The Indian Tycoon's Marriage Deal by Adite Banerjie Read Free Book Online Page A

to the riverside. She would swim in the gentle waters while he caught fish for dinner. Later, he would make the most scrumptious meal: rice, fish curry and
paayesh
, the wonderful rice pudding that she so loved.
    They pulled into the driveway of the five-star hotel where Krish had arranged to meet the Brahmin priest who would conduct the wedding rituals. Krish had already reserved the hotel lawns, which would serve as the venue for the marriage. Maya was surprised to see that the lawns had already been decorated with red and gold silk and papier mâché banners and curtains. The tastefully done decorations contributed to the feel of a traditional wedding
mandap
even as they provided privacy from prying eyes. As Krish instructed the hotel manager on the arrangements, a portly, shaven-headed Brahmin priest in spotless white
dhoti-kurta
arrived. The Brahmin handed over a list of items that were needed for the wedding ceremony to Krish before bustling away. Maya sighed with relief. Finally, she could go back to her
barsaati
and spend a few quiet hours by herself. But she was surprised when Krish led her into the hotel lobby.
    â€˜Where to now?’ she asked him in bewilderment as he walked towards the bank of elevators.
    He punched the button and said coolly, ‘Suite number 103.’ As the elevator doors swished open, he offered politely, ‘After you, Maya.’
    Once they were settled in the plush suite and Krish had ordered some coffee and snacks, she turned to him. ‘Do you mind telling me what we’re doing here?’ Krish sank back into the soft leather sofa, an enigmatic expression on his face. Unable to contain her irritation she said, ‘I still have to go back to my apartment, pack my stuff and take care of some urgent chores. So if we’re all done here…’
    She got up to leave but Krish caught her arm and pulled her towards him. She landed on the sofa right next to him as he said, ‘One question at a time,
jaaneman.
As to why we’re here…We need to discuss logistics.’
    There was a knock on the door and a bell boy walked in bearing all their shopping bags.
    Krish continued, as he tipped the bell boy, ‘It’s just more convenient for us to change into our wedding finery here.’
    Maya nodded, wondering why she hadn’t thought of that herself. ‘So, are we done now?’
    He turned towards her and she felt a frisson of energy zap through her as his thigh touched hers. ‘No, not yet. We still have to work on our story.’
    â€˜Story?’
    Krish gave her a sardonic smile. ‘Yes, the story of our whirlwind romance. We don’t want anyone to think our wedding is just a cold and calculating business transaction, do we?’
    The buzz of warmth evaporated in a flash. ‘You mean we need to come up with something that will convince your father?’
    â€˜And every member of the Dev family. The minute they hear about our marriage, they will descend on us…and you’d better be prepared. They have interrogation skills that would put hardened cops to shame.’
    Oh God!
She hadn’t thought about that. She had been so focused on KD that she had clean forgotten that the Devs would have an army of snotty rich relatives. Feigning sympathy for KD’s misfortune at getting an unsuitable daughter-in-law, they would fawn or fret. The very thought threw up a vision of vultures swooping down on a carcass. And she was the carcass!
    Krish didn’t miss her look of apprehension but he knew she could handle herself. ‘So, any ideas about where we met?’
    Shaking off the vision, which felt like a bad omen, she said, ‘Since you are the ideas guy, why don’t you come up with something? I’ll just go along like the docile little bride I’m supposed to be.’
    Krish rolled his eyes. ‘Docile? You’ll never manage to keep that façade up, so don’t bother.’
    For the rest of the