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

Chapter Seventy-six

“I can’t believe they’ve been gossiping about me,” I whisper to Nova.

“I’m sure they aren’t saying anything bad.”

Our group of close friends and Bianca’s closest cousins are seated on an elegantly long table, lit with candles and flowing with different delicacies from around the world. The setting is romantic and opulent.

Dash and Bianca are sitting in the middle across from us. Iris and Nathan on their right. While Nova and I are next to Justin and his two dates. Oh yes, he’s impressively managed to turn it into a party of three instead of perpetrating a catfight.

Everybody is aware how his night is going to end.

Nova has his arm stretched on the back of my chair, fingers absently drawing patterns on my shoulder and neck. I’m twisted toward him as he feeds me bites from his plate while intently listening to my complaints about my best friends.

“I know,” I reply, running my fingers over his tie. “Since it’s about me, shouldn’t I be a part of it?”

“Not how gossiping works, Rose.” Amusement is heavy in his low tone.

“They have a bet going on too. Can you believe it?”

“I wonder what’s it about.”

I purse my lips at his calmness while he patiently listens. Brown eyes staring down at me adoringly. “You’re pretty chill for someone whose wife is being gossiped about?”

“They’re your best friends.” After feeding me another bite of rice, he teases, “And they’re just pulling your leg.”

I swallow and sip water before admitting, “It’s working.”

“For all you know, they aren’t even talking. Have the three of you ever kept secrets from each other?”

“No.” At the same time, I catch them inching closer and whispering to each other with matching grins. I narrow my gaze in suspicion and ask Nova, “Text Nathan and ask him what they said just now.”

Nova nods at the waiter to take our plates and bring dessert. Giving me a stern look, he drawls, “I’m not asking him to spy for you.”

“Give me your phone, I’ll do it.”

I shiver when his fingers grab the back of my neck and leaning into my ear, he warns, “Behave, Rose.”

My thighs squeeze together at the domineering tone.

His eyes flare, catching the movement.

I’m saved by the waiter bringing our dessert. At the sight of the scrumptious tiramisu, I forget all about my plans and pick up my spoon. Digging in, I moan at the first bite. I take another before cutting a small bite and lifting it to Nova’s mouth.

“Here, you have to try,” I excitedly tell him.

He accepts and chews slowly.

It takes me a second to notice the pin-drop silence descending on our side of the table. Glancing up, I lock eyes with Bianca and Iris, who are watching me like I’m an alien hijacking their party.

“What?” I snap.

They stand, pushing back their chairs.

“With us,” orders Bianca.

Iris signals toward the corridor up ahead. “Now, please.”

Shrugging, I rise and follow them with my dessert in hand. Who knows how long they’re going to take?

No sooner are we alone, they face me with arms crossed, expressions sealed shut.

Bianca speaks, “When?”

“When what?”

“When did you fall in love with Nova?” snaps Iris in disbelief.

I blink, mouth agape. My heart pitter-pattering behind my ribs. I shake my head, stammering, “I’m not. What are you two talking about?”

Iris steps forward and aims for the tiramisu. I slap her hand. “What is it with you and my food?”

“This!” She waves her finger. “Where was this attitude a second ago?”

“You willingly shared food.” Bianca pronounces every word slowly. “With Nova.”

“Either you’re our best friend Rosa’s doppelg?nger,” says Iris. “Or you love Nova. It’s the only explanation.”

“Have you both gone mental?” I throw up my free hand, laughing. Placing the dessert on a nearby empty table, I huff, “That tells you nothing. I shared a simple bite.”

“For someone who writes romance for a living, you’re seriously clueless and in denial,” scoffs Bianca.

“Since Vegas, you haven’t once texted us about how much he’s annoying you. Or making you want to throttle him.”

I digest Iris’s claims… and they’re true.

Bianca softly urges, “Stop lying to yourself, Ro.”

I glance away, a war bubbling inside me. Between my head and my heart. When they both whisper my name, everything I’ve been holding in spills into the air.

Raw.

Unguarded.

Broken.

“I’ve never been in love. How do I know that what my feeling is not just my hormones going haywire? Or Stockholm syndrome? He’s the only man I’ve ever been with. He’s my first in every way. My first crush, obsession, boyfriend, and if I name this ball of emotions inside me every time he’s near, it won’t be long before he becomes my first heartbreak too.” My voice turns hoarse and eyes burn as I stare at my best friends and whisper, “I’ve spent almost half my life hating him and the last few months trying not to let him in, I’m scared of everything he makes me feel—of losing him. Most of all, hurting him.”

Bianca and Iris cross the distance and hug me tight.

I lean on them.

“I don’t even know if he feels the same way, Bee,” I admit. “I don’t think I’m ready to be that vulnerable. All of this is too fast. Too intense. We’ve only just gotten along. I don’t want to rush.”

“That’s understandable,” murmurs Iris.

“Just don’t keep all of this inside, Ro,” says Bianca. “Talk to us. We’re here for you.”

“I know and I love you both for that.”

Bianca smiles and rubs one wayward tear away.

“Sorry for ruining your dessert,” sheepishly apologizes Iris.

The three of us startle when we fear footsteps approaching from behind.

Dash’s smooth voice carries to us, “Kitten?”

“I guess your one and a half hours are up,” I tease.

Bianca rolls her eyes and faces him.

“Everything okay?” His perceptive gaze observes us.

Squeezing my hand once, Bianca walks to him and embraces him with her arms around his neck. “Yes, it is. One dance?”

He cups her face, gazing so intensely and lovingly at her that I’m certain he’s forgotten Iris and I are watching. Especially when I hear him murmur, “Anything for you, Mrs. Stern.”

Iris and I linger behind as Dash leads her away.

Hooking her arm around mine, Iris intertwines our fingers and whispers, “Come on.”

The crowd has thinned as I gaze around the lush garden, sparkling with lights wrapped around tall trees. Soft and romantic music plays. A light breeze caressing and teasing my naked back. Couples embrace and dance, while others sip on drinks.

“It feels like we’ve transported into the movie Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani,” says Iris. “The night of the wedding.”

She’s perfectly described it.

My sister Jasmine is obsessed with the movie. She watched it nonstop when it released.

“The only thing missing is the song ‘Kabira’,” I sigh to Iris.

The song changes.

The hum playing in my head suddenly echoing in the air.

I smile.

“A shooting star must have passed by,” jokes Iris.

We stop near an unoccupied table and lean against it. My gaze flies to my best friend and her husband dancing in the center, lost in each other. Bianca rests her forehead on his chest, arms looped around his neck while Dash holds her close. They sway to the sweet rhythm.

“I may give Dash hell but he’s perfect for Bianca,” I murmur. “Even when she’s in the room, his eyes never stray from her. Bianca is lucky.”

“They’re both perfect for each other, Ro,” murmurs Iris.

“I envy her sometimes, you know. Even you, Iris.”

“Why?”

“Because I might never have what you both have.”

I don’t deserve it.

A shadow appears in Iris’s gaze before it disappears just as quickly. Her bubbly and mischievous smile brightens her face. “You’re blind, Ro.”

“What?” I’m taken aback.

“There’s another person who could give Dash a tough competition, though,” she replies, gaze softening.

She flicks her chin behind me and I turn, finding Nova standing in the far corner with Nathan.

Watching me.

Possessively.

Rivetingly.

Fiercely.

“Nova never takes his off you either, Ro. Ever.” Her voice floats with awe. “And I mean since the beginning.”

I blink in shock.

Iris walks away but I hardly notice.

I’m held suspended by Nova’s dark gaze. My heart betrays me by beating faster while my cheeks heat under the intensity of his stare. Suddenly, the earth feels shaky. Gravity a myth. Especially when Nova takes a step forward. Then another. His gait is purposeful and his destination—a trembling me.

Turning around, I flee.

Hide.

I need to hide.

Except, I don’t make it far.

His hand locks around my wrist and spins me around. I crash against his chest. His mouth lowers to my ear and he harshly whispers, “You never have and never can outrun me, Rose.”

“Nova.” My tone is shaky.

“I will always catch you.”

“That’s what scares me.”

“It should.” His voice is strong and unbending. I swallow against his hand seizing my throat and tilting my face up to his. Our foreheads touch when he bends and rasps, almost pleadingly, “I’m never letting you go. It’s as impossible as drowning in an ocean and not fighting for air. Stop fighting us. Stop running away and let me have all of you, Rose.” The same hand trails to rest over the racing beat of my heart. I taste the words before he even utters the first syllable, “I lo—”

I press my palm over his lips, shaking my head. A tear slipping as I whisper, “Don’t say it, please. Hate me. You should hate me, Nova. That’s all we’re allowed to feel.”

Kissing my palm, he lowers it.

The powerful emotion remains etched across his handsome face.

It doesn’t waver.

Diminish.

It burns hotter and deeper.

“I hate you, Rose,” he admits in a gravelly tone. The meaning of it all wrong. Upside down. “Is that what you want to hear?”

I swallow down a sob.

“I hate everything about you. From your smiles to your sass. I hate your fierceness. I hate every second I’m with you and still wish for more. I hate when you kiss me back and melt in my arms. I hate how you seek me out in your sleep in the middle of the night. I hate that you let yourself be vulnerable with me, I hate that your soft and sweetness is for me alone. I hate your obsession with black that I would paint the world the same if it made you happy.” I taste the salt from my tears on his lips as he murmurs against mine, “I hate you so much it has consumed every fiber of my being. I hate you so deeply it hurts to breathe. I hate that my heart only beats for you. That if you asked me to carve it out and lay it at your feet, I would do it.”

He said hate and all I heard was love.

His brown eyes shine with the same emotion.

I hide my face against his chest, his chin resting atop my head while strong arms circle my waist. His passionate and compelling confession washing over me, basking my soul in its potency.

In the midst of swaying and the warmth of the night, his deep voice reaches into my heart and makes itself home. “Most of all… I hate how easily you made me fall in love with you, Rose.”