Chapter 25: Chapter 19: Strawberries and Flames

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Ananya

I woke up first, still wrapped securely in Arjun’s arms. His warmth surrounded me, his steady breaths brushing against the top of my head. For a moment, I simply lay there, letting the calm of the morning wash over me. But then, the memories of last night came flooding back.

Everything he did, everything we shared—it all played vividly in my mind. The way he kissed me, his lips igniting a fire I didn’t know I still had. The way his hands moved across my skin, so gentle yet so consuming. He didn’t just touch my body; he touched a part of me I thought had been lost forever.

I never thought I’d be able to feel comfortable with that kind of intimacy again. Not after everything I’d been through. Yet, with Arjun, it was different. I didn’t just allow it—I craved it. I wanted his touch, his kisses, the way he held me like I was the most precious thing in the world.

And the most surprising part? I gave him permission. Not just with words, but with my heart. I wanted it. I wanted him.

As I lay there, cocooned in his embrace, I realized something profound. Last night wasn’t just about desire—it was about trust, a trust I didn’t think I was capable of giving anymore. But with Arjun, it felt natural.

When he touched me yesterday, it wasn’t just desire—it was care, patience, and love wrapped in every movement, every word. I had never felt this safe before, not even with myself.

The way his lips traced my skin, his hands worshipped me, made me feel beautiful. No, more than beautiful—cherished. He was everything I didn’t know I wanted, everything I didn’t think I deserved.

But what struck me the most was his restraint. I could feel how much he wanted me, how much he held back to ensure I was comfortable. He gave me control when no one else ever had.

When he whispered, “Did I make you uncomfortable?” after everything, it brought tears to my eyes. How could he think he ever could? He didn’t just touch my body —he touched the broken, scared pieces of me I’d been hiding for so long.

I shifted slightly, tilting my head to look at him. His face was relaxed. His dark lashes fanned across his cheeks, and his lips—those lips that had ignited fire across my skin—were soft, slightly parted as he breathed evenly.

I reached up hesitantly, my fingers brushing his jaw, to memorize every inch of the man who was slowly becoming my world. Even in sleep, he radiated warmth.

“I never thought I’d want this again,” I whispered softly, my voice barely audible even to myself. “But with you… I do.”

He stirred slightly, pulling me closer in his sleep, his arms wrapping around me like a protective shield. A small smile tugged at my lips.

I gently caressed his cheek, my fingers tracing the sharp lines of his jaw. He looked so peaceful, so unguarded in his sleep, and I couldn’t help myself. Leaning in, I pressed a featherlight kiss to his closed eyes, then to his cheeks, savoring the warmth of his skin beneath my lips.

I tried to be careful, not wanting to wake him, thinking I could silently admire my Arjun. But just as I was about to pull away, his voice, low and laced with amusement, broke through the quiet.

“If you’re going to take advantage of your husband,” he murmured, his eyes still closed, “you should at least do it properly, Firefly.”

My breath hitched, heat rushing to my cheeks as I stared at him in stunned silence. Before I could respond, his eyes opened, their dark depths locking onto mine with an intensity that sent a shiver down my spine.

“You’re blushing,” he teased, his lips curving into a devilish smirk. “Let me show you how to take advantage.”

Before I could react, he shifted, hovering over me, his body a warm, solid weight against mine. His gaze flickered to my lips, his expression darkening with desire, and then he leaned in, capturing my mouth with his.

The kiss was nothing like the gentle ones I’d given him. This was fire—hungry, consuming, and utterly intoxicating. His lips moved against mine with a demanding rhythm, coaxing a response from me I couldn’t hold back. His tongue teased the seam of my lips, and when I parted them with a shaky breath, he plunged in, deepening the kiss in a way that left me dizzy.

He kissed me like he was claiming me, like he wanted to mark every inch of me as his. His hand slid into my hair, tilting my head to give him better access as his tongue danced with mine, exploring, tasting, devouring. I could feel the heat radiating off his body, his scent surrounding me, making it impossible to think about anything but him.

When he pulled back, it was only for a moment, his lips hovering just above mine as we both struggled to catch our breath. “That,” he murmured, his voice rough and full of promise, “is how you take advantage.”

Before I could reply, his lips were on mine again, this time slower, deeper, and somehow even more intoxicating. It wasn’t just a kiss—it was a declaration, a promise, and a challenge all rolled into one. And I couldn’t get enough.

Arjun’s kiss left me breathless, my heart pounding as if it were trying to escape my chest. His lips moved from mine, trailing a heated path along my jawline, down to the sensitive spot just beneath my ear. I couldn’t help the soft moan that escaped my lips, and he chuckled against my skin—a deep, rumbling sound that sent shivers coursing through me.

“Firefly,” he murmured, his voice husky, “you have no idea how hard it is to stop myself when you look at me like that.”

I blushed furiously, burying my face in his neck, but he wasn’t having it. His hand cupped my chin, tilting my face back to meet his smoldering gaze. “No hiding,” he whispered. “Not from me.”

He kissed me again, softer this time but no less consuming. His hands moved slowly, one tracing the curve of my waist while the other slid into my hair, holding me to him as if letting go wasn’t an option. The warmth of his touch seeped through the thin fabric of my nightwear, making me acutely aware of how close we were.

“Arjun…” I breathed, unsure of what I was trying to say.

“Hmm?” His lips were busy, brushing over my collarbone, sending sparks through my entire body.

“We’re… we’re not leaving this bed today, are we?” I managed to whisper, my voice trembling with a mix of nervousness and anticipation.

He pulled back just enough to meet my gaze, a playful smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. “Not unless you make me,” he teased, his fingers trailing over my arm, leaving goosebumps in their wake. “But something tells me you don’t want that.”

His words made my cheeks burn with an intensity I couldn’t hide. “You… You are insufferable,” I whispered, my voice trembling with equal parts embarrassment and amusement.

“But you like it,” he said with that signature smirk of his, his tone dripping with playful arrogance.

I rolled my eyes, desperately trying to regain my composure, but the warmth spreading across my face betrayed me. “Arjun Malhotra,” I muttered under my breath, trying to sound stern as I pushed against his chest, freeing myself from his hold.

He let me go, leaning back with an amused chuckle, his eyes glinting with mischief. “What’s the matter, Firefly? Afraid I’ll make you blush even more?”

I shot him a mock glare, though my lips were already twitching into a smile. “Go get ready for work, Mr. Malhotra,” I said, trying to sound commanding but failing miserably as my voice softened.

Without waiting for his response, I spun around and hurried into the bathroom, closing the door behind me. My heart was still racing, and I leaned against the cool surface of the door, trying to catch my breath.

From the other side, I could hear his low chuckle. “Run all you want, Firefly,” he called out, his voice teasing and full of promise. “I’ll be waiting for you when you’re done.”

I groaned softly, pressing a hand to my flushed cheeks. This man was going to be the end of me, and yet, I couldn’t help the smile that tugged at my lips. He was insufferable, yes, but he was mine.

As the sound of the shower filled the bathroom, I let the warm water cascade over me, trying to steady my racing heart. But no matter how hard I tried, thoughts of Arjun flooded my mind—his smirk, his touch, the way his voice seemed to wrap around me like a warm blanket.

I bit my lip to stifle the silly grin threatening to take over my face. “Pull yourself together, Ananya,” I muttered to myself, though the giddy fluttering in my chest refused to be tamed.

I took my time, hoping to calm down before I had to face him again. But when I finally stepped out of the bathroom wrapped in my towel, I froze in place.

Arjun was still in the bedroom, sitting casually on the edge of the bed, his tie hanging loosely around his neck. His shirt was unbuttoned, revealing the toned expanse of his chest, and his sleeves were rolled up to his elbows. He looked up when he heard me, and the heat in his gaze made my knees go weak.

“Done hiding, Firefly?” he asked, his voice low and teasing.

I clutched my towel tighter, trying to maintain some semblance of dignity. “I wasn’t hiding. I was… taking my time.”

He stood and walked toward me, his movements slow and deliberate, like a predator closing in on its prey. “Is that so?” he said, stopping just inches away. His eyes locked onto mine, his smirk softening into something more tender. “You look beautiful, even like this.”

My breath hitched, and I looked away, my cheeks heating up again. “We are going to be late for work,” I mumbled, attempting to divert his attention.

He reached out, gently tilting my chin so I was forced to meet his gaze. “Let them wait,” he said softly, his thumb brushing against my cheek. “You’re far more important.”

"Arjun... I'm telling you we're going to be late if you keep behaving like that."

He pulled back slightly, his dark eyes locking onto mine. “And whose fault is that?” he asked, his tone low and teasing.

I opened my mouth to reply, but he silenced me with a quick kiss, his lips soft and playful against mine. “Fine,” he said, pulling away reluctantly. “I’ll go get ready. But don’t think for a second that I’m done with you, Mrs. Malhotra.”

He punctuated his words with a playful wink that had my cheeks heating all over again. Without giving me a chance to respond, he turned toward the wardrobe, grabbing his clothes to get ready for work.

I watched him as he moved around the room with his usual confidence, his every action deliberate yet unhurried. He was a man who commanded attention effortlessly, and I couldn’t tear my eyes away—even when I knew I should.

“Enjoying the view, Firefly?” His voice broke through my thoughts, making me realize I’d been caught staring.

I quickly turned away, pretending to busy myself with fixing my hair. “Don’t flatter yourself, Mr. Malhotra,” I shot back, trying to sound unaffected.

His chuckle echoed through the room as he disappeared into the bathroom to get ready.

When he emerged a while later, dressed in a crisp white shirt that perfectly complemented his broad shoulders and sharp navy trousers, I found myself momentarily speechless. The man was infuriatingly good-looking, and he knew it.

“Ready to go?” he asked, adjusting the cuffs of his shirt and glancing at me with a raised brow.

I nodded, grabbing my bag and trying to ignore the way his presence seemed to fill the entire room.

As we reached the office, he turned to me, his expression softening. “Have a good day, Firefly,” he said, his voice low enough that only I could hear.

“You too, Mr. Malhotra,” I replied, trying to suppress the smile tugging at my lips as I walked away, feeling his gaze linger on me.

Arjun

Oh God, I just want Ananya around me all the time. It’s like she’s the air I breathe, the pulse in my veins. I feel so unbelievably blessed that she let me touch her, kiss her, feel her softness under my lips and hands. But now… now I can’t stop thinking about her.

She shouldn’t have let me, because now I’m ruined. I want more—more of her, more of the way her body responds to mine, more of the quiet gasps and shy glances that drive me absolutely insane. I want to feel her every single day, every fucking moment.

She already had me on the edge of madness before I ever touched her. Just being near her was enough to drive me crazy. But now? Now that I’ve tasted her, felt her warmth beneath my fingertips, I feel like I’ll lose my mind if I don’t have her again.

Last night was everything. Even though it wasn’t more than touching, it was enough to unravel me completely. The way she trusted me, the way she surrendered even her smallest fears to me—it’s branded into my soul.

But that taste of her? It’s not enough. It’ll never be enough. She’s in my blood now, and every part of me aches for her. Yet, as much as I want to lose myself in her again, I know I have to tread carefully. I want her to feel safe, to feel comfortable, to know that she’s my everything.

And that’s what makes this so hard. Because while I want her in every way imaginable, more than anything, I want her to feel like she’s mine—not because I claim her, but because she chooses me. Every single time.

♡♡

I watched my Ananya walk off with Isha and Dev, her colleagues, disappearing toward the office café. Moments later, my phone buzzed with a message from her. "We’re going downstairs to the café," it read. I replied with a simple, “Ok ❤️,” then paused, staring at the screen. Hearts? Seriously? I shook my head, smirking. What had this woman done to me? I must have completely lost my mind.

An hour later, she returned, her laughter floating through the air as she walked into the office. That sound—light, carefree, and pure—had a way of lifting the heaviest parts of my day. Just like that, work came to an end, and soon enough, we were heading home together.

As we got into the car, she turned to me, her voice bubbling with excitement. “Arjun… do you know what I bought today?”

“What?” I asked, smiling at her enthusiasm, curious to know what had her so cheerful.

She reached into her bag, pulling out a small box and holding it up like it was the most precious thing in the world. “Strawberry-flavored mini Vaseline!” she announced, her eyes lighting up with childish joy.

I chuckled, unable to help myself. “Wow… so, you like it?”

“I love it!” she exclaimed, opening the tiny jar to show me. “It tastes so good!”

Her innocence and excitement left me momentarily speechless, a fond smile tugging at my lips. She was utterly adorable, and I couldn’t stop thinking about how cute and unfiltered she could be sometimes.

We reached home, and I noticed her obsession hadn’t waned. Ok now I'm getting jealous. She kept applying that silly Vaseline to her lips, pausing every now and then to lick them, savoring the taste like it was some rare delicacy.

“Come on, Firefly. Stop eating that,” I said, half amused and half exasperated.

But instead of listening, she walked over to me, holding the jar out with a determined look on her face. “You should put it on your lips too. You’ll like it!”

I raised an eyebrow. “No. I’m not doing that, Firefly.”

She pouted, stepping closer. “Come on, just once,” she insisted, dipping her finger into the tiny jar and attempting to smear it on my lips.

I caught her wrist, grinning as an idea struck me. “You really want me to taste it that badly?” I asked, my voice dropping a notch.

“Yes!” she said, her enthusiasm masking the mischief in my tone.

I leaned in slightly, lowering my voice further. “Alright then, you asked for it, Firefly.”

Before she could comprehend my words, I tilted her chin up and captured her lips with mine. The kiss wasn’t soft or tentative—it was deliberate, consuming. My lips pressed firmly against hers, moving slowly but with intent.

As I kissed her, the faint sweetness of the strawberry flavor mingled with something even better—the natural taste of her lips. It was intoxicating. My tongue teased the seam of her mouth, coaxing her lips apart to deepen the kiss. And when she let me in, I took my time exploring her, savoring every bit of her sweetness, every soft sigh that escaped her.

The Vaseline’s flavor was there, but it was nothing compared to her. She tasted like warmth, comfort, and everything I didn’t know I craved until her. My hands moved to cradle her face, holding her close as I poured every ounce of longing into that kiss.

She was breathless by the time I pulled away, her cheeks flushed, her eyes wide and dazed. I smirked, brushing my thumb gently over her now swollen lips. “You’re right, Firefly,” I murmured, my voice low and teasing. “The strawberry flavor is good. But your lips? They’re even better.”

Her face turned a deep shade of red, and I couldn’t help but chuckle. Leaning closer, I whispered against her ear, “I think I’ll be tasting that flavor every single time now.”

I stepped back, watching as she tried to recover from the kiss, her lips slightly parted, her breath uneven. She turned away quickly, muttering something under her breath as she busied herself with anything that didn’t involve looking at me.

And me? I stood there, already counting down the moments until I could taste her again.

Ananya stood there, fiddling with the jar of Vaseline, her flushed cheeks betraying the storm of emotions she was trying so hard to hide. I leaned back against the counter, arms crossed, a smirk playing on my lips as I watched her avoid my gaze. She was adorable when she was flustered, and I wasn’t quite done teasing her yet.

“Firefly,” I called softly, making her pause.

She glanced up at me hesitantly, her doe-like eyes still slightly dazed from the kiss. “What?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

I took a step closer, closing the distance between us. Her breath hitched, and I couldn’t help but notice how her grip on the tiny jar tightened. Reaching out, I gently tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, my fingers lingering against her soft skin.

“You know,” I murmured, my voice low and teasing, “if you keep obsessing over that little jar, I might get jealous. I’d rather your lips taste like me, not strawberries.”

Her eyes widened, her blush deepening as she stammered, “Y-You’re impossible, Arjun!”

“And you love it,” I shot back, grinning.

She turned on her heel, muttering something under her breath as she marched toward the couch, probably to put some distance between us. But I wasn’t about to let her escape so easily.

I followed her, sitting beside her before she could react. “What are you doing?” she asked, glancing at me suspiciously.

“Nothing,” I said innocently, leaning back against the couch. “Just sitting with my wife. Is that a crime?”

Her lips twitched as if she was trying not to smile, but I caught the corners lifting. “You’re up to something,” she accused.

I leaned closer, resting my arm on the back of the couch, effectively caging her in. “Maybe,” I admitted, my gaze dropping to her lips. “But if I am, it’s only because I can’t resist you, Firefly.”

She rolled her eyes, but the faint smile on her lips gave her away. “You’re insufferable.”

“And you’re irresistible,” I countered.

Before she could respond, I leaned in, brushing a soft kiss against her cheek, then her temple, and finally the corner of her mouth. She gasped softly, her body leaning instinctively closer to mine.

“Arjun…” she whispered, her voice shaky but full of warmth.

I pulled back just enough to look into her eyes, my hand gently cupping her face. “I mean it, Ananya,” I said, my tone serious now. “You’re everything to me. You have no idea how much I adore you.”

Her eyes softened, and she reached up to place her hand over mine. “I think I do,” she said quietly, her smile shy but genuine.

For the rest of the evening, we stayed like that—close, comfortable, and utterly lost in each other. No teasing, no games, just the quiet understanding that we were exactly where we were meant to be: together.

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