30 ~ Irresistible Closeness #2
"Twenty-four hours ke andar mil jayenge," he said calmly. "Baaki payment documents sign hone ke baad."
(You'll receive it within twenty-four hours. The remaining payment will be made after the documents are signed.)
The owner nodded, still looking slightly stunned by how effortlessly he had handled everything.
He slipped his phone back into his pocket as though he hadn't just agreed to purchase a property worth crores and I could only stare at him.
For him, twenty-five lakhs seemed almost insignificant.
Kartik's expression remained unreadable.
He then explained a few things before leaving, pointing out the essentials; the electricity backup, the kitchen, the hot-water system, and the rooms.
The property had two spacious bedrooms, each with an attached bathroom, along with a large living room, a compact but well-equipped kitchen, and wide glass windows overlooking the surrounding greenery. Everything was beautifully maintained, despite the secluded location.
It wasn't some extravagant five-star resort, but it was elegant, warm and private enough to make the storm outside feel distant.
"Anything you need is already here. The caretaker's quarters are separate. You both should be comfortable."
He handed Kartik the keys.
Kartik nodded, "Thank you."
The owner nodded repeatedly before retreating toward the property, still staring at Kartik as though he couldn't quite process what had happened.
I watched him disappear behind the door.
Then I slowly turned toward Kartik.
He was looking at me.
"Are you serious?"
His brows drew together.
"About what?"
"You just bought a four-crore property."
He looked completely unbothered.
"We needed somewhere to stay."
"You could have just stayed here for one night!"
"He said the property wasn't for rent."
"So you bought it?"
"Yes. I wanted to make sure my wife stays safe and secure. I don't know how long we'll be stranded here." He stepped closer. "I wasn't going to waste another minute arguing with that man while you stood there shivering."
I fell silent.
He glanced toward the dark forest behind us.
"Money is not a problem for me."
There was no arrogance in the statement. That somehow made it more intimidating.
For him, four crore wasn't an impossible decision.
It was simply the price of making sure I had a roof over my head tonight.
I looked at the keys in his hand then at him.
A strange warmth spread through my chest despite the cold.
This was the same man who could make an entire room fall silent simply by walking into it.
The same man whose name seemed to make powerful people reconsider their words.
And now, without hesitation, he'd spent four crores because he didn't want me spending one more night in the rain.
I didn't know whether I should be impressed...or worried about the kind of man who could make a four-crore decision look as effortless as ordering dinner.
I looked at the place it was beautiful. I slowly walked farther inside, taking everything in.
When we reached the rear of the property, I stopped.
A large swimming pool stretched across the garden, surrounded by stone flooring and a few wooden loungers. Rainwater rippled continuously across its surface, making the pool almost blend into the stormy landscape.
The rain had finally begun to soften.
What had been a violent downpour only moments ago had turned into a gentle drizzle, each droplet falling lazily from the dark clouds above.
Water still clung to my hair and the edges of my saree, occasionally sliding down my skin in cool little trails, but there was something strangely soothing about it now.
The air smelled of wet earth, fresh leaves and rain-soaked soil, and for the first time since we'd been stranded, I didn't feel frightened by the weather.
I felt peaceful.
I looked around the property, taking in the glistening trees, the mist hovering faintly over the garden and the rippling surface of the pool. Everything looked almost unreal beneath the soft lights.
I smiled despite myself.
"Kitni sundar jagah hai..."
(How beautiful this place is...)
I turned around without looking and collided straight into Kartik.
My breath caught.
His hands instinctively caught my arms, steadying me before I could stumble.
I looked up. He wasn't looking at the pool but me.
His gaze lingered over me with an intensity that made my stomach tighten.
I instinctively looked down at myself and froze.
My saree was completely drenched.
The fabric had clung to my body, becoming almost translucent in places beneath the dim outdoor lights. My cheeks immediately burned.
He was still staring at me.
"Kartik..." My voice came out embarrassingly small.
I could feel his eyes still on me.
I tugged at the wet fabric, desperately trying to make myself look less exposed.
The rain continued falling around us.
And suddenly, the beautiful resort didn't feel quite as innocent as it had a few moments ago.
I tried to ignore his gaze but when I again looked at him. He was still watching me.
My cheeks immediately warmed.
"What?"
He shook his head, the faintest smile touching his lips.
"Tumhe itna khush dekh ke..." His gaze moved briefly around the property before returning to me. "Lagta hai 4 crore worth it the."
(Seeing you this happy... makes me feel like the four crores were worth it.)
I bit my lower lip, desperately trying to suppress the smile threatening to appear.
Before I could respond, he stepped closer.
My breath caught when his hand came up to cup my cheek.
His touch was warm against my rain-cooled skin.
I shivered.
Then his other hand settled against my bare waist, drawing me a fraction closer towards his chest.
The smile disappeared from my face.
I suddenly became far too aware of how close we were.
His damp shirt clung to his broad shoulders, outlining the hard lines of his chest beneath it.
The warmth radiating from his body contrasted sharply with the cool droplets still lingering on my skin.
I could feel the hardness of him even through the thin layers between us, and my heartbeat immediately became embarrassingly loud.
I looked into his eyes.
"Mujhe achha laga..." he said quietly, his thumb brushing lightly across my cheek. "Tumne Tara ko jis tarah samjhaya."
(I liked it...I liked the way you consoled Tara.)
I lowered my gaze.
"I just wanted her to feel better."
"Hm."
His fingers slipped beneath my chin, gently lifting my face until I had no choice but to meet his eyes again.
I swallowed.
His expression had changed.
There was something almost amused in his eyes now.
I tried looking away, but his fingers remained beneath my chin.
I wanted to disappear.
Anywhere.
Behind the trees. Inside the cottage. Even into the swimming pool at this point.
Because standing this close to him while he looked at me like that was becoming unbearable.
His single touch was enough to make my entire body feel restless.
This wasn't the Kartik I had spent days hating.
This was the man who had held my burned hand beneath running water.
The man who had changed my bandages.
The man who had quietly covered me with a blanket when I fell asleep.
The man who had spent four crores without blinking simply because he didn't want me standing outside in the rain.
And perhaps that was what frightened me the most.
Because every time he showed me this softer side of himself, it became a little harder to remember why I had promised myself I would never let my heart get involved.
I was so lost in my thoughts that I almost forgot where I was.
It took me a moment to realise that I was still standing within his arms, his warmth surrounding me while the fire crackled quietly behind us. The awareness made my breath catch.
I tried to shift away but he didn't let me.
Instead, his arms tightened around me, pulling me dangerously close. I could feel the solid warmth of his body against mine, and my heartbeat immediately stumbled into a frantic rhythm.
I looked up at him.
His eyes were fixed on me.
Slowly, his thumb brushed across my lower lip.
The simple touch sent a shiver through me.
"You're looking so hot," he murmured, amusement flickering in his eyes. "I don't think I'll be able to control myself tonight."
My breath caught.
Before I could find a response, he closed the tiny distance between us, drawing me firmly against him.
The butterflies that had been fluttering quietly in my stomach suddenly seemed to take flight all at once.
I swallowed, my fingers instinctively curling into the fabric of his shirt.
The rain whispered against the windows, and yet somehow the warmth of his body was the only thing I could think about.
To be continued...