“You came!” Savita pulled her into a hug that smelled of jasmine and champagne. “God, you look incredible. Come, come — Akash is here somewhere, you have to meet him.”

They found Savita’s husband at the bar, chatting with a guest. Tall. Dark suit that fit like it had been made for him. A jaw that could cut glass and shoulders that filled the jacket without effort. As Savita introduced her, he shook Kiara’s hand, his grip warm and unhurried, the kind of handshake that didn’t rush to be over. When his eyes met hers, they were calm and direct, the look of a confident man at ease. He smiled at something Savita said and his whole face changed. Kiara’s eyes lingered on the smile. Of course.

Later — thirty minutes, maybe an hour — Kiara was washing her hands in the bathroom when Savita walked in to touch up her makeup. Kiara watched Savita’s face in the reflection, nudged her with an elbow and said what she had been thinking since the bar.

“You got lucky, girl.”

Savita laughed, low and private, pleased with herself. Her cheeks went pink even through the champagne flush. She capped her lipstick and met Kiara’s eyes in the mirror with a look of pure, unguarded satisfaction.

“You have no idea,” she said, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “He’s a beast in bed.”

“Ooh, really? Come on, out with all the spicy details,” Kiara said, joining her friend in the giggle they’d shared countless times while checking out guys in college.

“Come over home na, there’s so much to get caught up on,” Savita said, continuing in the secret-sharing tone. “We can exchange notes like we used to. Free tomorrow?”

“I wish. My flight back to London is at 8 am. Next time for sure,” She added.

“Maybe you can find out yourself,” Savita winked and walked out of the bathroom.

Kiara stood at the mirror contemplating. A beast, huh?

She returned to the party, took a fresh drink from a passing tray, found a position near the far planter where she could see the whole terrace and located Akash without trying — he was laughing at something, head tipped back, relaxed, one hand in his pocket, the other holding a glass loosely — and she let herself think about the beast properly for the first time.

Later, when the party wound down, it was close to midnight. Savita walked up to her and collapsed in a chair. “Thanks for coming, Ki, and thanks for staying.”

“Wouldn’t have missed it.”

They talked for a while about everything and nothing. After seeing off the last guest, Akash arrived.

“Ready?” he asked his wife, glancing at his watch. “It was wonderful meeting you, Kiara. Heard a lot about you from Savita.”

“Oh, the reality is way naughtier, trust me.” she replied. “You guys must be heading home, let me call a cab.”

“Nonsense, we came in separate cars,” Savita said, her back turned to her husband. She winked at Kiara before turning. “You’ll drop her, won’t you — please?”

Kiara didn’t protest.

“Of course,” he said. Like a husband has a choice when the wife asks.

The elevator ride was pure torture. His cologne, the heat of him standing two feet away. She was humming by the time she got into the SUV.

***

Twelve minutes later, he drove into the basement parking lot of her hotel. Way past midnight, most guests in bed, the lot was largely full of vehicles. There wasn’t a soul in sight. The lot was lit by dull orange sodium lights. Akash drove through the lot and found an empty bay near the far end, away from the entrance and the attendant’s booth, and parked.

Engine off. The city noise reduced to a low hiss beyond the compound wall. He waited for her to open the door. Kiara made up her mind.

She reached over and set her palm between his legs. “Thanks for the drop.”

The stillness that came over him was total. He didn’t speak. He didn’t push her hand away either. He just stared at it. She moved it higher, thanking him with gentle caresses. She felt him stir under her palm, then thicken and grow, warmth and weight gathering against her hand.

“Kiara—” Low. Careful. Not shocked, not revolted.

“Tell me to get out,” She said without moving her hand. He didn’t.

“Last chance, Kiara,” he said, his eyes smoldering.

Continue the story in The Beast.

All images are AI generated and do not depict any real person.