56. Sleepless Dhwani
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I was in a deep slumber, sleeping peacefully until I felt something.
Okay... not something. Someone.
My newly wedded husband and his sweet, intoxicating voice.
"Dhwani..." he called, so soft, so warm... I swear I melted even in my sleep.
If it were anyone else or even him in any other mood. I would have thrown my slipper straight at his face. But this...
This man.
His hand moving slowly around my navel, his lips coming close every few seconds, hovering near mine... how am I supposed to ignore that? How am I supposed to stay angry?
"Dhwani..." he called again.
This time, I couldn't stay silent. A soft hum left my lips.
"Come on... open your eyes," he said gently, and I melted faster than ice cream in summer.
Urghh... this man. I love him so much that I actually opened my eyes, leaving my peaceful sleep behind.
His face came into view. Shirtless. Sitting on the couch. My legs resting over his lap.
He extended his hand, silently asking for mine.
I placed my bangle-clad hand in his, and he tightened his grip, pulling me up until I was sitting over his lap.
He didn't say anything. Just ran his fingers through my hair, massaging my scalp, while my face stayed buried in his neck.
How does he wake me up so easily? I'm a heavy sleeper. I'd probably kill anyone else for disturbing my sleep... but him? He crosses that line like it doesn't even exist.
The moment I inhaled his scent, my sleep vanished completely.
That musky, warm fragrance...
So intoxicating. And mine.
I wrapped my arms around his neck, while his hand stayed firm on my waist, his fingers lazily tracing around my navel.
After what felt like forever, I finally pulled back a little and glanced at the clock.
12:30. Midnight.
I looked at him again. "Why did you wake me up?" I asked softly.
"I wanted to tell you something," he said, his voice unusually light.
"What is it?"
His hand reached towards the table. The strip of pink tablets lay there. He picked one out.
"Actually... I wanted to tell you how beautiful you looked today."
My eyes snapped back to his face.
What?
At midnight?
Did he seriously just say that?
I was still stuck on his words when he placed the tablet in my mouth, and placed the glass of water near my lips. I swallowed it slowly.
Wait...
How did he know this was my night dose?
I opened my mouth to ask, but before I could say anything, his lips brushed against my shoulder.
My words died instantly.
Everything suddenly felt... too much.
His hand firm on my waist, fingers moving slowly, his lips on my skin, the warmth of his breath sending shivers down my spine.
"Yu... Yugant..." I whispered, trying to push him away, though my hands barely moved.
"Why didn't you change before sleeping?" he murmured, his voice low, rough. "Do you even know what you're doing to me?"
My mind went blank. "What am I doing?" I asked, looking at him.
His fingers tightened at my nape, pulling me closer, his breath brushing my lips.
"Sitting this close... looking like this... and still acting innocent," he murmured, his voice dipping just enough to send goosebumps racing across my skin.
"I don't know what you're talking about," I pretended, even though I knew exactly what I was doing. I just wanted to hear it from him.
"Should I tell you then?" he raised his brows, his eyes dark, watching every little move of mine.
My gaze dropped to his body again.
He is my husband.
I placed my hands on his abs, slow... deliberate... feeling the warmth of his skin, then slid them up to his chest, letting my fingers rest there.
"Are you always this hot... or just trying to ruin my focus tonight?" I asked, my voice low.
His breath changed. I felt it.
"Didn't you realize it the last time..." he murmured, his gaze locking onto mine, "when you were on my bed... under me?"
My face flushed instantly as the memory hit, sharp and vivid, making my grip on him tighten without even realizing it.
His hand moved up, fingers brushing over my heated cheeks, slow... knowing. "Someone's blushing?" he murmured, a teasing edge in his voice.
I pushed his hand away, forcing my expression back to something serious. "Actually... I need to change."
As I tried to stand, he didn't let me. "Uh huh? Look at your foot."
I glanced down and found the crepe bandage wrapped neatly around my ankle.
Arghh... not again.
"Why did you wrap it again? It was fine sometime ago," I snapped, already irritated at the sight.
"It wasn't. It swelled again, so I applied the gel and wrapped it," he replied, like it was the most obvious thing.
"You did what?" I asked, a little shocked.
"I just made sure my wife stops pretending she's fine and actually lets me take care of her," he said, his voice steady, but something in it softer... almost claiming.
Aww... how can he be this good? Just how?
"What sin have you committed that you got me, Yugant?" I asked softly, because right now he had no idea what kind of mess he had actually married.
"Maybe it was my good karma finally deciding to show up... and it came in the form of you," he said, gently pushing a loose strand of my hair behind my ear, his gaze softer than his words.
God... just kill me already or I'll die hearing him like this.
I leaned closer, aiming to kiss his cheek... but right at that moment, he turned his face and my lips landed on his.
For a second, everything went still.
His breath brushed against mine. My fingers tightened slightly around him without me even realizing it.
"Arghh... I can't control it anymore," he muttered, his voice rough, almost strained, before his hands came to my shoulders and he pushed me back onto the couch.
My back hit the soft surface, and the next second he was over me, one knee beside me, the other still on the floor, caging me in completely.
My breath hitched. My hands instinctively moved to his chest. "Yugant..." his name slipped out like a gasp.
He caught my wrists, my bangles clinking softly as he pinned them above my head with one hand, holding them there firmly. His other hand came up, cupping my face, his thumb brushing along my cheek as he leaned closer.
His face hovered just inches away from mine, his breath warm against my lips, his gaze searching, intense, but not careless.
"Look at me."
I did.
"Can I fucking ruin you with my mouth... the way only your husband has the right to?" He murmured, his thumb brushing my lower lip lightly, his eyes locked with mine.
My heart jumped into my throat, beating so fast I was sure he could hear it.
I had never been like this... this lost, this nervous. Never. But ever since I married him, everything feels different. And I fucking don't know how to respond, where all my confidence disappeared... I have no idea.
I swallowed. "Yugant..."
"Yes or no?" he asked, his lips barely a breath away from mine.
Just do it already... please.
"I'm asking for the last time... yes or no?" he said again, his voice rough, while my gaze stayed fixed on his lips.
Fuck it.
I lifted my head and closed the distance, pressing my lips against his.
He pushed my head back against the couch and captured my lower lip.
His hand moved over my bare waist, gripping it in between, pulling me closer as he deepened the kiss.
Everything about him felt hot... overwhelming... intense in a way I had never known before.
I wanted to touch him, to pull him closer, to feel him the way he was feeling me... but my hands stayed pinned above my head. Even when I tried, he didn't let go.
"Yug-"
My words broke into a soft gasp when he bit down on my lower lip and slid his tongue inside, claiming every bit of space like he had all the right.
The kiss turned deeper... hungrier.
He didn't slow down. His lips, his breath, the way he moved against me... it was like he couldn't get enough.
And I...I couldn't keep up.
At some point, I just gave in, letting him take control completely, letting him kiss me the way he wanted, until my breath started to falter.
The moment he felt it, he pulled back slightly, his lips brushing the corner of mine.
I looked at him.
His eyes were closed, his breath uneven, his ears flushed red... but he still didn't stop.
His lips moved to my jaw, slower now... then down to my neck.
My chest rose and fell heavily, my heart pounding like it would burst out any second.
He left slow, messy kisses along my neck, moving lower, his breath warm against my skin.
Heat spread through my entire body, sharp and consuming.
God... him.
His mouth, his hands, the way he knew exactly what he was doing to me.
I hated it and I loved it even more.
The way he had this much control over me...
It was terrifying and addictive at the same time.
His lips moved lower, brushing against my cleavage. He placed a few slow kisses there, then suddenly paused.
He looked up at me.
And just like that-he let go of my wrists.
Fuck...
He shouldn't be stopping right now.
But he did.
He leaned back and sat on the couch instead.
"Yugant..." I stared at him, completely shocked.
"Come on, get up. You need to change," he said, holding my wrist and pulling me up.
Is he even human?
How does he have this much control... and why?
"But you-"
"Shh..." he cut me off, softer this time. "It's midnight. Go change and sleep."
Before I could argue, he lifted me in his arms and walked into the closet.
What the hell is wrong with him?
Arghh...
He placed me on the bean bag and handed me my clothes. "Change and come out. It's too late."
And just like that, he walked out.
Stupid man... urghhh...
I slipped out of the saree and changed into my sleeveless loose top and shorts. Comfortable... finally.
After changing, I stepped out and lay down on the bed.
The shower was running. So he was inside.
Great.
My eyes moved to the couch. He slept there last night... he'll probably sleep there again.
Fine by me. I don't like sharing a bed either.
I arranged the pillows around me, switched off the lights with the remote, and closed my eyes.
A few minutes passed.
No sleep.
Of course. I already slept earlier.
I kept turning from one side to another when finally the bathroom door opened.
Yugant walked out, his hair still dripping.
He didn't stay there for long, just went straight to the closet and came out wearing a t-shirt.
Huh. I don't care.
I turned my back to him.
I thought he'd go to the couch but suddenly, the pillow behind me was gone.
The mattress dipped and the next moment, his cold hand wrapped around my waist, pulling me back against his body.
Wait. He's... here? On the bed? With me?
I turned to face him. "What are you doing here?"
He didn't even open his eyes. "Sleeping."
"Excuse me? You slept on the couch last night," I pointed out.
"I'm sleeping exactly where I belong. Now shut your mouth and sleep."
What does that even mean?
I turned fully toward him, my eyes stuck on his face. My hand moved on its own, my thumb brushing lightly near his chin.
That's when my eyes dropped to my own hand.
The henna.
Still there.
Even after trying so hard to remove it.
And his initial... still visible near my little finger.
Did he really accept me?
Should I check?
"Yugant..."
"Hm?"
"You didn't search for your initials in my henna... will you do it now?" I asked softly, hope slipping into my voice despite myself.
He opened his eyes instantly, blinking as he looked at me.
"What happened?" I asked.
He didn't answer. Just slid his arm under my shoulder and pulled me closer to his chest, taking my hand in his and starting to search.
My lips curved into a small smile as I watched him.
This... this is why I applied henna.
Just to see this moment.
To see him look for himself on my hands.
This man... is the reason I still believe love can feel like this.
His eyes moved carefully over the design, his focus so real it made my chest tighten.
Then he took my other hand too, searching there as well.
"Where is it exactly?" he asked.
"It's your job to find it," I replied.
"And what if I can't?"
"My heart will break... but it's okay," I said honestly.
He hummed softly. "If it's about your heart, then I have to find it... I think it's here."
My eyes followed where he pointed-
And my smile widened as he leaned down and kissed it.
"Looks beautiful."
"Hmm... beautiful, yet you shouted last night," I muttered.
I shouldn't bring it up again... but I couldn't stop myself.
"Hmm... I'm sorry," he said quietly.
"It's okay," I whispered.
"Sleep now."
"I'm not sleepy."
"Close your eyes. You will be."
I sighed and closed my eyes anyway.
A few minutes passed.
Still no sleep.
I opened my eyes again and looked at him. His eyes were closed.
I glanced at the clock.
1:30 am.
"Yugant..." I called softly. "Can we go outside?"
No response.
I leaned closer and traced my fingers lightly across his face, from his forehead to his chin.
Still nothing.
"Yugant... you can't sleep after ruining my peaceful sleep," I muttered, hitting his chest lightly. No response.
A thought struck me.
I slipped under the comforter, grabbed his t-shirt, and snuggled inside it.
Arghh... it was tight, but I managed anyway.
His scent hit me instantly.
God...
I slid my head out near his neck and buried my face there, breathing him in.
But he still didn't wrap his arms around me.
I looked up at his face and kissed his cheek softly.
"I love you, Mr. Raizaada... more than you think."
I leaned in again, placing another kiss, then another... and I just couldn't stop.
But before I could continue, his arm suddenly wrapped around me. In one swift move, he turned us, pushing me beneath him as he pulled the comforter over us completely.
I tried to move, to free my hands and legs, but it was useless. He had me completely caged under him.
"Yugant..."
"Sleep, baby... it's too late now," he murmured, his voice rough, husky with sleep, before pressing a soft peck on my lips.
And somehow... that was enough.
My eyes slowly drifted shut.