Page 66 of Trapped By the Maharaja

Her cheeks heated while her heart began thumping. He was speaking like he was so sure she’d be living in the palace for a long time. But she knew she wouldn’t.

Suddenly she realized, she had the opportunity to speak and convince him to break their contract and marriage.

She cleared her throat. “You don’t have to go through the trouble. I won’t be here that long.”

His brow lifted slightly. “Three years is a while.”

“No,” she said firmly, stepping closer. “I mean, I won’t be staying for three years.”

He was silent. Using the silence as an opportunity to convince him, she stepped forward. “Ram… I don’t belong here. Can’t you see, this palace, this world… it isn’t mine. It never was. I’m a doctor. An orphan. A commoner—”

“You’re my wife.”

“Only because you forced me to marry you!” she said, her voice sharpening abruptly.

She sucked in a deep breath and tried to keep her voice calm. She had to convince him. “Ram, think about this calmly. Think about your family who are disappointed with me as your bride. Just… pick someone else. A proper royal bride that your family approves of. Someone who belongs in a palace. Let’s end this marriage before the announcement.”

“No.”

The word was final.

She stared at him. “You can’t just—”

“I can. And I will.” His tone was cool steel.

Anger burned in her chest. “You’re so damn stubborn, Ram,” she snapped. “Always were. But this marriage is going to ruin both of us. You’ll taint your family's reputation.”

Ram’s jaw tightened, but he remained stubbornly quiet.

Taking another deep breath, she tried to convince him. She stepped closer and placed a hand on his arm. “This marriageneeds to end, Ram,” she said. “Don’t you see that we have nothing in common? We never did. And whatever happened in the past between us isn’t worth ruining your reputation or mine for.”

Ram’s eyes darkened. “We do have something in common. This.”

In the next second, he reached for her, dragging her to him with one swift motion until she fell onto his lap. Her gasp was swallowed as his mouth captured hers in a kiss.

It wasn’t gentle or romantic. It was angry, consuming and demanding.

Her hands pressed against his chest, trying to push him away. But his hand slid up her back, fisting in her hair, tilting her head to deepen the kiss.

His tongue invaded her mouth, filling her senses with the familiar taste and scent of him. She tried to resist, even bit his tongue. But he didn’t let go. He growled, the sound of it vibrating through her body, making her shudder. Her breasts peaked in arousal, and wetness pooled between her legs.

Her mind screamed to stop. But her lips parted on their own, and her hands gripped his shirt and pulled him closer. When her tongue tentatively touched his, he let out another growl and his hands gripped her hips.

Her skin burned under his palms, leaving her trembling with a need she had never allowed herself to feel. His fingers traveled up her waist, tracing the curve of her body.

The sensation was electric, sending shivers down her spine.

His hands moved down once again. He gripped her hips and she felt a sudden jerk as he yanked her cotton kurti off.

She gasped as she suddenly felt the cool air from the air conditioning in the home office. Her heart raced when she felt his gaze sweeping over her exposed skin. Her cheeks burnedwhen his dark gaze moved over her breasts, encased in a flimsy cotton bra that was nearly threadbare due to several washes.

But he didn’t seem to notice what she wore. His heated gaze fell on her like a hungry predator spotting its prey.

“You are so fucking beautiful,” he growled.

His hunger was raw, a beast unleashed from a cage.

Her heart thudded hard as he cupped her breast where the lace was almost transparent, revealing the dark areolae beneath.