"Dance with me," he said suddenly.
"What?"
"Dance with me. I want to hold you in front of all these people who've been staring."
He didn't wait for an answer. He led her to the dance floor where couples swayed to slow music.
The Dance - 10:47 PM
Samarth pulled Nimisha into his arms with practiced ease, one hand at her waist, the other holding hers.
They moved together like they'd been dancing for years instead of never.
"Everyone's watching us," she whispered.
"Good." His hand tightened on her waist, pulling her closer until there was barely any space between them. "Let them see you're mine."
"You keep saying that."
"Because it's true." He spun her slightly, his hand spanning her entire back. "And because I need to remind myself as much as them."
"Remind yourself of what?"
"That I have you. That you're real. That somehow, despite everything I've done to push you away, you're still here."
Her breath caught. "Samarth—"
He danced her into the shadows at the edge of the floor, away from prying eyes.
Then his mouth was on her neck, kissing, tasting, marking.
"Samarth, we're in public—"
"I don't care." His teeth scraped her pulse point. "I've watched men look at you all night. I've seen them imagine what it would be like to have you. I need to remind myself that they can imagine all they want—you're mine."
Her body responded traitorously, melting into him.
"We should stop," she said weakly.
"Should we?" His hand slid lower on her back, dangerously close to inappropriate. "Or should I take my wife home and fuck her until she forgets every man who looked at her tonight?"
Heat flooded through her. "The gala isn't over."
"It is for us." He was already leading her off the dance floor, his arm possessive around her waist.
They made their excuses to Raghbir and Saroj—both looked surprised but didn't protest.
Then they were in the car, partition up, privacy assured.
And Samarth was on her like a starving man.
Car Ride Home - 11:15 PM
"Come here," Samarth commanded, pulling Nimisha onto his lap.
She went willingly, straddling him in the back of the car, her saree bunching around her thighs.
"I watched men stare at you all night," he growled, his hands gripping her hips. "Watched them imagine touching you, kissing you, having you."
