Chapter 35 - The Morning After
The golden rays of the early morning sun filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow over the room. Ira stirred slightly, her body aching in a way she had never experienced before. As her mind slowly awakened, memories of the previous night came rushing back—Aarav’s touch, his whispers, the intensity in his eyes.
Her cheeks burned. How was she supposed to face him now?
Carefully, she turned to her side, hoping he was still asleep, but her breath caught in her throat when she found him already awake—his dark, intense eyes watching her with a lazy smirk.
"Good morning, Mrs. Malhotra," Aarav drawled, his voice husky from sleep.
Ira swallowed hard. She couldn’t look at him. Not after… everything.
He chuckled, noticing her hesitation. "Are you seriously embarrassed? After everything we did last night?" His teasing made her heart race even faster.
"Aarav!" she gasped, pulling the blanket over her face.
He laughed, pulling it down with ease. "No hiding, baby. You looked beautiful last night, and you look even more beautiful blushing like this."
Her heart flipped. "Stop talking about it," she mumbled, hiding her face in the pillow.
Aarav leaned closer, brushing his lips against her ear. "Why should I? I can’t stop thinking about it. About you."
Ira bit her lip, her entire body warming at his words.
"Relax," he murmured, gently caressing her cheek. "You’re mine, and everything that happened last night was because we both wanted it." His fingers traced soft patterns on her skin. "There’s no need to feel shy, baby. If anything, I love seeing you like this—flustered, adorable, and all mine."
Her heart melted at his words. No teasing, no games—just pure reassurance.
She finally met his gaze, and his lips curled into a smirk. "Now, come on. I made you breakfast."
Her eyes widened. "You… made breakfast?"
Aarav shrugged. "Well, I heated it. That counts, right?"
Ira giggled, and for a moment, everything felt light and normal.
At office
Despite the morning reassurance, Ira couldn’t shake off the way Aarav kept looking at her throughout the day. Every time she passed his office, his gaze followed her. Every time she spoke, his lips twitched as if he wanted to say something inappropriate.
She knew exactly what was on his mind.
"Aarav, stop looking at me like that," she whispered when she finally entered his cabin to discuss work.
"Like what?" he asked, his voice thick with amusement.
"Like you’re undressing me with your eyes."
Aarav grinned, stepping closer. "That’s because I am."
Ira’s breath hitched as he backed her against his desk, his hands resting on either side of her. "Do you know how hard it is to focus on work when all I can think about is how beautiful you looked last night?"
Her fingers curled against the desk. "Aarav… we’re at work!"
"And? You’re my wife. I can look at you however I want."
Ira glared at him, and for the first time, he actually stepped back.
A smirk tugged at her lips. "Hmph. Thought so."
Aarav groaned. "Damn it, Ira. Stop looking at me like that. I might just cancel the rest of the day and take you home."
She rolled her eyes, pushing past him. "Behave, Mr. Malhotra. We have work to do."
He sighed dramatically, watching her leave. "You’re killing me, baby."
And he meant it—because no amount of work could distract him from the fact that he was completely and utterly obsessed with his wife.
Aarav watched Ira walk out of his office, her confident stride doing nothing to help his growing frustration. He raked a hand through his hair, exhaling sharply. How was he supposed to focus on work when every memory of last night played in his mind like a damn movie?
Shaking his head, he forced himself to sit back at his desk. He had a meeting in ten minutes, but his mind was still stuck in their bedroom.
The way she had clung to him… the way she had moaned his name… the way she had unraveled in his arms.
He groaned, loosening his tie. This woman will be the death of me.
Ira sat in the cafeteria with her co-worker Nidhi, trying her best to ignore the burning gaze she could feel from across the room. Aarav was watching her.
Again.
Every time she lifted her head, their eyes met. And every time, he smirked knowingly, making her stomach do embarrassing flips.
"Ma’am, are you okay?" Nidhi asked, noticing her flushed face.
"Huh? Yes, of course," Ira replied, quickly taking a sip of water.
She needed to get out of here.
Just as she got up to leave, a deep voice stopped her.
"Where are you going, Mrs. Malhotra?"
Ira stiffened, looking up to find Aarav standing behind her, his arms crossed, a sinful smirk playing on his lips.
Her assistant quickly excused herself, leaving the two alone.
Ira turned to Aarav. "What are you doing here?"
"Lunch," he said, sliding into the seat across from her. "With my wife."
"I already ate," she mumbled.
Aarav leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. "Liar. You barely touched your food. What's wrong, baby? Too distracted?"
Her face turned crimson. "I am NOT distracted!"
Aarav chuckled, his eyes darkening. "Oh, but I am. And you’re the reason, sweetheart."
Ira’s breath hitched as he brushed his fingers over her hand. It was a simple touch, yet it sent a shiver down her spine.
"Aarav," she whispered, looking around. "People are watching!"
"Let them," he murmured. "They should know how obsessed I am with my wife."
Her heart pounded. This man had no shame.
"Eat properly," he said, his voice softer now. "I don’t want you starving yourself."
Ira bit her lip, nodding. It was impossible to argue when he spoke so gently.
Satisfied, Aarav leaned back, watching her. "That’s my good girl."
Her fork slipped from her hand.
Aarav smirked. Perfect.
It was past midnight when they finally reached home. The mansion was dimly lit, and Ira sighed, exhausted from the long day.
Just as she stepped inside, a voice called out—
"Oh, look who's finally home!"
Ira turned to find Sunita (Aarav’s mom) and Nandini (his chachi) sitting in the living room, waiting.
Aarav sighed dramatically. "Seriously? Do you both have nothing better to do?"
Nandini smirked. "Not when it comes to teasing you two."
Ira turned red. "It’s not what you think—"
Sunita raised an eyebrow. "Oh? You came home past midnight, together, looking all… flustered. What are we supposed to think?"
Aarav chuckled, throwing an arm around Ira’s shoulders. "That we had a very, very busy day."
Ira smacked his chest. "Aarav!"
Sunita and Nandini laughed. "Alright, alright, we’ll stop."
Sunita walked up to Ira, brushing her hair back. "But on a serious note, I’m glad you both are taking time for each other. That’s how a marriage should be."
Ira’s heart warmed. "Thank you, Maa."
Sunita smiled before turning to Aarav. "Now, go take care of your wife."
Aarav grinned. "Always."
In Their Bedroom
Ira changed into her nightwear, still feeling shy after everything. She kept her back turned, pretending to fix the bedsheets.
Aarav, of course, noticed immediately.
"Still embarrassed?" he asked, leaning against the wall.
She swallowed. "No."
Aarav smirked, walking up behind her. He wrapped his arms around her waist, resting his chin on her shoulder. "Liar."
Ira sucked in a breath.
"I love it," he murmured, pressing a soft kiss to her neck. "The way you get shy around me. The way you look away when I tease you. The way you pretend not to think about me when I know you do."
"Aarav…" she whispered.
He turned her around, cupping her face gently. "But I also want you to know… I will never rush you, never make you uncomfortable. You are mine, and I will always take care of you."
Ira’s heart swelled. How could this man be so soft and so intense at the same time?
Aarav smiled, nudging her nose. "Now, come on. Let’s eat."
Ira blinked. "What?"
Aarav lifted a tray. "I heated your food. Again."
She laughed, shaking her head. "You’re unbelievable."
"And you’re beautiful," he replied smoothly.
She sat on the bed, and he joined her. As they ate, they talked about small things—work, random memories, little nothings that made their world feel… warm.
And when they finally lay down, wrapped in each other’s arms, Ira knew one thing for certain.
She was falling for him. Hard.