Aarohi stood before the grand windows of her office, watching the city lights shimmer below, the hum of the bustling streets nothing more than a distant murmur. The silence in her office felt oppressive, as though the walls themselves were waiting for something — or someone — to break it. The hours had stretched into an endless blur since Vikram Singh's visit. His words had lingered in her mind, but it wasn't the threat that held her captive. It was the idea that she was being tested — not just in business, but in every possible way.
Her phone buzzed again, and she already knew who it was before she even looked at the screen.
Rohit Nair.
She had spoken to him just the day before, and yet, her pulse still quickened whenever he contacted her. Their conversations were always… loaded. Full of unspoken words, dangerous promises, and the underlying current of something that neither of them could quite define. At least, that's how it felt to her.
She hesitated for a moment before answering, and as the call connected, his voice came through — smooth, controlled, and as always, just a little too charming.
"Ms. Malhotra," Rohit's voice slid into her ear like a velvet-coated blade, "I trust you're still adjusting to your new position."
"I'm fine," she replied, keeping her tone calm, even though the words felt hollow. Was she fine? Or was she on the edge of something far more volatile than she could ever prepare for?
A long pause followed, and Aarohi couldn't help but feel that he was studying her, as though trying to read the emotions she was too good at hiding. Then, as if reading her thoughts, he spoke again.
"You know, trust is a delicate thing, don't you, Ms. Malhotra?" he asked. "One small misstep, and everything could come crashing down. I hope you understand that."
Aarohi's stomach twisted, but she kept her voice steady. "I understand perfectly."
"Good," he replied, the sound of approval in his voice unmistakable. "You're doing well so far. But there's something I need you to do for me."
Aarohi raised an eyebrow, curiosity piqued. "What is it?"
"You'll find out soon enough," he said. "But for now, I suggest you come to the Penthouse Suite tonight. I'm hosting a small meeting. I'd like you to be there."
Her breath caught in her throat. His voice was casual, but the invitation felt anything but. The Penthouse Suite wasn't just a meeting room; it was his domain, his territory. The very idea of stepping into it made her stomach clench with anticipation and dread.
"Why the sudden meeting?" she asked, trying to hide the unease creeping up her spine.
"Consider it a... test," Rohit answered, his tone almost playful. "You've been doing well, but now it's time to prove how far you're willing to go. I need to see if you're really cut out for this world."
Aarohi's heart raced, and for the first time since she'd entered this dangerous world, she felt the weight of the choice she'd made. There was no going back now.
"I'll be there," she said, her voice firm. She had no other choice.
The call ended abruptly, and Aarohi found herself standing there for several long moments, the silence enveloping her once again. She didn't know what to expect, but she couldn't deny the growing tension between them. Every interaction with Rohit was like walking a razor's edge — thrilling, dangerous, and utterly unpredictable.
---
That night, Aarohi arrived at the Penthouse Suite, her nerves on edge. The building loomed in front of her, sleek and imposing against the dark sky. She took a deep breath as she stepped out of the car, her heels clicking sharply against the marble floors as she walked toward the elevators.
The elevator doors slid open, and she stepped inside, her reflection in the polished walls staring back at her. She barely recognized the woman looking back. She was no longer the same, not since meeting Rohit Nair.
The doors to the suite opened, and she was greeted by the cool, dimly lit interior. The space was luxurious, yet there was an underlying darkness to it — the kind of darkness that seemed to wrap around her like an invisible cloak.
And there, in the center of the room, stood Rohit. He was leaning casually against the edge of the bar, a drink in his hand, his dark eyes watching her as she entered. His gaze never left hers, like a predator sizing up its prey.
"Ms. Malhotra," he greeted her, his voice low and teasing. "I was beginning to think you wouldn't show up."
Aarohi's heart fluttered unexpectedly, but she refused to show weakness. "I'm here," she said, her voice steady. "What do you want from me, Rohit?"
He straightened, walking toward her with deliberate, slow steps. The air between them crackled with an intensity that neither of them seemed willing to break. "You're not afraid of me, are you?" he asked, his voice low, teasing.
"No," Aarohi replied, though she could feel the heat building between them, the electric pull she couldn't escape. "But I'm beginning to think you like to play games."
Rohit smiled, a wicked smile that sent a shiver down her spine. "Only when they're worth playing." He paused, his eyes dark and intense. "You've done well so far. But I need to know if you can handle more. Can you?"
Aarohi's pulse quickened, her breath catching in her throat. "I can handle anything you throw at me," she said, the words coming out stronger than she felt.
He took another step closer, and this time, she didn't back away. She couldn't. There was something magnetic about him — something she couldn't resist, no matter how hard she tried.
For a moment, neither of them spoke. Then, suddenly, Rohit reached out, his hand gently cupping her cheek. The touch was light but possessive, sending a wave of heat through her.
"You think you know this world, Ms. Malhotra," he murmured, his lips barely grazing her ear. "But it's more than just business. It's about power. Control. And desire."
Before she could respond, he tilted her chin upward, his lips capturing hers in a kiss that was as fierce as it was unexpected. Aarohi froze for a heartbeat, her body trembling under the intensity of his touch. But then, instinct took over. She kissed him back, her hands sliding up his chest as the kiss deepened.
It was a kiss that spoke of promises neither of them was ready to keep, a kiss that was both an invitation and a warning. There was no tenderness in it, only a raw, undeniable hunger that seemed to consume them both.
When they finally pulled away, Aarohi was breathless, her body still humming with the lingering heat of his touch. Rohit's eyes were darker than before, filled with something unreadable.
"Did I pass the test, Ms. Malhotra?" he asked, his voice hushed.
Aarohi swallowed hard, her mind still reeling. "I think the test has just begun."
The night after the kiss, Aarohi couldn't stop thinking about it. The taste of his lips still lingered, the heat of his touch still burned in her veins, and the sensation of his hand gripping her waist, pulling her closer — it was all consuming.
She had never been the kind of woman to let a kiss affect her like this. She had always been in control, always a step ahead of the game. But with Rohit, everything felt different. Every encounter, every touch, it unraveled her, pulling her deeper into a world she couldn't escape from — a world that both terrified and intrigued her.
The next morning, the memory of the kiss hung between them like an unspoken promise, an invitation neither of them had acknowledged out loud, but both felt in their bones.
Aarohi walked into the office, her movements stiff, as though every step was deliberate, controlled. She couldn't afford to show weakness. Not after everything that had happened. Not after the kiss.
But when she walked into her office, there he was — Rohit, sitting behind her desk. His presence filled the room, overwhelming and commanding.
His eyes lifted to meet hers, and for a moment, she couldn't breathe. The intensity in his gaze made her heart race, and she hated the way her body reacted to him. He didn't need to say a word to make her feel the pull between them, the simmering tension that was impossible to ignore.
"I hope you're not planning to hide from me all day," Rohit said, his voice low, almost teasing.
Aarohi's breath hitched. "I'm not hiding from anyone," she replied, trying to keep her voice steady. She forced herself to walk past him, sitting in her chair.
But he wasn't done. Not yet.
He rose slowly, his gaze never leaving hers. "You know," he began, his tone deliberately casual, but there was something dangerous lurking beneath it, "I've been thinking about that night in the Penthouse."
Aarohi's stomach tightened, and she fought to keep her composure. She wasn't sure how to respond. The memory of their kiss made her pulse quicken, but she refused to let him see the effect he had on her.
"There's no need to," she said, her voice tinged with the smallest hint of challenge. "I don't get lost in moments like that."
Rohit chuckled softly, a dark, knowing sound that made her shiver. He took a step closer, his presence like a storm in the room. "I wasn't talking about getting lost," he said, his voice dropping to a whisper. "I was talking about what comes next."
Aarohi's heart raced, and she stood, her eyes locking with his. "And what exactly is that?" she asked, her voice barely more than a breath.
He took another step closer, until they were inches apart. She could feel the heat of his body radiating toward hers, could smell the faint scent of his cologne, and it was all she could do to resist the urge to close the distance between them completely.
"You're playing a dangerous game, Ms. Malhotra," he murmured, his lips hovering just above her ear. "And the stakes are higher than you realize."
Aarohi swallowed hard, her body betraying her as her breath quickened. She could feel the desire in his words, in his proximity, and it was impossible to ignore. She wanted to step back, wanted to regain control of the situation, but something inside her was drawn to him in a way she couldn't explain.
"Maybe I'm not afraid of the danger," she whispered, her voice thick with challenge.
Rohit's lips brushed against the shell of her ear as he whispered back, "You should be."
He pulled away just slightly, enough to look her in the eyes. The dark, stormy depths of his gaze sent a shiver down her spine. He was toying with her, testing her, but there was something else in his eyes too — something raw, something vulnerable that he didn't often show.
"Rohit," Aarohi breathed, unsure of what she was even about to say. She felt the words stuck in her throat, tangled up with everything she was feeling, everything she was afraid to admit.
He stepped back then, a small, almost imperceptible smile on his lips. "You're not ready yet, are you?" he asked, a challenge in his voice.
She swallowed, her heart pounding. "I'm ready for whatever you want me to be," she said, her voice steady, even though every fiber of her being was screaming something different.
Rohit studied her for a long moment, and then, without another word, he turned and walked toward the door. "I'll see you tonight," he said over his shoulder, his voice low and commanding.
Aarohi watched him go, her pulse still racing, her mind reeling. She was no longer sure of anything — not of what she wanted, not of what was happening between them. But she knew one thing for certain: she couldn't walk away from him, no matter how much she tried.
---
Later that evening, as the office emptied and the world outside began to fade into the night, Aarohi found herself standing before the elevator once again, her fingers trembling slightly as she pressed the button to take her to the Penthouse Suite.
The invitation had been simple, but the weight of it felt anything but. Rohit's words echoed in her mind. "The stakes are higher than you realize." What did he want from her? What would tonight bring?
The doors opened with a soft ding, and she stepped inside, trying to steady her breath. The elevator seemed to take forever, the silence between them stretching as her thoughts raced, but soon enough, the doors opened, and she stepped out into the expansive suite.
Rohit was already there, waiting. But this time, there was something different in his demeanor. He wasn't just playing games anymore. He was taking control — and she could feel it in the air, thick and palpable, wrapping around her like a smothering embrace.
"Ms. Malhotra," his voice was softer now, almost intimate, and she couldn't help but feel drawn to him, despite every warning bell ringing in her mind. "Come here."
It was a command, not a request, and for the first time, Aarohi found herself willingly walking into his orbit, unsure of what exactly was pulling her in.
continue...