The Maharaja And I : Inspired by Bridgerton

Unfulfilled Lust

The courtyard fountain babbled pleasantly, a counterpoint to the heated words swirling through the secluded garden.

"You presume too much, my lord," Devika snapped, cheeks flushed crimson. She paced the pathway, skirts swishing in agitation.

Suryadev's eyes flashed, jaw clenched. "Do I? Perhaps it is you who presumes, making demands as if you have any claim over my affairs."

She whirled to face him. "Because I care for you, you arrogant fool!" Her voice broke on the last word.

He froze, stunned by her outburst.

Devika looked away, blinking back tears. When she spoke again, her voice was soft. "I know you have been hurt before. But I am not her. Why can you not let me in?" She wrapped her arms around herself. "Sometimes it seems you wish to keep me at a distance. As if you want no real connection between us."

Suryadev's expression softened. He reached for her, then let his hand drop. "It is not so simple." He turned his gaze to the fountain. "I have lived behind walls for so long, I hardly know another way." His laugh was bitter. "You deserve more than a man too scarred to give you what you need."

Devika stepped closer, heart aching for his pain. "Let me be the judge of that. I see the man behind those walls, Suryadev, and he is worth fighting for."

He looked at her, eyes glistening.

The cool water splashed against the marble, rhythmically echoing the pounding of hearts that filled the cozy nook.

Devika's face flushed crimson, her eyes darting between Suryadev's enraged gaze and the shimmering droplets of water in the fountain.

Her skirts swished in agitation as she paced the pathway, each step adding to his frustration. She could feel it - from his body language, from the set of his jaw, from his restless energy. She had pushed him too far this time.

In that moment, the space between them hummed with possibility.

Suryadev's eyes darkened as he took in her fiery gaze. He moved closer, backing her against a pillar.

"You play a dangerous game, challenging me so," he murmured, fingers trailing down her neck.

Devika's breath hitched, but she held his stare. "I only speak the truth. Why does it threaten you?"

He leaned in, lips brushing her ear. "Because when I am with you, I want..." He trailed off, fingers digging into her hips.

His words faltered, his grip on her hips tightening with desire.

Devika's pulse quickened. She placed a hand on his chest,feeling the heat radiating from his body.

"What is it you want, my lord?"

His eyes flashed. "To make you mine in every way a person in love can possess another." His grip tightened. "But you deserve more than base passion. You deserve a man who can give you his heart."

"And if it is base passion I desire?" She yelled between clenched teeth, unable to contain her anger anymore. "Because I see more to you than just a disfigured prince!"

Suryadev froze at her words, stunned by her outburst. But she couldn't stop there; she couldn't let him keep twisting reality around her feelings like that. She wanted more from him than just friendship or courtship - she wanted everything he had locked away inside.

Suryadev groaned, pulling her into his embrace.

She gasped at he was throbbing against her body. With a primal growl, he devoured her lips in a fiery kiss that left her dizzy and craving for more.

As they finally broke apart, their chests heaving with desire, the air around them crackled with unfulfilled lust.

Devika's lips still tingled from Suryadev's kiss. 

Her body ached for more, yet her mind rebelled. She had not come this far to be another conquest.

Gently, she pushed against his chest. "No, my lord. Not like this."

Suryadev released her reluctantly. "Forgive me. You undo my restraint."

"There is nothing to forgive," Devika said softly. "But I will not be bedded in a garden tryst. When you make me yours, it will be as your Maharani."

Suryadev caressed her cheek. "Bold as ever. But you speak of what cannot be."

"Cannot? Or will not?" She searched his eyes.

Suryadev turned away with a pained expression. "I have given you all I can. The rest lies beyond my power."

Devika blinked back tears. "Very well. I shall take my leave."

As she retreated, Suryadev called out, "Devika!"

She paused, heart pounding.

"Do not lose hope," he said gently. "My heart remains here with you, though duty compels me elsewhere."

With those words, he was gone, leaving Devika alone once more. Yet his promise kindled a fragile ember of hope within her.