Chapter 72 - The Playful Wife & Her Scared Husband
Aarav stepped out of the bathroom, running a towel through his damp hair, completely relaxed after a long shower. But the moment he set foot in the bedroom—
“BOO!”
“WHAT THE—?!”
Aarav stumbled back, eyes wide as he clutched his chest like he had just seen a ghost.
And then—laughter. Sweet, playful, uncontrollable laughter.
Ira stood by the door, holding her stomach, her entire body shaking as she laughed at his reaction. “Oh my God, Aarav! Your face! I wish I had recorded that!”
Aarav blinked, still processing what just happened. Then, realization dawned, and his eyes narrowed. “You little—”
Before he could finish, Ira gasped dramatically and ran.
“Catch me if you can, Mr. Malhotra!” she teased, dashing to the other side of the bed.
Aarav’s jaw clenched, but there was amusement in his eyes. “Oh, you think you can mess with me and get away with it?”
She nodded, grinning mischievously. “Obviously.”
And just like that, the chase began.
Ira dodged his grasp, squealing as she ran around the room, slipping past him every time he lunged. She climbed onto the bed, jumped to the other side, and even used a pillow as a shield when he got too close.
“Ira, come here—”
“Nope!”
He groaned, but the smirk on his face said he was enjoying this just as much as she was. “Fine. Run all you want. But the moment I catch you, you’re done for.”
Ira giggled, backing away towards the couch. “Big words, Mr. CEO. But I don’t think you’ll—AHH!”
In a split second, Aarav lunged, grabbing her waist and pulling her onto the couch with him. She yelped as they tumbled down together, his strong arms caging her in.
“Gotcha,” he whispered, breathless.
Ira pouted. “That’s cheating.”
He chuckled, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face. “No, sweetheart. That’s winning.”
She huffed, still trying to look annoyed, but the way his eyes softened as he looked at her made her heart race.
Aarav smirked. “Now, since you clearly enjoy scaring me, let’s see how you handle payback…”
Her eyes widened. “Wait—what do you—”
Before she could finish, his fingers found her sides, and suddenly, she was the one laughing uncontrollably as he tickled her mercilessly.
“No! Aarav! Stop—oh my God—”
He chuckled darkly. “Not so brave now, huh?”
She gasped between giggles. “I—surrender! I surrender!”
Satisfied, he finally stopped, letting her catch her breath.
Ira pouted. “You’re evil.”
He leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to her nose. “And you, Mrs. Malhotra, are mine.”
She blushed but rolled her eyes. “Yeah, yeah. Now get off me, you cheater.”
Aarav grinned, but instead of moving, he tightened his hold. “Hmm… or maybe I should keep you here a little longer…”
Ira squeaked. “Aarav!”
And just like that, their playful night turned into another battle of teasing, laughter, and love—because that was them. A little mischief, a little chaos, and a whole lot of love.
The night air was thick with the scent of jasmine from the open balcony, the warm glow of the bedside lamp casting a golden hue over the room. Ira had just finished her playful teasing, leaving Aarav flustered yet utterly smitten.
But as the laughter settled, Aarav suddenly got up and walked toward the walk-in closet.
Ira raised a curious brow. “Where are you going?”
He didn’t answer. Instead, he returned a moment later, holding a small, elegant box in his hands. He sat on the edge of the bed, his dark eyes locked onto hers as he held it out.
“For you,” he murmured.
Ira blinked in surprise before taking the box. The moment she lifted the lid, her lips parted in awe.
A waist chain.
Delicate yet intricate, it shimmered under the light, tiny golden charms dangling from the thin chain, designed to sit snugly against her waist.
She gasped, fingers tracing over the stunning piece. “Aarav…” she breathed, looking up at him. “When did you—”
A smirk curled his lips. “When you were busy trying clothes in the trial room. I saw it, and I knew I had to get it for you.”
A warmth spread in her chest at his thoughtfulness. “You really bought this for me?”
His eyes darkened as he leaned in, voice low and husky. “I buy everything that I think will look beautiful on you.”
A blush crept up her neck as she looked back at the waist chain. Biting her lip, she stood up and walked toward the vanity mirror. She held the chain against her waist, trying to fasten it herself, but the hook was tricky.
She struggled for a few seconds before sighing in frustration.
“Aarav…” she mumbled, glancing at him through the mirror. “Help me?”
Aarav, who had been watching her the entire time with an amused expression, stood up without a word. He walked behind her, his fingers brushing against hers as he took the chain.
“I knew you’d need me,” he murmured, his voice laced with something deeper, something that made the air between them shift.
Ira’s breath hitched as she felt him kneel behind her, his fingers grazing the bare skin of her waist. She swallowed hard, her pulse quickening when she felt his warm breath ghost over her skin.
He could have used his hands. He could have simply hooked the chain in place and been done with it.
But no.
Aarav Malhotra had other plans.
She felt the lightest touch—his lips brushing over her waist for the briefest second before his teeth found the tiny clasp.
Ira gasped, her hands gripping the vanity for support as he worked the hook open with nothing but his teeth. The faint scrape of them against her skin sent a violent shiver down her spine.
Her body stiffened, and she felt him smirk against her.
“Aarav…” she whispered, her voice barely audible.
He hummed in response, the vibrations against her skin making her stomach tighten.
“Done,” he murmured, snapping the clasp into place before pressing a slow, lingering kiss against the spot where the chain now rested.
Ira squeezed her eyes shut, heat pooling in her cheeks. “You—”
“Yes?”
She turned to face him, only to find him still kneeling before her, his darkened gaze drinking in every inch of her. His fingers slowly traced the chain, his touch featherlight.
“You look perfect,” he said, his voice hoarse.
Ira swallowed, her breath unsteady. “You’re impossible.”
A slow, knowing smile spread across his lips. “And you love it.”
She did.
But she wasn’t about to admit that.
So instead, she grabbed a pillow from the couch nearby and threw it at him.
Aarav laughed, catching it with ease before standing up and caging her against the vanity. His hands rested on either side of her, trapping her between the cool surface of the mirror and the heat radiating from his body.
“Throwing pillows at your husband? Naughty, Mrs. Malhotra.”
Ira rolled her eyes, pushing against his chest. “Move.”
“Not happening.”
She huffed, but before she could argue, he leaned down, brushing his lips just above her ear.
“Keep the chain on,” he whispered. “I like it on you.”
Ira’s heart skipped a beat.
She didn’t know how this man had the power to leave her breathless with just a few words, but he did. Every single time.
And as he finally stepped back, giving her space, she knew one thing for sure—
She was absolutely, completely, and irrevocably in trouble.
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