ELITE SERIES – Shivika -Tempting Mr Oberoi- Chapter 3

SHIVIKA – TEMPTING MR OBEROI
Heyy everyone, I hope you liked the previous post… Thnxx for comments and to my silent readers as well

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Chapter 2 here
Annika decides to change her life

CHAPTER 3
Annika watched as the cab she had hired started leaving her stranded near her destination. She looked at the building behind her and then she looked at the deserted road and her heart pounded.
Annika : You are so stupid. Who asked you to drink so much? Are you actually standing here in front of his house?
Had she abstained from drinking, she would most definitely not be standing here, alone, in front of the home of one of Kolkata’s Elite, in the middle of the night. What had she been thinking?
Clearly, she hadn’t been thinking—at all.
For a fleeting moment, she considered turning back to the street and hailing the next rickshaw or cab that passed through. She could have called her brother, but she knew that she would be severely chastised, Not to mention being looked upon like a child.
No, Annika had started her adventure and finish it, She will.
She squared her shoulders and approached the imposing entrance of Oberoi Mansion. She had barely rung the bell when the large door swung open, revealing an aged servant who seemed not at all surprised to find a young woman standing outside his master’s home. Stepping aside, he allowed her to enter, closing the door behind her as she took in the warm, inviting entryway to the long-established home of the Oberoi Family.
Annika : Umm… Hello?
Servant : Yes?
Annika pulled down the scarf she was using as a veil to let him see her better.
Annika : I wish to see Mr Oberoi.
Servant : Of course Madam. Please follow me upstairs.
Annika furrowed her eyebrows in confusion. The servant was taking a guest to the bedrooms? Then realisation dawned.
Annika : I’m sorry, But I’m not a..
Servant : Of course not, Madam. Come, Please follow me.
Annika : Upstairs?
Servant : Yes, That’s where Shivaay Sir is.
Shivaay Sir?
She had to escape.
Unless…
No. She quashed the little voice. No unless. Her reputation was hanging by a thread. She’d be safer hailing a cab by herself on the dark streets than following this ancient guy to Lord knew where.
To Shivaay’s room.
Annika nearly choked at the thought. She would never drink again.
Servant : Madam?
This was her chance. Misguided or not, this was what she had hoped for when she’d sneaked from the house and taken a cab. She’d wanted to see Shivaay—to prove that she had the courage for adventure. And here she was, her objective squarely within reach.

This is your chance to prove yourself more than passive.
She swallowed, staring mutely up at the old man. Fine. She would follow him. And she would ask Shivaay to help get her home. It would be embarrassing, but he would come to her aid. He had to. She was the sister of Akshat Mishra and she belonged in the Elite, and he was a gentleman.
She hoped.
She nodded her head and followed the aged servant towards the stairs. As she moved up the staircase, Annika detected the sound of faraway, muffled music that became louder as the servant led her down a long, dimly lit corridor. He stopped in front of a large mahogany door that did nothing to contain the music that spilled from the room. Annika couldn’t help the flash of curiosity that, for a brief moment, overpowered her nervousness.
The servant knocked on the door and when a deep “Enter” was heard, he opened the door but did not cross the threshold. He moved aside to let her enter, which she did, albeit reluctantly.
The door closed behind her. She was in the lion’s den, wrapped in a cloak of shadow and sound.
The large room was barely lit, just two dim lights illuminating the space in a quiet, intimate glow. Even without its enveloping darkness, it was the most masculine room she had ever seen—decorated in rich, dark wood and deep earthy colors. The walls were covered in a wine-colored silk. The furniture was large and imposing—bookshelves lined two walls, each one full to bursting, A chaise sofa in one corner of the room with a large desk next to it. Table lamps were next to the large bed that took up most of the room.
But right now, The feature that attracted her the most was the huge piano in the far corner of the room, near the bed. She had never imagined a piano being kept in someone’s bedroom. He had not turned away from the instrument at her intrusion, instead raising a hand to stay any words that might have interrupted his playing.
The piece he played was dark and melodious, and Annika was immediately captivated by its blend of talent and emotion. She watched, riveted by his tanned arms where his shirtsleeves had been haphazardly rolled; by his strong hands dancing deliberately instinctively across the keys; by the curve of his neck as his head dipped low in concentration.
When he finished the piece, the last of the notes lingered in the heavy air as he lifted his head and turned toward the door, revealing muscled legs in trousers and shoes; his shirt, open at the collar; the rippling muscles of his shoulders as he straightened on the stool.
When he noticed her, He straightened and his eyes narrowed. Annika who had replaced her veil on her face saw that he was trying to recognise her.
Though he didn’t show it outwardly, Annika who had a practiced eye for observing people, noticed that he didn’t like that he had a visitor. Especially a female one.
She opened her mouth to speak, to apologize for her intrusion, to escape, but before she could say anything, his words cut across the room.
Shivaay : Natasha! I can’t believe you actually decided to come here. Have you no sense? I meant what I said and I said that we are done.
Annika’s mouth closed in surprise. Oh Good Lord! He thought of her as his ex- girlfriend? His ex-lover? Heaven knew what that woman was to him.
To be fair, She wasn’t really at his house in the most suitable hour, but that didn’t mean he could act like an arrogant pimp.
Shivaay : Nothing to say, Natasha?
He walked forward but Annika kept her mouth shut. It seemed the wisest course of action. But then he stopped and turned back towards his piano, sat down and began playing.
Shivaay : You may see yourself out, Natasha. I may have cut short our relationship, but that doesn’t mean we have to be awkward about this matter.

Annika cleared her throat. How dare this man diss a woman with whom he had had a relationship. She stood, fists clenched in womanly outrage, wondering just what she should do. No…she knew what she should do. She should leave this room immediately and flee this house. She should return to her quiet, calm life and forget her silly list. But that was not what she wanted to do.
What she wanted to do was teach this man a lesson. And her anger made her brave enough to stay.
Annika : Unfortunately for you, This night is going to become more awkward, Mr Oberoi.
His head whipped toward her as he shot from his seat. If she were not so irritated, she would have been vastly entertained.
Annika : Yes, Now you can see that I’m not your Natasha.
His surprise was almost immediately replaced by shuttered calm. Annika found that impressive.
Shivaay : Yes, I see you’re not. You are….
He squinted, trying to look at her through her veil, but failed.
Shivaay : I’m sorry, But I don’t recognise you.
Annika : Yes, It seems that way.
Shivaay : Did you want my help?
Annika : I had considered it, but seeing your arrogant nature and what I just witnessed, I’m not sure if you can.
One of his dark eyebrows kicked up at her words. Annika took that as her cue to escape. Without another word, she turned abruptly and grasped the door handle. She had opened the door a quarter of an inch when a larger, stronger hand shot over her shoulder and closed it again. Oh Lord…he was fast. She tugged at the handle with both hands, but her strength was no match for his; that single, strong arm kept the door firmly shut.
Annika (whispering) : Please.. Let me go?
Shivaay : You’re talking as though I kidnapped you and brought you here. You came inside this room of your own volition. I deserve the courtesy of knowing who you are.
His reply was quiet, spoken just at the edge of her ear veiled though it was, sending a shiver of panic through her. His body was inches away from hers—any closer, and they would be touching. They might as well have been for the way the heat of him was overwhelming her senses. Annika stared at the doorjamb, wondering just how she was going to escape her fate.
She had started this adventure as the Goddess Annika. She couldn’t give up now. She slowly turned around to face him. He took a step back as she raised her hands and pulled down the thin dupatta. He stared at her for about twenty seconds before exclaiming, suprised.
Shivaay : Miss Annika Mishra?
Annika flushed, her cheeks complete crimson by now. She nodded and replied in the affirmative confirming her identity.
Shivaay : Don’t take this the wrong way but never would I have guessed that my midnight visitor to be you. What brings you here? And oh no, What are we doing in this room? Come, Miss Mishra. You can sit in the salon and we will talk.
Annika quickly shook her head.
Annika : That’s alright, Mr Oberoi. I… I am here due to some peculiar happenings tonight, but now I’m quite fine and I think I should go home.
Shivaay leaned back casually against the door frame and looked at her. Annika gulped and wondered what would happen now. He could clearly see that she was nervous.
Shivaay : Peculiar happenings?
Annika : Ye.. Yes.
Shivaay lifted his eyebrow once more and stared incredulously at her.
Shivaay : These “happenings” brought you to my house?
Annika : Umm… Yes. I needed you to hire a cab or provide some sort of transport home. Well… Needed isn’t the word. I hoped to gain your help.
Shivaay : And you decided to knock on my door?
The sound of his casual curiosity set her on edge.
Annika : Yes.
Shivaay : But what exactly were these happenings?
Annika (shaking her head) : I would rather not talk about it.
Silence descended and, for a brief moment, she thought he was satisfied by her evasive response.
She was wrong.
He crossed his arms arrogantly as he let amused disbelief seep into his words.
Shivaay : You decided that my house was safer than hailing a cab on your own?
Annika : I needed someone to know that I was here, should something happen to me. Besides, You’re part of the Elite. You won’t harm me.
He snorted. She snapped an indignant gaze to meet his mocking one.
Annika : You don’t believe me?
Shivaay (shrugging) : Not one bit.
Annika looked down at the floor and tried to think of any fib, anything at all that would get her out of this mess. Shivaay saw this and lifted her chin.
Shivaay : Miss Mishra, Why don’t you just tell the truth?
Annika : You can call me Annika.
Shivaay : Very well. Annika…. Why are you here?
He coaxed, the words spoken in a deep, liquid tone that she was certain he used whenever he wanted something. She would not be surprised to discover that it always worked.
And then, whether from courage or cowardice or too much sherry she would never know, she decided to answer him. After all, tonight couldn’t possibly become any worse.
Annika (whispering) : I came to ask you to kiss me.
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It wasn’t the answer he’d been expecting. He was surprised by the timid words, barely audible in the silent room. For a moment, he thought he had misheard her, but the flush that raged across her face was enough to convince him that, yes, he had just received an indecent proposition from Miss Annika Mishra.
The evening had begun innocuously. Having refused all invitations, Shivaay had dined with his siblings, still fresh from the discovery of Swara, then retired to his room, hoping that the privacy of his sanctuary and his piano would offer welcome distraction. Eventually, it had worked, and he had lost himself in his music.
Until the knock at the door, announcing Miss Mishra’s arrival. He gave her a frank perusal. She was not unattractive—a touch plain but she had full lips and flawless skin and wide, lovely eyes that flashed with emotion. He wondered at their color briefly before he forced himself to return to the matter at hand.
This was obviously the first time she’d ever done something so adventurous; if he hadn’t already been aware of her pristine reputation, he would have sensed it from her obvious discomfort.
Annika Mishra was always to follow the rules.
Except tonight, She seemed to be breaking all sorts of them.
He watched her calmly, hiding his thoughts. She refused to meet his eyes, instead focusing her gaze on her tightly clasped hands while darting quick glances at the door as if to measure the potential success of an attempt to flee the room. He couldn’t help the burst of sympathy he felt for her, this little mouse who had obviously found herself in a situation far beyond her experience.
He could be a gentleman about the whole thing—take pity on her, provide her an exit, and offer to forget that this evening had ever happened.
But he sensed that, despite her obvious nervousness, there was a part of her that wanted to play this out. He wondered how far she would go.
Shivaay : Why?
Annika : Excuse me?
She lifted her eyes and met his before looking away again.
Shivaay : Why do you want me to kiss you? Not that I’m not flattered, but why me?
Annika : I…. I don’t know.
Shivaay : Wrong answer, My sweet.
Annika : You shouldn’t call me that. It’s too intimate.
Shivaay : We are in my room, talking about kissing. We’re way past intimate.
She closed her eyes against a wave of embarrassment. For a moment, he thought she wouldn’t reply. And then her shoulders rose and fell on a deep breath, and she spoke.
Annika : I’ve never been kissed. I thought it was time.
The words shocked him—they were not filled with self-pity, nor did they plead. Instead, they were so honest, so matter-of-fact, that he couldn’t help but admire her courage. Such a statement could not be an easy one to make.
He did not reveal his surprise.
Shivaay : But why me?
Annika : You’re the most famous flirt I know.
Shivaay blinked. He did have girlfriends and exes. But he had never thought of him as a flirt.
Annika : They say that you one week you went out with one girl and the next you went out with the other one and they never found out for two whole years.
Shivaay (with disbelief) : They say that, Do they?
Annika nodded.
Shivaay : You shouldn’t believe all that you hear, Miss Mishra.
Annika : Annika. You mean, that story’s a lie?
Shivaay : Most certainly it’s false. But leave that. How can you trust me with you then? If I’m so disreputable?
Annika : You’ll be proper with me. I know that.
Shivaay : Do you? Why aren’t you waiting for your prince charming?
Annika : My prince charming… If he exists, is simply too far away and I don’t feel like waiting anymore.
Seeing her flush brought desire and enjoyment inside Shivaay. This woman was very interesting.
Indeed, this was just the diversion he needed in the face of Swara’s introduction into society.
Quickly on the heels of that thought came another.
Miss Annika Mishra was the answer to his problems. And she had been delivered to his doorstep—well…rather farther than his doorstep—on the same day as his long-lost sister. He felt a wave of satisfaction.
He would kiss her. For a price.
Shivaay : Will you consider a trade?
Annika froze, her eyes narrowing with tiny buds of wariness coursing through them.
Annika : A trade?
Shivaay : I promise, it’s nothing sinister. You see, it seems I have a long lost half sister.
Annika (her eyes widening) : A sister?
Shivaay nodded.
Shivaay : Mahi and I were surprised too.
He gave her a brief description of the day’s events— Swara’s arrival, his decision to claim her as a sibling instead of a distant relative, his commitment to finding her a proper guide with an impeccable reputation to ease her entry into the Elite.
Shivaay : So you can see why I suggested the trade. You will be perfect as the guide. You’ll teach all there is to know about us Bengalis and the Elite.
Annika (thoughtfully nodding) : You want me to tutor your sister in exchange for….
Shivaay : A kiss.
Annika looked at him humourously.
Annika : Doesn’t that place a little too much value on your kiss?
He tipped his head, conceding the point.
Shivaay : Very well. What do you want?
Annika : Right now, I’ll accept the kiss. But I shall reserve a favour for the future.
Shivaay : So we have a deal?
Annika nodded, blushing slightly. Shivaay lowered his tone and took a step closer to her.
Shivaay : Shall we seal it with a kiss?
Annika caught her breath and stiffened at the question. Shivaay smiled at her obvious nerves. He ran a finger along the edge of her hairline, tucking a rogue lock of hair behind her ear gently. She looked up at him with her wide brown eyes, and he felt a burst of tenderness in his chest.
He leaned close, moving slowly, as though she might scare at any moment, and his firm mouth brushed across hers, settling briefly, barely touching before she jumped back, one hand flying to her lips.
Shivaay : Is anything wrong?
Annika (squeaking) : No, Of course not. Thank you. It was lovely.
Shivaay : That’s not the kiss you came for, my sweet.
Annika : It wasn’t?
Shivaay : No.
Annika : I found it satisfying, Mr Oberoi. You have kept to the first condition of your deal. Thank you.
He took her hands in his own and twisted them behind her back, arching her forward.
Shivaay : Kisses shouldn’t leave you satisfied.
Annika tried to pull away but Shivaay brought her closer and finally kept her hands on his shoulders. He held her neck which left her breathless.
Annika (whispering) : How should they leave me then?
He kissed her then. Really kissed her.
He pulled her against him and pressed his mouth to hers, possessing, owning in a way she could never have imagined. His lips, firm and warm, played across her own, tempting her until she was gasping for breath.
He gathered her closer and deepened the kiss, changing the pressure. He delved deeper, stroked more firmly.
And she was lost.
Annika was consumed, finding herself desperate to match his movements. Her hands seemed to move of their own volition, running along his broad shoulders and wrapping around his neck.
Tentatively, she met Shivaay’s tongue with her own and was rewarded with a satisfied sound from deep in his throat as he tightened his grip, sending another wave of pleasure and desire through her.
He retreated, and she followed, matching his movements until the sensation rocked her to her core.
She was in heaven. That’s all she could she think about their kiss.
He was right. This was the kiss for which she had come.
He broke off the kiss then, running his lips across her cheek and setting them to her ear sending waves of pleasure coursing through her body as he tickled the sensitive skin there. From far away, Annika heard a whimper…and belatedly realized that it was her own.
His lips curved at her ear as he spoke, his low tone and harsh breathing making the words more a caress than a sound.
Shivaay : Kisses should not leave you satisfied.
He returned his lips to hers, claiming her mouth again, robbing her of all thought. All she wanted was to be closer to him, to be held more firmly. And, as though he could read her thoughts, he gathered her closer, deepening the kiss. His heat consumed her; his soft, teasing lips seemed to know all of her secrets.
When he lifted his mouth from hers, she had lost all strength. His next words pierced through her sensual haze.
Shivaay : They should leave you wanting.
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Hope that made you guys happy. The kiss description is partly from my side, partly from books. So I don’t take the complete credit. The same is true for the description of the music as well.

Please do tell me if you don’t like this story or how you feel about it.
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