Toxic ~ Even if we can't be together in the end - Chapter 23 Up ! - Page 17

Logic said I should run away screaming.

He was toxic. We were toxic. But the truth was I didn't want to.

The breeze ruffled his already mussed hair, and in his white shirt with the moonlight caressing the chiseled planes of his face, he looked positively devastating. Slowly he unbuttoned his shirt, his eyes locked with mine as he pulled it open.

"I'm about to show you what you've been missing Zoya Qureshi"

My heart picked up pace again as he let the shirt drop on the floor. I stared wide-eyed, watching him stalk towards me, taking his sweet time. No rush at all. I took a step back for each he took forward. He advanced on me until I was forced back against the wall. Aditya braced against the wall with both hands positioned on either side of my head.He wasn't saying anything but his eyes were scary intense. He didn't look mad, but he still looked about ready to explode.I looked anywhere but his eyes.

I'd never been able to resist him, and I wasn't about to test my willpower now. Frantically I tried to think of a way to distract him.

He leaned in closer, his lips an inch from mine.

"Don't" I whispered and closed my eyes to stop myself from staring at his glistening lips.

"I won't. Not unless you ask" he promised

"You promised not to kiss me until I asked" I reminded him of the words he had uttered just a few hours ago.

He cupped my chin, tilting my face so that I had no choice but to look him in the eyes. He leaned closer like he was going to kiss me again, but he paused instead. His breath fell on my lips as he spoke "I won't apologize for something we both wanted" His thumb swept across my bottom lip and I let out a shuddering breath.

His gaze burned through me, seeping down my soul, seizing me like a prisoner.

And I was a willing captive.

"Have you ever had angry sex?" he whispered in my ear as his mouth left a trail of soft kisses along my neck and jaw.

"Excuse me?" I faltered and sucked in a deep breath when his tongue darted out to taste my skin. His breath was hot, and he tasted like rain. Like a memory that I wanted to wrap myself up forever.

I gasped as he suddenly lifted me up, hands gripping my hips. I clung to him, wrapping my legs around his waist, my arms around his neck, holding for dear life. He was stronger than I expected, holding me like I was weightless as he carried me across the room. He sat me down on a hard table and pressed himself between my legs. "At least one thing didn't change - you were a prude then and you are a prude now" he teased.

Jerk.

Aditya had revelled in my timidity and innocence in college. As screwed up as that sounds. I wasn't that girl anymore but goddamn him for making me behave like a teenager. I was always Zoya Qureshi with him, naive and ingenuous, not the feisty and spirited Zoya Siddiqui the world knew. He guided my hands around his shoulders and I lost my breath, knowing how good it would feel if I just gave in. His shoulders were taut with tension beneath my hands, like he was holding himself back. Shielding me from himself.

"Is it wrong that it only tempts me more ?" he asked, his one hand possessing my bare back while the other pushed down the straps of my gown. Oh God, help me. "It is wrong. It is so wrong of me to want you, but I just can't resist" his gaze began to fall downward taking in my bra covered chest as the gown pooled at my waist. My mind swirled and my face flushed with heat as he continued his appraisal. No smirk accompanied his violation. His roaming gaze was reluctant as if it was involuntary. Like he couldn't help himself.

I should stop this. This was not right. I barely had time to think, to agonize over the impropriety of the situation.I was caught in a whirlwind. There's no other way to describe it, no other way to explain it, except that I had been swept up so fast that I could no longer even see the ground.

"Aditya..." I groaned and made a move to pull back the straps. He entwined our fingers and pulled me flush with his body. I breathed heavily as he traced my lips, my flushed cheeks and top of breasts with desire filled eyes.

"If your goal is to dissuade me from seducing you, chanting my name like you want to own every inch of me" I stared at his bare chest. There was a small tattoo on the side of his torso.It was all in black and gray, maybe some script lettering and impossible to read in this light. His skin looked smooth and... "like you need me, want me, desire me" he guided my fingers on his abs "won't work" He jerked my head forward and then he was kissing me. Again. Plunging his tongue into my mouth and nibbling my lips. The kiss was possessive. Dominating.

He broke the kiss and he pulled my hair, elongating my neck. "Say yes" His voice was raspy. Raw with need. For me. "Say yes, Zoya. f**king god...please say yes"

"I don't love you" Yes, that made sense. It was completely logical. I waited for him to stop this debauchery because clearly, I was not capable of doing it myself.

"You don't need love to have great sex. Love is messy. Confusing. Lust is easy. Powerful and driving" he explained, and his fingers slid under the gown, raking down my thighs "I promise you won't regret it" he whispered, and his hand paused on my bra hook as he waited for my consent. I loved the way he was staring at me. It made me feel more than just beautiful. I felt like I was his. Like no one else could possibly compare to me. He didn't even have to say the words. I saw it in his eyes. I could practically read it in his mind.

"N...No" I choked out. "I want to leave"

Lies. Lies.

His eyes locked with mine, trying to determine my true intent. I let every bit of emotion shine through my eyes. I knew my body would love nothing more than to give in to his demands. But, my mind would revolt in the morning.His eyes hardened and he ran a frustrated hand through his hair. "Goddammit Zoya" he let out a litany of curses. Damning everyone from hell and back.

Something screeched to my right, and I twisted my head to see the failing branches of the tree outside scraping against the windowpane. The leaves blew, announcing the arrival of the impending storm. But, I turned back to him, both of us breathing heavily, and I loved the storm in Aditya Hooda's eyes even more. He held onto my waist and gently helped me get off the table. His steady hands pulled up the straps and he turned me to fix the zipper of my dress.

" Aditya, I ..."

"Shhh..." He interrupted and pressed a soft kiss on the nape of my neck.

In the next few minutes, he buttoned his shirt, finger-combed his hair and moved towards the door. "I will get someone to drop you at the lodge"

"Wait" I called out.He paused. His back to me, shoulders stretched tight as he waited for me to continue.Hell if I knew what to say. But, I didn't want him to leave. Not yet. There were so many unresolved issues simmering between us. I crossed my arms over my chest.The golf project was a safe bet. Yes, that's it. If we could talk normally for some time, no insults, no rebukes and definitely no sexual tension, it would be the first step towards being civil with each other. "Regarding the project..."

He suddenly whirled around, his voice echoing in the room. "Unless you choose now to have our long overdue talk, I suggest you shut it." he took a step towards me "But, you can forget about leaving Aloha or Meridian Corp for that matter. I found you days ago."

Aditya Hooda had mastered the enviable art of switching between seduction-to-asshole in a heartbeat. He found me days ago ? What the heck ?

Looking at my stunned expression, he chuckled softly and shook his head "Ah, my sunshine, you still believe in coincidences, in fate and destiny" He was openly laughing at my stupidity. And I had almost had sex with him. Had almost proved myself to be the tramp that everyone thought I was. Way to go Zoya Siddiqui !

"Newsflash - you came to Aloha because I wanted you to" His voice was harsh in its emotionlessness. Even though the man standing in front of me was intimately acquainted with every swell and crevice of my body, he was still a stranger. "Don't strain yourself, love. I will write you an email detailing everything" he said coldly.He cocked his head, his eyes unravelling me like a complex case "I thought I would play with you a bit, and let you go, but once I had you within my grasp Zoya, I had to keep you"

If he had said it while holding out roses, I might have been moved. But Aditya said it like he was talking about a pair of shoes he wanted. "I am sure you would" I think I laughed. Hell if I could say for certain. "You can cherry pick your next screw conquest from the parade, ex-boyfriend." I bit out the last part as an insult "Why do all this? Can't get over the fact that a girl dumped you? Did I hurt your tender feelings, tsk tsk" If I would be labelled as a bitch. Might as well as own it.

"Temper, temper" he said. "It's both your weakness and your strength" he clucked like he was reprimanding a small child.

Something flashed across Aditya's face, too quick for me to determine what it was.The charming oh-shucks smile gave way to cold, calculating gaze.They say the greatest trick devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist. People tend to get emotional and spill their guts under liquor courage but Aditya just shed the harmless facade he had perfected for the world. His eyes lost the arrogance and iced over. Angry, but controlled. "You try to vanish into smoke again and it'll be a short flight, I assure you. Plus, we'll be having our talk under much different conditions. Like with you locked in a room so that you can't sneak off again. You pick your circumstances sunshine, but I have damn well waited long enough to have this out with you"

The look in his eyes said he meant every word.

"I'm flattered you want to f**k me, control my life as well as save my career. Prove that I am actually the s**t who slept with her boss. Really, Aditya, that's lovely."

He grinned. "Valentine's Day was just last month, after all."

He turned on his heel and began to walk away. "Welcome to Aloha" he mockingly threw over his shoulder.

I stared in stupid transfixion before the door slammed in finality.