41
RUDRAKSH
Shivani gasps as she looks at her reflection, “What did you do to my neck?” Her voice echoes in a soft shriek. Her eyes widen as she grazes her fingers on her neck.
A chuckle erupts from my throat at her reaction. “I marked you as mine, darling. Anyone who looks at that neck of yours will know you’re mine and mine alone.”
I watch as Shivani touches the spot on her neck where I left my mark. A possessive wave of satisfaction washes over me, knowing I’ve claimed her. This is borderline creepy, and I know that, but she's my wife, and I can't resist this feeling no matter what.
“And don’t ever try to cover it up,” I warn, my voice low and gravelly. “I want the whole world to see that you belong to me.” I assess her every moment as I walk towards her and hug her from behind. Leisurely, I move her hair to the front and press a kiss to her neck.
I nibble at her skin, leaving a trail of kisses as I go, marking my territory all over again. She shivers under my touch, her breath coming in ragged little gasps, and it only fuels my desire more.
“Stop me, darling,” I beg softly, reminding myself, “You’re still sore.”
She turns around and pushes me back slightly. “It still hurts to walk,” she admits, cheeks flushed.
A smug grin spreads on my face as I wrap my arms around her, pressing a kiss to her temple.
“I want to say I’m sorry, but I’m not,” I grin.
“This is the only time I’ve ever hurt you knowingly.
If it happens again, don’t hesitate to kill me.
” Her eyes shine on my words as I tug her hair behind her ear.
She swats my chest, brows furrowed. “Don’t ever say that.” I smile and rest my face against her head, breathing her in.
“Don’t you have to go to the office?” She asks, her voice rumbling against my chest.
“Honestly? I don’t want to go anywhere anymore.” It’s getting insufferable—this constant urge to be around her, see her, and touch her.
“Shut up,” she mutters, covering her face with her hand, and I chuckle.
A sudden knock on the door breaks our moment, and Shivani pulls away from me. “Bhai, bhabhi, Badi maa is calling you for breakfast.” Aditi’s voice filters through, followed by a giggle.
“She’s mad,” I mumble, watching Shivani get more flustered.
Stepping back, I pick up my briefcase and frown when I don’t see my office phone there. “Have you seen my phone, Shivani? The one I use for the office?”
My eyes wander around the room, searching for it. “Let me use your phone to dial it.”
“Why don’t you use your other phone?” She whispers as I slowly step towards her phone.
I look at her, raising a brow. “And why can’t I use yours?”
She glances at her phone, which is on my side of the bed, and darts toward it—but I grab it before she does.
“What’s the issue, Shivani?” I ask, narrowing my eyes, as I slowly near her.
She sighs in defeat. “I don’t want you to see the name I saved your office number under.”
I tilt my head, confused. “And why’s that, baby?”
I graze her cheekbone with my knuckle, and she inhales sharply. “It’s embarrassing,” she admits.
“Nothing should be embarrassing after what we did last night, darling,” I smirk and wink at her, and her eyes widen.
“Rudraksh!” She whisper-yells, eyes wide.
I chuckle at her reaction and scroll through her contacts. My eyes narrow when I spot the name.
“Sautan?” I look at her, genuinely confused. “Why did you save it like that?”
“Because your work is my Sautan,” she huffs, throwing her hands in the air. “You’re always on that laptop of yours, whether at home or at the office.”
I can’t help the grin that spreads across my face at her adorable pout. My gaze softens at her, and I instantly melt at her.
“Shivani, baby,” I pull her into my arms. She tries to get out of my arms, but I don't let her. “No one can ever take your place. Not even my laptop.”
She narrows her eyes at me and then slowly gives me a huge smile. Her gaze travels behind me, and I frown. “Hey, I found your phone,” she exclaims, slipping out of my hold and picking it up. “See, it was right here!”
“Thank you, meri jaan.”
I bop her nose gently, and she rubs it with a slight frown. Goddamn it, how is she this cute?
“Raksh? Bro? Show some shame; what will Auntie think?” Aryan yells from the other side as he rattles knock after knock, almost banging at the door. Shivani’s eyes widen, and she rushes to the door.
“Good morning, bhabhi. You look pretty,” he comments with a cheeky grin.
“Thank you,” she replies softly, her eyes cast down as shyness coats her cheeks.
I walk up and stand beside her just as Siddhant appears behind Aaryan.
“Look at that face,” Siddhant teases, smirking. “That’s not a post-sleep glow—it’s post-something else.”
Shivani gasps beside me, clearly mortified, and I roll my eyes at him as I smack him on his chest and fake a groan. Dramatic much.
“Okay, you two,” I sigh dramatically, throwing my arm around her shoulders. “Enough of the commentary. Let’s get to breakfast before these two start drawing conclusions we don’t need to confirm.”
Shivani gives me a glare that only makes me want to tease her more. We settle at the dining table, and I let my fingers graze over her thigh under the table. She throws me another sharp look, but her cheeks flush pink. I’m loving this version of her—shy but bold, fiery but soft.
“Raksh, I heard about your upcoming deal with The Wilson Empires. All the best for that,” Papa wishes from across the table, a proud smile making its way onto his face.
“Thanks, Papa,” I reply.
“The American one?” Siddhant asks, eyes wide.
“Yeah. Who else do you know named Wilson in India?” I shoot back, and he just shrugs and goes back to eating.
Once I’m done, I push my chair back. “I’ll get going now.”
Shivani stands up, following me out. “You haven’t eaten enough.”
I stop once we’re out of sight and face her. “I just wanted to say bye.”
She frowns. I smile and lean in, kissing her lips softly. “Okay.”
She tips up on her toes, and I bend a little to meet her. She kisses my forehead, then the bridge of my nose, then my lips. “All the best,” she wishes sweetly to me with a small smile dancing on her lips.
“Thanks, darling. I’ll be late. Don’t wait for me.”
She gives me a sheepish smile.
“I mean it, baby.” I shoot her a warning look; she stares at me and nods.
“You have a good day too.” I press a kiss to her temple. “I’m hoping to read your new chapter, okay?”
I’m not much of a reader, especially not romance novels, but she’s writing it. I will always support her, and it's actually beneficial for me considering it gives me a glimpse into her fantasies, into her ideal man. And I’ll do whatever it takes to give her everything she wants.
She blushes and nods and pushes me, signaling me to go. A smile makes its way onto my face.
I already want this day to end so I can return back to her.