Hateful Games: (An arranged marriage billionaire romance) (Arranged Games Book 2)

Chapter Twenty-eight

“How about one with a kiss?”

I lurch back from Nova and glare at the hotshot photographer. “Absolutely not.”

“Couples kiss, Miss Kapoor,” he says with a bold laugh. “No need to be shy.”

“It’s Mrs. D’Cruz,” growls Nova possessively.

The man pales and rushes to say, “Of course, sir.” Then looking at me, says, “It wouldn’t be a first for our magazine, Mrs. D’Cruz.”

“Why? Are your readers perverts?”

“Rose,” Nova warns while trying not to laugh.

“What?” I hiss at him.

Without lifting his unnerving eyes from mine, he orders the others, “Give us a moment.”

All of them—the photographer and his assistants—scurry away, leaving us alone near the entrance of the maze. The arch decorated with colorful flowers while lights from the nearby lamp shroud us in semi-darkness.

Nova’s light mood dissolves into the harsh one he reserves for when we’re alone. Our interaction earlier in the hallway feeling like a dream. I hate how easily he’s able to switch from hot to cold.

“How many times do I have to tell you to be careful around others?”

“I am not kissing you.”

“You’ll be kissing me tomorrow at the altar.”

“It’s an annoying necessity,” I defiantly answer. “One we could’ve avoided if your mother hadn’t insisted on us getting married in a church.”

He glares and angrily says, “Yeah, because it’s all about what the Kapoors want.”

“I thought I was a D’Cruz now.” My reply only angers him more and I smile.

In the next breath, he hauls me against his ripped chest with his fingers digging into my waist. One hand tangles in my curls and he pulls my head back, his heavy-lidded gaze falling on my lips. “Maybe I need to show you that you are. Why wait until tomorrow?”

“You mauling me for the last hour wasn’t enough?”

“Just playing the part of your lover.”

His smug retort infuriates me. He didn’t leave a single inch of my bare skin untouched at the excuse of posing for the countless boring pictures we had to take. Half of which wouldn’t even see the light of day.

Even now, his hand glides upward to toy with the knot on the back of my blouse.

One pull and it will come undone, baring my breasts to him.

His eyes flare heatedly, arriving at the same conclusion.

After making the mistake of letting him get close and deceiving me eight years ago, almost begging for a kiss, I’ve hardened myself against reacting to his proximity. His chilling insults and indifference over the years.

I don’t allow lascivious thoughts involving him to invade my mind.

I’m not the same na?ve and defenseless eighteen-year-old girl anymore.

He will learn it soon.

“Try to kiss me and I’ll bite your tongue off,” I threaten.

Unperturbed, he arrogantly rasps, “Are you scared you’ll enjoy it?”

“More like I’ll throw up.”

“Shame because I had different plans to dirty that mouth. A kiss was just a start.”

“I’m interested in neither.”

His breath teases my lips when he taunts, “Sounds like a challenge.”

“Only you’ll perceive a woman’s rejection as a challenge.”

“How come you’re not pushing me away then, Rose?”

I freeze at the feel of my palms resting on his shoulders and holding on to him. With a furious glare, I shove him away. He lets me go with a chuckle.

“You’re so desperate for touch, all it takes is a few seconds of running my hands all over your skin to have you putty in my hands.” Running his hand over his smooth jaw, he drags his cold gaze down my body. “I won’t even have to seduce you to have you begging for my cock.”

“Your cock isn’t the only one to choose from, Nova.”

His entire demeanor changes in a flash and his lips curl in a snarl. “My bad. To you, any will do.”

The vehemence and rage in his insult makes me flinch. Once again proving how little he thinks of me. Steeling my spine, I deliver my parting words with all the hatred I feel in my veins for him, “Claim me as your wife all you want in front of the world, Nova, but you’ll only ever see me as a Kapoor. The daughter of the man you despise the most.”

“What does that make me to you?”

“My villain.”

He doesn’t deny it and I just know utter devastation will descend upon us in the coming months. Who will remain standing?

Only time will tell.

Leaving him standing there, I turn and exit. Inside near the ballroom, Bianca and Iris run into me and instantly, they read my deflated mood.

“What did he do?” Bianca demands furiously.

“Just being a usual jerk. Nothing I can’t handle.”

“I really don’t understand how Nathan talks so trustingly about the same man who gets off on bullying you,” says Iris with a scowl.

Iris stares over my shoulder and I know it’s Nova entering behind me. His scent envelops me as he breezes past us in a confident strut and into the crowded ballroom.

“I need a drink,” I mutter.

“Then let’s get you one,” says Iris, intertwining our arms.

“Why don’t you guys go ahead to the bar,” suggests Bianca. “I’m going to go find Dash. We ran into my parents earlier and I would rather he didn’t kill my dad.”

“They still haven’t gotten their heads out of their asses?”

“Afraid not.” Bianca gives me a sad smile. “Seeing us together has only infuriated them more.”

“Are you okay?” My tone is concerned. “You have to know if it was up to me, I wouldn’t have invited them.”

“Of course, Ro. I’ve made my peace with them and don’t let them get to me anymore.”

“Good.” Smirking, I tell her, “Do let lover boy know you’re staying with me tonight. No knocking on our doors if he gets scared during the night.”

“As long as you haven’t left any deathly surprises waiting for him.”

“No promises.”

Laughing at my antics, she blends into the crowd. Iris is like a Tinker Bell compared to me, even in her high heels. The top of her head reaches my shoulders. No wonder she can’t handle her liquor. But that never stops her.

Also, you know what everyone says… nothing makes two girls quite like best friends without a height difference. It’s very true, which is why I know Iris isn’t being herself today.

“You’ve been quiet the whole day, Iris,” I casually remark, as we take seats at the bar that offers the world’s most expensive alcoholic beverages. We order ours and I expectantly wait for Iris’s reply as the bartender makes our drinks.

“Have I?” she lies. “I didn’t notice.”

“You’re not fooling me.”

Catching my bloodhound expression—named by Bianca—that can’t be wavered, Iris sighs loudly. “Nothing gets past you, does it?”

“Start talking,” I demand, then take a sip of my martini. “I wouldn’t mind a distraction right now.”

“My editor wants me to write a story on Kian’s company.”

“Oh fuck.”

“By working closely with him.”

“Double fuck.”

“And I don’t know how to tell Nathan.”

“Jesus.”

Her shoulders slump and downs her drink in one gulp before crying out, “What do I do?”

“Of all the companies in the world to choose from, you had to pick your boyfriend’s enemy’s?” I don’t know whether to be concerned or laugh at her predicament.

“I didn’t pick!”

“Boy, then you have the shittiest luck.”

“That doesn’t help.”

“When did I say it will?”

“You’re enjoying this.”

“Too much,” I tease. “Little Miss is finally in a moral dilemma like the rest of us. Forget about Nathan, I’m more surprised Kian has allowed you to follow him around. The man is private as fuck, almost in a creepy way. Hell, he makes Dash look like fucking sunshine.”

Glaring at me for pointing out the obvious, she signals the bartender for another drink. Then nonchalantly blurts out, “I kinda told my boss I already asked Kian and he has agreed.”

“Are you kidding me? What are you planning to do then? Stalk Kian?” Her face is flushed red in embarrassment. “Oh my god. You are.”

“Journalists do it all the time.”

“And get sued. Or fired.” Shaking my head, I tease, “Since you’re a perfectionist, you’ll do both.”

“Shut up.” A faraway and worried look crosses her eyes. “I’m scared to tell Nathan. He never talks about Kian and will certainly not like me getting close to him, even in a professional capacity. So, either I hurt him or pass up on this internship.”

“You will do no such thing, Iris,” I fiercely say, my protective instincts rising. “Nathan is a grown man who will need to put his personal vendetta aside and not be a hurdle in your career. So, just talk to him and say there’s no swaying your decision, in case he tries.”

Nodding, she sits up straight. “You’re right.”

“If he still does, I have no shortage of methods to make grown men cry.”

“Still causing chaos, I see.”

I shiver at the interruption from the familiar, deep accented voice. Whirling on my stool, I come face to face with the man who took my virginity at a masquerade party. He doesn’t even know the floodgates he had opened or that he had arisen a dark desire within me that was better left dormant.

“Malcolm,” I gasp, blinking back in shock, and stand.

“Trouble.”

“You’re… here,” I dumbly blurt out. He steps forward, causing my head to tilt. The years haven’t lessened the force of his intimidating beauty. Except it doesn’t cause my heart to flutter. It never did, not even in the past.

Malcolm was just a means to an end.

Harsh but true.

“Why?” A secret smile graces his full lips. “Did you not expect me to be?”

The initial shock wears off and I roll my eyes. “I think you’re with the wrong crowd. The photographers are outside. They could use someone like you.”

“You can’t still be mad at me.”

“I’m mean when it comes to holding grudges.”

Iris loudly clears her throat, causing Malcolm’s gaze to flit to hers. Both of us gape when he confidently says, “You must be Iris.”

“Hi,” she replies. A blush forming on her cheeks. Our eyes meet and I secretly convey, I know, girl. I know. That accent.

“How do you even know her, Malcolm?”

“Is she not one of your best friends?” comes his swift reply.

“For all you know, she could be Bianca.”

“She doesn’t have a six-foot-plus hulking male, who goes by the name Dash, attached to her hip.” He quirks an eyebrow, as if daring me to interrogate his intelligence more.

“Smart-ass.”

“How come I never knew you were such good friends with Nova’s friends, Ro?” mischievously asks Iris. “I distinctly remember you calling them the devil’s minions.”

Malcolm’s lips twitch.

I narrow my gaze. “There are always exceptions.”

“Should I feel special, trouble?”

I gave you my virginity. If that doesn’t make him special, I don’t know what will. However, his behavior doesn’t give anything away. Is he that good of an actor? Besides, do I even want him to acknowledge our lustful history? Or maybe I am one of many one-night stands to him.

Still, curiosity nags at me to corner him alone and ask.

Before I can act on it, there’s a commotion to my right and I see a second too late the glass of drink falling in my direction. I’m certain it’ll ruin my sari until strong hands deftly pull me out of harm’s way into a sculpted chest.

Malcolm holds me flush against him, delivering a stern glare to the waiter whose tray spilled. The young waiter apologizes and scurries away like his ass is on fire. I’m still clutching Malcolm as he lowers his head to softly ask, “Are you okay, love?”

“I—”

“Let her go, Colm.” Nova’s piercing voice cuts through the air.

Malcolm’s hands drift to my hips but don’t immediately let go. Nova’s jaw hardens and his eyes go dark in rage. The flutter in my chest that Malcolm’s presence didn’t ignite flares to life from a single look from Nova.

“He just saved me from being embarrassed, Nova,” I jump in and speak.

I’m ignored like a fly on a windshield. “Friends or not, I will cut off your hands if you don’t stop touching my woman, Malcolm.”

What is up with him?His sudden possessiveness is confusing the hell out of me.

Malcolm, not intimidated in the slightest but respecting his friendship, immediately lets go and steps a good distance away from me. I’m left alone—fuming—only for a second before Nova tugs me against his side. His arm boldly wraps around my waist, his hand shy of cupping my ass.

Our commotion causes Bianca to appear out of thin air, Dash in tow. Her inquisitive gaze reads the tensed situation and ping-pongs between Iris, who is staring at Nova perplexed, and me.

“You okay, Ro?”

“Yeah, just a small almost mishap,” I calmly answer, not wanting to draw any more attention. “I’m fine, thanks to Malcolm here saving the day.”

My sassy response has Nova squeezing my ass in warning. His warm breath teases my ear as he bends to threaten, “Keep singing his praises and there will be no saving you when I take you over my knee and spank your ass.”

My sharp intake of breath at the sexual threat is swallowed when Nathan joins our little circle. A confused frown mars his handsome face as he stands behind Iris until she leans against his chest and observes his best friend and Malcolm. Then mutters with a sigh, “You two at each other again?”

Again? They were fighting before. But why?

Could Nova know about his friend and me… No way.

It’s impossible.