Anirudh glanced up at Aurora and caught her watching him with that playful, teasing smile. His heart raced—was she already making a move to seduce him? This early? She really was wicked.
He thought about pulling his foot away, but the sensation was so intoxicating he found it hard to resist. Stealing a quick glance at Aunt Eleanor, he was relieved to find that she wasn't paying any attention to what was happening under the table. Feeling a bit safer, he buried his head in his meal, trying to appear nonchalant.
But Aurora wasn't done. Her foot, wrapped in sheer black stockings, gently brushed against his heel before sliding slowly up his leg. Her toes grazed his skin lightly, and soon they were creeping toward the inside of his thigh.
With so many beautiful women around, being teased like this was almost too much for Anirudh. His face flushed bright red, and the tightening in his pants made things even more unbearable. His arousal was painfully obvious, pressing against the fabric of his trousers, but thankfully, the tablecloth provided him some cover. His red face didn't go unnoticed, but the others assumed it was just the alcohol getting to him, especially since he had earlier mentioned his lack of drinking experience.
As the group chatted and ate, they occasionally glanced at Anirudh, noticing how he quietly focused on his steak, his face still a little flushed. They figured it was shyness—after all, dining with so many women could make anyone a bit awkward. Aurora, typically bold and outgoing, was unusually quiet, quietly eating her spaghetti.
But under the table, her foot had made its way to the inside of Anirudh's thigh. When it finally brushed against the hardness there, she shot him another sultry glance, her eyes sparkling with mischievous delight.
Anirudh scowled inwardly as Aurora's knowing smile sent a jolt of frustration through him. This girl was too much, playing with him so openly! He vowed that when the moment came, he'd turn the tables on her—there was no way she'd get the last laugh.
"So, Aunt Aurora, are you expecting me to 'accidentally' touch you?" he fired back, knowing that sometimes the best defense was to attack.
Sure enough, his comeback had the desired effect. The entire table, including the typically ice-cold Iowa, broke into laughter. Aurora herself almost choked at his cheeky response but quickly regained her composure with a giggle. "Exactly! You really know me well. You're my little sweetheart, after all!"
Anirudh's face flushed yet again. Aurora's experience in the art of teasing was unmatched—there was simply no beating her.
"Alright, let's cut the dirty jokes. We're supposed to be having a meal here. Let's eat up so we can go relax afterward," Eleanor intervened, clearly trying to save Anirudh from further embarrassment. She knew her nephew didn't stand a chance against Aurora's sharp tongue.
Another round of giggles erupted, but this time they let up on the teasing.
The meal finally concluded in peace, with Aurora barely acknowledging Anirudh again for the rest of the evening.
Anirudh exhaled, feeling both relieved and strangely let down. Could it be that Aurora was upset at him for talking back earlier? What he didn't notice was that while Aurora might have been keeping her distance, her younger sister Amy had been eyeing him throughout the meal. Even the aloof Iowa had stolen a few curious glances his way.
And Estella? Her wide, bright eyes seemed to never leave him for a second.
Though Anirudh hailed from the countryside, his tall frame, sharp features, and occasional shy demeanor made him even more intriguing to the women around him.
After the welcome banquet, Eleanor led the group to the Royal Club, a luxurious spot not far from the restaurant. Known as one of Chicago's most exclusive venues, it had long been a favorite haunt for Eleanor and her friends—their unofficial gathering spot.
Under the manager's personal guidance, the group, now seven including Anirudh, was ushered into a lavish private room. While not enormous, the space was impeccably designed—luxurious without being ostentatious. A massive semi-circular sofa encircled an equally grand crystal coffee table, and behind them was a private washroom. In front of them, a huge screen loomed, awaiting their attention.
The drinks and fresh fruit were already prepared, and Estella wasted no time in running off to pick out some songs. Meanwhile, Aurora, with a teasing smile, beckoned Eleanor with a playful curl of her finger.
"Eleanor, last time I drank you under the table. You didn't look too happy about it, did you? Well, today's your chance for revenge," she said, shrugging off her sleek blazer and tossing it casually onto the couch. Her smooth, pale shoulders glistened under the lights, and her chest, full and barely contained, drew every gaze in the room.
As Anirudh glanced at her, mesmerized by her dangerously plunging neckline, a wave of heat washed over him, making his breath hitch. He quickly looked away, but not before a fire stirred within him, curling low in his belly...
"Drink up! What, scared? Rosalind, you handle this flirt for me. I need a quick word with Anirudh," Eleanor called out, pulling Anirudh off to a quiet corner. She threw an arm casually around his shoulder, leaned in close, and whispered in his ear, "So, Anirudh, anyone here spark your interest? Come on, tell Auntie—who do you like? I'll help you get her tonight."
Anirudh's body froze as he looked at Eleanor, wide-eyed in disbelief.
"Auntie, that's way too extreme!"