Chapter 41 - A Day of Temptation
The morning sun bathed the Malhotra mansion in a soft golden glow as the aroma of freshly made parathas and chai filled the air. The family was gathered around the dining table, laughter echoing through the halls.
Ira, dressed in a simple lavender kurti, was serving parathas to Sunita and Anika when Kabir and Vihaan started their usual mischief.
"Bhabhi, why does Aarav bhai get special treatment?" Kabir whined, watching as Ira placed a perfectly buttered paratha on Aarav’s plate.
Vihaan nodded in agreement. "Yeah, we want the same VIP treatment!"
Aarav, who was calmly sipping his tea, glanced at his brothers and smirked. "Jealous?"
"Obviously!" Kabir huffed.
Sunita chuckled. "Beta, get married, and you’ll get the same treatment."
Kabir gasped. "Badi Maa, you’re trying to get rid of me?"
Laughter erupted around the table, while Ira shook her head, trying to suppress a smile. Aarav, however, leaned in slightly and whispered, "Ignore them. Just focus on me."
Ira’s cheeks tinged pink, but before she could respond, Anika suddenly gasped.
"OH MY GOD!" she shouted, making everyone jump.
"What?" Rajesh frowned.
Anika pointed at Aarav and Ira. "Look at them! They’re BLUSHING!"
The entire family turned to stare, and Ira wanted the earth to swallow her whole. Aarav, on the other hand, simply picked up a piece of paratha and continued eating, completely unfazed.
Kabir smirked. "Bhai, are you sure you’re the same Aarav Malhotra? Or did our real brother get kidnapped?"
"Shut up, Kabir," Aarav said flatly.
"But bhai—"
Aarav cut him off with a sharp glare. "Do you want to reach your college alive today?"
Kabir gulped. "I’m done talking."
Ira shook her head at their antics, trying to focus on her food. But she felt Aarav’s gaze on her, a knowing smirk tugging at his lips.
She wasn’t sure whether it was the playful teasing or Aarav’s subtle attention, but breakfast felt warmer than usual.
Office –
A few hours later, Ira sat at her desk in Malhotra Industries, trying to focus on the endless emails that had piled up.
But it was proving difficult.
Because every time she looked up, she found Aarav watching her.
He was sitting in his chair, pretending to review some files, but his gaze kept flickering toward her. There was something different in his eyes today—something teasing, something mischievous.
Ira narrowed her eyes. "Why are you looking at me like that?"
Aarav leaned back in his chair, tilting his head. "Like what?"
"Like you have something planned."
A slow smirk formed on his lips. "Maybe I do."
Ira sighed, going back to her work. "Well, whatever it is, I don’t have time for it."
Aarav stood up and walked over to her desk, resting his hands on either side of it, effectively trapping her.
"You sure?" His voice was lower now, almost a whisper.
Ira’s breath hitched as she looked up at him. "Aarav, we’re at work."
"And?" He leaned in just slightly, his lips dangerously close to her ear. "Doesn’t change the fact that you look absolutely distracting today."
Ira’s pulse quickened. "I’m just wearing a normal kurti."
"Doesn’t matter." His fingers lightly traced the edge of her desk. "You still make it hard for me to focus."
Ira swallowed, trying to regain her composure. "Aarav, stop this. Someone might walk in."
He smirked. "Then answer my question, and I’ll stop."
"What question?"
He leaned in just a little more. "Will you miss me when you leave after Holi?"
Ira’s eyes widened. She hadn’t expected him to bring that up here.
"I… I told you already," she whispered.
"Say it again."
Ira looked into his intense gaze, her heart pounding. She hated that he had this effect on her, that he knew exactly how to make her lose control.
But still, she whispered, "Yes."
Aarav smiled, satisfied. He straightened up, adjusting his suit. "Good. Now you can go back to work."
Ira gaped at him. "That’s it?"
He chuckled. "For now."
And with that, he walked back to his chair, leaving Ira flustered and completely unable to focus on anything else for the rest of the day.
Got you, baby! Let’s dive deeper into the office tension, some possessiveness, and a little moment that will make Ira’s heart race even more.
Ira tried—really tried—to focus on her work after Aarav’s teasing, but it was impossible.
Every time she typed an email, her mind wandered back to the way his voice had dipped when he whispered in her ear. The way his eyes had darkened with mischief. The way her body had responded to his nearness, her skin tingling from the memory of his breath fanning her cheek.
God, what was happening to her?
She stole a glance at him. Aarav was casually scrolling through something on his laptop, but she wasn’t fooled. He was way too smug. He knew exactly what he was doing to her.
Ira exhaled sharply and forced herself to focus.
Ignore him. He’s just playing with you. Do not let him win.
Just then, her phone vibrated on the table. She peeked at the screen and almost groaned.
Aarav: Stop stealing glances at me, Mrs. Malhotra. It’s distracting.
Her eyes snapped up to find him watching her, the corner of his lips tugging upward.
She quickly typed back.
Ira: I wasn’t looking at you!
His reply came almost instantly.
Aarav: Liar.
Ira clenched her jaw and put her phone down, determined not to react. But a few seconds later, another message popped up.
Aarav: If you keep looking at me like that, I might have to take you to my cabin and remind you exactly who you belong to.
Her fingers fumbled, and she nearly knocked over her coffee.
She shot him a glare, but Aarav only smirked before returning to his work like he hadn’t just set her heart on fire.
"This man is impossible," she muttered under her breath.
"Did you say something, ma’am?" one of the employees passing by asked.
Ira stiffened. "No! Nothing!"
The employee nodded and walked away, leaving her to stew in frustration.
She needed to regain control of the situation.
Taking a deep breath, she picked up a file and walked over to Aarav’s desk, placing it in front of him with forced professionalism.
"Mr. Malhotra, this is the marketing report you wanted."
Aarav arched an eyebrow at her formal tone, but played along. "Thank you, Mrs. Malhotra," he said smoothly, taking the file.
Ira stood straight, determined to ignore the way his voice sent shivers down her spine.
But as she turned to leave, his fingers wrapped around her wrist.
She sucked in a breath.
"You didn’t answer my message," he murmured, low enough that no one else could hear.
Ira’s heart pounded. "Aarav, we’re in the office—"
"And?" His thumb traced slow circles on the inside of her wrist. "I’m still waiting."
Ira swallowed hard, knowing exactly what he wanted her to say.
She turned slightly, locking eyes with him. His gaze was dark, intense, filled with unspoken emotions.
"Do I really need to say it?" she whispered.
Aarav studied her for a moment before his lips curved into a slow, satisfied smirk.
"No," he admitted. "But I like hearing it."
Ira quickly pulled her hand free before she completely lost herself. "Get back to work, Mr. Malhotra."
She walked away, but she didn’t miss the way Aarav’s smirk deepened—or the way her own heart refused to calm down.
Evening –
By the time evening rolled around, Ira was exhausted—not from work, but from him.
She had spent the entire day avoiding his teasing, his intense stares, and the way he found every opportunity to touch her—whether it was brushing his hand against hers when passing a file, standing too close when discussing reports, or lightly grazing her back as they walked side by side.
The worst part? No one else seemed to notice. It was like Aarav had mastered the art of driving her crazy without anyone suspecting a thing.
By the time they got home, she was ready to crash on the bed and sleep for a week.
But fate had other plans.
Just as she was about to enter her room, Aarav grabbed her wrist, pulling her inside his room instead.
Before she could protest, he locked the door behind them.
"Aarav, what are you doing—"
"Shh." He placed a finger on her lips, his eyes gleaming with mischief. "You’ve been ignoring me all day, sweetheart."
Ira’s breath hitched. "I have not—"
"You have." He stepped closer. "And I don’t like it."
She took a step back, only for her back to hit the wall. Aarav caged her in, his arms on either side of her head.
"Aarav—"
"You’re leaving after Holi," he murmured, his voice suddenly softer. "And I won’t get to see you for days."
Ira’s heart clenched. "It’s just for a little while."
"Even a day without you feels too long."
Her breath caught in her throat.
Aarav’s hand came up, gently tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. His touch was soft, his eyes holding something deeper than just teasing.
"Say you’ll miss me," he whispered.
Ira looked into his eyes, her own filled with emotions she wasn’t ready to admit.
"I’ll miss you," she finally confessed.
Aarav exhaled slowly, as if he had been holding his breath for her answer.
And then, without warning, he dipped his head and pressed a lingering kiss to her forehead.
Ira squeezed her eyes shut, overwhelmed by the warmth of his lips, the safety of his touch.
"Good," he murmured. "Because I’ll be counting every second until you come back."