#1 in the London Universe series:
Anaya Oberoi, a final-year student at a prestigious college in India, was thrilled to be selected for a student exchange at King's College London. But there was a catch-she had to live with foster parents. To her su...
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After I was discharged from the hospital, I still felt a dull ache in my stomach. Noah opened the passenger door for me, and I slid in, wincing slightly.
"I'm hungry," I said.
"Well, for the next two days, you can only eat fruits and drink fluids because anything heavy might make you nauseous," he explained.
"As if you care," I retorted, still feeling a mix of anger and vulnerability.
Without a word, he pulled the car over to the side of the road. Before I could react, he gently lifted me and placed me on his lap.
"What are you doing?" I asked, surprised and a little embarrassed.
"Putting my girlfriend where she belongs," he replied with a soft smile.
My cheeks burned at his words; his lap had always felt like my special place. Despite everything, I couldn't help but feel comforted.
"I want coffee," I said, hugging him tightly, trying to mask my emotions.
"No, let's get you some mixed fruit juice," he replied, wrapping his arms around me in return.
"COFFEE," I demanded, a bit more forcefully this time.
"After two days," he said, tightening his embrace and speaking with a tone that brooked no argument.
"What happened?" I asked, my concern growing as I looked up at him.
"Don't ever pull a stunt like that again," he said, his voice dropping to a whisper. "Just imagine if I hadn't found you. Please, tell me what you ate that led to this?"
I could feel my rage building, but my body was too weak to act on it. I rested my hands on his shoulders and took a deep breath. "Noah, I don't have an ex, but if I did and I were in your position, I would have accepted it. But you didn't."
"Accepted what?" he asked, his hand slipping under my top and exploring my waist.
"Three words, eight letters," I whispered, trying to keep my composure.
"I FUCKING LOVE YOU, MISS ANAYA OBEROI," he said emphatically.
I was stunned, my jaw dropping in disbelief. I couldn't process what was happening.
"And I put that whore in her place, if that's what you're asking," he continued. "I told her to her face that I love you and that no one can come between us."
His hand rested at the small of my back, grounding me.
"Will you please say something?" he asked, his voice filled with concern.
"I...I..." I stammered, feeling his hands exploring my waist, teasingly close to my breasts without actually touching them.
I held his hands, looking deep into his eyes. A smirk was forming on his lips, and I realized he knew exactly what he was doing.
