Chapter 55: Faking It.
(Karsten)
Ma’s attitude and Urisa’s overbearing self, made me avoid my family mostly. I didn’t get along with Rahsir either, but we didn’t meet much.
He had his own business and place and family gatherings were the only times Ma forced us to bear each other. He wasn’t a bad person, our personalities just didn’t match.
Returning to Sparia meant I had to take care of other business as well—the unwanted one. I avoided it for now but Ma had been insisting on my marriage so I could overtake that position. Hence, the reason I had to play pretend with Arata was so she would lay off my back. Urisa’s behaviour and Ma’s siding with her soured my mood.
Arata tried to bring me out of my shell with her teasing and laughter, and it was hard to resist that beautiful, mischievous smile she carried.
But all my self-control broke when she leaned into me in the garden, smelling like a wildflower and looking temptingly attractive. She revealed what Ma and Roshra thought about us.
They noticed every tiny detail and I knew I had to make this act more believable.
I had been dying to claim her lips once again, the feeling of them had not abated since I had met her as Twisted Rider and hadn’t felt the need to go to any other woman.
I desired her and she tempted me. The more I showed restraint the more difficult it became.
Ma and Roshra were spying on us from the window, I could see their shadows lurking.
So I held Arata and poured everything into that kiss I gave her. I handled her gently and savoured her like my favourite wine. Not wanting to let go, the more I kissed her the larger my hunger for her grew.