Chapter 9 #2
“You should be more scared of coming this close to me in the dark, Naina,” Ruhaan teased back.
To his surprise, her fear dissipated, replaced by laughter.
“Is this your pickup line for every woman to woo her into your fling proposal?” she asked playfully and laughed again, but Ruhaan’s expression turned serious. He didn’t like the implication. He had never used such lines before with anyone else, nor had he felt such a connection.
He gently clasped her jaw. She saw the sincerity in his eyes, realizing that he meant every word he’d said. Their eyes locked fiercely.
It was hard to say who moved first; perhaps they both did, drawn together by an irresistible force. The very next second, their lips met in a passionate kiss
Ruhaan’s hands, initially resting on Naina’s waist, began to move with a mind of their own.
His fingers traced the delicate curve of her waist, feeling the warmth of her skin through the thin fabric of her lehenga.
One hand slowly made its way up her back, his touch feather-light yet electrifying, until it reached the nape of her neck.
His fingers tangled in the soft curls at the base of her hair, gently massaging the sensitive skin as he pulled her closer, deepening the kiss.
For Naina, this was only the second proper kiss of her life, both from the same man who had claimed her heart so many years ago.
She had never imagined this moment would happen again, and as Ruhaan’s lips moved against hers, she realized why no other man had ever ignited such desire in her.
It wasn’t that she had been pining for Ruhaan all these years, but deep down, she understood that no one else could take his place.
No one else could make her feel this alive, this burning with need.
Her hands, initially frozen at her sides, came to life.
They moved up his chest, feeling the strong beat of his heart beneath her palms, before threading through his thick hair, feeling the silky strands slide through her fingertips.
She pulled him closer, losing herself in the safety of his embrace.
He pulled back for air, only to kiss her again.
This time her hands traveled down, skimming over his neck, her nails gently scraping his nape, eliciting a soft groan from him, causing him to pull her even closer, eliminating any remaining space between their bodies.
Ruhaan was overwhelmed by the sensation of having Naina in his arms. He had been with different women over the past seven years, but he never felt this magnetic pull, this irresistible need that Naina awakened within him.
Her taste was intoxicating and he couldn’t get enough.
It was as if no time had passed since their first kiss, the connection between them still as powerful and undeniable as ever.
He cupped her face with one hand, his thumb brushing against her cheek as he deepened the kiss. It was in that moment he knew that she was the one he had been searching for, even when he didn’t realize it.
Unable to get enough, Ruhaan reluctantly broke the kiss, needing to see Naina’s face. In the soft moonlight, her cheeks were flushed, her eyes hazy with desire. The sight of her, lips slightly swollen from their passionate exchange, hair tousled by his exploring hands, took his breath away.
“You’re beautiful,” he whispered, unable to keep the words from spilling out.
Before she could respond, Ruhaan leaned in again, capturing her lips with a renewed sense of urgency.
This time, the kiss was even more sensual, his tongue gently parting her lips to explore the warmth of her mouth.
Naina responded in kind, her body pressing closer to his, savoring the intimacy of their connection.
Her hands once again roamed his back, as she marveled at how perfectly they fit together, how natural it felt to be in his arms after all this time.
As the kiss grew more passionate, they both were acutely aware of the shift in their relationship. This was no longer about a proposed fling or a rekindling of an old flame. It was the beginning of something deeper, more profound.
When they finally parted, both were breathless, their chests heaving. Ruhaan rested his forehead against Naina’s, unwilling to completely break contact.
“Welcome to my world.” The moment he said this the garden suddenly blazed with light as the power was restored.
Naina, still breathless and trembling with emotion gave him a small smile, unable to comprehend where this was going to lead them from here.
“I know this is madness,” she finally spoke.
“This is so not me, Ruhaan. I… I’ve been so confused ever since you proposed this.
Part of me wanted to say yes the moment you suggested it, but another part was terrified.
I have Neil to think about. He’s my world.
I can’t risk his happiness if anything going on between us affects him. ” Her eyes glistened with unshed tears.
“I care for Neil too,” Ruhaan replied. “This will never affect him. I’ll never do anything that can hurt Neil, I promise.”
Her face lit up with joy as her worries eased. Least did she know she was risking her own heart in the process of exploring something new in her life again.