Chapter 13: The Talk About Desire

It was dusk when Shalini reached Malika's place again. The air felt thick, warm, carrying the scent of wet earth after a distant drizzle. Shalini's mind was scattered — she had barely slept in days, tormented by the simmering tension with Ravi and Prayush. Their eyes haunted her in every quiet moment, tracing her curves, following the way she lifted her arms, drinking in the subtle glimpses of skin she'd tried to keep hidden.

Malika opened the door with her usual effortless confidence, dressed in a silky black camisole and shorts, no bra, the thin fabric grazing her nipples shamelessly. Shalini's breath caught for a moment, a flush blooming on her neck.

"Come in," Malika purred, offering a glass of chilled sauvignon blanc that left condensation running down Shalini's fingers.

They sat close on the soft velvet couch, their knees touching.

"You look… tense," Malika observed, her eyes sharp as knives but soft as velvet at once.

Shalini laughed weakly, taking a generous sip of wine. "I feel like… they're consuming me with their eyes. It's wrong, but…"

"But it excites you," Malika finished, a slow, satisfied grin spreading across her lips.

Shalini hesitated. Then, cheeks burning, she nodded.

Malika leaned in closer, their faces inches apart. "It should excite you. You're a woman, Shalini. You were meant to be adored."

A dangerous spark flared behind Malika's dark eyes. She settled back against the couch, one hand lazily playing with the lace trim on her camisole, almost absentmindedly. "Let me tell you a story," she began, swirling the wine in her glass.

Shalini swallowed, eager and terrified at once.

"There was a boy once," Malika said, "a boy who was far too young, but burning with hunger. He'd come to my shop to buy something— just a penny purchase, really. But the way he looked at me…" She paused, a small smirk curling her lips. "I could see it in his eyes. That longing to serve. So I let him. Bit by bit. Just subtle things. Pouring water for me, touching my feet to take off my sandals… nothing illegal, nothing wrong…"

Shalini's pulse thudded.

Malika continued, voice lowering to a hush. "But one day, I stood in front of him, lifted my arms, and told him to smell me. I could see his will break — he wanted nothing more than to bury his face in my armpits, in my sweat, to worship it like nectar. And I let him."

Shalini's thighs pressed together under her kurta.

Malika noticed, of course. "It's beautiful, Shalini. The surrender. Their need is so honest. So pure. You could own every part of them."

Shalini tried to find words. "And… you said… he was close to me?"

Malika's sly smile returned. "Mmm. I won't say names yet. But let's just say, one of your little boys might have a taste for this, too. All you need to do is test him. Show him a bit of your scent, make him crave it. He'll do anything for a taste."

Shalini shivered, taking another sip of wine, letting it pool warm in her belly. "That's… so dangerous."

"Dangerous," Malika agreed, "but delicious."

Shalini couldn't help herself. The images that invaded her mind — Ravi, on his knees, kissing the tops of her feet; Prayush, burying his nose in her armpits, moaning softly with each breath — sent an electric shock through her body.

Malika's hand brushed Shalini's thigh, teasing gently. "It's nothing to fear," she whispered. "They want to serve you. They crave a goddess, someone who takes what she deserves."

Shalini sighed, almost a moan. "Malika… sometimes I feel like I'm going to explode. They look at me all day, and at night… I touch myself thinking of it."

Malika's eyes glittered. "That's perfect," she breathed, moving even closer, her bare thigh brushing Shalini's leg. "Do you think they'd worship you properly if you let them?"

Shalini didn't answer, too overwhelmed by heat and shame.

Malika chuckled, shifting to straddle Shalini's lap, pinning her with those bold, fearless eyes. "You don't need to hide, Shalini. You can own every part of this desire. There's no sin in being adored. In commanding their lust."

Shalini swallowed hard. Her breasts ached against the soft cotton of her blouse.

Malika gently rocked her hips, teasing a grind against Shalini's lap. "Imagine it, Shalini," she cooed. "Ravi licking every inch of your toes, so grateful for the taste. Prayush burying his face under your arms, breathing your scent until he faints. They would fight each other just for the privilege of kissing your ankle."

A jolt of raw need burned through Shalini's belly.

Malika leaned down, lips brushing Shalini's ear. "Tell me you want it."

Shalini gasped. "I… I want it."

"That's it," Malika praised, fingers trailing over Shalini's sides, slipping under her blouse to tease the warm, soft skin. "Let them see your power. Make them crawl. Make them beg."

Shalini couldn't speak. The wine, the soft, rhythmic motion of Malika on her lap, the humiliating pleasure of imagining Ravi and Prayush on their knees — it was all too much.

Malika kissed her, softly at first, then deeper, forcing Shalini's mouth open to taste her tongue. Shalini moaned into the kiss, trembling, her hands gripping Malika's hips for support.

When they finally parted, Malika's lips were red, her breathing fast. "I want you to own them," she commanded. "I want you to wear your curves like a weapon. Show your sweat. Show your scent. Teach them to crave it."

Shalini's eyes fluttered closed, body pulsing with a dizzy heat.

Malika's voice was pure silk. "Next time you teach them, stand close. Let your armpits be bare, your feet be bare. Make them want to faint for you. And then…" She paused, biting Shalini's earlobe gently. "Make them wait."

Shalini gasped. "That's so cruel…"

Malika only smiled, wicked and kind all at once. "They want you to be cruel. Trust me."

Their lips met again, slower, softer this time, sharing the taste of desire and wine.

Malika shifted off Shalini's lap and poured another glass. "I'll help you," she promised, brushing her knuckles along Shalini's inner thigh. "We'll teach them to worship you properly."

Shalini nodded, heart racing, wetness dripping between her legs. She could see it now — Ravi whimpering at her toes, Prayush moaning against her underarms — the raw, honest hunger of a boy's devotion.

She wanted it. Needed it.

Malika grinned, as if reading every dirty thought in her head. "You're so close to becoming perfect, Shalini," she whispered. "Let them adore you until they break."

Shalini moaned, overwhelmed, arousal threatening to spill over.

Malika stood and offered her a hand. "Come," she commanded. "Let's shower together. I want you to smell perfect for your next lesson."

Shalini obeyed, trembling, stepping toward the bathroom, her mind on fire with thoughts of power, worship, and forbidden surrender.

---