Fixation (Fatal Attraction #3)

Chapter 16

16

V edant observed the changing expressions on Reina’s face. She looked so innocent, staring at him transfixed as if having dinner with him was a very foreign concept.

“Come on, Reina, give it a chance,” he pushed. “Give me a chance. I can be a lot of fun once you get to know me.”

“Alright, fine,” she gave in. “But we will sit outside and not here in the bedroom.”

He laughed. “I think I’ve already proved that I don’t need a bed to seduce you, Reina. I can do that anywhere.”

Her cheeks reddened. This woman was so damn expressive. He wanted long hours with her to only study her animated expressions.

“No seductive talk,” she scolded. “And no…”

He once again put a finger on her lips. “No rules for tonight. Let’s explore what we’ve been feeling for one another. Tonight, you’re not my doctor, and I’m not your patient. We are just a man and a woman who find each other very attractive.”

Heat flickered in her eyes. She averted her gaze and walked outside to his sitting area. He followed her, sitting next to her on the sofa. He found her studying his movements and his face carefully, noticing all signs of his discomfort.

“I am fine. Stop going all doctor on me.” He shifted a strand of hair from her face. “You are very beautiful, you know. It’s a crime to hide all this beauty from the world.”

Her lips quivered. Innocence shone in her brown eyes. Her reactions to him were so endearing, so real, and so innocent. But of course, she couldn’t be an innocent. She looked to be in her late twenties. Nonetheless, it pleased him to see her respond so prettily to him. She averted her gaze and looked around the room. She smiled and he liked that she approved.

He tried to see it from her eyes. His room was a bright blend of white, beige, and grey. White large and plush sofas in an L shape, beige wallpapered walls, grey cushions, grey rugs, and a black coffee table and side tables. Black and gold accessories were scattered around. Even the paintings on his walls were black and white. The only pop of colour in the room was the dark purple throw on one corner of his sofa. The fireplace in front of them had a massive TV on the wall above it. Overall, it was warm and comfortable.

He and his brothers never brought the women they dated home. Their home, wherever they resided, was their sacred place. Him bringing her here, sitting with her like this was far from normal for him. Yet, it felt so very right.

“You were telling me what your favourite food is,” he prompted.

“I love ravioli in pesto sauce.”

He smiled. “Alright, then, that’s what we’re eating tonight.”

He made a quick call to the kitchen and then looked at her. “Aren’t you going to ask me what my favourite food is? That’s how this getting to know one another works, you know.”

“I already know,” she said. “It’s meat pelmeni . I read it in one of the magazines I found in your library.”

His heart lifted. “See, I knew you were curious about me.”

“I think by now it must be obvious.” She looked at her hands, looking so adorably shy.

He stroked a finger down her pinkening cheek before lifting her chin up. “I feel the same about you, you know. This between us has erupted all of a sudden, and now it’s taking me under. I think about you all the time. I was honest when I told you that I feel stronger and healthier with you around. I don’t know what this is between us and where it will lead us, but I want to give it a chance. Would you want that as well?”

She exhaled. “Yes.”

His spirits lifted. He’d heard her voice when he had been brought to the hospital. Even then, he’d responded to it, and her. He had noticed her the first moment he’d opened his eyes after his attack and found himself back home. Even back then, his reaction to her had been intense. And later, with each interaction, her effect had only intensified. Reina Singh was a smart, sexy, and fearless woman. He enjoyed talking to her, enjoyed watching her changing expressions, enjoyed being around her, and absolutely loved how strongly he was attracted to her. That one morning by the pool hadn’t been enough. He wanted more, so much more.

“So, what exactly is pelmeni ?” she asked.

He grinned. “My late adopted father introduced us to pelmeni the night we landed in Russia. It is dumplings stuffed with meat and so many flavours. I tasted it that night and was floored. It’s been my favourite since then. Eating it feels like days spent with him, talking to him, spending time with him, and learning from him.”

“He sounds amazing.”

His chest warmed. “He absolutely was. I miss him so much. We all do. The whole world talks about the three orphan boys who became the richest men on the planet; only we know how, at one time, we had so little. But now, with God’s grace and the kindness of a wonderful man, we’ve been given a legacy, one we will fight hard to keep.”

“Tell me about your childhood,” she asked. “What was it like? Where were you born? Where did you grow up?”

She sounded so curious about him. He and his brothers were very private men. Details about their childhood, the orphanage where they had grown up, and how Alexander had adopted them were very private. News outlets across the world would pay a whole lot of money for this information. And that’s why, they never discussed these things with anyone, especially not a woman they were interested in. However, with Reina, for the first time in his life, he wanted to open up.

He stared at her for a long moment, and then he finally began, “I don’t know where I was born. Rishikesh, most likely, since I was left there on the steps of the orphanage where I grew up.”

“None of those magazines I read mentioned that.” She sounded genuinely confused over how such a crucial detail of his life was missed.

“I know.”

There was a knock on the door, and a team of his staff entered with their food. They set it all on the coffee table in front of them. She opened the cloche on her plate and smiled at the ravioli and the garlic bread beside it.

“This looks delicious, thank you.”

He smiled. “My pleasure. I could bring out the vintage wine, but I think my doctor wouldn’t like me drinking as yet.”

She laughed. “You’re quite right about that.”

They ate in silence for a while until she looked at him. “I’m sorry I asked about your childhood. You don’t need to tell me. I’m sure it’s something you and your brothers wish to keep private, that’s why it’s not in the public domain.”

Her thoughtfulness further validated his decision. He could let her in. He wanted to let her in and give her a glimpse of his life.

“I think I can trust you,” he said. “After all, I did trust you with my life.”

She laughed. “You didn’t exactly have a choice in that.”

“But I do have a choice right now, and I’m choosing to trust you. Anyway, about my childhood—to be honest, there’s not a lot to say and most of it is not very interesting. Life was quite hard. We grew up poor, but the orphanage wasn’t bad. It was run by some kind-hearted people who actually cared about the kids there. Although, some of the kids were very nasty. It was survival of the strongest, you see. Anyway, from a very young age, my brothers and I, and…” he shook his head before continuing, “We all used to sleep in the same corner of the room. We bonded with one another very early in life and learned to depend on each other. We chose one another over everyone else and protected each other from the other kids. My brothers…” he paused, “My brothers are my chosen family. We listen to each other and always have one another’s back. They are my everything,”

“Why weren’t any of you adopted before Alexander Oshnov came into your lives? Weren’t you well in your teens when he took you in?”

“In the end, it was destiny that none of us got adopted as babies.” His lips curved and he looked lost in thought. “As we grew older, we promised one another that we’d always stay together. Thus, whenever a couple came in for adoption, we would deliberately behave naughty or even get into a fight in front of them. No one wanted to adopt a very mischievous child, and so they didn’t. There were times when we also hid from them. The head matron, Mrs. Braganza, had a soft corner for us and soon realised we didn’t want to be separated; hence, she stopped parading us when someone came in for adoption.”

She put her empty plate on the table the same time he did. “Was she the same Mrs. Braganza you spoke about the other day?”

“Yes.”

“Have you met her after you left the orphanage?”

“Actually, no. But we do speak to her on the phone. She lives with her daughter now. We are in touch with many of the old caretakers, and we do what we can to make their lives better and to help improve the lives of the children in the orphanage. It’s a much better place to live now. We sponsor the higher education of the kids who wish it and give them all an option to come work for us if they want to.”

“That is truly amazing.”

Seeing her expression, he chuckled. “Don’t look so stunned. I’m not a bad man. I’m actually very good; at least, I’d like to think that.”

“I’m beginning to realise that I may have misjudged you.”

Vedant felt a thud in his chest. He linked her hand with his and felt the familiar spark again. She lifted his hand to study his ring.

“Is there a significance to this ring you wear?”

“It’s a rare blue diamond mined from the O-Corp mines in Tanzania. It signifies love, loyalty, and trust. Alexander gave each of us a ring when he adopted us.”

“So, all three of you wear it?”

“Armaan and I do. Mihir lost his a long time ago.”

She nodded. “How did you meet Alexander?”

“I quite enjoy your curiosity,” he flicked her nose. “However, the answer to that, my beautiful Reina, is part of a very long story—one we ought to save for another day because tonight I want to get to know you as well.”

“Okay, one last question.”

“Sure.”

“Rumour has it that you Oshnovs are the most dangerous men on the planet. That you may even have links to the mafia. Is that true?”

He lifted their interlaced hands. “Would you walk away from me if it was true?”

She chewed her lip for a second as if considering his question. Finally, she shook her head. “No, I’d still be here.”

He released the breath he hadn’t realised he’d been holding.

She squeezed their joined hands. “So far, you haven’t done anything to hurt me or my team. I liked Armaan as well. Mihir, I still can’t comment on him; he’s too closed off, and to be honest, his aura screams dark and dangerous.”

He laughed. “You got that right. Mihir is the quiet one, the responsible one, and Armaan is the naughtiest amongst us. That guy can charm anyone, including you, apparently.”

“Armaan is very likeable.”

A bolt of envy flashed through him. Never before had he felt something like this for one of his brothers. But Reina thinking that Armaan was nice was annoying him to no end.

Her thumb ran over the top of his hand, making his pulse quicken.

“What about you?” she asked.

“What about me?”

“You described your brothers. Tell me what do they think of you.”

He smiled. “They think I’m calm, cold even. They rely on me to handle the most challenging negotiations because I can easily leave all emotions out and thus get the best outcome for us.”

Someone knocked on the door. Reina immediately retracted her hand. His staff entered, this time to clear the plates. Reina refused his offer of dessert and chose to sip water instead.

“So about us being dangerous,” he continued, “Of course, we are dangerous. We have a vast business empire to run, and we’d never be able to run it successfully if people weren’t scared of us and our reputation. You must have noticed the security we have around us. Being as rich as we are makes us the target of some not-so-nice people. It doesn’t hurt to be careful. Besides, Mihir is too rigid about our security, as you must have determined by now.”

“Then how the hell were you attacked?” she blurted out. “Don’t you know how to fight?”

Pain constricted his chest. “That was all my stupidity and my belief that I was invincible. I had found out days before the attack that our enemy was working with some bad guys to have us eliminated. Despite that and Mihir warning me not to, I went out for a meeting without Tyrion—my main bodyguard—when four men attacked me. I fought them all, but they kept coming at me with rods and chains. I was injured and hence getting tired. Although he was unwell, Tyrion followed me and reached just in time. He helped me fight those men. We killed three of them until I was shot, and then… You know the rest.”

“You actually fought off four men by yourself?”

He quirked a brow. “Is that really the question you want to ask me? Aren’t you going to ask about the three men I killed instead?”

“You didn’t have a choice, did you?”

“No.”

She shrugged. “Then answer my question. Did you fight four men by yourself before Tyrion arrived?”

He stared at her, unable to believe how it didn’t bother her in the least to know that she was sitting in front of someone who had killed.

“Are you going to answer my question, Mr. Oshnov?” she probed.

“Mr. Osh…” He rolled his eyes. “I can’t believe that you’re still trying to put a wall between us.”

She arched a brow.

“Fine, have it your way,” he huffed. “I know how to fight, very well, actually. We all do. Our father was very clever. He knew that in order to navigate his world, we had to be well prepared and well trained. He forced us to learn Russian, ensured we received a world-class education and, more importantly, insisted that each one of was trained in various forms of martial arts. Karate, Taekwondo, street fighting, boxing—we’ve learned it all. Our world is harsh, but we know how to protect ourselves and those who we love.”

She frowned. “Meaning?”

“Armaan is in love with this lovely girl from Dubai. It was hard for him to come to terms with bringing her into our world, but he couldn’t live without her. He knows we can protect her. We will protect her, always.”

She gave him a warm smile. Just before he’d stepped in for a shower, Armaan had messaged him that Navya and he had resolved everything, and Vedant was delighted for him. His brother was happy and on the road to settling down.

“My turn now,” he said. “Why are you in disguise?”

This was the one question he desperately needed to know the answer to.

She looked away from him. “I don’t know what you mean.”

He cupped a cheek and turned her face to his. “Please tell me why you hide all your beauty behind a severe hairdo and glasses you don’t need.”

“Being pretty and intelligent is a very tough combination for women to navigate. No one takes you seriously,” she scorned. “I’ve been getting hit on because of my looks ever since I started medical school. Even then, some professors and classmates wouldn’t take me seriously because I was pretty. A few months ago, I decided to change my appearance to stop getting the wrong kind of attention.”

“Not simply pretty, you are stunning. But what happened a few months ago that made you decide to do this?”

She looked at her hands. “A few months back, Dr. Williams, my senior doctor…”

“Wait, is he the same one that Dr. Jones told me you have a problem with?”

“Laila shouldn’t have told you anything.”

“That’s irrelevant right now,” Vedant stared at her. “Is he the same one?”

Reina nodded. One look at her wounded expression, and he guessed what she was going to say next.

He lifted her jaw, his clasp firm. “Did he hurt you, Reina?”

Her eyes rounded. His words had come out harsh. But he was beyond caring now. The fact that she could have been hurt by someone burned like acid through him.

At her silence, he repeated. “Did. He. Hurt. You?”

“Not that way, no. He asked me to sleep with him and I refused. After which, I stayed away from him.”

Raw anger coursed through him. “Fucking bastard. I want to hurt him so bad.”

“He is a fucking bastard. And he deserves to get hurt. He made my life miserable after I rejected his advances. Gave me the longest shifts, cancelled my holidays, made me work through Xmas, and banned me from the operation theatre.”

Seeing the fury on her face, he asked, “Do you want to make him pay?”

She gaped at him. “What?”

“I can arrange to?—”

“—thank you for looking out for me. But I have to figure this situation out when I return to work. And you are not figuring it out for me. Clear?”

He refused to respond. Men like Dr. Williams needed to be punished.

“Vedant, I need your word that you won’t interfere in this.”

“Fine, I won’t.” He sighed, then continued, “But why did you allow him to get away with it?”

She shrugged. “I was too scared of the repercussions on my career. He’s the senior most surgeon and the chief donor of the hospital. Why would they believe me? I had no proof, and it would have been my word against his. My career would have ended, and he would have gotten away scot-free. Such is the way of the world.”

“Are you fucking kidding me right now?” Vedant growled. “You let him get away with harassing you?”

“My career was… is too important to fuck it up. I’ve worked too damn hard for it.”

“No, Reina. You are important. You ought to come first, even to yourself.”

Her eyes widened. “I… I’ve never considered that before.”

“You should. Fuck, I’m so angry right now. You are this bold and brave woman, and yet you didn’t stand up for yourself when it mattered the most.” He shook his head. “Promise me that, henceforth, no matter what happens, you will stand up for yourself.”

She studied him for a long moment. “I promise.”

But he wasn’t relieved; he was still mad. So mad that that wretched man had gotten away, and she’d let him.

Reina tugged at his arm. “Okay, stop getting mad and ask me something else.”

He exhaled and inhaled, calming himself. But it wasn’t working. “I’m so angry. I?—”

She planted her mouth on his, silencing him. Immediately, all his fury vanished. Reina knotted her arms around his neck, and his blood began to sizzle. She kissed him long and hard. They both were panting when she moved back.

“Okay now?” she asked.

He smiled. “Yes.”

“Good. Now ask me another question or let me ask. I have plenty.”

“Sure you do, but it is my turn!” His happy mood was back in full force, thanks to her kiss. “Tell me what do you like to do for fun.”

“Until recently, my work took up all my time,” she began, “But now, since coming here, I’ve started swimming, as you know, and I’ve been reading again.”

“You mean those smutty books I’ve seen you reading?”

“Yes, they are so light-hearted and entertaining. Besides, everyone gets a happy ever after, which makes it all the more satisfying.”

“I suppose that makes sense.” He smiled. “What about TV? What’s your favourite show?”

She blinked, looking confused.

His eyes widened. “Don’t tell me you don’t watch TV.”

“No time.”

“Are you telling me you haven’t seen Game of Thrones or Modern Family or Suits or…? My God, you don’t know what all you’ve missed.”

He clicked on the TV remote and started surfing. “My brothers and I are huge fans of Game of Thrones . Oh, but that’s too intense to start with. I know, let’s watch Modern Family. Watch one episode, and I promise you will be hooked.”

“Shit, you’re actually serious about this stuff,” she sounded shocked.

“You’ll know once you watch it.”

One episode later, she’d shifted closer to him and asked him to continue to the next one. He put an arm around her, and she snuggled closer to him.

Five more episodes later, he checked the time. It was midnight. He shifted to tell her that they ought to stop now and found her fast asleep on his shoulder. His heart lurched seeing her like that. She mumbled something in her sleep and draped an arm across his midriff.

A new and unfamiliar emotion stirred within him, flowing to the centre of his heart. His chest began to throb. He could no longer deny that he felt strongly for this woman. There was something about her…

Her fingers curled into his t-shirt, and his heart rumbled in approval. He observed her as she slept. Clear, glowing skin, dark eyelashes, pale pink lips, and that defiant jaw—everything about her was perfect. Her caramel-streaked hair fell in a soft curtain on one side of her face. Her perfume filled the air around him. It was strong, bold, and captivating, just like she was. He inhaled, wanting to seal it into his memory. He pressed a hand to his aching chest. Fuck. What was happening to him?

He ought to wake her up and tell her to leave. But he couldn’t get himself to do that. A few more minutes, he told himself. He only needed a few more minutes to enjoy this beautiful woman who was making him wish for more. In the past, he’d never wanted more from a woman before, but Reina was reshaping his thoughts and changing his perspective. There was something special about Reina Singh. Something he couldn’t point out just yet. Something he couldn’t wait to find out.