Our chests touched, and I gave him a shy smile as his forehead rested against mine. His arms wrapped around me, melting into the comfort of his warmth and love.
Without a word, he began applying the fragrant bathing paste to my arms. I tried to protest,“You know you don’t have to—”
“Hnnn-hnnn,” he hummed, a sound that made a shiver run down my spine.
He pressed a soft kiss to my neck, and I gasped, the warmth of it curling heat through me. He looked at me, still rubbing the paste along my arms, his gaze deep and steady.
His fingers slid slowly from my wrist up to my shoulder, his large hands easily cupping the length of my arm. When he reached my shoulder and added a bit more pressure, my lashes fluttered closed. And my body trembled under his touch.
Then his hands moved forward, to my neck. He cupped it gently, and a strong shiver shot through me, making my head fall back with a breathy moan.
My heart was pounding as he leaned in and kissed the corner of my lips. I closed my eyes again, breathing deeply to calm myself. When I opened them, I saw the small smile tugging at his lips, and I lowered my gaze, feeling timid.
“You’re spoiling me, you know,” I whispered.
His hands slid lower, rubbing across my skin, stopping just before my chest, he hummed,“Hnnn-hnnn,”
That throaty tone stirred my insides, erupting a huge wave of sensation that washed over me. And I knew—I knew he does that when he’s either speechlessly mesmerised or utterly aroused.
But suddenly, he withdrew his hand, depriving my breasts of his touch, and that made me feel oddly disappointed. So, without thinking, I gently took his wrists and guided his hands toward my neck.
He didn’t resist. His palms were rough and warm against my skin as they moved slowly down to my chest. And I shivered, blinking rapidly as he gently pressed my bosom. Then, suddenly, he pulled away.
He leaned back against the wall, closing his eyes.“We shouldn't,” he said, voice low and heavy with restraint.“We should wait until you’re back,”
“Why?” I asked, almost too softly.
His eyes opened, and he looked at me, intense and honest.“Because I won’t be able to control myself next time, Nandani,”
My stomach twisted, and I could only manage a breathless,“Oh,”
He touched my chin and gently tilted my face toward him.“I don’t want to hurt you,”
Those words, so simple yet full of meaning, hit something deep inside me. I had heard them before, from my parents and others, but it felt like a vow when he said them. A promise that he would protect me, even from himself.
I felt there was something he wasn’t telling me, something that made him hesitate. I had tried before to get him to open up, but the words never came.
“I know,” I whispered, plastering a slight smile on my face.
Suddenly, he pulled me into his arms again. My hands braced against his biceps, and I looked at him, startled.
“I don’t like it when you go quiet like this,” he said.
“Quiet like what?” I asked.
“Like you're planning something for me,” he said, bringing our faces closer, our noses touching each other’s.
I smiled and shook my head.“Why would I? I’m not that clever,”
He pulled back a little, his brows furrowed.“What?”
I laughed lightly.“I just meant, I’m a terrible liar. If I were planning anything, you’d see it on my face,”
He smiled.“You’re my pure little wife. The best wife. The best woman in the world,”
I chuckled.“People should learn how to lie from you,”
He pulled me closer, hands raking down my back until our bare bodies were fully pressed together.“I’m not lying, little bird,”