The Maharaja And I : Inspired by Bridgerton

Spilling Silken Saree

Devika sank onto the silken cushions of her bed, her mind spinning with the events of the evening. She pressed her fingertips to her cheek, still warm from Surya's touch. What did it mean? Was she simply a pawn in his game of power and intrigue? Or could he feel the pull of affection she struggled to deny?

Before her hopes could take flight, Aadhir's warning rang in her ears. "He is not what he seems, little sister. Guard your heart."

She sighed, torn between her growing feelings for the Maharaja and her brother's counsel. Aadhir had always protected her, even from her own naivete. If he sensed deception in Surya, should she not heed his caution?

The thought of being no more than a piece on Surya's political chessboard cut her deeply. But what if his interest was real? She cared not for power or position. If she followed the pleas of her heart, would she find understanding...or ruin?

Moonlight filtered through the carved stone screens as Devika wrestled with indecision. At last weariness claimed her.

Devika's eyes fluttered closed as sleep's gentle embrace soothed her conflicted thoughts. Soon she drifted into slumber, the day's tensions melting away.

In her dream, she found herself walking through a lush forest glen, dappled moonlight filtering through the leafy canopy overhead. The air was sweet with the perfume of night-blooming jasmine and frangipani. Somewhere nearby, she could hear the trilling call of a koel bird.

Devika's feet, bare against the cool grass, carried her towards the sound of running water. She emerged from the trees to find herself before a still, glass-like pool fed by a waterfall that tumbled from the sheer rock face of the hill above. The cliffs were wreathed in wisps of mist that curled and unfurled in the gentle breeze.

The allure of the tranquil pool was too potent to resist. Devika slipped out of her silken sari, letting it puddle on a nearby stone like spilled wine. She stepped into the water, savoring its icy caress against her naked skin.

She swam further into her aquatic haven before floating on her back, eyes fixated on the velvet night sky.

Bathed in lunar light, she felt like a goddess on display for the moon and stars. It was as if she could reach out and snatch the glowing pearl moon from its starry throne.

A sudden splash snapped Devika out of her trance. She spun around to see Surya emerging from the shadows of the water, clad only in a dhoti barely clinging to his hips.

His eyes drank her in eagerly, tracing every exposed inch of her body as she swam towards him.

Speechless, he extended his hand as an invitation. Intertwining their fingers together he pulled her into him with a sense of urgency. The heat radiating from his firm body ignited an answering blaze within her own.

He traced his fingers down the path of her neck before brushing his lips lightly against her ear and whispering, "You are so beautiful, my queen."

Devika sighed his name, the sound of it a prayer on her lips as all doubts were banished in the security of his embrace.

Devika gasped as Surya's calloused fingers trailed down her neck, sending shivers of pleasure coursing through her body.

His lips brushed against her earlobe, igniting a fire that began to spread within her core. He whispered the words she had longed to hear:

"I yearn for you, Devika....I am hopelessly in love."

In that moment, all her doubts melted away, replaced by an all-consuming desire for this man who now held her in his arms.

She looked into his deep brown eyes, transfixed by the hunger she saw there... a hunger that matched her own.

Slowly, oh so slowly, Surya leaned in to claim her mouth with his own. His kiss was hungry yet tender, as if he'd been longing for this moment just as much as she had.

Devika felt a moan escape her lips when his tongue slid past her lush bottom lip seeking hers out in a passionate dance.

Her desire took life underwater as he explored every part of her mouth - teasing, nibbling, suckling - sending delicious shivers down her spine.

Breaking apart for air both panted breathlessly staring into each others eyes lost in the intensity of the moment .

Their heavy breaths mingled together creating steamy tendrils swirling around them like ghosts witnessing their forbidden tryst .

In one fell swoop , Surya tugged on the knot securing his dhoti causing it fall away. Grasping him firmly in hand Devika couldn't believe this was happening but no longer cared about consequences only craving more.

Devika let out a gasp as Surya's lips met hers, the kiss igniting a fire in her core.

Her legs wrapped around his hips instinctively, pulling him closer.

His hand slid up her back, tracing the line of her spine before finding the forbidden parts of her chest through the water.

She moaned into the kiss, reveling in this stolen moment of passion, knowing full well the dangers it presented.

The taste of him consumed her—tea-scented breath, sweat on his skin, and something else...something more primal.

She felt like she was drowning in desire while

simultaneously being set aflame.

Her fingers raked through the dark hair at his nape, holding him closer as he dove deeper into their passion, as if trying to find satiation to a new hunger that had woken up in her, through his embrace.

The water they swam in now seemed like a sea of bliss between them both.

The combination of cold water and hot need made her shiver uncontrollably against him causing him to smile against her lips before pulling away slightly to look into those soulful hazel eyes that held nothing but wanton desire for.

It lapped against their skin gently; minnows flitted about their legs as if alive with the moment shared by these two lovers underneath the starry sky.

The koel bird called again from somewhere far off in the trees, its melody becoming louder as if urging them onwards in this forbidden tryst.

As Surya's hand traveled lower still, tracing patterns on her stomach then lower still down towards her hot core which she ached for him to touch, she couldn't help but whimper into his mouth begging for release from this torturous wait.

Devika woke with a gasp, her skin slick with sweat as her heart pounded wildly in her chest.

She sat up in bed, the thin cotton sheets tangled around her legs, and looked around her moonlit chamber as she tried to slow her breathing.

The scandalous, vivid images she'd witnessed came back to her, making her cheeks flush with remembered passion.

She could almost feel Surya's phantom touch on her skin, his hungry kisses seared into her memory.

But sadly, it had only been a dream.