Page 49 of Trapped By the Maharaja

Morning sunlight poured through the tall windows of the breakfast hall, catching on the polished silver dishes as the staff moved quietly around them, laying out steaming platters of food.

Sanjana stole a glance at Ram. Across the table, he looked every inch the untouchable Maharaja, immaculate in a crisp shirt, gaze fixed on his tablet. His expression was cool and unreadable, quite different from the raw dominance of the previous night.

They hadn’t spoken much the previous night as they were busy sating their hunger. But now, in the bright light of the day, she thought of the previous evening. How the security head had easily pulled up Keya Sharma’s details, and how effortlessly he had asked if she wanted a full report by morning.

Has Hari told Ram about it?

If Ram knew she had asked for Keya’s number, he gave no indication.

As though sensing her thoughts, Ram’s dark eyes lifted.

Her pulse skipped.

“We’ll fly to Rewa tomorrow,” he said evenly. “It’s my mother’s birthday.”

She nodded, knowing there weren’t any surgeries scheduled the next day. She would speak with Rajesh and have him cover her shift.

The staff began clearing the table, their movements swift and efficient. Ram set aside his tablet and rose smoothly from his chair. Then, casually, he bent and pressed a kiss to the top of her head.

Her breath caught.

It wasn’t a commanding gesture, nor one of anger or passion. It was something worse. Tender. Affectionate.

The staff exchanged glances and subtle smiles.

Her cheeks warmed, recalling the previous night when she had demanded that he kiss her and treat her as a wife. Now, he was simply following her order.

By the time she found her voice, he was already stepping away, straightening his cuffs. “I’ll see you later this evening,” he said, as though nothing about the moment was unusual.

Then he strode out of the breakfast hall, leaving her staring after him.

Her hand drifted up to the spot where his lips had brushed, and she felt the warmth still lingering there.

Taking a shaky breath, Sanjana forced herself to lower her hand and push away the dangerous, treacherous feeling curling through her. She reminded herself of the contract.

She had to keep her distance.