Destiny Rules.. Read online

  “Yes, we are going to be doing business with the family.”

  “Hang on… you mean I get to see the palace where Jasleen grew up?” I was shocked.

  “Yeah… I guess.”

  I clicked open my seat belt and put my arms around him. “Thank you… thank you. I don’t mind you working while I tour the palaces.”

  Nick laughed into my ear and planted a kiss on my cheek. “I will take you to the palaces myself.”

  “No… I can go myself.”

  “Baby, you are not going anywhere by yourself. Not a minute out of sight.”

  “What? Don’t be absurd. You don’t need to babysit me. I grew up in India.” I glared at him.

  “I know, but you are not going out by yourself.”

  “Nick, stop being ridiculous.”

  “Call it what you want. I’m going everywhere you are going, and you will do the same,” he declared sternly, and I knew from his tone that he would not budge.

  “Fine,” I grumbled and sat back in my seat.

  “Where’s the love, honey?”

  “It’s gone,” I growled.

  “I love you, too.”

  I looked at him but did not respond.

  “Don’t look at me like that, it’s not the first time we’ve had this conversation.” His voice was soft.

  “Nick, India is my homeland… I have nothing to worry about.” I shook my head in disbelief.

  “I need to see it is safe, and I need to confirm for myself.”

  “What are you worried about?” I couldn’t understand why he was worried.

  He took a deep breath and put his laptop away and turned to look at me. “The trust, it is a lot of money, and a lot of people are after it.”

  “Not anymore… Reetu is not in India.”

  “A trust fund so big gets a lot of attention.”

  “Not everyone knows about the trust fund, Nick.”

  “Yet, Reetu found out and did what she did.”

  “I know… but…”

  He didn’t let me finish. “Why didn’t your relative, Sanjana, not mail Rajaram’s personal journals to us or give it to me when I went to India?”

  I remembered what Sanjana had told me. She was worried they would get lost in the mail.

  “They could have given me copies when I was in India last time.”

  “Umm… the diary was handwritten, and the print wasn’t clear. I saw a sample picture.” I tried to reason with him as I realized something about the trust fund bothered him.

  “Sanjana has been managing the trust fund for years… Either she is protecting the information, or she doesn’t want you to know.”

  “Nick… why didn’t you say something about this sooner?”

  “It’s just a hunch, sweetheart. It may be nothing, but you still don’t get to go out by yourself until I get an all-clear from the security team.”

  “You’re kidding… we will have security in India?”

  “Of course, sweetheart… you are the most precious thing to my daughters and me.” He winked.

  “Not funny,” I grumbled into his chest as he pulled me closer to him.

  “You tell me what you want to do and where you want to go, and I will make it happen.” Nick’s breath was warm on my cheek.

  Chapter 3

  The all-too-familiar warm and humid air of my hometown made me feel nostalgic. I looked at the man who had spent time with me in that city as a teenager and my best friend, and who was now my husband and protector. I had to admit I was annoyed by his overprotective nature, but something deep inside me fluttered in response to the undying love he had for me.

  It was early morning, and the sun was not up yet. I had booked another plane out of Hyderabad to go to my grandparents’ village, and I didn’t think of Nick’s travel plans until we reached our destination. “Nick, did you book your ticket for the next flight.”

  “Don’t need one.”

  “No, we need to fly to the town nearest to my grandparents’ village.”

  “I know.” He took her bag from her and walked ahead of her.

  “Nick, you don’t…” My voice trailed off when he turned to look at me, a smile playing on his face and mischief twinkling in his eyes.

  “Stop messing with me,” I whispered as he was walking to me.

  “Not messing with you. I don’t need a ticket because I’m staying in Hyderabad.”

  “Huh? Staying in Hyderabad?”

  “And so are you. Your grandparents know you won’t be visiting them for a few more days.”

  “Nick, what are you doing?” I was starting to be annoyed.

  “Keeping a promise, I made to my wife.”

  The sliver of annoyance disappeared when I saw the look in his eyes—the look of determination and love. I smiled and did not say anything.

  “You trust me, baby?” he whispered.

  “Sort of.” I laughed.

  “I’ll take that for now. Let’s go.” He took my hand and led me past the baggage claim and the customs.

  “Nick, we need to collect our bags.”

  “Let’s keep moving. I have someone to take our bags to the hotel from the plane.”

  “Seriously? Why are you being so weird about everything.”

  “I’m not being weird… I just can’t wait to be all alone with you,” he crooned into my ears making me weep deep inside.

  I smiled and dug my fingertips into the side of his hand. “Me, too. I missed you, too.”

  “I’ll show you how much I missed you, baby.”

  His words made my breath catch in my throat, and my mouth went dry.

  Ten minutes later, we sat in the back of an SUV driven by a man in a dark suit.

  “Since you’ve hijacked my plans, will you tell me what the plan is?”

  He smiled reaching to his side and nuzzled my cheek. “How about we talk when we get to our destination.”

  “And where is that?”

  “You’ll know soon.” His breath was warm on my cheek, but his tone held something more that I could not decipher. Nick was usually not hard to read, and I had become better at reading him in the time we have been together. I took his hand in mine and slid lower to rest my head on his shoulder. I stared out the window, the morning darkness replaced with the brightness of the new day.

  A short ride later, the car pulled into the parking lot of a hotel. Nick helped me out of the car and took our bags and led me into the lobby. We followed the man who drove us to the hotel to meet a woman who seemed to be waiting for us at the front desk.

  “Good morning, Mr. and Mrs. Kapoor. I will take you to your suite.”

  I was about to correct her but bit my lips when I felt the sharp tug from Nick on my hand.

  “Thank you, after you.” He smiled warmly at the friendly woman.

  The woman kept talking telling us about the hotel and the facilities and how special the suite was that we had booked.

  “The code to the door has been sent to you, sir. Have a pleasant stay.” The woman smiled and pointed to the panel next to the double doors.”

  “Thank you.” I smiled at her as she left.

  Nick punched in the number on the panel, and the doors clicked open.

  “After you, love.” Nick held the door open for me and stood by the door.

  As I took one step into the dimly lit suite, the lights came on, and the sight in front of me made me gasp. I felt Nick behind me as his arms wrapped around my waist from behind as he shut the door with his foot. “I missed you.”

  “Nick, this is beautiful.” I looked at the suite that was decorated for a wedding night. This was the hotel that was reserved for our wedding night when we got married in India, and we ended up not going.

  “Happy honeymoon, baby.” His hands roamed my curves while his lips trailed along the side of my neck.

  I arched my back running my fingers through his hair. I turned his head to make our lips meet, and when I closed my eyes, I saw the fireworks I saw every time we locked our l
ips. I moaned into his mouth when I felt his hand slip under the seam of my top to cup my yearning breast.

  He turned me around to face him, his lips never leaving mine. His hands were hungry as he ran them along my back to cup my bottom. As if that was the cue for my body, my arms around his neck involuntarily tightened lifting myself to wrap my legs around his waist.

  “So hot…” His words were a whisper against my lips. It wasn’t until that moment that I realized how much I had missed him, his touch, and the way his hands explored every inch of my body like he couldn’t stop himself.

  “Nick, don’t make me wait,” I pleaded.

  He groaned against my lips nipping and sucking them. He walked us into a bathroom and set me on the marble floor and peeled his lips away from mine to take them south. He nipped the delicate skin on my neck as his hands wandered back to my bottom to bring my body to his hardness. A thrill ran through me when I felt his shaft dig into my belly.

  “I want you.” It was a growl that made me melt in his arms.

  “I’m yours, always will be yours.”

  My body shuddered when he sucked the thin layer of skin between his teeth sending delectable pleasure through my entirety. I gasped at his impatience as he fumbled with my shirt before he pulled it over my head. His lips pecked mine as his fingers pulled away the hair tie that held my hair in a low ponytail. He smiled, and the impatience evaporated as he slowly ran his fingers through my hair, his eyes boring into mine.

  “Why are you looking at me like that?” I smiled looking up at him.

  “I found my beautiful girlfriend.”

  I blushed and went up on my toes to brush my lips against his. “I’ve been right here, all along.”

  “The woman I’ve known was my lovely wife who loves me and the amazing mother of my beautiful children and… this woman makes me crazy for her, makes me want to rip her clothes off and take her right here.”

  “This woman won’t stop you.” I grabbed the fabric of his t-shirt and pulled it over his head.

  My body fluttered when I felt his warm skin on my cool body. He pulled the button of my jeans as I pushed his jeans lower. We peeled off each other’s clothes in such a hurry that clothes were flying in the middle of the large bathroom.

  “I can’t spend another second without you,” he said pulling me into the shower stall. He turned on the faucet, and a warm rain came down on our heated bodies. His mouth claimed mine in a slow and sensuous kiss as we let the water take away the last strand of soreness from the travel.

  Nick pumped some soap into his hands and rubbed his palms together. “I miss having a shower with you.”

  I placed my cheek to his chest and shut my eyes taking in his closeness, something I had missed the past few weeks. His palms worked up the lather as he ran them over every dip and peak on my body paying extra attention to my folds. I dug my nails into his shoulders when his lips trailed south and stopped over the four-inch-wide surgical scar on my belly.

  “You gave me everything and more.” He planted butterfly kisses on the scar before going lower.

  His tongue teased the folds that were drenched in my arousal, and my body wrenched as he traced every corner of my depths with the tip of his tongue. I placed one hand on the wall for support and held his thick, dark hair between my fingers with the other hand.

  Nick took his time to explore every inch of me as hot water rolled down our steaming bodies.

  “Nick.” His name rolled off my lips like it was a plea, and as if that was his cue, he pushed me back into the wall and lifted one leg opening me up. I gasped into his mouth as he claimed mine while digging into my depths and sending waves of uncontrollable pleasure through my body. My nerves were raw as he pounded into me, building up a rhythm, a rhythm I had not experienced in recently. He had gone from the passionate lover to a patient lover during our relationship, but I realized how much I loved our passionate moments.

  “Nikhil.” His name was a whisper as I hit my peak, and I felt the eruption deep inside as his release coated my inner walls. I clung to him feeling the blood pound in my ears and the rush of ecstasy throughout my body.

  Chapter 4

  I rolled to my side, and my body crashed into the warm body of the man who set me ablaze. The room was dark, and I smiled scooting closer to him. After an adventure in the shower that morning, we finally made it to the bed that was adorned with delicate flower petals.

  The fragrance of the flowers and the decadence of our lovemaking ruled the air. I took in a deep, slow breath as I brought my eyes to look at the sinfully beautiful face of the man who owned my heart and soul. I smiled running my fingers through his thick, dark hair to remove a floating flower petal.

  Nick’s eyes flew open, and my heart kick-started when he smiled at me. “Hi there, beautiful.”

  I brushed my lips against his. “Hello, Mr. Bhatia, or should I call you Mr. Kapoor?”

  He took a deep breath and pulled me closer to nuzzle the crook of my neck. My skin tingled like I was feeling the burn from his stubble for the first time. “That’s right. Good morning, Mrs. Kapoor.”

  “Why are we Mr. and Mrs. Kapoor?”

  A purr toppled off my lips when I felt Nick’s teeth dig into my neck.

  “You make that sound one more time, and I’m gonna go nuts.” His voice was a mumble, but it sent waves of pleasure through my every vein. I smiled and moved away to look at him. I had learned in the time we were together when Nick was trying to divert a topic.

  “Nick, why are we checked in under a different name?”

  He looked at me for a moment before responding. “For fun.”

  “What are you not telling me?” I asked pulling the sheets around me to sit up. He sat up slowly to rest his back on the headboard next to me.

  “You know how you tell me I can be a little paranoid sometimes?” He winked, and I looked at him without a response.

  “Okay… why are you paranoid now?”

  “Anything wrong in being a bit careful?” he retorted.

  “Why? Why now?” His manner was calm, but I knew there was more to it. I slowly placed my cheek on his chest and felt the chain around his neck dent my skin through the thin material of his t-shirt.

  Nick put his arm around me and pulled me closer to him. “Are you ready to wake up?”

  “Yes. What’s the plan for the rest of the day?”

  Nick planted a kiss on the back of my head. “I want to stay right here with you, but we should get going.”

  “Where are we going?” I asked as he slipped out of bed and pulled on his boxers.

  “Surprise.” He winked.

  “Stop being weird.” I had a sick feeling growing in my stomach. “What are we doing later today and why are you not telling me?”

  Nick came back to put his arms around me. “We are going to go meet Sanjana, your… cousin?”

  “Sanjana?” I beamed at him unable to control my excitement.

  “She is bringing you Rajaram’s journals.”

  I squeaked throwing my arms around Nick. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “Something called a surprise. I saw your worried look, and I couldn’t help but tell you.”

  “This is so exciting. I can’t wait to see her.” I sprang out of bed and rushed into the bathroom and called out, “I’ll be out in a jiffy.”

  Almost two hours later and a repeat of the shower fun from earlier that day, Nick and I managed to leave our honeymoon suite.

  “I had a great time,” I whispered, placing my cheek on his shoulder.

  Nick brushed his lips against my temple. “I did, too, especially in the tub.”

  “You made such a mess. It’ll be a miracle if we don’t get kicked out of the hotel.” I laughed stepping into the private elevator.

  “I’ll find us another honeymoon suite.” He laughed pushing my back into the wall of the elevator.

  I gently grabbed the collar of his shirt and rasped, “Keep your hands to yourself, Mr. Bhatia, only until we ge
t back to the hotel.”

  “I’ll try.” His fingers dug into the soft flesh at my waist making me gasp.

  “I missed you. I don’t want you to travel as much as you have been the past couple of months.”

  “Finally, a confession. How come I didn’t hear about it back home?” Nick teased.

  “I… I know how important the contract is for the company, and it’s the first big one after you took over the company.”

  “Nothing or no one is more important than you, Sameera.”

  “Don’t say that, Nick. I know what you do is for everyone.” I laced my fingers in his as we stepped out of the elevator.

  “Never think anything is more important than you or what you want, and that anything I do is for you and your happiness.”

  “Love you,” I whispered walking with him to the SUV waiting outside the lobby entrance of the opulent hotel.

  He took the back of my hand to his lips for a quick peck before helping me into the back seat.

  “How come Sanjana is meeting us here? Doesn’t she live in a different city?”

  “She is in town for a conference and said she could meet us here to give you the journals.”

  “I’m so excited.” I scooted closer to him and squeezed his arm.

  “Excited about?”

  “I can’t wait to read the journals.” I had wanted to read through them from the time I knew of their existence but could not as Sanjana wasn’t comfortable sending them via mail. I couldn’t travel during my pregnancy and right after the girls were born.

  “I know you’ve wanted to know everything you can about Rajaram and Jasleen for a while now.”

  “Yes, and I just hope the journals give me all the answers.” I leaned closer to Nick to whisper in his ear.

  The SUV turned away from the main street into a residential area.

  “Where are we meeting Sanjana, Nick?”

  “At her corporate housing.”

  “We should take her to dinner. It will be that time soon.”

  “She is taking the flight to her hometown later tonight.” Nick looked at his watch.

  “When did you talk to her? When did you make arrangements to meet her here?” I still had a lot of unanswered questions. In the excitement of seeing him, I didn’t ask him all the questions I had revolving in my head.