Chapter 51 - The Fire We Can't Escape
Aarav's lips moved urgently, claiming hers like he had been starving for her. His hands, firm yet trembling, cupped her face as if she were the most precious thing he had ever held.
Ira clutched onto him, her heart hammering against her ribs. His warmth, his scent, his very presence-it all wrapped around her like a cocoon, making her forget everything but him.
But it wasn't enough.
Aarav tilted her head slightly, deepening the kiss before trailing his lips down to her jaw, then lower to her neck. A sharp breath left Ira's lips when she felt the soft press of his mouth against her skin.
Her hands fisted his shirt as he whispered against her throat, "You have no idea what you do to me."
A shiver ran down her spine.
Aarav's lips ghosted over her collarbone before he suddenly stopped.
Ira felt the change immediately-the way his grip on her loosened, the way his body tensed. His breathing was heavy, ragged, as if he was struggling with himself.
Why did he stop?
She pulled back slightly, confused, only to find his eyes shut tight, his jaw clenched.
"Aarav?" she whispered.
He let out a shaky exhale, pressing his forehead against hers. "I can't."
Ira frowned. "Why?"
His grip on her waist tightened for a brief second before he pulled away entirely. The loss of his warmth was immediate and painful.
Aarav ran a hand through his hair, his eyes stormy with an emotion she couldn't quite place. Longing. Frustration. Restraint.
"Ira..." His voice was hoarse. "If I don't stop now, I won't be able to."
Her stomach flipped.
She knew what he meant.
The way he looked at her-the heat in his gaze, the silent war he was fighting within himself-it sent a rush of emotions through her.
She took a shaky step toward him, but he stepped back.
"We should stop," he said, but his tone sounded more like he was convincing himself rather than her.
Ira swallowed hard, her chest tightening. "You always stop yourself."
Aarav's gaze darkened. "Because you deserve more than this."
She frowned. "More than what?"
He let out a humorless chuckle. "More than a man who's losing his mind over you but still holding himself back."
Ira's breath hitched. Losing his mind over her?
Aarav exhaled and turned away, his hands on his hips. "I didn't come here for this. I just..." He shook his head. "I just needed to see you. To hold you. To breathe properly again."
Ira's heart clenched.
She stepped closer, placing her hands on his arms, forcing him to look at her.
"You think you're the only one suffering, Aarav?" she whispered.
His eyes locked onto hers.
"I haven't slept properly since I left. My mind keeps going back to you, your words, your touch." Her voice wavered. "You're not the only one losing their mind here."
Aarav's Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed.
Seconds stretched between them. The air was thick with everything unsaid.
Then, suddenly, he pulled her into his arms again, burying his face in her neck, holding her like he never wanted to let go.
"Ira..." His voice was barely a whisper. "I don't know what to do with you."
She closed her eyes, her hands fisting his shirt.
"Then don't do anything," she murmured. "Just stay."
And so he did.
Holding her close. Holding himself back.
For now.
The warmth of his embrace was something Ira never realized she had craved this badly. As they lay tangled on the bed, the silence between them wasn't empty-it was filled with the echoes of unspoken words, the weight of emotions too strong to be contained.
Aarav lay on his side, propped up on one elbow, his fingers lazily tracing patterns on her arm. Ira, lying on her back, stared at him with an amused glint in her eyes.
Finally, she smirked. "How did you even get here, Mr. Malhotra?"
Aarav raised a brow at her teasing tone. "What do you mean?"
She turned to face him fully, resting her cheek on her palm. "A fearless man, the biggest businessman in the world, sneaking into his wife's bedroom through a window like some teenage lover? Seriously?"
Aarav's lips twitched, but he played along, feigning seriousness. "You underestimate my capabilities, Mrs. Malhotra. I can do anything I want."
Ira rolled her eyes. "Oh yes, breaking and entering into your own wife's house is truly impressive."
Aarav chuckled, leaning in until his nose was nearly brushing against hers. "It is when the wife in question has been ignoring me the entire day."
Ira gasped, pretending to be scandalized. "Ignoring? I was just spending time with my family!"
Aarav narrowed his eyes playfully. "Exactly. Not thinking about your husband even once?"
Ira smirked, running a teasing finger along his jawline. "Who said I wasn't thinking about you?"
His gaze darkened. "Oh?"
Ira bit her lip, deliberately keeping him waiting. "Maybe I did miss you... just a little."
Aarav scoffed, rolling onto his back dramatically. "A little? Wow. My efforts truly paid off."
Ira laughed, rolling over to straddle him. "Fine. A lot. I missed you a lot, okay?"
Aarav's hands immediately settled on her waist, his grip firm yet gentle. "Say it again."
Ira raised a brow. "What?"
He smirked. "That you missed me."
Ira shook her head, trying to push away, but Aarav swiftly flipped them over, pinning her beneath him.
His weight, his presence-it was intoxicating.
"Say it," he murmured, his lips ghosting over her cheek, trailing down to her jaw.
Ira's breath hitched. "Aarav-"
He hummed against her skin. "Hmm?"
Her hands gripped his shoulders. "I missed you."
Aarav smiled against her neck before pressing a soft kiss there. "Good girl."
Ira's cheeks burned. "You're so-"
Her words were lost as Aarav captured her lips again, this time slower, deeper, as if savoring every second.
She melted into him, her fingers tangling in his hair, pulling him impossibly closer.
Minutes passed, but neither of them wanted to stop.
Finally, Aarav pulled away slightly, resting his forehead against hers. His breathing was heavy, his eyes filled with emotions he wasn't ready to voice yet.
"Ira," he murmured.
She looked up at him, her fingers gently caressing the back of his neck.
"Yes?"
He sighed, brushing his thumb over her lower lip. "I don't want to let go."
Her heart clenched at his raw vulnerability.
"You won't have to," she whispered, sealing her promise with another kiss.
That night, wrapped in each other's warmth, neither of them thought about the contract.
Neither of them thought about the ticking clock.
All they knew was that, in this moment, they belonged to each other.
And nothing else mattered.