Passion & Deceit Part 4 by Leela Atherton

By Leela Atherton

It’s time for Maya to return to Edinburgh, and Rajiv arrives to drive her back to London. But the train is delayed, and Maya has to spend the night in London . . . Finally, she gives in to the overwhelming attraction between her and Rajiv, going back to his apartment for a night of passionate love-making. But Rajiv has no idea just how innocent she really is . .

• Language: English
• Publisher: Leela Atherton
• Release date: Jun 26, 2020
• ISBN: 9781370320400

Leela Atherton

UPDATE July 2020Passion & Deceit, Part 5 & 6, coming during July Smashwords Sale!Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and so many of us in lockdown, I've decided to re-publish Passion & Deceit in Episodes. Part 1 is now published for FREE on the Smashwords Sale! Part 2, 3 & 4 are up for Sale at $.99c each, and Part 5 & 6 will be published this this month!Hope you enjoy reading about Scottish beauty, Maya, and her gorgeous Anglo-Indian Hero, Rajiv!Please share with all your friends, fellow-readers and community as we work through this economic hardship and uncertainty that is touching everyone. It’s paramount that we all come together and support each other right now.As someone who suffers with anxiety, I know how helpful it can be to lose yourself in a good book, and reading has seen me through some dark and dreaded timesHonest Reviews of Passion & Deceit, as well as all the books you’ve read, [old and new], will also assist readers in discovering new books while in living social isolation, so please remember to click that “Review” button and share your pleasure with others.In the words of Mark Coker, “Books are powerful. They have the power to entertain, inspire, inform and heal. They offer safe harbour to readers in need of comfort, distraction, hope and a smile.”Stay safe, stay home.Leela AthertonPS If you enjoy a fun, naughty and purely erotic read, check out Storm Stone’s Profile on Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/HardcoreRomanceAbout Leela AthertonI grew up reading Mills & Boon romances, Anne Mather being my favourite author at the time. Later on I began writing Modern Romances for fun. Passion & Deceit was written with my love for India and all things Indian in mind. Besides reading and writing, I enjoy my work with a non-profit organization; EOA Npc, where I focus on Learning & Development for young people and adults, in Langa Township, Cape Town,Connect with Leela Atherton:Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/leelaathertonTwitter: https://twitter.com/LeelaAthertonEmail: [e-mail] Interview: https://www.smashwords.com/interview/LeelaAthertonSmashwords profile page: https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/LeelaAtherton

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Passion and Deceit

Part Four

By

Leela Atherton

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First published by Black Opal Books 2013

Copyright © 2020 by Leela Atherton

This book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This book may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you are reading this book and did no purchase it or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return it to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

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CHAPTER 9

Rajiv went back to London later that same day and Maya tried to tell herself it was for the best. The realization that she would not be seeing him again was taking its toll. All she wanted now was to go home to Edinburgh and try her best to forget about him and the emotional rollercoaster she’d been on since meeting him. Their return journey from Steeple Wick to Cranthorpe had left her feeling drained and exhausted. Once back in the safety of her bedroom, she had climbed into a hot bath and allowed the tears to flow, berating herself for allowing him to get under her skin. After what Jay had told her, she should have known better than to spend the morning alone with him. But when he’d asked her—no pleaded with her—to accompany him, she’d given into the crazy impulse and agreed. She had wanted to go with him. There was no denying it. And to begin with, the outing had gone well, not just well, it had been quite special.

She had enjoyed every moment of their time together, until she’d told him of her plans to leave. His reaction had surprised her. She could have sworn that she’d seen real desperation in his eyes. That was why she’d reached out and touched him, just to comfort him really, but what had resulted had had little to do with comfort. Once again, he had managed to seduce her almost to the point of no return. God, just thinking about it left her weak and shaky, a tiny pulse throbbing insistently between her legs. Thank God, she had come to her senses. And what if she hadn’t? Would he have made love to her, there in the car, on the side of the road?

Maya tried to feel outraged at the thought, but all she really felt was a sense of loss and a very physical need that cut right through her. Her body felt languid, yet restless, a heaviness invading her limbs and making it difficult to do anything, while struggling to behave normally under Jay’s eagle eye.

A knock on the door heralded her friend, a trace of concern shadowing in his perceptive gaze.

How’s the packing going? he asked, sitting on the edge of the bed beside her open suitcase.

I think I’m getting there, she answered, carefully folding the little black dress and resisting the impulse to press it to her face.

Are you feeling okay, Maya? Jay asked, and she forced herself to return his gaze.

Yes, of course. Why do you ask?

Fortunately, he had not learned of her outing with Rajiv the day before. In fact, she did not think anyone, besides Nana Bibi, knew that they’d gone out together. And she hoped that Jay hadn’t somehow found out about it now.

He sighed, his shoulders slumping forward and his long hair almost covering his face. I dunno. You just seem sort of quiet lately. You’re not upset because of what I said about Rajiv, are you?

Maya was genuinely surprised. Of course not. You were only being honest and concerned for me. Weren’t you?

He nodded. Yeah, but maybe you didn’t want to hear it. Sometimes it’s easier not knowing the truth, isn’t it? He looked up at her, and Maya knew he was not only talking about her situation.

She sat down on the bed beside him. Jay, in the long run, it’s always better to know the truth. I personally would never want to live in a state of denial. Never, she ended emphatically and he put his