Rain lashed against the French windows of the sprawling living room, each drop sounding like a tiny explosion in the suffocating silence. Heavy grey clouds obscured the moon, plunging the outskirts of the estate into absolute darkness. Inside, the fireplace crackled, casting a warm orange glow across the polished hardwood floors.
My heart hammered against my ribs as I stood in the kitchen doorway, holding a heavy silver tray of drinks. I couldn't tear my eyes away from him.
Yuvi sat on the leather sofa, his long legs stretched out, looking entirely too comfortable in my brother's house. He had changed in the three years he’d been gone. His shoulders were broader, his jawline sharper, and there was a dangerous, hardened edge to his posture that hadn't been there before.
"You've been quiet, man," josh said, tossing a peanut into his mouth. "Still adjusting to the jet lag?"
"Something like that," Yuvi replied, his voice a low, gravelly baritone that sent a tremor straight down my spine.
He didn't look at josh. Instead, his dark, intense eyes shifted over my brother's shoulder, locking directly onto me.
My breath caught in my throat. The sheer intensity in his gaze was scorching, bringing back a flood of memories I had spent years trying to drown. I remembered the heat of his skin, the rough touch of his hands, and the desperate whispered promises in the dark before he vanished without a trace.
"Maya, are you going to stand there all night?" Josh asked, turning around with a warm, clueless grin. "Bring those over. Yuvi’s starving."
Forcing a polite smile to my face, I stepped into the living room. My legs felt like lead, each step requiring a monumental effort.
"Here you go," I murmured, keeping my eyes firmly on the tray as I set it down on the low wooden coffee table.
"Thanks, little sis," josh said, reaching for a glass of scotch. "Sit down. Join us. We were just talking about Yuvi’s new office downtown."
"I should probably go to bed," I lied, my voice barely above a whisper. "I have a lot of work tomorrow."
"Nonsense," josh insisted, grabbing my wrist gently and pulling me down onto the sofa beside him. "You haven't seen Yuvi in years. Don't be polite."
Polite. If josh only knew the truth, he would never want me in the same room as his best friend. He had no idea that his sweet, innocent sister had given her heart—and her body—to the man he trusted more than anyone else in the world.
Across the table, Yuvi leaned back, his eyes tracking my every movement. He took a slow sip of his drink, his throat bobbing as he swallowed.
"How have you been,maya?" Yuvi asked, his tone polite, but his eyes burned with a fierce, possessive hunger that made my stomach flutter.
"Fine," I managed to say, clutching my hands together in my lap to hide their shaking. "Busy with college. And helping josh with the estate."
"She’s been a lifesaver," josh agreed, slinging an arm around my shoulders. "I don't know what I'd do without her. Honestly, Yuvi, she's the only one who keeps this place running."
Yuvi’s gaze flickered to josh arm on my shoulder, his jaw tightening so hard I could see the muscle leap. A dangerous flash of jealousy crossed his features before he quickly masked it behind another sip of his scotch.
"I'm sure she is," Yuvi murmured, his voice laced with a hidden meaning that only I could decipher. "She was always good at taking care of things."
---
Midnight arrived with another clap of thunder that shook the glass windowpanes. Josh had finally gone upstairs, complaining about a grueling early morning meeting with his investors.
Now, the house was dead silent, save for the rhythmic patter of the rain and the ticking of the grandfather clock in the hall.
Yuvi stood by the fireplace, staring down at the dying embers. The orange light played across his face, highlighting the sharp angle of his cheekbones and the dark shadows under his eyes.
"You should go to sleep," I whispered, breaking the silence. I remained seated on the couch, unable to bring myself to leave.
"I missed you," he said softly, not turning around.
Those three words shattered the fragile wall of anger I had built up over the last three years. Tears pricked the backs of my eyes, but I blinked them away, refusing to let him see me break.
"You left me," I reminded him, my voice cracking. "You didn't write. You didn't call. You let me believe I meant nothing to you."
Slowly, he turned around. He crossed the room with predatory grace, stopping right in front of me. He towered over me, his shadow swallowing me whole.
"You meant everything to me," he growled, bending down so his face was level with mine. "That's why I left. Josh was starting to suspect. If he found out, he would have ruined us both. I had to build something of my own, maya. I had to become someone who could protect you."
"By breaking my heart?" I asked, looking up into his eyes.
"It broke mine too," he whispered. He reached out, his thumb gently brushing against my cheek. His touch was electric, sparking a fire that raced straight to my core.
Gasps escaped my lips as I leaned into his hand, closing my eyes. I had craved this touch for thirty-six agonizing months.
"We can't," he muttered, though he didn't pull his hand away. "Not here. Josh is upstairs."
"I don't care," I breathed, opening my eyes to look at him.
"I do," he said, his voice thick with restraint. "I won't have you looking at me with regret tomorrow morning."
Pulling his hand back, he stepped away. The sudden loss of warmth made me shiver.
"Go to bed, maya," he said, his tone suddenly cold and distant. "We'll talk in the morning."
Without waiting for my reply, he turned and headed for the stairs.
---
Sitting alone in the dark living room, I stared at the empty space where he had stood. The grandfather clock chimed 1:00 AM.
Anger, desire, and pure desperation warred inside my chest. I couldn't let him push me away again. I couldn't go back to the cold, empty existence of the last three years.
Standing up, I made my way up the creaking wooden staircase. Every sound seemed magnified in the quiet house. I kept one hand on the banister, my heart pounding a frantic rhythm against my ribs.
Passing josh’s closed door, I held my breath, praying he was fast asleep. The soft sound of his deep breathing gave me the reassurance I needed.
Further down the hallway, a thin sliver of light escaped from under the door of the guest room.
Reaching the door, I didn't hesitate. I turned the brass knob and pushed it open, stepping into the dimly lit room.
Yuvi was standing by the window, his shirt already unbuttoned, revealing the muscular expanse of his chest. He turned around at the sound of the door opening, his eyes widening in surprise.
"Maya?" he whispered, his voice laced with warning. "What are you doing? Go back to your room."
Closing the door behind me, I reached out and slid the lock into place. The soft click sounded incredibly loud in the quiet room.
Turning around, I didn't say a word. I crossed the distance between us in three quick strides.
Throwing myself into his arms, I buried my face in his neck, my hands clutching at the fabric of his shirt.
His body went rigid for a fraction of a second, his breath hitching. Then, with a low groan that sounded like a man drowning, his arms wrapped around my waist, lifting me off my feet and pulling me impossibly close.