Aarohi lay still, staring at the ceiling as Vihaanâs steady breathing filled the quiet room. Sleep refused to come. Her mind was a whirlwind of emotionsâannoyance, frustration, and something dangerously close to curiosity.
Why did he have to be like this? One moment, he was an arrogant, egoistic businessman who got on her nerves, and the next, he was⦠this.
Soft. Teasing. Almost endearing.
Almost.
She shifted slightly, hoping not to wake him, but as soon as she moved, his arm lazily draped over her waist, pulling her closer.
Aarohi froze.
Her heart pounded against her ribs as she realized how close he was now. His body was warm against hers, his breath tickling her ear.
She tried to move away, but his grip tightened slightly. "Stop moving, biwi," he mumbled, his voice deep and groggy.
Aarohi stiffened. "Vihaan⦠let go."
"Mmmâ¦" He buried his face in her hair. "Too comfortable."
Aarohiâs breath hitched. "Youâreâ"
"Sleep," he murmured.
She clenched her jaw, her face burning at their proximity. This man had no concept of personal space.
Or maybe he did, and he just enjoyed invading hers.
She contemplated pushing him away, but the warmth of his embrace was oddly comforting. Safe.
No. No, no, no.
She was not going to get used to this.
Taking a deep breath, she decided to stay still. Just for tonight.
But when Vihaanâs hold on her tightened ever so slightly, and she felt the faintest hint of a smile against her shoulder, she knew one thing for sureâ
This man was going to be the death of her.
The first thing Aarohi became aware of was warmth.
The second thing was an arm wrapped around her waist, holding her possessively.
Her eyes flew open, and her entire body stiffened.
Oh. No.
She was nestled against Vihaan, her head resting against his chest. His grip on her was secure, as if even in sleep, he refused to let go.
And the worst part? It felt⦠nice.
For a fleeting second, she allowed herself to relax, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.
Then reality crashed in.
Her eyes widened in horror. What am I doing?!
Carefully, she tried to slip out of his grip.
Bad idea.
Vihaan groaned, pulling her even closer. "Biwi⦠stop moving."
Aarohiâs breath hitched. "Let go, Vihaan."
He nuzzled into her neck, his lips brushing against her skin as he muttered groggily, "Five more minutes."
Her entire body went still.
Did heâDid he justâ
Her face burned. "Vihaan Malhotra!" she shrieked, finally pushing him away.
Vihaan groaned, his eyes fluttering open. "What the hell, biwi?"
Aarohi scrambled away from him, clutching the blanket like it was a shield. "YouâYou wereâ" She pointed a trembling finger at him, her face red. "You were nuzzling me!"
Vihaan blinked, then smirked. "Was I?"
Aarohi wanted to strangle him.
"Donât look so scandalized, biwi," he drawled, stretching lazily. "Weâre married, after all."
She picked up a pillow and threw it at him. "You are insufferable!"
Vihaan caught the pillow with ease, chuckling. "And yet, you didnât run away last night."
Aarohi opened her mouth to argue but quickly shut it.
Because he was right.
She hadnât pushed him away last night.
And that was the most terrifying part of all.
arohi refused to acknowledge what had happened.
She busied herself in the bathroom for longer than necessary, splashing cold water on her face, trying to erase the memory of Vihaanâs warmth, the way he held her like she belonged there.
By the time she stepped out, Vihaan was already dressed in a crisp black shirt, his sleeves rolled up, hair slightly damp.
Her heart did an involuntary flip.
"Stop staring, biwi," Vihaan teased, slipping his watch onto his wrist.
Aarohi scowled. "I was not staring."
He smirked, stepping closer. "You sure?"
She took a step back, but he only followed, closing the distance.
"I think you were admiring me," he murmured, tilting his head.
Aarohi swallowed. "You think too highly of yourself."
Vihaan hummed, his fingers brushing against her wrist lightly. "Maybe. Or maybe youâre just too stubborn to admit the truth."
Aarohi glared at him, but her pulse betrayed her, racing under his touch.
"Why are you like this?" she whispered.
Vihaanâs smirk softened into something unreadable. "Because teasing you is my favorite pastime, biwi."
Aarohi jerked her hand away. "Youâre impossible."
"And youâre adorable when youâre flustered," he shot back.
She stormed out of the room, but her heart was still hammering against her ribs.
Because no matter how much she denied itâ
She was starting to like his attention.
---
The afternoon sun streamed through the windows, casting a warm glow on the living room where Vihaan and Aarohi were sitting, the tension between them thick. Aarohi was quietly reading a book, trying to ignore the electric pull she felt toward him.
Vihaan, on the other hand, wasnât looking anywhere but at her. He leaned back against the couch, casually watching her with an unreadable expression.
Without warning, he scooted closer, his knee brushing against hers. Aarohi glanced at him, her breath catching in her throat, but she quickly looked away.
"Vihaanâ¦" she started, her voice a little shaky. "What do you want?"
He didnât answer immediately. Instead, he reached for her hand, gently pulling it toward him. Aarohi stiffened, but Vihaan wasnât letting go.
"Vihaan," she repeated, trying to sound firm, but there was something in her voice that betrayed her.
He lifted her hand to his lips, placing a soft kiss on her knuckles. "Just a little more attention from you, biwi."
Aarohiâs heart skipped a beat. The intimacy of the moment hit her hard. She felt his lips on her skin, sending a ripple of warmth through her body.
Before she could react, Vihaan was leaning in closer, his lips brushing against her ear. "Is it so hard to admit that you like me, Aarohi?"
His breath was hot against her skin, and she felt a shiver run through her.
"Iâ"
But before she could finish, Vihaanâs lips pressed against hers in a soft, lingering kiss.
Aarohiâs body froze at first, the shock of the kiss making her momentarily paralyzed. But then, something in her stirred. Slowly, she melted into the kiss, her lips parting under his as she responded. The kiss deepened, and her mind spun with emotions she hadnât been prepared for.
Vihaan pulled back slightly, his forehead resting against hers. "I know you feel it too, Aarohi. The pull."
She stared into his eyes, her heart racing. "This is crazy," she whispered, but the words felt empty. She knew it wasnât crazy. It felt too real.
He smiled, his thumb gently brushing her cheek. "Itâs not crazy. Itâs just us."
Aarohi couldnât deny it. There was something between them, undeniable and unspoken, but growing stronger with every touch, every moment they shared.
And she hated how much she wanted to give in.