chapter 79 - Whispers in the Mountains
The soft hum of the engine was the only sound in the car as Aarav drove, the morning sun casting golden rays through the windshield. Ira lay beside him, nestled against the plush comforter he’d brought along for her, her plushy toy clutched tightly in her arms. She had been exhausted from the night before, and as the hours passed, she drifted off into a peaceful sleep, the rhythmic sound of the car lulling her deeper into relaxation.
Aarav glanced over at her, his gaze soft, almost protective. He hadn’t planned on taking her away from the city, but somehow, just having her near him, in this calm, intimate moment, felt like the right thing to do.
After driving for what seemed like an eternity, he slowed the car and pulled into a secluded spot. The mountains in the distance were breathtaking, their peaks touching the sky in a way that made everything else feel insignificant. He stopped the car, unbuckled his seatbelt, and gently lifted Ira into his arms.
She stirred, her eyes fluttering open, but she was too drowsy to protest. He carried her to the small book room he had chosen for their retreat. The room was cozy, with walls lined with books and a small, inviting balcony. He laid her down carefully on a chair, draping the comforter around her, and sat beside her as she slowly began to wake.
The moment Ira opened her eyes fully, the sight in front of her stole her breath away. The mountains stood tall and magnificent in the distance, their beauty overwhelming. The sky, clear and untouched, painted in shades of pink and orange, made everything seem unreal.
Her heart raced, and before she could stop herself, she jumped up from her seat and threw herself into Aarav’s arms, hugging him tightly. "This… this is amazing. You… you brought me here?" she whispered, her voice full of awe and disbelief.
Aarav’s arms wrapped around her instinctively, holding her close as he chuckled softly. “I did. You deserve to see something beautiful,” he murmured, his lips brushing the top of her head.
Ira pulled back slightly, her hands still clutching the front of his shirt, her eyes searching his face for any hint of a joke or a hidden agenda, but there was none. He was completely serious, completely sincere.
“I... I don’t know what to say,” she whispered, her eyes softening as she looked at him.
“You don’t have to say anything,” he replied, his voice low, the unspoken bond between them stronger than ever before. “Just feel it.”
Ira’s arms were still wrapped around Aarav, her heart pounding against his chest as she took in the breathtaking view behind him. The morning sun kissed the mountain peaks, and a crisp breeze carried the scent of pine and earth, wrapping them in a cocoon of peace.
She looked up at him, her wide, sleepy eyes still trying to process everything. “You really brought me all the way here?” she whispered, her voice tinged with awe.
Aarav smirked, his arms tightening around her waist. “You think I kidnapped you in your sleep?”
She gasped, lightly smacking his chest. “Aarav!”
He chuckled, his deep, rich laughter vibrating through her. “I just wanted to see your reaction when you woke up. And let me tell you, it was worth the effort.”
Ira pouted. “You could’ve at least woken me up like a normal person.”
Aarav leaned in, his lips grazing her ear. His voice dropped to a husky whisper, teasing. “And how exactly should I have woken you up, Mrs. Malhotra? With soft kisses trailing down your neck… or perhaps by whispering the dirtiest things imaginable until you jolted awake?”
Ira’s breath hitched, her fingers curling into the fabric of his shirt. Her skin burned where his words landed, and she swore she could feel heat pooling in her stomach.
“You—” She opened her mouth, but nothing came out. Her brain had momentarily short-circuited.
Aarav pulled back just enough to look at her, his dark eyes gleaming with mischief. “Hmm? What happened, sweetheart? Cat got your tongue?”
Ira scowled, knowing full well he enjoyed seeing her flustered. She tried to push him away, but he didn’t budge.
“You’re shameless,” she muttered, looking away.
Aarav tipped her chin back toward him with two fingers. “Only with you.”
Her cheeks burned. “Aarav…”
“Yes, baby?” He smirked, leaning closer. “Tell me what’s running through that pretty little mind of yours.”
Ira knew better than to fall into his trap. Instead, she huffed and turned toward the view, pretending to admire the mountains. “The scenery is beautiful.”
Aarav tsked, stepping behind her and wrapping his arms around her waist, pulling her back against his chest. “Oh, the mountains are beautiful? That’s what you’re focused on right now?”
“Yes.” She nodded, biting back a smile.
Aarav’s lips hovered just above her ear, his voice silkier than sin. “You sure you don’t find anything—or anyone—else breathtaking?”
Ira’s breath caught. She could feel his warmth, the way his lips were only inches from her skin, teasing her, playing with her resolve.
“Aarav…” she warned, but it came out softer than she intended.
He chuckled, pressing a kiss to the side of her head. “I love how easily I can make you nervous.”
“I am not nervous!”
Aarav hummed, unconvinced. “Then why is your heartbeat faster than usual?”
Ira turned in his arms, glaring up at him. “Maybe because you’re being insufferable?”
He raised a brow. “You mean irresistible?”
Ira groaned. “I need to get away from you.”
Before she could step back, Aarav tightened his hold. “Not happening, sweetheart. You’re stuck with me.”
She sighed dramatically, leaning her head against his chest. “I don’t know how I tolerate you.”
Aarav smirked. “Maybe because, deep down, you crave me just as much as I crave you.”
Ira’s heart flipped, and she had no response to that. She knew there was truth in his words, but neither of them was ready to acknowledge what was truly brewing between them. Not yet.
For now, they could pretend this was just teasing, just banter.
But deep down, they both knew—this was something much, much more.
And neither of them was ready to stop.
After their playful banter, Aarav and Ira spent the rest of the morning exploring the quiet beauty of the mountains. He led her to a hidden meditation retreat—an open-air space nestled between towering cliffs, with a view that stretched beyond the clouds.
For a while, they sat in silence, the only sounds being the rustling leaves and the distant chirping of birds.
Ira closed her eyes, inhaling deeply. “This place feels… peaceful.”
Aarav glanced at her, the usual teasing smirk replaced by something softer. “I thought you’d like it.”
She peeked at him from the corner of her eye. “You brought me here because you knew I needed this, didn’t you?”
Aarav shrugged. “You overthink too much. Maybe this will help.”
Her heart swelled at his words. He would never admit it outright, but he always looked out for her in the smallest ways.
She smiled and whispered, “Thank you.”
Aarav sighed dramatically. “Now, don’t get used to me being nice.”
Ira chuckled, shaking her head. “Too late.”
They spent the afternoon roaming the narrow mountain paths, stumbling upon small cafés and charming little bookstores hidden in alleyways. It was unlike anything Ira had experienced before—freedom, beauty, and him.
By the time the sky started turning into a soft pink canvas, they found themselves at a secluded viewpoint. The sun was setting behind the mountains, washing the world in hues of rose, lavender, and gold.
Ira sighed, hugging herself. “This is the most beautiful sunset I’ve ever seen.”
Aarav, standing beside her, murmured, “Not the most beautiful thing I’m looking at right now.”
Ira turned to him, her breath catching. The way he looked at her—like she was the only thing that mattered—sent a shiver down her spine.
She swallowed. “Aarav…”
He took a step closer, his fingers gently tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “Hmm?”
Her lips parted, but she had no words. Maybe because his touch was doing things to her that she wasn’t ready to admit.
Aarav tilted his head. “You keep looking at me like that, sweetheart, and I might just—”
Ira didn’t let him finish.
She closed the distance between them, pressing her lips against his.
It was slow at first—a soft, testing kiss, but the moment Aarav responded, it turned into something deeper, something intense. His arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her flush against him as his lips moved over hers with a hunger that made her knees weak.
Ira clutched his shirt, melting into him. Her fingers tentatively explored his back, his shoulders, the firm muscles beneath his shirt.
Aarav groaned against her lips, his hands roaming—tracing her waist, brushing the curve of her hip, sliding up her spine, igniting a fire everywhere he touched.
Her breath hitched as his palm settled at the small of her back, his fingers pressing into her skin like he needed to feel every inch of her. She gasped when he dipped his head, trailing soft, open-mouthed kisses along her jaw, down her neck.
“Aarav,” she whispered, her own hands growing bolder—sliding under his jacket, feeling the heat of his body, the hardness of his chest.
His breathing turned heavy, his grip tightening.
The air between them crackled, thick with unspoken need.
But then—
Aarav froze.
Ira blinked, her dazed eyes meeting his.
His jaw clenched, his breathing ragged as he pulled away just slightly, his forehead resting against hers.
“This…” He exhaled sharply, his hands still gripping her waist, his fingers twitching as if he didn’t want to let go.
Ira nodded, her own breathing uneven. She could still feel the ghost of his lips on her skin, the heat of his touch.
“This isn’t the right place,” Aarav murmured, his voice strained.
Ira swallowed, her fingers still resting against his chest. “I know.”
Neither of them moved.
Neither of them wanted to.
But slowly, reluctantly, Aarav stepped back, his hands dropping from her waist. Ira wrapped her arms around herself, missing his warmth instantly.
He let out a dry chuckle, rubbing a hand over his face. “You really know how to test my patience, don’t you?”
Ira smirked, despite the heat still burning inside her. “Right back at you, Mr. Malhotra.”
Aarav narrowed his eyes. “Careful, sweetheart. Next time, I might not stop.”
Ira’s pulse quickened at the promise in his voice.
She looked at him, at the way his dark eyes held her captive, and knew—this was far from over.
Whatever was brewing between them?
It was only just beginning.
______________
Hey, my lovely readers! ??
I see so many of you enjoying the story, and it truly means the world to me! But I noticed that out of 200+ readers, only around 20 people are voting. ?? If you're loving the story, please take a moment to vote, comment, and share your thoughts. Your support keeps me motivated and helps the story grow!