Page 129 of The Divine Lies We Weave

Rajesh scowled. “What does that mean?”

“It means you seem to be making a few reckless decisions lately, Captain.” Navya stood with her back to the fire.

Rajesh knew what she was doing. The slight slant in her hips, the way she pulled her shoulders back and swayed. Her entrancing emerald eyes latched onto his.

“As captain, I forbid you to continue.”

“As ‘captain,’ you’ve forbidden a lot of things.” Navya limbered forward.

Rajesh’s stomach hardened, his teeth clenching. A slice of pain ran up his jaw, and he winced.

Navya’s eyes burned with passion, and Rajesh realized his position.

He had nowhere to go as he sat with his door shut. He could call out, but a small part of him, the intoxicated part, was tempted to give in. Why not have someone else if Leela could never be his?

“You don’t want this,” Rajesh said firmly, possibly more to himself than Navya. Giving in to Navya only broke down the walls he had built. It didn’t matter how intoxicated he was, he was not going to sleep with another woman.

Navya smirked. “Are you sure? Broken and damaged men seem to be my thing.”

“Who said I was broken and damaged?”

“Your face and the empty glass say it all.” Navya closed the distance between them and stretched her arms to either side of the chair, her chest purposefully thrust forward. Her dark hair filled his senses, and he forced himself to keep track of her eyes and not let them wander any lower. “You have been taking us all on a wild ride, Rajesh, and for what? For Leela to be harnessed by the Viperess and the tales as old as time come true?”

Rajesh’s teeth smashed against one another. He ignored the pain.

“Leela can’t have you.” Navya grabbed him by the chin and tilted it higher. “But I can.”

Rajesh tore his chin out of her hold. “Navya, I could never.”

“Never again? You have before,” she cooed. “What’s changed?”

His gaze darkened. “A lot. Now, leave.”

Navya crouched. “You look sad, Captain. Can I not please you in any manner? My lips have been hungry.”

Rajesh stood, brushing her aside. He stared at her, teeth bared. “Get. Out.”

Navya didn’t move. She inched closer and placed a hand on his chest, her body molding to his as she twirled a loose thread on his collar around her finger. The suffocating smell of lavender wafted off her, playing with his senses.

“I have craved you, Rajesh,” Navya whispered as her lips brushed his ear.

Her breath ran a trail of icy fingers down his spine. He wanted nothing more than for her to leave.

Why have her leave if she is here? Eager to please. So, so eager.

Because I’m not someone to be played with when she feels like it.

The Scorpion chuckled. Smart mortal.

She leaned in closer, breath hot against his cheek. “Do you still think of us, Rajesh? Of our moments alone? My hand around your cock? Or were my lips better?”

Rajesh stepped back, but the chair limited his movements.

Navya leaned back, a smirk twitching the corner of her lips. She looked at him like he were prey, and Rajesh wasn’t about to be eaten.

“You need to leave,” Rajesh commanded, stronger this time. “Or I will make you.”

Navya chuckled. “Authority. Kind of a turn on, Raj.”