Chapter 11: A Game of Fire

The study was too quiet.

Diya stood still, her back straight, her arms crossed—defensive, guarded.

Abeer leaned against the desk, watching her with sharp amusement, like a predator watching prey that had stopped running.

"You're waiting for me to say something," he murmured.

Diya exhaled sharply. "I don't have all day."

Abeer chuckled. "Patience was never your virtue, was it?"

She rolled her eyes. "Are you going to make a point, or do you just enjoy hearing yourself talk?"

His smirk widened.

Then, he pushed off the desk and moved toward her.

Slow. Deliberate.

Diya didn't move. Didn't let herself show weakness.

But when he stopped just inches away, the air shifted.

Thick. Heated. Too much.

"You know what's funny?" Abeer's voice was low, smooth—a weapon in itself. "I should've found your little rebellion... annoying."

Diya swallowed but held her ground. "And yet, here we are."

A deep chuckle. "Here we are."

His fingers brushed her wrist. Light. Barely there.

Still, electricity shot through her.

Diya stiffened. "Don't."

Abeer tilted his head, amused. "Don't what?"

She yanked her hand away. "Don't play these games with me."

His smirk turned into something darker. "You think this is a game, Sia?"

Her pulse spiked.

Abeer's fingers grazed the side of her neck, his touch feather-light, almost as if he was testing her reaction.

"Because to me," he murmured, voice just above a whisper, "it feels real."

Diya hated how her breath hitched.

Hated how her skin burned where he touched her.

She forced herself to step back. "I don't want this."

Abeer's eyes flickered. "Liar."

Diya clenched her jaw. "You don't control me."

Abeer smirked. "Then why are you still here?"

Her stomach twisted.

Because you didn't give me a choice.

But saying that would mean admitting he had power over her.

And she refused to do that.

Instead, she lifted her chin. "I'm here because I want answers."

Abeer's eyebrow arched. "Answers?"

Diya crossed her arms. "Tara Vaidya."

His expression didn't change. "What about her?"

Diya watched him closely. Looking for a crack. A reaction.

But Abeer Rathore was unreadable.

"She came to see me," Diya said, watching his face carefully.

Nothing.

"She said you'd never let me go," she continued. "That I don't understand what you really are."

A muscle in Abeer's jaw ticked.

Diya felt a small spark of victory.

She had touched a nerve.

"Tell me, Abeer," she pressed. "What exactly am I missing?"

For the first time in this entire conversation, Abeer's smirk vanished.

And in its place?

Something darker.

Something dangerous.

He stepped forward, and this time, Diya stepped back.

Another step.

And another.

Until her back hit the desk.

Trapped.

Abeer placed his hands on the wood, caging her in.

Her breath hitched.

Too close.

Too much.

"Do you really want to know?" His voice was low, smooth as silk but carrying something deadly underneath.

Diya's heart pounded. "Yes."

Abeer's gaze dropped to her lips.

Her stomach twisted. Oh.

"Careful, Sia," he murmured. "You might not like the answer."

Diya lifted her chin. "Try me."

A pause.

A beat.

Then—his fingers traced her jaw.

Diya's breath caught.

"Would you like a demonstration?" Abeer whispered.

The way he said it—like he was offering her a choice but knowing she wouldn't take it.

Diya's hands curled into fists.

Do not react. Do not give in.

But God, he was too close.

His scent—leather, spice, power.

His touch—infuriatingly soft.

His eyes—like they were pulling her in.

"Move," she managed to say.

Abeer smiled. Slow. Dark.

"Make me."

The challenge hung in the air.

Diya wanted to push him away.

But more than that?

She wanted to see if he would actually do it.

She hated that thought.

Hated him.

Hated the way her body betrayed her.

Abeer's fingers brushed her throat.

Diya sucked in a breath.

Then—

He pulled away.

Just like that.

Leaving her cold. Confused. Furious.

A smug smirk tugged at his lips.

"You don't want this?" he echoed. "Fine."

He turned toward the door.

"But next time, Sia," he murmured, voice like a promise, like a threat, "don't look at me like you do."

And then, he was gone.

Leaving Diya breathless, shaking... and completely, utterly trapped.

Next Chapter Preview:Diya tries to suppress the effect Abeer has on her.Tara warns her again—but what is she hiding?Abeer makes it clear: She can deny him all she wants, but she's already his.A moment where Diya finally realizes... she might not hate him as much as she thought.