Chapter Fourteen Rajneet

Ajay’s mother insisted that, before everyone got to work, they all sit and have a quiet lunch. Raj politely accepted even though she was honest enough with herself to admit that she was terrified Ajay’s family wouldn’t approve of her.

As they surrounded the large marble table and talked about Bharat and Ajay’s family, Raj thought about her mother, and how every time family friends came over for a meal, Raj was required to help in the kitchen and put the food on the table. Her mother would praise her, would tell everyone what a good girl she was and how great a wife she’d one day become. Ajay’s mother didn’t look like she expected the same from the women her sons were involved with. But, of course, Raj would have to reserve judgment.

She was, after all, a soon-to-be divorcée, and even though she wore that badge with pride as she started the next part of her life, she wasn’t ignorant of the fact that people in her own community were going to judge her.

Ajay must’ve sensed her unease because he kept asking her if she liked the food. Which she did.

It brought memories back and forced her to face the fact that she’d have to make a decision about seeing her mother soon.

Less than an hour passed over food and conversation before everyone stood from the table, ready to get to work.

“The daal was truly excellent, Aunty,” she said to Ajay’s mother.

Unfortunately, the woman began tearing up again.

“Oh, I’m—I’m so sorry,” Raj added in English before Mina ushered her outside and down the path toward the houses in the distance.

“I don’t understand. Was it something I did or said?”

Mina shook her head. “You spoke to her in Punjabi. That matters to her. She’ll calm down now that Ajay and Hem are working at the main house and we’re not right in front of her face. Ajay gave you the code to his place?”

Raj nodded.

They headed toward the bungalows lined up against the backdrop of shrubbery and idyllic landscaping. Ajay’s place stood in the center, and Raj couldn’t think of anything but how adorable it looked with its front porch and potted plants.

“I don’t know why Ajay lives in the city when he has this,” Raj said.

“I told Hem the same thing. I think the only one who doesn’t really stay on the property often is Zail. Come on. Let’s get set up and start on this offer. Did your legal team send you anything? It’ll be faster if I help.”

Raj punched in the code on the front door and stepped inside to the smell of sandalwood and lavender. The honey-colored wood floors gleamed with polish, and the masculine decor was equally elegant and homey.

At first, being in Ajay’s private space felt invasive, but they were together. They’d agreed to trust each other. This was a part of that... wasn’t it?

She walked over to the frames sitting on the mantel under the mounted TV. Ajay and his brothers smiled back at her from the pictures. She didn’t know if his mother had decorated for him, or if he’d taken the time to frame those moments himself. Would he ever frame a picture with her in it?

Raj sat down at his beautiful wood dining table as she thought about the short time they’d shared together. The dinner, the Fire Lounge, the date. She’d opened herself to him. She’d trust him, just like he’d asked her to, and he’d told her that he expected more from her.

He better frame pictures of their time together.

And if he was even thinking about being patronizing and dumping her after he bought her company... Well, he’d have bigger problems on his hands than a company mole selling trade secrets.

“Do you want something to drink?” Mina asked as she rounded the kitchen island and pulled out water from the fridge. “He’s pretty stocked, but if you want chai, I can make that, too.”

“No, darling,” Raj said, trying to tamp down her self-righteousness. “Sit. I want to get started.”

Mina complied. “Can I ask you something first?”

“Of course.”

Her best friend twisted her hair on top of her head, and then folded her long legs so she could hug them against her chest. “Between the meeting in Ajay’s office where you asked him to make an offer for your company and now, you’ve slept together.”

Raj let out a deep breath. “Yes.”

“Is it serious?”

Leave it to Mina to narrow in on the most important thing. Wasn’t that what she’d just been contemplating?

“Let’s just say,” Raj started slowly, “that we’re exploring all options.”

Mina snorted. “You’re so full of shit,” she said.

Raj grinned. “I’ll let you know when I’m ready to be straightforward.”

“You better. I want details.”

“Of course,” Raj replied. “Remind me to tell you about how he came to get me from the Ice Palace.”

Mina’s eyes widened. “Why can’t you tell me now?”

“Because, darling.” She picked up her phone to dial in to the conference line her assistant had set up for her. “We have work to do.”

Two hours later, Raj knew why Mina was considered one of the best mergers and acquisitions attorneys in the business. She was ruthlessly meticulous about details and made sure that she remained fair as she helped Raj position her company in a way that would get her a premium price for her business. She felt such immense pride in her friend and wished that there were opportunities for them to work together more often.

“Thank you,” she said as she shut her laptop. “I think that’s all we can do until Ajay gets here.”

Mina nodded and stretched her arms above her head. “Hem just texted and said they’re done, too, so Ajay should be back soon. Apparently, it took them a while to get Zail under control, which is why their call ran longer than ours. He’s not very happy.”

“Zail? Why?”

Mina opened her mouth to answer, but then she got a look in her eyes that had her pausing. “How about you ask Ajay? I think it’s better he explained their brotherly... disagreement.”

Raj wanted to press for more information, but the sound of the front door opening had her shifting in her seat.

Ajay stood with a haggard expression on his face at the entrance. “Sorry I’m late,” he said. He toed off his shoes, strode over to the dining table, and set his laptop down. “Mina? Hem is next door. Raj and I will finish up in here, and if we have any questions, we’ll come find you.”

“You sure?”

“Yeah,” he said.

Mina began gathering her things. “Getting a framework together for an offer is doable,” she said. “It helps that Raj’s company is a smaller size, and her records are meticulous. We also have a market analysis for you to review.”

She looped the strap of her bag over her shoulder and, with one last wave, walked out. Seconds later they were alone, and the house was blissfully silent. Ajay dropped into the chair that Mina had just vacated. He tilted his head back and let out a deep breath.

“I’m assuming that not everyone is in agreement with the plan,” Raj said. “Mina mentioned that it was hard to get Zail under control. She suggested I ask you about that, but I think I can figure it out on my own. Your brother doesn’t want you to buy me out.”

“Unfortunately,” Ajay replied. His eyes remained closed, and the thick cords of his neck were fully exposed, above the open neck of his long-sleeved shirt.

Seeing him like this, relaxed in his home, Raj felt a little tingle in her belly. She was wound up because she couldn’t quite seem to understand what was happening between them. He was a little stressed because his brothers weren’t being as supportive as he’d probably envisioned. They could probably both use some physical exercise to ease the tension. Technically they weren’t in Ajay’s parents’ home, just on the same property. That had to be acceptable, right? It wasn’t as if she was going to seduce him under the same roof.

Raj took a moment to think about what underwear she had on. Yup, definitely seduction material. With a slow, knowing smile, she stood to retrieve a bottle of water for him.

“Now your father’s comment at the house makes more sense,” Raj said conversationally, as she brought the bottle to his side of the table. “There is no way you’ll be able to make everyone happy all the time.”

“Don’t I know it.” He peered up at her as she moved in to lean against the table at his side. She held out the bottle and waited for their fingers to brush before she let go.

Ajay gave her a confused look and drank deep.

Oh, buddy, you have no idea what’s about to happen.

Her skin prickled with awareness as she took the bottle and set it aside. “Do you want to know what I do?”

“For what?”

“To combat the loneliness at the top,” she said. She slid closer. “I work.”

“Mmm-hmm.” He brought her to his side so that her hip was pressed against the arm of his chair. Like a choreographed dance, she leaned down at the same time as his hand came up to cup the back of her neck.

He was being very accommodating,she thought, as his fingers kneaded into her soft skin.

“Is that all you do, Rajneet? Work off the stress and expectations?”

Her mouth curved at the sound of his soft words. “No, actually. Let’s just say I have someone help me release the tension when I need it the most.”

“I see that now, Raj. How does a man audition for this role?”

She nipped at his lip and then licked at the hurt. “No audition necessary for you. Darling.”

“I like the sound of that. I like the sound of that.” He tried to pull her down for a kiss, but she evaded his clever, clever hands.

“I don’t think you understand what seduction means,” she said, enjoying the game now as some of the tension from the day was replaced with desire. “You’ve been making all the moves so far. Touching my hair when we first met and then again in your office when I came to see you. The way your hands wandered when we danced at the wedding. And then that kiss in your apartment. You came to the Fire Lounge, and then took me out on a date.”

“Followed by some unforgettable fucking, wouldn’t you say? Come here. Let me take care of you.”

Before he could grab for her again, she slithered out of his reach. With her eyes on his, she pulled her sweater over her head, revealing a black satin cup that barely contained her full, plump breasts. “It’s my turn to make the first move.”

The unmistakable lust on his face ramped up her own, and she had to hold out a hand to stop him even as he vaulted out of the chair to grab for her. “Sit back down, Ajay Singh. There’s something I haven’t asked you yet. You have a filthy mouth when you’re fucking me. Is that just your style, or did you know that I love it?”

“I knew the moment I met you. I’m going to take you in a moment if you— Holy hell.”

She took her time now, enjoying his reaction as she slithered out of her pants.

“It’s like fucking Diwali, Rajneet.” He was breathing heavy as she stood in front of him wearing matching satin lingerie, albeit one of her most comfortable sets. She tugged at the thin black strings high on her hips that held up the small triangle at the apex of her thighs. Ajay’s stare went straight to her crotch.

She moaned, feeling herself moisten even more, and yanked out the elastic band that held her hair in its subdued ponytail. She shook out her hair and stood, offering herself to the powerful man in front of her who looked at her body like she was a goddess.

“You’re wound up. I’m wound up,” Raj said hoarsely. “Let’s take a break and relax. Do you remember how you had a taste of me? Maybe you want another one. Your very own happy hour.”

She motioned for him to sit again and stepped between his knees before hoisting herself up on the table. She slid the laptops and paper out of the way, then lifted one foot at a time and rested them on either arm of Ajay’s chair.

With her eyes on his, she spread her knees, exposing the wet patch between her legs. Raj gasped when Ajay reached down to give himself one quick stroke and adjust his cock through the fabric of his jeans.

“I do enjoy a cock tale,” he said. “This happy hour is going to be delicious.”

She groaned when he finally gripped her ankles and stroked up her calves to her knees. He pushed her legs farther apart before running his fingers down the insides of her thighs, making her quiver.

“What do you want, darling? Need me to make you feel good?”

Raj cupped his chin with one hand, feeling the softness of his beard as she said the words that had been echoing in her head from the moment she stripped out of her shirt. “Eat me. Make me come.”

She’d barely finished speaking before Ajay grabbed her behind the knees and pulled her to the edge of the table. His chair scraped forward, and he ran his bearded cheek down her left thigh before pressing a hard kiss on her plump, satin-covered mound.

Raj moaned and then let out a gasp as he hooked a finger through the crotch of her panties. His knuckle brushed against her aroused clit even as he yanked her underwear up so that the fabric separated her lips and stretched tight between her cheeks, rubbing teasingly against her aroused pussy.

“Lay back,” he said, and she immediately obeyed his sharp order, her heart pounding, her body begging for more. He’d been so good for her before, so in tune with her needs, that she craved this again with him.

His breath trailed along the thin, tender skin of her inner thigh, inches above her wet, throbbing core. He rubbed his beard over the same line of skin, raising goose bumps.

“You smell delicious,” he said. “Spicy and hot. Did I tell you that last weekend? Do you think I can taste your come on my tongue again?”

She writhed on the table, unable to stop herself, and rolled her hips toward him, begging for more.

“Yes!” she gritted out through clenched teeth. “Dammit, Ajay, am I going to have to give you a roadmap tonight?”

Their eyes met over the slope of her stomach, the valley between her breasts.

“You’ll wait for your orgasm now, Rajneet,” he said.

Her head fell back against the table at the feel of his tongue stroking the length of her pussy. She let out a squeal as Ajay feasted on her clit, plunging his tongue and fingers inside her and over her clit.

“More,” she panted as she writhed, begging him to please her. She’d never begged in her life, but it felt so good, so overwhelming. Ajay made oral sex an art and she wanted it all the time now. She tugged down the cups of her bra and began kneading her breasts, pinching her nipples.

“You taste delicious, Raj,” Ajay said in Punjabi before he stroked her again with his tongue and then worked her turgid nub between his teeth.

She began shaking hard, panting and swearing at him, urging him to move faster, to eat her harder. Then she gripped the undersides of her knees and pulled her legs to her chest to expose all of her core.

Without missing a beat, he gripped her hips and pulled her tighter against his mouth.

She was delirious. How had the tables turned this fast? How had she gone from seductress to being seduced?

“Are you ready for me?” he asked, his voice hoarse.

“Yes,” she whined in a high-pitch voice. She was wound so tight, breathlessly waiting at the precipice of her release. “Please. Please.”

He moved faster and harder until she exploded, shaking and writhing from the force of her orgasm. It rolled inside her like waves of fire and pleasure. Raj didn’t know how long she lay there shaking, but her legs had gone lax and draped over the edge of the table.

“Soni,” he said hoarsely. She lifted her head at the endearment and watched as he pulled his fingers out of her and slipped them into his mouth. He moaned in delight, and if that didn’t cause her an orgasm after-quake she didn’t know what did. She lifted up on her elbows, waiting for his next move, which thankfully didn’t take long.

Ajay unbuckled his belt and unzipped his jeans. With the dimming light of day casting the room into shadows, she saw the need in his eyes as he stroked the thick, long length of his penis.

Lifting one hip, he removed his wallet from his back pocket and pulled out a condom.

He tore it open with his teeth and rolled it over the length of him before he looked back at her expectantly.

Without another word, Raj slid off the table, straddled his lap, and inched forward so that she hovered over him.

Reason began to slip away again, and she unclasped her bra, sliding the straps off her shoulders as she spoke filthy, sexy words.

“Do you want to wreck my pussy again, Ajay?”

He squeezed her butt cheeks. “I think I already have, baby. You don’t want another man’s cock, do you? You’re addicted now. Just like I am.”

A tickle of fear scraped the back of her throat because there was a damn good possibility that he was right. Before she could object, he took one tightly budded nipple in his mouth.

And her decision was made.

Raj gripped him in one hand and guided the thick head of his cock into her opening. Their groans twined together even as he began rocking. She tossed her head back, her hair flowing around them, her breasts thick and heavy, bouncing with each thrust.

“You fill me up so good,” she said, her words breaking as their pace increased.

“I’m fucking you hard, darling. I’m fucking you until your pussy knows only me.”

Her hands raked through his hair and tugged, trying to get purchase, to get hold of him even as he gripped her hips harder and, using sheer force and upper body strength, began lifting her up and slamming her back down on his dick.

She let out a scream and succumbed to his rhythm. Her back arched, and when they were moving too fast, too hard, for her to steady herself, she lifted her arms over her head to hold her hair back.

He swelled impossibly bigger inside her and even as she felt his orgasm rise, her own release tore through her.

Ajay jerked her forward so that her breasts pressed flush against his chest. Unable to do anything but succumb to their passion, Raj drowned under the feel of his brutal kiss, knowing deep in the protected vault of her heart that she’d fallen carelessly past the point of no return.