FF: Desert Rose (Chapter 7, Pg 35) 11/07 - Page 25

Love is a smoke made with the fume of sighs.

- William Shakespeare

The man growled, a deep predatory rumble that made her clench her innards down south. His eyes seemed to be burning with an intensity that made her shiver deliciously. It should have been frightening to be alone with a man who looked upon her with such hunger, but strangely, she found herself regarding him appraisingly. Wondering what he would do.. Wondering if she would let him.

His eyes trained on her, he brought her foot closer to his face. Jodha watched him with heavy lidded golden eyes, her hair spilling over one side. He rubbed the sensitive undersides against the sprinkle of hair on his jaw. She sucked in a breath at the ticklish enticing sensation, jerking her foot in his hold. He didn't let go. She felt herself getting flushed under his scrutiny. Her foot brushed his lower lip, the rush of his warm breath cooling on her moistened sole. Her toes curled at the intimacy of the moment, at the heat pooling between her thighs. The bigger toe caressed the side of his mouth, the lips of which were now quirked in a devastating half smile.

"It is as I said, kitten," he whispered against her toe, holding it an inch away from his mouth. His breath blew deliciously against her toe mounds, scattering her thoughts before they could form. "When I want you, you will come willingly."

He ran his lips over her toes, a light fleeting touch making her yearn for more. She wanted to close her eyes at his merciless teasing, but she could not drag her gaze away from his. She wanted to remember why all of this was wrong, but no coherent thought strayed near the frazzled edges of her consciousness. His lip brushed over her little toe, where unbeknownst to her, she was particularly receptive. She made a low noise in her throat, her toes curling again. Her fingers dug into the bedspread, her eyes becoming even more catlike in her arousal.

His fingers tightened on the foot, the look in her eyes mirrored in his. His mouth opened around her little toe, his tongue brushing it gently as he took it past his lips. She forgot to breathe, fighting to keep her eyes open as she looked at the sensuous curve of his lips against her toe. He sucked it lightly, his teeth grazing the sensitive skin. Her back arched, her eyes closing for a moment before opening again.

"Ah, kitten.. " he groaned, placing open mouthed kisses down her sole, making her gasp in rapture. "So beautiful, so responsive.." She moaned as he bit her heel gently, her face flushed. There was an ache building up in her, an amalgamation of pain and pleasure that took her breath away.

So beautiful, so responsive.. So beautiful.. The word slowly penetrated her drugged mind. It was a word that was the aspiration of women the world over. A word causing much preening, and sighs, and delighted bashfulness. A word that men used often, and that women considered exclusive.

For Jodha, it was like the breaking of a dam, a flood of memories that shocked her into wakefulness. A word associated with bloodshed and treachery, guilt and anger, hushed whimpers and horrific screams.. And pain. So much pain.

She pulled her foot out of his grasp, scooting back from the man wreaking havoc on her being. Ignoring his flabbergasted expression, she scrambled out of the bed and nearly ran for the door. Her foot didn't hurt as much as before. She refused to thank his ministrations for that. She had the door partially open before a strong hand slammed it shut. His body pressed against her back, caging her with his nearness.

"What," she hissed menacingly. "do you want?"

She didn't turn towards him, prefering to rest her head against the door. She had to gather her thoughts. His body so close to hers was starting to ensnare her senses again, calling to her from a primitive core that he had ignited.

"Jodha," his deep voice sounded at her ear. She felt the vibration of his chest against her back, hating the way she wanted to press against him like a wanton. "What is wrong, kitten?"

What is wrong? She wanted to laugh at that. What was right? Her circumstances, the things she had done.. Nothing was right. It haunted her nights and pressed heavily on her during the day. She had escaped a prison, and found it existed within her. There would be no escaping herself.

"You are wrong," she answered him, the ache in her head magnifying to epic proportions. It was something she had ignored before. But now.. Now she wanted the oblivion of sleep.

"Am I?" he murmured against her hair, his breath blowing tendrils onto her face. It was cosy, being surrounded by his heat with his hands on either side of her face on the door. She could feel it when he spoke; the vibrations travelling into her body, warming the icy core she carried everywhere. If only she could lean back into him.. Feel his arms around her, protected and cherished. If only there was a place she mattered as a woman, a person who looked upon her and saw her, not the national treasure she seemed to be. She fisted her hands against the door.

"You are wrong," she repeated, feeling tears clog her throat. "I will never come to you when you will it. You will never have me as one of the women you consort with. I might have run away, but I am still an affianced woman, Sire. And I will thank you to keep your hands off me."

She had intended to end her diatribe with a cutting look in his direction and a dignified departure. But it was he who backed away from her, making her feel suddenly bereft. She heard his low laugh, the sound making her turn towards him. He was running a hand through his hair, a look of derisive amusement on his rugged features.

"Now why did I ever assume you were any different from the women I consort with?" he seemed to be asking himself, his tone musing. She stiffened with affront, her eyes narrowing. He gave that low laugh again, looking at her with hooded eyes. "Always the man's fault you become putty in his hands, isn't it? He is the lustful beast who dared to sway the virtuous woman that you are. The one who should be made to honor the woman who was an equal participant in the act and spend his life atoning for it."

He walked towards her, making her press back into the door reflexively. He stopped in front of her, tilting his head to look down at her. "Well, my dear affianced lady," he drawled lazily, his eyes glittering with disdain. "Your games do not fool me. Your cloak of innocence will not shield your true intentions. I have not lived twenty four winters unaware of the ploy women employ to better their lot in life. You are good for a tumble in bed, but I will not wed you if you cry foul come morning. My sense of honor, alas, does not extend that far."

"You are addled," Jodha snapped, feeling her rajput temper come to the fore. "I do not want to wed you, you buffoon! The only tricks being played here are those by the arrogance in your head! I would not wed you if my existence depended on it!"

"The lady does protest overmuch," he smirked. "It is, however, heartening to know that should I ever take leave of my senses and offer for you, you would have the courtesy to turn me down."

"You are despicable!" she seethed. "I want nothing to do with the likes of you."

He leaned closer to her, a rakish tilt to his smile. "A while back, I could have sworn you wanted to do ample with the likes of me. Would you like me to prove you wrong.. again?"

"Oh, you -"she nearly choked on her ire. Pressing a hand to his chest, she tried to push him back. He didn't budge an inch, bear of a man that he was. His smile got wider at her puny attempts.

"Just what is your name?" Jodha demanded imperiously, her eyes glaring daggers at his amused ones.

"What would you like it to be?" he asked, running a finger down her bare arm sensuously.

"Mahishasura," she snapped back, slapping the finger away. "But wants do not make reality, as we both know."

He laughed outright at that, the sound echoing off the walls of the hut. "You amuse me so, little cat. Why do you want to know my name?"

"It makes cursing you more effectual," she stated, her expression deadpan. "I can chant your name around a fire, mutter some mantras and bind you in Hell for eternity. It would be like serving humankind in all honesty."

"Ah," he tried to mimic her expression, the twinkle in his eyes the only indication of their banter. "So you are a witch. That would explain my ensnarement in your otherworldly charms." He bent his head towards hers leisurely, giving her time to move away. She didn't. His lips hovered above hers. Jodha licked her lips nervously, her eyes flying to his somber ones.

"You didn't answer my question," she whispered, breathlessly, her gaze drawn to his parted lips. She saw them form the words, his breath imprinting them against hers.

"My name is Jalal."

To be continued..

Originally posted by: varshaakulkarni

Yeahhh my babyyy is baccckkk ... unres 😃

Okay my sweetheart prateeksha is backkk ... & in action ... now if u dont give me the updates oftenly then you will face my wrath 😡 my dear ... gosh ...I was sooo much waiting & waiting & waiting & waiting for this update to be released ... & finally its been released ... & whatt an awesome update yaarrr 👏 ...btw I missed you sooo much ... 😭 ... I knw u were busy & stuff ... but still 😭😭 ... now plzzz dont you dare become Ms.Gayab from the forum 😡 again ... ye mera dhamaki hai 😳

Now coming to the update ... jodha & jalal both are lying to each other 😆 ... both are adamant in revealing their identity ...😉 ... now even after these close encounter's what makes jodha hide her identity ...??? & also what makes jalal hide his identity to jodha ... cant they reveal the truth???

well i love this shatir jalal ... even after jodha lied he didnt cave into her worked up story 😆 ... btw was she eyeing him when he was tending to her foot ...?? 😉 ...

i loved this part the most ...

1) "Oh, cease the god awful screaming, woman," he complained, comically rubbing his ears. "And stop fighting with my bedding. I am partial to it and I do not want your claws spoiling it."

( jalal is worried about his bedding getting spoiled , what will happen on their first night then 😆...🤣 Omg... !! you are sooo good in bringing out the sarcastic humor prateeksha ... 😆 i love it )

Loved loved loved this update ... i want next one ASAP ... thatz an order from Queen Varsha😆