Incest Mom tricked by Bully (Mask of Desire)

[Steel]

Her heart hammered, she wiped the same spot twice, three times, feigning bravery, but her hands trembled.

He was close now, too close, the air between them crackling. She braced herself, refusing to turn, then he jerked suddenly, bending low. Her breath hitched, and she flinched, yanking the saree up to cover herself, fear spiking through her veins.

But he only grabbed the Rubik's cube sitting by the cupboard's base, straightening with a lazy grin.

Their eyes locked, his steady, hers wide, and he turned back to the couch without a word.

She stood frozen, clutching the fabric, her chest heaving as he flopped down and started twisting the cube. Click-click-click, the colors aligned in seconds, his fingers a blur.

Abhi looked up, amazed. "How'd you do that so quickly? Looks fresh and colorful for the first time in ages."

Ishaan shrugged, tossing the solved cube onto the cushion. "No big deal. Just practice. Though..." He paused, glancing at Madhuri sidelong. "It's missing the best color, purple. Makes it less... attractive, don't you think?"

His voice was smooth, the jab subtle but piercing, and her cheeks burned, the deep plum of her saree suddenly a spotlight.

She bolted for the kitchen, her bare feet slapping the tiles, the air cooler there a refuge. Leaning against the counter, she pressed a hand to her chest, willing her heart to slow.

"He's toying with me," she whispered, the realization sinking in, he'd dodged her trap, flipped it, left her exposed instead.

But the fire in her gut flared brighter, shame and thrill twisting into something sharper. "No," she hissed, straightening her pallu, her jaw set. "I'm not done."