Chapter 17: Playing with Fire

The car ride back to the office was charged.

Adhya sat rigidly in her seat, arms folded tightly across her chest, her breathing sharp with frustration. Every time she replayed Reyan's words in her head—his threat to Aman, his possessiveness, his complete disregard for her personal space—it only fueled her anger more.

But Reyan?

He drove like he hadn't just thrown a silent declaration of ownership at her in the restaurant. One hand on the wheel, the other tapping lazily against his thigh, his entire posture annoyingly calm.

Adhya couldn't take it anymore.

She whipped her head toward him. "You had no right!"

Reyan didn't even glance at her. "I had every right."

Her jaw fell open. "Excuse me?"

"You heard me."

"You threatened Aman!"

His fingers tightened on the steering wheel. "And?"

"And?! You told him you'd break his hand if he touched me again!"

Reyan's jaw ticked. "I was being lenient."

Her breath caught.

Oh. He was serious.

Adhya narrowed her eyes. "It was just a hug! A normal, friendly hug."

His voice was dangerously calm. "I don't give a damn."

A slow shiver ran down her spine.

She clenched her fists. "I'm not yours to control, Reyan."

His knuckles turned white on the wheel, but he still didn't look at her. "That's where you're wrong."

Adhya's heart pounded.

A slow, wicked smirk curved her lips. "Oh? And what exactly am I, Mr. Malhotra?"

Reyan let out a slow breath, and then finally, finally, he turned his head toward her.

And the look in his eyes?

Dark. Smoldering. A storm waiting to consume her whole.

"Mine."

The air thickened.

Her entire body tingled as a wave of heat rushed through her.

But Adhya wasn't about to let him win so easily.

She leaned in closer, her voice dipping into something silky, teasing. "So what you're saying is... I can do whatever I want to you in private?"

Reyan's fingers twitched.

The muscle in his jaw ticked.

"Adhya." His voice was low, warning.

"Like, I could mess with you all I want behind closed doors?" She batted her lashes. "Make you lose control?"

The car jerked slightly.

Reyan slammed on the brakes at the next red light and turned his full body toward her.

"Careful, sweetheart." His voice was husky, dangerously controlled.

Adhya tilted her head, pushing him further. "Why? Are you scared you won't be able to handle me?"

His lips curled.

"Scared?" He let out a low, dark chuckle. "Oh, Adhya. You have no idea what I'm capable of."

Her stomach flipped.

The air inside the car was suddenly too thick, too hot.

The traffic light turned green, and Reyan faced forward, gripping the wheel tight as he drove.

Adhya swallowed hard.

What the hell had she just gotten herself into?

The moment they pulled into the office parking lot, she unbuckled her seatbelt in a hurry and reached for the door—

Only to find it locked.

Her head snapped toward him. "Reyan—"

His hand shot out, grabbing her chin between his fingers.

Her breath hitched as his face came inches from hers.

"You think you can tease me and get away with it?" His voice was pure, dark seduction.

She shivered.

And then, just as quickly, he leaned back, hit the unlock button, and smirked.

"Go on, run while you still can, little troublemaker."

Adhya bolted out of the car, her heartbeat thunderous, chaotic.

But as she stormed toward the building, she heard his low, knowing chuckle behind her.

Damn him.