ch 34 Is the kiss was play
Time seemed to vanish as the accidental touch lingered.
Then, slowly, deliberately, his lips pressed more firmly against her, deepening the kiss.
she froze for a heartbeat, stunned by the boldness... and then, against all her own hesitation,
she responded. she leaned in, letting myself match the intensity, deepening it in return.
The room still floating with feathers and scattered pillows felt smaller, the world outside fading completely.
Every breath, every subtle movement, every heartbeat was shared between them.
It wasn't playful anymore. It was bold, consuming, and undeniably real.
her hands instinctively went to his shoulders, his hands holding her closer, as if neither of them could or wanted to let go.
With a swift, controlled movement, he flipped her beneath him, pinning her gently but firmly to the mattress. The weight of him pressed down, making her heart race uncontrollably.
His lips captured her again, deeper this time every motion urgent, deliberate, claiming me as if she'd been his all along.
her hands instinctively went to the mattress beneath her, pressed under his firm grip.
The room seemed to shrink around them, the only sounds their mingled breaths and the faint rustle of feathers from the pillows strewn everywhere.
Every second stretched, every touch igniting fire across her skin, and they realized there was no stopping this pull between them.
The sudden vibration of his phone on the bedside table cut sharply through the intensity of the moment.
Aarav hesitated for a split second, eyes flicking to the screen. Shaina Kapoor the name flashed brightly.
His new business partner, the PR company he had invested in just a week ago, the one partnership he couldn't afford to miss.
she could see the subtle tension ripple across his face. He hated interruptions, hated distractions... but this was unavoidable.
With a controlled exhale, he slowly pulled back from the kiss, his eyes still dark with lingering heat. "I... I have to take this," he murmured, voice husky yet urgent.
He reached for the phone, thumb hovering over the answer button. The connection between them still hung in the air, unbroken, even as duty demanded his attention.
she bit my lip, cheeks flushed, watching him, her heartbeat still erratic.
Aarav stepped out of the room, closing the door, the weight of the pillow fight and our flushed faces still lingering in the air.
His phone pressed to his ear, his tone crisp and businesslike, yet his usual commanding presence.
"Shaina... yes, I saw the draft you sent," he said, keeping his voice steady. "No, the numbers don't match our projections. I need you to review the latest client engagement report and adjust the strategy by tomorrow morning. Understand?"
There was a pause as Shaina responded her voice upbeat and eager, but Aarav's tone remained sharp, controlled.
"I'm aware of the deadline, and I won't miss it," he continued, one hand running through his pink-streaked hair from the Holi chaos outside.
"Yes, we signed the partnership just last week, but I expect efficiency from day one. I've invested in this because I see potential, but I won't tolerate mistakes that could harm the brand."
Another brief pause, and he nodded, listening intently. "Good. Send me the revised plan by 9 AM. I'll review it first thing. And Shaina... don't take shortcuts. We're aiming for long-term, not just quick wins."
Shaina's voice came from other side saying, '' lets catchup at dinner tonight Mr. Malhotra I have many things to discuss with you'.
Aarav paused mid-step, his gaze narrowing slightly as he processed her words. His voice remained calm, almost cold, but every word carried weight.
"Dinner?" he said slowly, measuring the tone. "Shaina, I don't mix business with casual... and my evenings are rarely free. If there's something urgent, send me the details over email or prepare a brief for tomorrow morning. That's far more efficient."
There was a brief silence on the line, Shaina's voice light and persuasive. "But Aarav... it's important we discuss these points in detail, face to face. Besides, a little catch-up won't hurt, will it?"
He let out a controlled sigh, running a hand over his forehead. "Shaina... I appreciate your enthusiasm, but I don't schedule dinners for discussions that can be handled professionally. If it's non-negotiable, then tomorrow morning. Evening... not possible."
Another pause, as Shaina tried one last time. "Alright... but don't keep me waiting too long, Mr. Malhotra."
"I won't," he replied firmly, ending the call with a precise swipe.
He tucked the phone in his pocket, exhaling sharply, and muttered under his breath, almost to himself, "Focus on what matters... not the distractions."
she sat there on the edge of the bed, still clutching the corner of the pillow, eyes fixed on the door that never opened again.
Minutes turned into what felt like hours. The silence around me was too loud only her heartbeats echoed in the stillness.
"He... he didn't come back," she whispered, her throat tightening. "Was... was my first kiss just a play?"
she shook her head quickly, trying to brush off the thought. "No... no, he's not that kind of man. Aarav Malhotra doesn't play with anyone's feelings."
But the ache in her chest only deepened. "Then why didn't he come back? Why didn't he say anything?"
her fingers trembled as she touched her lips, remembering the warmth of his touch, the way he held me... it felt real. Too real.
"Ohh god..." she breathed out, her voice cracking. "What if... what if that kiss was just a mistake for him? Or worse... just his... desire?"
Tears welled up, blurring her vision. she stood up abruptly, unable to face the reflection of herself in the mirror. "I... I can't take this..."
she rushed toward the bathroom, locking the door behind her.
she leaned against it, sinking to the cold floor as the weight of confusion, longing, and heartbreak pressed down all at once.
The sound of running water soon filled the silence trying to drown the questions she was too scared to ask.
-----
I sat at my desk, files open but words blurring together.
The hum of the office surrounded me, but inside me it was just noise. My pen slipped from my hand, and I pressed my temples, trying to focus, but my mind kept circling back to him.
"You fool, Ashiana..." I whispered under my breath, the sting of my own words tightening my chest. "How could you trust him? A rich man who can have any girl he wants with just one look... and you ... you went ahead and believed something could mean more."
My eyes burned as I blinked down at the papers. "You hated him, remember? You swore you'd stay away from him... and still, one morning—one moment—you couldn't control yourself."
I exhaled shakily, the weight of regret heavy in my chest. "You ruined everything with your own hands."
I looked around; the world moved normally, but for me, time had stopped since that moment.
"Aarav sir..." I murmured, voice trembling. "I haven't even seen him since then... he didn't even look back once."
My throat tightened as I forced a smile that didn't reach my eyes. "Why, Ashiana? Itne dhoke khane ke baad bhi tune trust kar liya... kyun? Kyun?"
My fingers gripped the file tighter, knuckles white.
But no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't erase the memory of that morning the warmth of his touch, the way his eyes softened for a second before turning cold again.