Chapter 6 #2
‘Nothing,’ he said, clearing his throat. ‘I was just imagining how I’d get lost in the forest trying to find your cottage and probably get eaten by a wild animal.’
‘That’s possible,’ she agreed. ‘You can’t even keep track of your keys. You’ve even left them in the fridge before.’
‘That happened only once,’ Swayam protested.
Kashvi grinned. ‘I’d keep the location a secret, especially from you.’
‘That wouldn’t stop me, baby. I’d find you anyway.’ The certainty in his voice sent a small flutter through her stomach.
The café fell into a quiet hush around them. Kashvi meant to look away, but couldn’t. Moonlight slipped through the glass, brushing across his cheekbone, catching against the sharp edge of his jaw before settling on his lips.
The server interrupted them to let them know it was closing time. They quickly finished their coffee and settled the bill. A few minutes later, they stepped out into the night. The pavement gleamed faintly under the streetlights as they walked back towards the car.
‘So tell me again why this author has such a hold on you,’ Swayam insisted.
Kashvi considered it for a moment. ‘The kind of romance she writes feels… possible. Her characters argue, make mistakes, and figure things out together. It feels real.’
‘Sounds like ordinary life,’ Swayam observed.
‘Exactly. That’s why I like it. It’s comforting.’
‘Is that why you carry that book everywhere?’
They turned into a darker stretch of the street. ‘That… and it gives me bragging rights. Ira only did one independent print run with limited copies.’
‘Ah, so they’re rare.’
Her eyes lit up in glee. ‘Very! The hardcover I have is the only one Siya found for my twentieth birthday. It’s my most prized possession.’
His shoulders shook with laughter. ‘So you’d save it first in case of a fire?’
‘Obviously,’ she said, offended that he would even ask.
A drop of water hit her temple, and she glanced up. ‘I think it’s starting to rain.’
‘We should hurry,’ he said, eyeing the stormy sky.
They had barely taken a few steps before the drizzle turned heavy, blurring the streetlights and swallowing the road in a grey haze.
‘Oh, c’mon,’ Kashvi groaned, breaking into a run. ‘Why didn’t you park closer?’
‘Because I didn’t know it was going to rain,’ he shouted over the downpour, sprinting beside her.
Her heel slipped into a puddle and she stumbled, but Swayam caught her before she could fall.
‘If you want me to pick you up in my arms, Kash, just say the word,’ he laughed.
‘I will lock you out of the car for that,’ Kashvi warned, pushing wet strands of hair from her eyes.
‘Only if you get there first,’ he challenged, picking up speed.
‘Just try to keep up,’ she shot back, even though she was lagging a step behind.
By the time they reached the car, her breathing had turned ragged. Swayam slid into the driver’s seat first. She dropped into the passenger seat with a groan, shutting the rain out behind her with a muted thud.
‘You cheated!’
‘You say that every time you lose,’ Swayam smirked.
‘Shut up.’
Water dripped from her hair, soaking into her clothes. She leaned back against the seat, swiping at her face as she tried to shake off the chill.
A few droplets flicked off her hair and landed on Swayam’s cheek, drawing his gaze.
Kashvi pushed her damp hair back, catching her breath. ‘I swear, next time…’
She trailed off as the look in his eyes stole the rest of her breath away. His gaze dipped to her lips, and her pulse spiked.
His hair, darkened by the rain, fell messily across his forehead. His shirt was slightly open at the collar, revealing the faint outline of his collarbone and the heavy rise and fall of his breathing. A sliver of heat prickled deep in her belly.
Swayam looked at her as though she was the most fascinating thing he had ever seen. It made her nervous.
‘Why does it feel like you’re about to do something very, very stupid?’ she asked, her voice edged with a tremor.
‘I am,’ Swayam admitted, a faint hint of a smile playing on his lips. ‘And I think you like that idea.’
‘I don’t know what you mean,’ she breathed.
His eyes never left hers as he brushed his thumb lightly along her cheekbone. ‘You do.’
‘And if I don’t?’ she challenged, trying to hide the echo of her hammering pulse.
‘Then it would break my heart, because it would mean you truly have no idea how hard you make it for me to behave like a gentleman around you.’
He was close enough for her to catch the flecks of brown in his eyes, and she let out a shaky breath.
‘You know, I used to tell myself that if I waited long enough, you’d look at me like this.’ The vulnerability in his voice made her chest ache. His fingers slipped into her damp hair, cupping the nape of her neck.
‘Like what?’
Swayam leaned forward until his forehead rested against hers. His breath fanned her cheek, carrying the faint scent of rain and coffee. ‘Like all you want is for me to break every rule you’ve set for us. It’s driving me insane.’
He tucked a damp strand of hair behind her ear, his fingers grazing her temple. A shiver ran through her, and her heart stuttered painfully.
When his knuckles drifted down to the corner of her mouth, Kashvi forgot how to breathe. She whispered his name, though she didn’t know what she was trying to say.
Swayam cupped her jaw and traced the curve of her lower lip, slow and deliberate. Heat rushed up her neck in a dizzying wave.
‘Do you have any idea how hard this has been for me? Living with you, waking up to your smile and pretending it doesn’t ruin me for the rest of the day. I’ve wanted you for longer than I’ll ever admit… and every time you doubt it, I have to stop myself from proving it.’
Her heart pounded wildly against her ribs. Even after all these years, one look at him was enough to remind her that her crush on him had never really faded.
When he brushed his thumb over her trembling lower lip, Kashvi curled her hand around his wrist, unsure whether she meant to push him away or pull him closer.
‘Just kiss me, baby, and put me out of my misery,’ Swayam whispered so softly she almost thought she had imagined it.
She gasped as his lips grazed her ear, and her fraying restraint finally snapped. Years of distance, rules, and careful control vanished into thin air. The hunger she felt was reflected back in his eyes.
Kashvi gripped the collar of his shirt with a need so sudden and fierce that it shattered the last of her hesitation.
When their lips met, the world fell away.