded. “Alright. I’ll leave you to greet your guests. Good to see you, Mahika.”

Mahika nodded stiffly. “Nice seeing you, Karan.”

With that, Karan and Priya disappeared into the crowd.

The second he was gone, Mahika twisted in Vikram’s grip, her eyes blazing with fury.

“What the hell was that?” she snapped.

“That was necessary,” Vikram said evenly, his voice cold.

“No, that was rude and controlling,” she shot back. “You made it look like I couldn’t even speak for myself.”

He didn’t let go. “You sound as if you really wanted to dance with him or go for a coffee.”

Her chin lifted defiantly. “What if I did?”

“You don’t.”

“You can’t decide for me.”

“I just did. And one more thing, Momo. I don’t like random men flirting with you.”

“Are you serious? He wasn’t flirting,” she snapped. “He came with his girlfriend. You’re being ridiculous.”

Vikram stared at her, silence his sharpest weapon.

“What?” she demanded.

He thought of all the men who’d glanced her way tonight, and how how clueless she was of the effect she had on men. Men didn’t just notice her, they fucking wanted her.

“Listen to me, Momo,” Vikram said, his voice dropping lower, rough and possessive. He lifted her chin gently but firmly. “You’re my wife--”

She interrupted him. “Only for a year.”

“Even if this is only for a year, you’re mine,” he said. “Every man who looked at you tonight wasn’t thinking about friendship. They were thinking how lucky they could have been.”

Mahika gave a sharp look. “Funny. You don’t seem like you think you’re all that lucky.”

His eyes darkened like a stormy sky. “I’ll show you exactly what I think.” He extended his hand. “Come with me.”

She hesitated. “Where?”

“To the dance floor,” he said, gesturing to the flashing lights.

A small frown creased her brow. “I thought men hated dancing.”

“I don’t,” he murmured.

But just as he began to lead her towards the dance floor, her phone buzzed in her hand. She ignored it, but when it buzzed again, Vikram shot her a confused look.

“You’re not going to answer that?”