SWNOVELS Chapter 35
“You live in that monstrosity all by yourself?” I exclaim, while sitting in the front passenger seat of Nova’s Mercedes. It’s so pristine and making me want to take it for a spin late at night.
“Yes,” curtly replies Nova.
“You seriously need that many rooms?”
“Yes.”
“What do you do? Throw secret orgy parties in them?”
That finally draws a reaction out of him. His cold eyes connecting with mine once before he focuses ahead as we cruise down the driveway. “I moved in recently. So no, I haven’t had a chance to christen the home with an orgy party.”
“Have you ever even been to one?” I quirk sarcastically.
He gives me a look before staring ahead again.
I squeak out, “You have?!”
His lips twitch and I realize he’s messing with me.
Ignoring him, I study the mansion that is my new home for the foreseeable future. It looks straight out of a Pinterest mood board or a catalog from Architectural Digest. Having grown up in a big and beautiful house, I shouldn’t be shocked but still, I’m blown away by its picturesque beauty.
Surrounded by lush greenery, it gives a stunning backdrop.
I can only imagine what the interior looks like.
It’s my prison—but at least it’s a pretty prison with a view.
“What do you mean you moved in recently?” I ask Nova curiously.
“My parents bought this for us,” he answers without revealing his emotions. Though I’m surprised. “Something about privacy and soon having our own family.”
“Family as in kids?” My voice sounds small and nervous.
“Yes.”
How the heck is he so casual about this? Then again, he won’t be the one popping out a human from his vagina. Meanwhile, I’m seconds away from having a full-blown panic attack. “Babies weren’t part of the deal, Nova.”
The car stops and he turns to me, one hand resting on the steering wheel. Observing me intently, he seriously replies, “My parents will want an heir, Rose. What did you think was going to happen? We’ll be married and nothing will change? Even if we lead separate lives behind closed doors, there will be times when we’ll collide.”
“A child will complicate things.”
His expression doesn’t change. “Do you not want kids?”
Of course I do. Witnessing the bond between Jasmine and Suhana, I want that of my own someday. “Not with you.”
His jaw tics once before he controls it. “Then you can answer our parents when they start asking questions.”
“Wouldn’t be the first time you threw me under the bus,” I angrily taunt. “So why should this be any different?”
Flinging open the door, I get out and notice several security guards roaming around the perimeter. Some not even discreetly hiding their weapons. And by several, I mean around ten to fifteen that I counted from the entrance to here.
Jeez. I thought my father was overboard.
“Have you abducted a prisoner or something?” I scoff, staring at the guards pointedly.
Nova rounds the hood to my side and glares down at me. “Just you, wife.”
“Where do you think I’m going to run away? Hell, I can’t even make it out the city without anyone recognizing me, let alone flee the country.”
Grabbing my hand, he ushers us inside. “I would rather not take any chances.”
“You don’t trust me yet you’re ready to have babies with me.”
“It’s an obligation. Just like marrying you was.”
It seems the spell we were under during the weekend has lost its power because we’re back to fighting and arguing. It shouldn’t deflate my mood. Yet it does. I always forget he’s a snake, shedding his skin.
The flirty him with the wicked tongue is a persona meant to disarm my defenses.
To get him laid.
As soon as we’re inside, he twists toward me. “You better not mess with the guards or give them trouble like you did with Rudra. Your father might have shielded you, but my family gets twice as more threats and most of them are real.”
“People usually give a house tour before reciting all the rules. It’s called being polite,” I reply, disregarding his words. “I also wouldn’t mind if you went to work so I could explore myself.”
My fur babies should be here any minute since they were being brought in another vehicle. They are far better company than my suddenly disciplinarian husband.
As if fate is on my side, Nova’s phone rings.
Whoever it is must be important, because he immediately picks up and disappears outside.
I finally get my first inside peek of my new home. I twirl in a circle as I walk to the middle of the spacious living room. Bright sunlight pours in from the floor-to-ceiling sliding glass door behind the double spiral staircase. Through the glass, I spy a swimming pool and happiness spreads through my chest.
My fingers twitch to remove the short satin dress I’m wearing and dive into the cool water. I’ve been swimming my whole life and absolutely love it. Nothing like submerging into water and letting go of all the stress and tension.
I control my urge and walk farther inside. On my right, down the short hallway, there’s an open and state-of-the-art kitchen with sleek white-and-black marble and a long dining table nearby. There are two windows facing the backyard.
Nova’s parents did a fantastic job of choosing this place.
It is jaw-droppingly amazing. Warm and inviting.
My favorite is how spacious and open it is with its warm tones because my house growing up always felt dark and suffocating. Especially my wing of the house. Even the pool was inside.
Stalking to the left side of the house, I find four rooms. Two modernly furnished home offices where one seems occupied by Nova, and a storage room with cleaning supplies. Reaching the end of the hall, I open the last door and gape in shock.
A home library.
But with black empty shelves.
However, it doesn’t take me long to imagine filling it with my hundreds of books, which should arrive by tomorrow. I made sure to pack them all by myself. Can’t give my poor mother a heart attack as a parting gift from the kind of books I read.
It would be too embarrassing.
Though, her daughter reading smut will be the last of her worries if she knew the whole truth.
Stepping inside, there’s a dark brown rug covering the hardwood floor. Three of the walls are lined with shelves from the ceiling to the floor, which I love. Against the last wall, I picture a set of couches and a fireplace for the winter months.
Maybe I can ask Uncle Raghu to deliver my books today so I can get started.
“It didn’t take you long.”
I jump at Nova’s smooth yet amused voice and face him just as he hovers near the entrance. His frame encased in that pristine charcoal suit stealing my breath right away. All morning, I’ve been fighting to not stare too long.
“Why am I not surprised?” he teases.
“I would like the keys of this room.”
He crosses his arms and leans against the doorframe with his ankles crossed. My stomach tightens with the unwelcome attraction at how sexy he looks. Especially seeing his messy black hair slicked back stylishly. “Still scared I might destroy your books?”
“You’re quite an arsonist around my belongings.”
“Talk about the pot calling the kettle black, Rose.”
“You inspired me.”
“I won’t touch your precious book porn,” he replies, straightening to his full height. “Also, no lock in this room.”
My jaw drops. He must have done it on purpose, I’m sure. “You’re unbelievable.”
“Be thankful there’s a library, at least.”
I’m so close to throttling him, I swear. Shoving past him, I walk back toward the living room and ask over my shoulder, “Are Bunny, Maggie, and Fire back?”
“Yes.” Nova’s footsteps follow me.
“Where are they?” I question, not finding them inside.
“Outside playing near the pool.”
We both stop near the spiral staircase leading upstairs. I can make out Bunny swimming in the pool. I swear he’s never sitting idle. Meanwhile, my little ones lounge outside, watching the third of their trio.
“We need to discuss our sleeping arrangements,” Nova says with a scowl. “I will not have a repeat of last night.”
“Sure. I would like a separate bedroom.”
“And I would like a divorce,” he all but growls the words. “Neither is happening.”
I cross my arms and unflinchingly say, “My dogs sleep with me.”
“Elders say dogs are supposed to stay outside of the main house.”
“Then how come you stay inside?”
His scowl deepens as he reins in his temper.
Ignoring him, I make my way into the kitchen, feeling thirsty. Once again, Nova follows as if we’re magnets. I sigh in annoyance and turn. “Weren’t you late for the office?”
“I am. Before I leave, my mom’s assistant will come by in the afternoon to discuss your calendar and the charities and events you’ll need to attend. You can let her know your interests.”
Of course, he expects me to become a typical socialite wife living off her rich husband’s money. I have half a mind to throw in his face that I have my own life and work to keep myself busy. But it will come at the cost of revealing what I actually do, and I simply will not risk it. He will make a mockery of it. So, I swallow my pride and let him believe that I’m a spoiled heiress.
“Sure, I’ll meet her.”
He seems taken aback when I don’t argue but recovers fast. Grabbing a water bottle from the fridge, I take a long swig while wondering about my lunch plans. I’ll probably need to order dog food online.
“What?” I ask Nova when he still doesn’t leave.
“Forgot something.”
“So, take it.”
He eats the distance between us, grabs the back of my neck, and seals his lips with mine. It happens too fast for me to react and I grip his forearms as he softly kisses my mouth. Sucking and kissing my bottom lip, he flicks it with his tongue.
Tilting my head and holding it still, he deepens the kiss and explores the inside of my mouth. Our tongues colliding, and I melt in his embrace. Just as quickly, he pulls back.
I shove him back, panting hard. “Stop that.”
“Can’t.”
“Try.”
“You kissed back, Rose.”
The denial dies in my throat. Because damn it, it’s true.
Taking victory in my silence, he roots me to the spot with a possessive look and finally leaves. I caress my lips with my fingertips, still tasting him.
And hate myself when I don’t erase it.