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Iwas surprised whenAxeldidn’t react with fury.Instead, he clasped my face and yanked me to his chest.Ourmouths crashed while my hands pushed against his chest for the distanceIdesperately sought.Iwas no match for him.Hisgrip on my face remained firm though he kissed me with affection he hadn’t displayed only minutes ago.
“Stop,”Ipleaded.
Heresponded by picking me up bridal style and carrying me out of the room.Mycombative nature took a backseat, feeling deflated.Ilet him take me to whatIpresumed was his bedroom.Ididn’t utter another word as my back hit the soft mattress and he undressed me.
Fightingseemed pointless.Thishouse was barricaded with lock codes at every turn, my phone was dead, and no one knewIwas here.Who’dcome looking for me?Icouldn’t get out unlessAxellet me out, and agitating him only caused me harm.
Iwas defeated.
Myeyes closed by the time he pulled a comforter over us.Iwasn’t surprised whenAxelclimbed on top and parted my legs.Hislips landed on my throat, alternating between nibbling and sucking.
Heis marking me with his teeth.
Anatural fight reemerged at the primal act, andIswung my hand, unsure of my end goal.Hegrabbed my wrists and pinned them to the side of my head, once more slipping inside me.Thistime, it wasn’t followed by brutal thrusts.
Hemoved a few strands of hair out of my eyes, resting his forehead against mine.Imet his dark contemplating gaze and couldn’t help murmuring one last defense laced with a guilt trip. “Imaginehow your wife would feel if she knew you were fucking another woman in your bed.”
Hepaused, head tilted to one side.Inall the uncaring waysIexpectedAxelto respond,Icould have never predicted his next words. “Whatother woman?Youare my wife.”
ChapterFifteen
Milan’sWedding
* * *
Piya
“Therewasa fire incorporated into today’s ceremony.Isthat a part ofHinduWeddingceremonies?”Axelasked.
Iexplained the significance of fire toAxelbefore grabbing his hands and pulling him to stand for a live demonstration.
“Firesare significant atHindiwedding ceremonies.Thebride and groom walk around the fire seven times.Eachtime they circle the fire, it represents a different vow, aka aPhera.Bythe seventh time they walk around the fire, their union is sealed, and they are declared one for not only this lifetime but seven lifetimes.”
Withmy right hand grasping his left,Iled him around the bonfire.Iwanted him to experience the full effect and decided to enlighten him while we physically walked the circles.InterpretationsofPherasdiffered, soIcould only explain howDadihad described the ceremony to me.
“Aswe take the firstPhera, we make a promise to help each other with things like food, shelter, and finances,”Ienlightened.
Hisbrows furrowed. “That’soddly specific.”
Ilaughed as we came to a stop. “That’sbecause men are oddly forgetful.”
Wecontinued walking around the fire.
“Inthis second round, we promise to take care of each other in sickness and in health.”
ThistimeAxeldidn’t make a snide comment, nor did he come to a stop after completing the circle.Instead, he was the one to lead me around the fire.
“Wetake a vow of fidelity during the thirdPhera,”Iexplained.
“So, no more strip clubs?”
Igiggled before scolding him, “Shh.Payattention.”Wecircled the fire again. “Withthe fourthPhera, we ask our families to bless our union.”
Asif remembering family was a sore spot for me,Axel’shand tightened around mine, providing me with the supportIunknowingly sought.Suddenly, what started as a lighthearted explanation about religion felt immensely heavy and meaningful.Hemoved closer while we walked, heating the intimate space between us.Thewarmth he surged had nothing to do with the flickering fire.
“ThefifthPherais a vow to our future children to be good parents to them,”Ibreathed, barely able to utter the words.
Myheart was suddenly beating so hard thatIcould hear it.Thehair on the back of my neck rose with some sort of premonition.Mypalms were also sweating, thoughIdidn’t let go of his hand.Wewalked around the fire for another full circle.
