chapter 81 - Laughter and Love Bites
The morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a soft golden glow over the room. Ira stirred slightly, her body aching deliciously from the night before. As she tried to shift away, a strong arm snaked around her waist, pulling her back into the warmth of the man behind her.
"Going somewhere, Mrs. Malhotra?" Aarav’s husky morning voice rumbled against her ear, sending a shiver down her spine.
She bit her lip, attempting to move again, but he tightened his grip, his bare skin pressed firmly against hers. "You’re not escaping that easily."
Heat rushed to her cheeks. "I wasn’t escaping," she muttered, her voice muffled against the pillow.
He smirked, lips brushing against her shoulder. "Liar. You’re still sore, aren’t you?" His fingers traced lazy circles down her back, slow and possessive. "Should I make it worse... or take care of you?"
Her breath hitched. "Aarav…"
He chuckled, rolling her onto her back so he could hover over her. His dark eyes gleamed with mischief. "You were begging for more last night," he reminded, tilting her chin up to meet his gaze. "Blushing won’t save you now."
She groaned, hiding her face under the blanket. "Stop teasing me!"
But he wasn’t done. Pulling the covers down, he leaned in, lips grazing her ear. "Not a chance, sweetheart. Watching you fall apart in my arms was the best thing I’ve ever seen."
Her heart raced at his words, but before she could respond, her stomach let out a tiny grumble.
Aarav grinned. "Hungry?"
She nodded hesitantly, still flustered.
"Stay here," he ordered before slipping out of bed, pulling on his sweatpants as he made his way to the kitchen.
Minutes later, he returned with a tray—fresh fruit, toast, and coffee. Settling beside her, he picked up a strawberry, brushing it against her lips. "Eat."
She parted her lips, taking a bite, but just as she chewed, he leaned in, his lips grazing the side of her neck. "Sweet... but not as sweet as you."
Ira gasped, nearly choking. "Aarav! I’m trying to eat!"
His smirk was downright sinful. "I’m just helping."
Despite the teasing, as she met his gaze again, she saw something new—something deeper than just desire. Something raw, something unspoken.
He reached up, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, his fingers lingering against her skin. "Ira…" His voice was softer now, laced with something almost vulnerable.
Her chest tightened. She cupped his cheek, running her thumb over the faint stubble. "Aarav?"
For a moment, there were no teasing words, no playful banter—just them, wrapped in the quiet morning, the echoes of last night still lingering between them.
And in that moment, she knew—this was more than just passion. It was something real, something neither of them could deny anymore.
A slow smile curled on her lips as she decided to test just how much she could push him. "You know, Mr. Malhotra, you really did ruin me last night. I don’t think I’ll be able to walk straight for a week."
Aarav, who had been taking a sip of coffee, nearly choked. His dark eyes snapped to hers, a mix of amusement and challenge flashing in them. "Oh?" He set the cup down, his lips twitching. "I could carry you everywhere, problem solved."
She giggled, stretching her arms above her head, making sure the blanket slipped down just enough to tease him. "Mmm, I do love being spoiled. Maybe you should feed me every meal too. You do owe me after last night."
His jaw clenched as his eyes flickered down her body. "Ira... you're playing a very dangerous game."
She batted her lashes innocently. "Me? Never."
Aarav exhaled sharply, shaking his head. "Keep pushing me, and we’ll see if you’re still teasing by the end of the day."
She laughed, reaching out to steal a piece of his toast. "Oh, I plan to push you a lot, Mr. Malhotra. This is just the beginning."
He narrowed his eyes but smirked, already knowing that his wife was about to drive him absolutely crazy.
Ira giggled, chewing on the stolen toast while watching the way Aarav’s jaw twitched. He was trying so hard to stay composed, but she knew she had him wrapped around her little finger.
She reached for another bite, but he caught her wrist midair, pinning it to the bed. “Oh no, sweetheart. You don’t get to steal my breakfast and act all innocent about it.”
Ira smirked, stretching beneath him. “Hmm, I don’t think you’ll do anything about it,” she teased, trailing a finger down his chest, feeling his muscles tense beneath her touch. “You wouldn’t dare.”
Aarav let out a dark chuckle, leaning down until his lips barely brushed against hers. “You forget who you’re dealing with, Mrs. Malhotra,” he murmured.
She gasped when he suddenly flipped her over onto her stomach, his body pressing her into the mattress. His fingers ghosted up her spine, teasing, torturous. “Aarav!” she shrieked, wiggling beneath him, but it only made him groan.
“This is what happens when you misbehave,” he whispered against her ear, nipping her lobe before rolling off her.
She huffed, sitting up and throwing a pillow at him. “You’re impossible.”
He smirked. “And you love it.”
She stuck her tongue out at him before slipping out of bed, grabbing his shirt to cover herself as she padded toward the kitchen.
Aarav followed a few minutes later, shirtless, watching as she rummaged through the fridge. “What are you looking for?”
“Something to cook,” she mumbled, frowning at the lack of options.
He scoffed. “Mrs. Malhotra, I may be a ruthless businessman, but I am also a five-star chef in the kitchen. Step aside.”
She crossed her arms. “Oh? Prove it.”
His eyes darkened as he stepped closer, caging her against the counter. “Careful, Ira. Challenging me never ends well for you.”
She shivered but refused to back down. “We’ll see about that.”
He smirked before grabbing the ingredients and setting to work.
Ira watched him, admiring the way his muscles flexed as he chopped vegetables. A wicked idea crossed her mind, and she bit her lip before stepping behind him.
Without warning, she raised her hand and smacked his ass.
Aarav froze.
Ira gasped, slapping a hand over her mouth to muffle her laughter.
Slowly, he turned to face her, eyes narrowed, jaw tight. “Did you just…?”
She nodded, grinning mischievously before taking a step back.
“You really think you can get away with that?” he asked, voice dangerously low.
Her eyes sparkled with excitement. “Catch me if you can.”
And just like that, she bolted.
Aarav cursed under his breath before chasing after her, letting her run through the villa’s kitchen and into the living room, her laughter filling the space. He could’ve caught her easily, but watching her like this—happy, playful, completely unguarded—was too precious to cut short.
When he finally grabbed her waist and spun her into his arms, she squealed, breathless from running.
“Gotcha.”
She looked up at him, cheeks flushed, eyes filled with mirth. “Took you long enough.”
He tightened his hold. “You’ll regret that, sweetheart.”
Ira only laughed, wrapping her arms around his neck. “Oh, I doubt it.”
Just as he leaned in to kiss her, a loud beep echoed from the kitchen.
“The food!” Ira gasped.
They both turned, racing toward the stove, barely stopping in time before the dish burned. As they stared at the slightly overcooked food, they looked at each other and burst into laughter.
Aarav shook his head, pulling her close again. “You’re a menace.”
“And you love it.”
He sighed dramatically. “Unfortunately, yes.”
She kissed his cheek. “Good. Because I don’t plan on stopping.”
His grip on her tightened as he whispered against her lips, “Neither do I.”
As Aarav set the plates on the kitchen island, Ira stepped beside him, casually wrapping her arms around his waist from behind. He felt her press a soft kiss against his bare shoulder, then another one a little higher.
He exhaled, already knowing where this was going. "Ira…" his voice held a warning, but the smirk tugging at his lips betrayed him.
"Mmm?" she hummed, completely ignoring him as she kissed his cheek this time.
He turned his head slightly to look at her. "What are you up to?"
"Nothing," she whispered, pressing another kiss to his cheek. Then another. And another.
Aarav groaned, gripping the edge of the counter. "You do realize I’m trying to set the table, right?"
She pouted dramatically, her lips dangerously close to his ear. "So?"
His jaw clenched when she trailed her fingers down his back, barely touching but enough to send a shiver through him.
"Ira…" he warned again.
But she was having too much fun.
"I just love it," she admitted innocently, kissing the corner of his lips this time. "Your scent… your skin… your everything."
Aarav’s breath hitched as he turned fully toward her, trapping her between the counter and his body. His dark gaze was filled with heat, his voice husky. "You’re really testing my patience today, sweetheart."
She giggled, completely unbothered. "And you love it."
His smirk was slow and dangerous. "I do." His fingers slid to her waist, pulling her flush against him. "But don’t forget… I can play this game much better than you."
Before she could process his words, he suddenly lifted her onto the counter, his palms gripping her thighs possessively. He leaned in, his lips hovering just above hers, teasing her with a breath of distance.
Her heart pounded. "Aarav…"
"Yes, baby?" he whispered, his hands slowly traveling up her thighs.
She swallowed hard, fingers curling against his shoulders. "The food—"
And just like that, reality crashed in.
Both their eyes snapped toward the stove, where the faint smell of something burning filled the air.
Ira gasped. "Aarav! The food!"
"Shit." Aarav quickly turned off the burner while Ira hopped down from the counter, both of them looking at the slightly charred edges of the food.
A beat of silence. Then—
They both burst into laughter.
Ira clutched her stomach. "We are so bad at this!"
Aarav smirked, raking a hand through his hair. "Correction—you distracted me."
She gasped, feigning innocence. "Me? I was just showing my love!"
He narrowed his eyes. "Right. Love."
She winked, reaching for the plates. "Come on, Mr. Malhotra. Let’s see if we can at least salvage breakfast."
Aarav chuckled, shaking his head as he grabbed the slightly burned toast. "If we survive this meal, I’m officially ordering lunch."
Ira laughed, standing on her tiptoes to kiss his cheek one more time. "Fine by me, baby. As long as I get to keep distracting you."
Aarav’s eyes darkened with promise. "Oh, sweetheart… you have no idea what you just started."
As they sat down at the dining table, Ira rested her chin on her palm, watching Aarav take a bite of the slightly burned toast with a dramatic sigh.
"Terrible," he muttered, chewing reluctantly.
She bit her lip, trying not to laugh. "Oh? Should I feed you, Mr. Malhotra? Maybe it’ll taste better that way?"
His gaze snapped to her, dark and unreadable. "You just love testing my patience, don’t you?"
She grinned, taking a small bite of fruit before tilting her head. "Maybe."
Aarav leaned back in his chair, his fingers tapping against the table. "You should be careful, sweetheart. Actions have consequences."
Ira simply shrugged, picking up a piece of toast and holding it out to him. "Say ‘ahh.’"
His jaw tightened, but he leaned forward, his lips parting slightly as she fed him.
Her fingers brushed against his lips deliberately, lingering for a moment too long.
Aarav caught her wrist before she could pull away.
"You’re playing with fire," he murmured, his thumb stroking slow, lazy circles against her pulse.
Ira swallowed, her breath hitching just a little. But she refused to back down. Instead, she leaned in, her voice dripping with mischief.
"And you love it," she whispered.
Aarav let out a low chuckle, his grip on her wrist tightening for a second before he finally let go.
"Eat your food, troublemaker," he said, shaking his head.
She giggled, completely satisfied with herself.
After breakfast, Aarav stood up, collecting the plates. Ira stretched her arms, letting out a content sigh before hopping up and following him to the kitchen.
He rolled up his sleeves, rinsing the dishes in the sink while she leaned against the counter, watching him.
"You look sexy when you do house chores," she mused.
Aarav arched a brow, glancing at her. "Oh? Should I wash dishes more often, then?"
"Maybe," she teased, stepping closer.
Before he could react, she lifted her hand and smacked his ass.
Aarav froze.
Ira’s eyes widened, and then—she bolted.
Laughter spilled from her lips as she ran out of the kitchen, weaving around the furniture in the living room.
Aarav turned slowly, his jaw tightening as he watched her attempt to escape. "You’re dead, Ira."
She squealed, running faster, but he wasn’t chasing her at full speed—no, he was watching, enjoying the way she ran from him, her giggles echoing through the villa.
"You’re letting me run," she called over her shoulder, panting slightly. "You like seeing me like this, don’t you?"
Aarav smirked, taking slow, deliberate steps toward her. "I love seeing you happy, sweetheart."
Her heart fluttered, but she didn’t stop moving. "That’s sweet, baby, but I’m still not stopping."
Aarav shook his head. "You really think you can outrun me?"
She gasped when he finally picked up speed. She let out a little shriek as he caught her waist effortlessly, spinning her around before pinning her against the nearest wall.
His chest rose and fell steadily as he stared down at her, his fingers gripping her wrists.
"Got you."
Ira bit her lip, looking up at him through her lashes. "Hmm… so what will you do with me now, Mr. Malhotra?"
Aarav leaned in, his nose brushing against hers. "Oh, sweetheart," he murmured. "You don’t want to know."
Her breath caught, but her teasing never wavered. "Try me."
Aarav’s smirk deepened. "I intend to."
Ira barely had a second to react before Aarav tightened his grip on her waist and yanked her flush against him. Her laughter died in her throat, replaced by a sharp intake of breath as she found herself caged between his strong arms and the wall.
"Aarav—"
Her words never made it out.
Because in the next second, his lips crashed against hers.
The kiss wasn’t soft or gentle. It was heated, claiming, demanding. His hands roamed down her back, pulling her impossibly closer as he devoured her mouth like he was starved for her.
Ira whimpered, her fingers tangling in his hair as she melted against him.
God, the way he kissed—deep, consuming, like he was possessive of every little gasp she made.
She barely noticed when he lifted her off the ground, her legs instinctively wrapping around his waist as he walked them backward, never once breaking the kiss.
Her back hit the kitchen counter, but she hardly cared.
Aarav tore his lips from hers for just a second, his forehead resting against hers, his breath ragged.
"You drive me insane," he rasped. "Do you have any idea what you do to me, Ira?"
She licked her lips, her heart pounding. "Maybe," she whispered. "But I like hearing you say it."
A deep chuckle rumbled from his chest, but his grip on her thighs tightened.
"You love testing my limits, don’t you?" he murmured, pressing a slow, deliberate kiss to her jaw, trailing his lips down her neck.
Ira’s fingers curled against his shoulders as she tilted her head, giving him more access.
"I just love seeing you like this," she admitted, breathless.
Aarav pulled back, his dark eyes filled with something primal, something dangerous.
"Then, sweetheart," he whispered, his voice like silk laced with fire, "you better be ready for what happens next."
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