Chapter 61
Aditi's Perspective
The party had taken on a life of its own, the energy in the room swelling with the beat of the music and the chatter of people all around. I could feel the rhythm pulsing through the floor, vibrating up into my heels, but it wasn't just the music that was making my heart race. It was the way Kabir was watching me, standing just a few feet away, his gaze soft but unwavering. There was something in his eyes that made me feel like the most important person in the room, as though the entire party—the music, the laughter, the conversations—were happening in the background, while we were in our own little world.
I had just finished a polite, if somewhat nerve-wracking, conversation with Mr. Sinha, Kabir's boss. I'd been anxious about it—what if I didn't leave a good impression? What if he thought I wasn't good enough for Kabir? But the way Kabir had proudly introduced me, the warmth in his voice when he'd spoken about me, had melted all those worries away. He had even mentioned that I was an advocate, something I hadn't expected him to bring up. It wasn't as if I'd accomplished anything extraordinary in my career yet, but the way he'd said it made me feel like I had.
Mr. Sinha had been kind, asking me about my work, his tone polite but genuinely interested. I had tried to answer confidently, even though the butterflies in my stomach wouldn't settle down. But with every smile Kabir sent my way, I felt steadier, more sure of myself. It was strange—before I'd met him, I'd never needed anyone to make me feel confident. I was used to standing on my own, used to holding myself up. But with Kabir, it wasn't about needing him; it was about wanting him there beside me. He made everything seem brighter, lighter. He made me feel like I was enough, just as I was.
As I walked back to him, Mr. Sinha's polite goodbye still ringing in my ears, I caught his eye. That look—it sent a shiver down my spine. There was something so powerful in the way he was looking at me, like I was the center of his universe, and everything else faded into the background. The music, the laughter, the people—it all became white noise as I moved toward him.
For a moment, it felt like time had slowed down. The dim lights in the room cast soft shadows, highlighting the contours of his face, the sharpness of his jawline, the warmth in his eyes. He was handsome—so much more than I could ever admit to him. And he was mine. That realization filled my chest with a warmth that spread through my entire body. He had introduced me to his colleagues, spoken about me with pride, and now, as we stood in this crowded room, I felt like he was silently telling everyone that I belonged by his side.
I smiled at him, my lips curling up in a way I knew would make him melt, and just like that, the space between us seemed to disappear. He reached out, taking my hand gently, his thumb brushing across my knuckles in a way that sent little sparks of electricity up my arm.
"Do you want to dance?" he asked, his voice low, meant just for me.
I nodded, unable to speak for a moment. The truth was, I wasn't much of a dancer. But with Kabir, I felt like I could do anything. He led me onto the dance floor, guiding me with the same ease he always seemed to possess, his hand resting at the small of my back as the music enveloped us.
The rhythm was slower now, more intimate, and as we swayed together, I could feel the closeness between us like a tangible thing. His hand tightened around mine, pulling me closer, and I found myself staring up into his eyes, losing myself in the deep brown that had always held me so completely. There was a depth there, something unspoken but undeniable, something that made my heart race and my breath catch.
As we moved together, I could feel the world falling away. There were no colleagues, no bosses, no party. There was just him and me, our bodies swaying in sync with the music, the heat between us building with every step, every touch. His hand slid up my back, fingers brushing against my spine, sending a shiver through me. I looked up at him, my breath hitching, and he was already watching me, his gaze intense and filled with something that made my skin flush.
"How do you do that?" I whispered, my voice barely audible over the music.
"Do what?" he asked, his lips curving into that half-smile I loved so much.
"Make me feel like this," I replied, my voice trembling slightly. "Like I'm the only person that matters."
His smile widened, and for a moment, he didn't answer. He just pulled me closer, his forehead resting against mine, his breath warm against my skin. When he finally spoke, his voice was so low, I could barely hear him.
"Because you are," he murmured, his lips brushing against my ear. "You've always been."
My heart swelled at his words, my chest tightening with a mix of emotions I couldn't quite describe. It wasn't just love—it was more than that. It was this overwhelming sense of belonging, of being seen and cherished in a way I had never experienced before.
The music shifted again, slowing even more, and suddenly, the world felt even smaller, more intimate. His hand slid down to my waist, and I found myself leaning into him, my body pressing against his as we moved together. I could feel the warmth of his breath against my neck, the steady beat of his heart beneath my hand. Everything about this moment felt right, like we were two pieces of a puzzle that had finally clicked into place.
I looked up at him, my lips parting to say something, but before I could speak, he leaned down, his lips brushing against my ear once more.
"Do you want to get out of here?" he whispered, his voice thick with a need that mirrored my own.
I swallowed hard, my heart skipping a beat. There was something in his tone that sent a thrill of anticipation through me, something that made my breath quicken and my skin tingle.
I nodded, unable to find my voice, and before I knew it, he was leading me off the dance floor, his hand still firmly holding mine. We weaved through the crowd, the noise of the party fading into the background as we made our way toward the door. My pulse raced, my mind spinning with thoughts of what was to come. There was a tension between us now, a charged electricity that hummed in the air, and I could feel it in every brush of his hand, every glance he sent my way.
We stepped out into the cool night air, the contrast with the warmth of the party hitting me like a shock. I took a deep breath, the fresh air clearing my head just enough to realize where we were headed—back to his office.
The memory of falling asleep in his office earlier that day flashed through my mind, and I couldn't help but smile. It had been peaceful there, quiet and comfortable. But something told me that this time, it would be anything but peaceful.
We didn't say a word as we made our way through the building, the silence between us thick with anticipation. His hand never left mine, his grip firm but gentle, as if he couldn't bear to let me go. When we finally reached his office, he pushed the door open, and I stepped inside, the familiar space suddenly feeling different—more intimate, more charged.
He closed the door behind us, the soft click of the latch echoing in the quiet room. For a moment, we just stood there, the tension between us building with every second that passed. His eyes locked on mine, and I could see the hunger there, the same need that was thrumming through my own veins.
And then, in an instant, he was in front of me, his hands on my waist, pulling me against him. His lips crashed down on mine, and all the tension, all the anticipation, exploded into a kiss that was anything but gentle. It was fierce, raw, filled with a passion that left me breathless. My hands tangled in his hair, pulling him closer as he backed me up against the wall, his body pressing into mine in a way that made my heart race and my skin burn.
Every touch, every kiss, felt like fire, and I was lost in it, lost in him. His hands slid down my sides, gripping my hips as he deepened the kiss, his tongue teasing mine in a way that made me gasp. I could feel the heat between us building, the air around us thick with desire, and I knew that if we didn't stop, things would spiral out of control.
But I didn't want to stop. I didn't want to think about anything other than the way he made me feel—the way his hands moved over my body, the way his lips claimed mine with a possessiveness that sent shivers down my spine. There was something primal in the way he touched me, something that made my knees weak and my mind hazy.
I broke the kiss, gasping for breath, my chest heaving as I looked up at him. His eyes were dark, filled with a need that mirrored my own, and for a moment, we just stared at each other, both of us caught in the intensity of the moment.
"Kabir..." I whispered, my voice trembling.