37 ~ It feels Amazing #2
I leaned closer and pressed a soft kiss against the scar, almost as if I could somehow kiss away the pain attached to it. My lips lingered there for a moment before I kissed it again, gentler this time.
Kartik stirred.
My heart skipped.
His eyes slowly opened, and the moment he realized what I was doing, his gaze settled on me.
I immediately pulled back, suddenly conscious of myself.
"Good morning," I whispered.
A faint, sleepy smirk appeared on his lips.
"Couldn't stay away from me even in the morning?"
I rolled my eyes, hiding the warmth rushing to my cheeks, and slipped out of bed before he could tease me any further.
After showering, I changed into casual clothes for college and stood in front of the mirror, fixing my hair and checking that I had everything I needed.
I was just adjusting my bag when I noticed Kartik was ready as well.
He stood near the dresser, dressed for work, looking completely composed.
I walked toward him, unable to stop the small smile that appeared on my face.
Before he could say anything, I leaned up and kissed his cheek.
He turned his head slightly, looking at me with that familiar, unreadable expression.
"Main baccha nahi hoon..." he murmured.
(I'm not a child...)
I barely had time to understand what he meant before his hand settled around my waist and he pulled me against him.
His lips found mine in a heated kiss, stealing the breath right out of me.
My fingers instinctively curled into his shirt as I kissed him back, the morning suddenly feeling far too warm.
His one large hand already sliding into my hair, the other gripping my waist hard enough to pull me flush against him.
The kiss was immediate, deep, and unapologetic. His lips pressed against mine with a hunger that made my knees weaken, tongue demanding entrance the second I parted for him.
I tasted the faint mint and the darker, richer flavour that was pure Kartik. My fingers curled into the lapels of his jacket as he backed me against the wall, the cool plaster a sharp contrast to the heat pouring off him.
I smiled against his mouth, deliberately slow, and bit his lower lip just enough to sting.
"Chahat..." He growled, low and warning, the sound vibrating through my chest. His hand tightened in my hair, tilting my head back so he could take the kiss even deeper, more possessive.
I could feel how hard he already was, the thick length of him pressing insistently against my stomach through his trousers.
"I'll miss you so much." I whispered against his lips, voice pure mischief, even as my own breathing had gone uneven.
His answer was another bruising kiss, teeth grazing, tongue stroking mine in a rhythm that made the heat pool low between my legs.
One of his hands slid down again, gripping the curve of my waist and hauling me up so my toes barely touched the floor. I wrapped my legs around his waist on instinct.
His breath hitched. The hand in my hair flexed. For a second the dominating, intimidating man who usually set the pace faltered, and I felt the exact moment his restraint cracked.
He kissed me harder, almost punishing, like he was trying to reclaim the upper hand even as his body betrayed him. I moaned softly into his mouth, the sound deliberately sweet and needy, and felt him shudder.
I smiled against his lips again, naughty and knowing, and kissed him back with every ounce of the mischief he could never quite tame.
When he finally pulled away, his eyes stayed fixed on mine.
"Next time...don't kiss me like I'm some child," he said quietly, his voice carrying that unmistakable arrogance as he caressed my lower lip.
He kissed my lips again as if he can't get enough.
.
.
.
The campus was buzzing with students.
I walked through the familiar corridors, my mind already shifting to the lectures ahead. I needed to focus. I needed to study.
I found my friends near the entrance.
Rivan was leaning against the wall, his usual confident smirk on his face. Ina stood beside him, her nose buried in a book. And Ishika bright, bubbly was waving at me enthusiastically.
"Chahat!" she called out.
We walked to our first lecture together, settling into our usual seats. The professor droned on about marketing strategies and consumer behavior.
The lecture ended.
The second lecture was equally tedious, something about financial accounting that made my head spin. I took notes mechanically, trying to absorb as much as I could.
I tried my best to concentrate on every topic.
Our last lecture was cancelled, the four of us decided to make better use of the free period and headed to the library.
Rivan sat with Ina, their books open, their heads bent in concentration. Ishika and I sat facing them, our own study materials spread across the table.
For a while, there was nothing but the quiet rustling of pages and the occasional sound of someone turning a notebook.
The silence stretched.
Everyone was studying and then Ishika leaned towards me and muttered slowly.
"Ye kya hai, madam?"
(What is this, madam?)
Her voice was teasing, laced with mischief. I looked up to find her staring at my neck, her eyes narrowed.
I blinked. "Kya?"
(What?)
I touched my neck instinctively.
A hickey.
Before I could reply I saw a small, dark mark on Ishika's neck, just above the collar of her shirt.
I raised an eyebrow.
"Maine toh nahi pucha ki ye kya hai?" I said, pointing at her neck.
(I didn't ask what this is.)
Ishika's hand flew to her neck.
She gritted her teeth.
"Stupid Ayaan," she muttered under her breath.
I laughed.
"Kya hua?" I asked.
(What happened?)
Ishika sighed, leaning back in her chair. A dreamy smile spread across her face.
"Last night," she said. "We had fun."
I raised my eyebrows.
She nodded.
"He's so good in bed," she murmured, her voice dropping to a whisper. "It felt so good."
My cheeks turned red.
"Sachmein?" I asked, my voice barely audible. "Itna accha feel hota hai?"
(Really? It feels that good?)
She nodded.
"It hurts for the first time," she said. "But then... it's mind-blowing."
I gulped down.
"Bohot zyada dard hota hai kya?" I asked.
(Does it hurt a lot?)
"Depends," she said.
"On what?"
She leaned closer, her lips against my ear.
"It depends on size," she whispered. "Strength. And body."
My breath hitched.
"Ek baar karke toh dekh," Ishika encouraged, pulling back. "Bohot accha lagega." She paused, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Teri toh shaadi bhi ho chuki hai."
(Try it once. It'll feel amazing. You're married now anyway.)
"Girls." Ina's voice cut through the air like a blade.
We both turned to find her glaring at us, her finger pressed to her lips.
"Library," she hissed.
Ishika and I exchanged a look.
After a moment of time we had shifted from studying to discussing the upcoming college event, an annual business summit that brought together entrepreneurs, investors, and students. It was a big deal. Everyone had been talking about it for weeks.
And then Ina spoke. "In this event, Kartik Jiju is about to come as chief guest, right?"
I looked up from my notes.
She was right. I had almost forgotten. The invitation had been sent to Kartik months ago before the wedding, before everything. His schedule was packed, so the college had requested him early.
He had said yes.
I nodded slowly. "Haan," I said quietly. "Woh aa rahe hain."
(Yes. He's coming.)
Ina smiled, satisfied with the answer, and returned to her notes.
I stared at my textbook, the words blurring together.
Kartik. At my college. As chief guest.
The thought made my stomach twist in ways I didn't want to examine.
The bell rang.
We packed up our things. Rivan waved us off, he had decided to stay back and study in the library. The rest of us walked toward the gate, our footsteps echoing in the corridor.
The sun was warm on my face as we stepped outside. Students were chatting, laughing and heading home.
I was quiet.
My mind was still in the library. Still on the conversation.
And then Ishika spoke. "Mujhe to samajh nahi aa raha ki Kartik aur tu ab tak intimate kaise nahi hue?"
(I don't understand how you and Kartik still haven't been intimate.)
I blinked, turning to look at her.
"Matlab?"
(Meaning?)
Ishika shrugged.
"Mera matlab hai," she said, her voice casual but probing. "The way Ayaan gets restless and impatient around me. It's difficult for us to control." She looked at me. "Tujhe Kartik abhi bhi pasand nahi hai kya?"
(I mean... You still don't like Kartik?)
I felt my chest tighten.
"Pasand to hai..." I said quietly.
(I do like him...)
"To tu unhe pasand nahi hai kya?" Ishika asked.
(Then, does he not like you?)
I couldn't help but fist my hand.
Is Kartik not interested in me?
Doesn't he find me attractive enough?