99. Full on Teasing

♡♡♡♡♡

Back in Raghuwanshi Palace, the warmth of the grand celebration still lingered in the air. The scent of fresh roses and vanilla cake mixed with the faint aroma of expensive wood polish.

The large dining hall was now quieter, but the remnants of festivity remained—half-eaten desserts, abandoned plates, and the occasional laughter.

At the far end of the long mahogany dining table, Ananya sat cross-legged on a cushioned chair, holding a plate of cake with both hands.

Her eyes sparkled as she scooped a generous bite with her fork, savoring the rich chocolate melting on her tongue.

Her cheeks puffed slightly as she chewed, completely lost in the world of sugary bliss.

Aditya, who had been leaning back against the chapter with his arms crossed, observed her with an amused glint in his sharp eyes.

He had seen many things in his life—power, control, chaos—but nothing quite as adorable as Ananya devouring cake like a child.

"You do realize there’s no one here to steal your cake, right?" he remarked dryly, leaning forward.

Ananya shot him a glare before taking another bite, speaking with her mouth still slightly full, "You don’t know that. Rishi bhaiya stole a piece earlier, and I won’t let my guard down again."

Aditya chuckled, shaking his head. "You’re unbelievable."

She hummed in response, too busy licking off a stray bit of frosting from the corner of her lips.

His gaze instinctively followed the movement, his fingers twitching at his sides.

Leaning in, he placed both palms on the armrests of her chair, caging her in. "You’re lucky I have some self-control," he murmured, his deep voice sending a shiver down her spine.

Ananya blinked up at him, fork frozen in midair. "W-What?"

He smirked, eyes darkening with mischief. "Because last night, you were the clingiest little thing I’ve ever seen. Wouldn’t let me breathe without grabbing onto me."

Her eyes widened in horror. "I—I did not!"

"Oh, you did," he teased, trailing a finger along her jaw. "You wouldn’t stop holding my arm, hiding your face in my chest, and—"

"Stop it!" she whined, face heating up as she covered his mouth with her frosting-covered fingers. "You’re lying!"

Aditya licked the frosting off his lips slowly, making her gasp and yank her hand away. His smirk deepened as he straightened, towering over her. "Admit it, Kitten. You love clinging to me."

Ananya crossed her arms, pouting. "Even if I did, I won’t admit it."

He leaned in again, brushing his lips against her ear. "And even if you don’t, I already know."

Her heart slammed against her ribs. She hated how easily he affected her, how effortlessly he made her melt.

Sighing dramatically, he picked up her fork and scooped a piece of cake. "Fine, I’ll let it slide. But only because you’re cute when you’re embarrassed."

"Adi!" she whined, glaring at him.

His teasing expression softened slightly as he placed the fork down and brushed his thumb over her cheek. "You know," he murmured, "I love you too."

Her breath hitched.

She hadn’t said those words out loud tonight, but the way he said ‘too’—as if he had heard them unspoken—made her chest tighten.

A shy smile crept onto her lips. "I know."

His smirk returned, but this time, there was something softer behind it. "Good. Now finish your cake before I change my mind and steal a bite."

She gasped, hugging her plate protectively. "Over my dead body, Mr Raghuwanshi!"

His laughter echoed in the hall, wrapping around her like a warm embrace.

♡♡♡♡♡

The next morning, Aarush made his way to Mahira’s office, his usual composed demeanor in place.

The soft clinking of typewriters and the quiet hum of conversation filled the workspace as employees bustled around, focused on their tasks. But amidst the organized chaos, his eyes found her instantly.

Mahira sat at her desk, reviewing a few documents, a soft, lingering smile on her lips.

The sight was unusual—she always looked graceful and focused, but today, there was something different about her. A glow, a quiet happiness that made her even more breathtaking.

He leaned against the edge of her desk, arms crossed. "You look beautiful today," he said smoothly.

Mahira blinked up at him, startled for a moment before her cheeks tinged a faint pink. "I—what?"

He tilted his head, amusement flickering in his gaze. "You always do, but today… you’re glowing. What’s the reason behind that smile?"

Her fingers brushed over the papers absentmindedly as she let out a soft laugh. "Yesterday was just… really nice," she admitted.

"Mahima... Didi and I spent the entire day together. We went shopping, tried on dresses, and had coffee at this cute little café."

Aarush raised an eyebrow. "Shopping? You actually enjoyed that?"

She rolled her eyes, leaning back in her chair. "I don’t usually, but with didi, it was different. It wasn’t just about buying things—it was about spending time together. We laughed over ridiculous outfits, helped each other pick things, and for once, I felt… relaxed."

Aarush watched her intently, the way her eyes sparkled as she spoke. He knew Mahima meant a lot to her, but seeing her this happy made something settle in his chest—an unfamiliar warmth.

"I’m glad," he said after a moment, his voice softer than usual. "You deserve that."

Mahira smiled at him, the corners of her lips curving into something softer. "It was one of the best days I’ve had in a while."

Aarush smirked. "Well, if shopping and coffee make you this happy, maybe I should take you next time."

She laughed. "You? In a shopping mall? That I have to see."

He chuckled, leaning in slightly. "For you, I might just tolerate it."

Her heart skipped a beat, but she masked it with a playful scoff. "I’ll hold you to that, Aarush sir."

He met her gaze, something unreadable yet warm flickering in his eyes. "I’m counting on it."

♡♡♡♡♡

As Mahima stepped out of the car, the late morning sun casting a golden glow on her, she let out a contented sigh.

Rishi walked beside her, his usual calm presence a steady contrast to the gentle storm of emotions swirling within her.

He glanced at her sideways. "You look... different today," he observed, a small smirk tugging at his lips. "Less intimidating. More… at peace."

Mahima chuckled, shaking her head. "That’s a first."

Rishi folded his arms, leaning casually against the car. "Something happen yesterday?"

A soft, almost shy smile played on her lips as she nodded. "Yeah… I spent the day with Mahira. And it felt nice. Really nice."

Rishi raised an eyebrow. "Shopping, right?"

Mahima rolled her eyes. "Yes, but it wasn’t about that. It was about being with her, knowing that I had someone beside me who was truly mine. Someone who—" She paused, exhaling slowly, as if weighing her next words carefully. "—who I love."

Rishi straightened slightly, surprise flickering across his face before he let out a low chuckle. "Didn’t think I'd see the day when The Mahima actually admitted something like that."

Mahima turned to him, her gaze firm yet open in a way she rarely allowed. "It’s true," she murmured. "With her, I feel… understood. Safe. Like I belong."

Rishi studied her for a moment before nodding. "Then hold onto that. Don’t let it slip away."

She looked ahead, her heart lighter than it had been in a long time. "I won’t."

Rishi glanced around, frowning slightly. “So, why exactly are we here?” he asked, crossing his arms.

His gaze flickered to the building ahead before settling back on Mahima. “Don’t tell me we’re here to meet Mahira.”

Mahima simply nodded, her expression unreadable. “We are.”

Rishi sighed. “I thought yesterday was all fun and laughter for you two. Did something happen?”

Mahima hesitated for a moment before speaking, her voice quieter than usual. “It was perfect. But… I saw something in her eyes. Something she didn’t say out loud.”

Rishi studied her face, catching the flicker of concern in her usually sharp eyes. “And you think it’s bothering her?”

Mahima exhaled, running a hand through her hair. “I know it is. She smiled, she laughed, but there was a moment—just a brief one—when I caught her looking away, lost in thought. As if something was pulling her back into a place she didn’t want to be.”

Rishi let out a thoughtful hum. “And you’re going to dig until you find out what it is.”

Mahima shot him a side glance. “You know me too well.”

He smirked. “I do. And I also know you won’t rest until you get your answers.”

Mahima’s lips curved into a faint smile. “Exactly.” She stepped forward. “Let’s go.”

Without another word, she led the way inside, her resolve unwavering.

She had to find out what was weighing on Mahira’s heart—and she wouldn’t stop until she did.

♡♡♡♡♡

As the first golden rays of the sun kissed the horizon, Amrita stirred, feeling the cool morning breeze caress her skin.

A soft, contented smile graced her lips as she blinked her eyes open, taking in the breathtaking sight before her.

The sky was painted in hues of orange, pink, and lavender, the gentle waves shimmering under the dawn’s light.

She turned her head slightly, her gaze falling upon Aaryansh. He was still asleep, his features relaxed in the soft glow of the morning.

His strong arms were wrapped loosely around her waist, his breath slow and steady.

A quiet warmth filled her chest. Last night had been… perfect.

The laughter, the teasing, the stolen kisses under the moonlit sky, and finally, falling asleep in his arms, surrounded by the sound of the ocean—it was something she never thought she would experience, something she never even thought she would crave. But here she was.

She reached out, her fingers brushing against his cheek, tracing the sharp angles of his jaw.

As if sensing her touch, Aaryansh stirred, his brows furrowing slightly before his eyes slowly opened.

His deep, sleepy gaze met hers, and for a moment, they simply stared at each other, wrapped in the quiet intimacy of the morning.

A slow smirk tugged at his lips. “Staring at me already, Mrs. Raghuwanshi?” His voice was husky, still laced with sleep.

Amrita rolled her eyes, but the smile on her face didn’t fade. “Maybe I was admiring the sunrise,” she teased.

Aaryansh hummed, pulling her closer, their bodies perfectly fitting against each other. “Liar. You were looking at me.”

She chuckled softly, running her fingers through his hair. “And what if I was?”

His smirk deepened. “Then I’d say you’re finally accepting that you’re obsessed with me.”

Amrita scoffed, but the way her fingers continued playing with his hair betrayed her. “You wish.”

Aaryansh let out a deep chuckle before shifting onto his side, propping himself up on one elbow.

His eyes softened as he studied her, the sunlight making her skin glow. “You look beautiful in the morning,” he murmured.

She arched a brow. “Only in the morning?”

He smirked. “Always. But especially when you wake up beside me.”

A flush crept up her neck, but she quickly masked it with an eye-roll. “Smooth.”

He leaned closer, his lips barely brushing against hers. “It’s not a flirt. It’s the truth.”

Amrita let out a soft laugh, shaking her head. “Last night was…”

“Perfect,” Aaryansh finished for her, his thumb brushing against her cheek. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you this happy.”

Her smile faltered just slightly, and she lowered her gaze. “Neither have I.”

Aaryansh gently lifted her chin, making her look at him. “Get used to it. Because I’m going to make sure you have a hundred more nights like this.”

Her heart clenched at his words, at the sheer certainty in them. She didn’t respond, just let herself get lost in the warmth of his embrace as the waves continued their endless dance beside them.

♡♡♡♡♡

As they finally got up from the soft sand, Aaryansh stretched, letting out a lazy yawn, while Amrita dusted off her clothes, her gaze lingering on the ocean for a moment longer.

Without a word, he took her hand, leading her back to the penthouse that overlooked the vast expanse of water.

Once inside, the cool air wrapped around them, and they moved into their routine with quiet ease.

Amrita grabbed her toothbrush, glancing at Aaryansh through the mirror as he did the same.

Their movements were in sync—brushing, rinsing, and freshening up in comfortable silence.

As she wiped her face with a towel, her mind wandered to home. Without thinking twice, she picked up her phone and dialed Ishika’s number.

The call barely rang twice before Ishika’s sweet, cheerful voice greeted her. "Good morning, Ritu!"

A soft smile instantly spread across Amrita’s face. "Good morning, Mayya."

Aaryansh, drying his hair beside her, raised a brow at the rare warmth in her tone.

But he said nothing, just leaned against the counter, watching as Amrita’s expression softened—a sight he didn’t get to see often.

Amrita leaned against the sink, her voice remained calm as she spoke with Ishika.

"You should rest today, Ritu. Don't come to the office," Ishika insisted gently. "You deserve a break."

Amrita hummed in response, not agreeing or disagreeing, but there was a hint of contentment in her tone. And just like that, she hung up.

Aaryansh, who had been watching her the entire time, tilted his head slightly. "Why’d you call her so suddenly?" he asked, curiosity laced in his deep voice.

Amrita glanced at him, her gaze unreadable for a moment before she shrugged. "I just needed to hear Mayya’s voice."

Aaryansh observed her, the rare vulnerability in her words not lost on him.

He didn’t press further, but a small, knowing smirk played on his lips. "You’re soft for her, huh?"

Amrita rolled her eyes, turning away, but the corners of her lips twitched slightly. "Shut up."

Aaryansh stepped closer, his presence warm and firm as he wrapped his arms around Amrita’s waist.

She didn’t push him away. Instead, a soft smile graced her lips as she met his gaze.

"I need my morning kiss," he murmured, his voice low, laced with desire and amusement.

Before she could respond, he captured her lips in a slow, deep kiss. Amrita chuckled against his mouth, the vibrations making him smirk.

He took his time, savoring the moment, and when he finally pulled back, she let out another small laugh.

Aaryansh's eyes darkened with admiration as he studied her. "You're beautiful," he whispered, brushing his thumb against her cheek.

Amrita rolled her eyes at the compliment but didn’t hide the pleased look in her eyes.

Before he could pull her in again, she placed her hands on his chest and shoved him toward the door.

"Out," she ordered.

Aaryansh groaned dramatically, stepping out but not before throwing her a wicked smirk. "One day, Buttercup, one day... I’ll see it all."

Amrita snorted, shaking her head as she closed the door on his face. "In your dreams, Aarya."

"Oh, trust me, my Buttercup. You’re already in them."

She rolled her eyes again, but the smile never left her face.

♡♡♡♡♡

Meanwhile, Ananya was passing by the Raghuwanshi building, lost in her own thoughts, when something caught her eye. Her steps slowed, her brows furrowing in confusion.

Her eyes widened, and her jaw nearly hit the ground. Right in front of her, sitting casually near a café, was Aditya—talking to a girl.

And not just talking. He was smiling. All smiles.

Her heart thumped loudly in her chest, annoyance bubbling up as she watched them. "He was flirting with me just yesterday, and now he's already hitting on another girl?" she muttered under her breath.

Heat rushed to her cheeks—not from embarrassment, but from frustration.

Clenching her fists, she stomped toward them, her heels clicking against the pavement with each step.

Aditya, completely unaware of the storm approaching, laughed at something the girl said.

"You've changed a lot, Aditya," Adviti said with a soft smile.

Aditya smirked, shaking his head. "Time does that to people, Advi. But look at you—you haven't changed one bit."

Ananya’s eyes narrowed as she came closer.

Oh, we’ll see about that, she thought, her jealousy only fueling her determination.

Aditya was mid-conversation, still smirking at Adviti when he suddenly felt a shift in the air.

A certain presence. A dangerous presence.

He barely had time to process it before a sharp glare burned into the side of his face.

His body tensed for a moment, before turning to see none other than Ananya standing there, arms crossed, lips pressed into a firm line, and eyes shooting daggers at him.

His shock was evident, but it only lasted a second before a knowing smirk curved his lips.

Oh, so she’s jealous.

"Kitty Cat," he said smoothly, trying to keep his amusement in check, "meet Advi."

Ananya’s gaze flickered to the girl before her, scrutinizing her with a raised brow.

After a moment, she hummed and tilted her head. "Oh, so you’re the one the whole family’s excited about?"

Adviti, completely unbothered by Ananya’s sharp tone, smiled brightly.

"That would be me," she responded cheerfully, her tone warm and friendly.

Instead of standing there like an outsider, Ananya moved swiftly, sitting down right beside Aditya, closer than necessary. The way her shoulder pressed against his arm wasn’t lost on him.

Aditya, fully realizing what was happening, had to bite back a grin.

Oh, this is going to be fun.

He subtly exchanged a glance with Adviti, who instantly understood the game.

With an innocent smile, she said, "Aditya, you’re such a gentleman. Always so sweet and charming."

Aditya, playing right along, sighed dramatically. "Finally, someone who appreciates me."

He turned slightly towards Adviti, making sure Ananya was still watching. "Don’t you think I deserve a reward for that?"

Adviti nodded thoughtfully, pretending to consider it. "Oh, absolutely," she said with a teasing glint in her eyes. "A true gentleman deserves the best."

She leaned forward slightly, lowering her voice just enough to make sure Ananya caught every word. "I bet Ananya kisses you every day, huh?"

Aditya sighed, playing the part of a heartbroken man. He shook his head solemnly. "Nope. Not even once."

Adviti gasped, her hand flying to her chest in mock shock. "No way!" she exclaimed. "That’s a crime! A man like you deserves to be showered with love!"

Aditya let out a heavy sigh, glancing at Ananya, who was now gripping the hem of her dress so tightly that her knuckles turned white.

Perfect.

Aditya was still enjoying the show, his smirk growing as Ananya’s irritation boiled right before his eyes.

He expected her to lash out, maybe roll her eyes and scold him—but what she did next?

Completely. Shattered. Him.

With no warning, Ananya grabbed his collar and pulled him close, pressing a firm kiss to his cheek.

For a moment, everything froze.

His mind went blank.

His body stiffened.

His breath hitched.

And then, realization hit him like a freight train.

His kitten just kissed him.

He blinked rapidly, his lips parting slightly as his brain struggled to catch up with reality.

He barely registered Ananya pulling back slightly, her head tilting with an almost smug expression as she turned to Adviti.

"See? I do kiss him."

Aditya was still completely stunned, processing what had just happened, when he heard Adviti gasp dramatically.

"Oh my God," she said, shaking her head with mock disappointment. "That’s adorable… but also kinda sad."

Ananya’s brows furrowed. "What?"

Adviti smirked, her eyes glinting mischievously. "I mean, only kissing him on the cheek? That’s barely anything."

She sighed as if truly disheartened. "If it were me, I’d definitely do better than that."

Ananya’s eyes widened in an instant.

Wait, what?

Before she could react, Adviti shifted slightly, moving towards Aditya, her playful smirk deepening.

Ananya’s heart dropped to her stomach.

No.

No way.

Without thinking, without hesitating for even a second, she grabbed Aditya’s collar again, yanking him towards her.

And before she even realized what she had done, their lips touched.

Silence.

Stillness.

Shock.

Aditya’s entire world stopped.

Ananya… had just kissed him.

Not on the cheek.

On the lips.

Her lips were soft, warm, and pressed against his in a way that sent every nerve in his body into overdrive.

His hands, which had been relaxed at his sides, twitched slightly, as if confused about what to do.

Ananya, equally stunned, stared wide-eyed at Aditya as the realization of her actions came crashing down on her.

She just… she just…

KISSED HIM?!

Her mind went into a frenzy, and her face instantly heated up.

Aditya, on the other hand, wasn’t moving at all. He was too frozen, too shocked, too utterly wrecked by what had just happened.

It wasn’t a deep kiss, nor was it long. But it was real.

Adviti, watching the entire thing unfold, bit the inside of her cheek to keep from laughing. Mission successful.

As if finally regaining some sense of reality, Ananya yanked herself away, her heart pounding so hard she was sure it could be heard across the entire city.

Her breathing was uneven, her hands still gripping Aditya’s collar, and she felt hot all over.

Aditya, still frozen, blinked once. Then twice.

Slowly, his fingers brushed his lips, his brows furrowing slightly as if trying to confirm whether what just happened was real.

Ananya, still flustered beyond belief, avoided his gaze and muttered under her breath, "D-Don’t… don’t let her do that again."

Adviti burst out laughing.

And Aditya?

Well, he was still trying to recover from the absolute wreckage Ananya had just caused.

♡♡♡♡♡

Ananya was still burning with embarrassment, her heart racing, her mind still reeling from what she had just done.

She had kissed Aditya. On the lips.

Out of jealousy.

In public.

And he knew it.

Aditya stared grinning like a fool, completely unbothered by the fact that his usually feisty kitten had just completely lost control in front of him.

His gaze flickered to her trembling hands, her erratic breathing, and her absolute refusal to meet his eyes.

And he loved it.

Before he could tease her further, Adviti suddenly ruffled his hair, making him scowl slightly.

"Bye, little bro," she said in a teasing tone, giving him one last smirk before walking away.

Ananya, who had been focused entirely on her own embarrassment, suddenly froze.

Wait.

What?

Her already wide eyes grew even wider.

Her gaze darted from Adviti’s retreating form to Aditya, who was fixing his now-messed-up hair with a sigh.

Little… bro?

Her breath hitched. A cold realization slammed into her.

She had just kissed Aditya in front of his sister.

Her jaw went slack.

Aditya noticed her sudden silence and raised an eyebrow. "What?"

Ananya swallowed hard, her voice coming out weak and horrified. "She’s… your sister?"

Aditya smirked. "Didn’t I introduce her?"

Her entire body stiffened.

No. He did not.

At least, not properly. He had just casually mentioned her name, and Ananya had been too blinded by jealousy to register who she was.

Her gaze turned distant as the realization sank in deeper.

She had stormed in, glared at him, assumed he was flirting, kissed him in public out of jealousy, and basically made a fool of herself—all in front of his sister.

She had just screwed up.

Badly.

Her hands flew to her face, covering it in pure horror. "Oh my god," she whispered. "Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god."

Aditya’s smirk widened. He was enjoying this way too much.

"You didn’t know?" he asked, amusement thick in his voice.

Ananya whipped her head toward him, eyes wild. "Of course, I didn’t know! You just said her name! How was I supposed to know she’s your sister?!"

Aditya chuckled. "Well, she's not my blood related sister, but more than that. Like a beat friend plus sis. And if you weren’t so busy being jealous, you might’ve heard me."

Ananya groaned in humiliation.

She had been so convinced that Adviti was some random girl he was flirting with.

She had acted out of jealousy—publicly—only to find out that the girl was literally his 'kind-of' sister.

Aditya took a step closer, enjoying every second of her mortified expression. "So, let’s recap," he mused, folding his arms.

"You saw me talking to a girl—who, by the way, looks older than me—and instead of asking, you got jealous. Then, you stomped over, kissed me on the cheek, and when that wasn’t enough, you pulled me in and kissed me on the lips?"

Ananya wanted the earth to swallow her whole.

She peeked at him from behind her hands, her face still burning. "I hate you," she muttered weakly.

Aditya leaned in slightly, his voice smooth and teasing. "Do you, though?"

She knew exactly what he was implying.

Her first kiss. His first kiss. Their first kiss—was all because of her uncontrollable jealousy.

And now, he wasn’t going to let her forget it.

Ananya clenched her jaw, her pride screaming at her to deny everything. But how could she? It was all true.

Aditya smirked even wider as he reached up and tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear.

His fingers brushed against her heated skin, making her freeze.

"So, kitten," he whispered, "should I take it as a confession?"

Her eyes snapped up to his, panic flashing. "What?!"

He chuckled, tilting his head. "You kissed me. Twice. In public. You’re either madly in love with me… or you just can’t control yourself around me."

Her breath hitched.

His smirk deepened. "Which one is it?"

Her brain malfunctioned.

"I—" She was at a loss for words. She wanted to yell at him, smack him, or maybe even walk away with whatever dignity she had left—but she couldn’t move.

Not when he was this close.

Not when he was looking at her like she was the only thing that mattered.

Aditya studied her face for a moment before sighing dramatically. "I’ll give you time to figure it out, kitten. But just so you know—"

He leaned in, just enough for her to feel his breath on her skin.

"Next time, I’m claiming my kiss properly."

Ananya’s heart stopped.

She stood frozen for a moment, her mind still trying to process everything that had just happened.

She had kissed him. In public. And now, he was acting like he had won some grand prize.

Her heart hammered in her chest, her face burning hotter than ever. And then, reality hit her all at once.

Her eyes widened. No. Nope. She couldn’t do this.

She spun on her heel and bolted.

Aditya barely had time to react before she was sprinting away, her hair flying behind her as if she was running for her life.

His smirk dropped. "Oi, kitten—"

But she was gone.

Aditya watched, half amused, half surprised, as Ananya disappeared into the crowd, literally running away from him.

He let out a small chuckle, running a hand through his hair. That reaction was even better than he had expected.

He hadn’t even teased her properly yet, and she was already fleeing.

How adorable.

Shaking his head, he pulled out his phone and quickly typed a message: You can run all you want, kitten. But you’re mine.

Smirking to himself, he pocketed his phone and headed back inside the building.

Meanwhile, Ananya was still running.

Her breathing was erratic, her heart pounding like a drum. Her mind screamed at her. What the hell just happened?!

She ran past confused pedestrians, her hands clenched into fists. She could still feel the ghost of his touch, the heat of his lips, the way he had whispered against her skin.

"Next time, I’m claiming my kiss properly."

Her stomach flipped.

Nope.

Nope. Nope. Nope.

She finally stopped, panting, leaning against a wall. Her fingers gripped her shirt tightly, her face still burning.

She had messed up.

Badly.

And knowing Aditya…

He wouldn’t let her live it down.

♡♡♡♡♡

Divya sighed, resting her chin on her palm as she waited in Daksh’s cabin.

She had been waiting for a while now, and boredom had started creeping in. Her eyes wandered around his office—minimalist, dark, and every bit as intimidating as the man himself.

Her gaze landed on the clock. Still time left for his meeting to end.

With a small huff, she pulled out the novel she had brought along and flipped it open.

The words pulled her in, distracting her from the time, and soon, she was lost in her own world.

The sound of the door unlocking barely registered in her mind.

Daksh stepped inside, rolling his sleeves up, his sharp eyes landing on her immediately.

She was sitting cross-legged on the couch, completely engrossed in her book.

A rare, amused smile tugged at his lips.

Daksh leaned against his desk, arms crossed, watching her. Her brows furrowed slightly, her lips parted just a little as she read, completely oblivious to his presence. He could tell she was at an intense part of the book.

He cleared his throat.

Divya yelped, the book slipping from her hands as she turned sharply to look at him. Her wide eyes blinked, realization dawning upon her.

"You're back!" she blurted, quickly shutting the book.

Daksh arched a brow. "Were you so lost in that book that you didn’t even notice me?"

She pursed her lips. "Maybe."

Shaking his head, he walked towards her and took a seat across from her. "Did you bring me something, or am I supposed to starve today?"

Divya’s eyes widened. "Oh! Wait, I did!" She hurriedly grabbed the lunchbox from the side table and placed it before him with a bright smile.

"Tada! I packed lunch for you."

Daksh smirked. "That explains why my assistant was grinning when I passed by. He told me I had a ‘special lunch’ today."

Divya grinned sheepishly. "Well, I might have convinced him to keep it a surprise."

He chuckled, shaking his head as he opened the box. The warm aroma of home-cooked food filled the air, and something about it made him feel... at ease.

He picked up a spoon and took a bite. The taste was perfect, just like always.

As they ate together, Divya, being Divya, made a mess. She tried to scoop some curry, but it dribbled onto the table. She gasped and quickly wiped it away.

Daksh watched in amusement. "How do you manage to be this clumsy even while eating?"

She pouted. "Excuse me! It’s not my fault the spoon betrayed me."

He shook his head, suppressing a smirk, and continued eating.

A few minutes later, he noticed something at the corner of her lips.

"Honeypie," he said, leaning slightly forward.

"Hmm?" She looked up, still chewing.

"You have something here." He tapped his thumb against his own lip, signaling where.

Divya licked her lips, missing the spot completely. "Gone?"

Daksh exhaled, shaking his head. "No."

Before she could try again, he leaned in, his thumb brushing against the corner of her lips.

The contact was brief, yet it sent a shiver down her spine.

She froze, her eyes locked on his.

Then, to her utter shock, he brought his thumb to his lips and licked it.

Divya’s heart nearly stopped.

Daksh smirked at her reaction. "Sweet," he murmured, his gaze unwavering.

Her face turned scarlet. "D-Daksh ji!"

Before she could say anything more, he cupped her jaw and pressed his lips to hers.

Divya sucked in a sharp breath, her mind going blank for a second.

The kiss was slow, teasing, and entirely Daksh. He tasted like the coffee he had earlier, mixed with something unmistakably him.

When he finally pulled away, her lips tingled, and her entire face burned.

Daksh leaned back, completely composed, as if kissing her senseless was a normal everyday thing.

"Now," he said, taking another bite of his food, "finish eating before it gets cold."

Divya, still too stunned to function, could only nod, her heart hammering like crazy.

She carefully picked up a gulab jamun, her mind still reeling from what had just happened.

She was hyper-aware of Daksh watching her, his gaze lazy yet sharp, like a predator waiting for the perfect moment to pounce.

Trying to ignore him, she brought the sweet to her lips and bit into it, letting the rich syrup coat her tongue. But just as she was savoring the taste, Daksh leaned in.

Before she could react, his lips brushed against hers as he took a bite of the other half—his mouth pressing fully against hers in the process.

Divya's eyes widened in pure shock.

The warmth of his lips, the brief but unmistakable pressure—it sent a shiver down her spine.

Her breath hitched, the sweetness of the dessert suddenly nowhere near as overwhelming as the man in front of her.

Her heart pounded violently, her hands frozen midair.

Daksh, on the other hand, pulled back slightly, chewing slowly, his eyes locked onto hers with a look so smug yet dark, it made her stomach flip.

"You taste sweet," he murmured, his thumb grazing the corner of her lips, wiping a stray drop of syrup.

Divya swallowed hard, her entire body burning with embarrassment.

She wanted to say something—anything. Maybe scold him, maybe shove him away. But all she could do was stare, her lips still tingling from his touch.

Daksh licked his thumb clean, his smirk deepening. "Delicious," he said, his voice low and teasing.

That was it.

She snapped.

Face burning, she grabbed a spoon and shoved an entire gulab jamun into his mouth, making him cough.

"Eat that and shut up!" she hissed, turning away to hide her completely flustered expression.

Daksh laughed, chewing obediently. "You’re too cute when you're embarrassed, sweetheart."

Divya groaned, wishing the ground would just swallow her whole.

Daksh swallowed the gulab jamun, still grinning at her flustered state.

Divya, on the other hand, was doing everything she could to avoid looking at him, her fingers clutching the edge of the table as if it could ground her racing heart.

But Daksh wasn’t done teasing her yet.

He leaned forward, invading her space once again, his dark eyes holding an unmistakable glint of mischief.

“You know, if you wanted to feed me so badly, sweetheart, you could’ve just used your lips again.”

Divya’s head snapped up, her entire body heating up at his bold words.

“You—” she began, but the words got caught in her throat when she realized just how close he was.

Daksh tilted his head, studying her like she was the most amusing thing he had ever seen.

“What?” he drawled lazily, resting his chin on his palm. “Shy all of a sudden?”

Divya clenched her fists, her heart slamming against her ribs. “You—You’re so bad!” she finally sputtered, pushing her chair back to put some distance between them.

Daksh chuckled, clearly entertained. “And you’re adorable when you blush.”

“Shut up!” she hissed, throwing a napkin at him before turning away, her face now resembling a ripe tomato.

But before she could escape, Daksh reached out and grabbed her wrist, pulling her back to him.

She gasped, her breath catching as she ended up right in front of him, their faces just inches apart.

“Running away again?” he murmured, his voice low and smooth, sending a shiver down her spine.

“I—” she stammered, her mind going blank.

Daksh smirked. “Too late for that now, sweetheart.”

And before she could protest, he leaned in, his lips grazing her ear as he whispered, “Next time, don’t tease me if you can’t handle the consequences.”

Divya sucked in a sharp breath, her knees threatening to give out.

And just like that, Daksh let her go.

“Now, be a good girl and finish your lunch,” he said, winking at her as he leaned back in his chair, looking completely unbothered—while she, on the other hand, was still trying to recover from the way her entire world had just tilted on its axis.

Divya grabbed her lunch and rushed to the door, her heart still hammering in her chest.

She needed to get out of there before Daksh completely messed with her head.

But the moment she reached for the handle and tried to twist it open—it didn’t budge.

Her eyes widened. She tried again. Still locked.

She spun around, her breath hitching when she saw Daksh, relaxed in his chair, smirking at her.

“You—” she pointed at him, her brows furrowing. “You locked it?”

Daksh shrugged, completely unbothered. “Maybe.”

Her jaw dropped. “Open it!”

He tapped his fingers on the table, looking at her like she was his favorite form of entertainment. “Nope.”

Divya groaned, dragging a hand down her face. “Daksh ji, I swear—”

“Swear all you want, Honeypie.” He leaned back, his eyes dark and amused. “But you’re not going anywhere until I say so.”

Defeated, she exhaled and stomped back to him, plopping down onto the chair with a huff.

Daksh chuckled. “Good girl.”

She sent him a glare.

But before she could react, he grabbed her waist and effortlessly pulled her onto his lap.

“Daksh ji!” she squeaked, her heart nearly stopping.

“What?” he said, voice completely casual, as if it was the most natural thing in the world. “I just wanted to keep you close while you eat.”

Divya’s lips parted in shock, her mind screaming at her to move, but her body refusing to listen.

“Eat, baby,” he whispered, his warm breath fanning against her ear.

She gulped, hesitating for a moment before slowly taking a bite of her food, trying to ignore the way his strong arms stayed wrapped around her waist.

Daksh, however, had zero intention of behaving.

He leaned in and pressed a soft kiss on her cheek.

She froze mid-bite.

Her breath caught as warmth spread across her face, her heartbeat now completely out of control.

Before she could react, he kissed her again, this time at the corner of her lips.

Then her jaw.

Then her other cheek.

Then the tip of her nose.

Then her temple.

Divya sat there, utterly stunned, her pulse roaring in her ears as Daksh slowly trailed his lips down—pressing a kiss on the soft curve of her jawline, then lower, at the side of her neck.

A gasp slipped past her lips when he kissed right where her pulse raced wildly.

“D-Daksh ji,” she whispered, her fingers gripping onto his shirt, her body on fire.

“Hm?” he hummed, his lips brushing against her collarbone now, sending electric jolts through her skin.

She felt dizzy. Completely trapped in his warmth.

Daksh finally pulled back, his eyes dark and intense, a lazy smirk tugging at his lips.

“You’re blushing again, Honeypie.”

Divya quickly covered her burning face with her hands, practically vibrating in embarrassment.

Daksh laughed softly, his arms tightening around her. “I could kiss you all day and never get bored.”

Her breath hitched.

And right then, she knew she was doomed.

Divya buried her face into his chest, wrapping her arms tightly around him. She didn’t even try to fight the warmth pooling in her stomach—she just gave in.

Daksh chuckled, his deep voice vibrating against her. “What’s this? My little Honeypie turning all soft on me?”

She huffed, hugging him even tighter, pressing herself closer, as if she could melt into him.

He smirked, resting his chin on top of her head. “Hmm… should I be concerned? Or flattered?”

Divya didn’t answer. She just hid herself even more into his warmth, her cheeks burning.

Daksh sighed dramatically. “You’re too cute for your own good, you know that?”

He tried to pull her back slightly, but she shook her head stubbornly, refusing to let go.

“If I pull back,” she muttered, her voice muffled against his shirt, “you won’t let me breathe properly again.”

Daksh stilled. Then he threw his head back and laughed, full and deep.

“My God,” he murmured, hugging her even tighter. “You really do know me too well, Honeypie.”

She just hummed, content in his hold.

Daksh reached for the lunchbox still on her lap and smirked. “Alright then, since you’re too busy clinging onto me, let me do the honors.”

Before she could protest, he picked up a spoonful of food and brought it to her lips.

Divya sighed, too comfortable to argue, and opened her mouth, letting him feed her.

He did it so smoothly, not even once loosening his hold on her. He kept her pressed against him the entire time, his chin resting on her head, his fingers rubbing soothing circles on her back.

After a few bites, he smirked. “See? I’d make a perfect dad.”

Divya’s entire body tensed.

Dad?

Daksh’s eyes gleamed in amusement. “Oh? That got a reaction out of you.”

She groaned, tightening her arms around him just to hide her face. “Shut up.”

He chuckled, finishing feeding her before setting the lunchbox aside.

Then, without a word, he wrapped his arms fully around her again, pulling her into a proper embrace.

Neither of them spoke.

They just stayed like that, wrapped in each other’s warmth.

His heartbeat was steady under her ear, and she found herself slowly drifting off, her body relaxing against his.

Daksh smiled, noticing the way her breath evened out.

He leaned down and whispered, “Sleep tight, my little Honeypie.”

And with that, he held her even closer, letting her rest peacefully in his arms.

♡♡♡♡♡

The world faded, and only their racing hearts remained.❤️‍🔥