The low lighting of the penthouse living room bathed everything in a golden haze. The trial tasting dinner had gone beautifully — laughter, stolen glances, lingering touches as they sampled signature dishes that would one day light up the Toast of Royals menu.
Now, music played softly in the background. The city lights of Udaipur sparkled through the floor-to-ceiling glass walls, casting a romantic shimmer inside.
Trisha stood by the bar, slowly pouring herself and Reeva a final glass of wine. Her sleeves were rolled up, her shirt clinging perfectly to the hard lines of her frame. Reeva sat curled into one side of the plush couch, her saree's pallu draped elegantly yet carelessly, lips still stained from the red wine and laughter.
Trisha turned toward her, eyes intense. "You liked the dessert?"
Reeva raised an eyebrow, a lazy smile tugging at her lips. "The crème brûlée or the view?"
Trisha smirked and handed her the glass. "Both, hopefully."
Their fingers brushed — soft, deliberate. Reeva's gaze dropped to Trisha's lips, then back to her eyes. The air grew heavier, slow and charged.
Trisha took a step closer. "You've been staring all night."
Reeva's voice dipped. "And you've been letting me."
That was the crack. Trisha didn't wait anymore.
She leaned in slowly, giving Reeva enough time to move away. But Reeva didn't — instead, she tilted her face up, inviting, trembling. Their mouths met in a deep, unhurried kiss. It was deliberate, heady. Reeva's breath hitched when Trisha's hand cupped her face, thumb brushing along her cheek with possessive tenderness.
When Trisha pulled away, just enough to whisper, "You sure?" her voice was husky, velvet over steel.
Reeva nodded, eyes dazed. "Yes. No strings, remember?"
Trisha's smile was dangerous. "I remember everything, Reeves."
She took the glass from Reeva's hand, set it aside without looking, and pulled her up with a firm tug.
Their mouths collided again — more urgent now. Trisha's hands were in Reeva's hair, at her waist, guiding her. Reeva melted into her, hands clutching at Trisha's shoulders, letting herself be led.
They stumbled through the hallway, lips never parting, breaths mingling. Trisha kicked open her bedroom door, never loosening her grip on Reeva. The room was dimly lit, the king-sized bed draped in navy sheets, cold air mixing with the heat rising between them.
Trisha paused only to look into Reeva's eyes one more time — serious, dominant. "You can stop me anytime."
"I won't," Reeva whispered, voice shaking. "Don't go easy."
Trisha smirked, her control slipping just enough to show hunger. "Wasn't planning to."
And with that, the door clicked shut behind them.