She pulls back slightly, her gaze locked onto mine. “I need you.”
“I’m here.” I lie down beside her, my fingers tracing the contours of her face. “You’re everything to me.”
I kiss her gently, and she responds, her lips warm, soft, and a little hesitant. Our kisses deepen. There’s so much we’re saying without words—love, longing, comfort, connection. I want this moment to be perfect for her. To show her she’s still wanted. Still cherished.
My hands explore her slowly, tenderly, and reverently. She shivers beneath my touch, her breath hitching. I undress her slowly, taking in every inch of her as if for the first time, taking my time to savor every inch of her. She undresses me too, her hands slightly trembling.
When we’re bare, I lay her gently on the blanket, hovering above her. I search her eyes for permission, for trust. Her approval is very important to me.
She nods, voice trembling, “I’m here with you.” I kiss her nose before entering her slowly, watching her face for any sign of discomfort. Her body opens to me, soft and welcoming.
“I will always be,” I whisper, kissing her again. “I’ve got you.”
We move together in a slow rhythm, lost in each other. The ocean, the breeze, the sound of our heartbeats—it all becomes one. “You’re my world, Shivani,” I groan, unable to hold back the emotion building in my chest.
She clings to me, her fingers digging into my back as we crest together, a shared gasp of pleasure and pain and love. When it’s over, I hold her tightly, her heart beating wildly against mine.
Then suddenly, she pushes me away. “Oh my God. We did it on a beach?” Her cheeks flush, mortified. A smirk forms on my face as I lean on her. She still can’t say sex out loud, which is cute considering what she reads and writes.
“It’s okay. No one’s here.” I reassure her, brushing a kiss over her nose.
“How come?” She tilts her face, frowning slightly. God, she’s adorable.
“We own this island, baby.” I pull her down with me again.
“What the hell?” She exclaims, stunned. Her eyes were wide with disbelief.
Before she can say anything else, I crash my lips onto hers, cutting off her words. Her eyes flutter shut as I devour her mouth, nibbling and biting until she moans softly.
“That's secondary,” I murmur against her lips, my tone turning serious. “You’ll continue therapy, right?” I pull back just enough to see her expression. This matters. I need to hear her say it. I need to know she’s not giving up on herself.
She nods with a soft smile. “I will.”
I press a kiss to her forehead. “Thank you, darling.”
She looks up at me again, her brow furrowed. “But seriously... you own this island?”
A small smile lingers on my face as I shake my head and correct her gently. “No, we own this island.”
58
SHIVANI
THREE MONTHS LATER
"The stars are bright tonight, aren't they?" I sigh, sitting in Rudra's lap—his idea, not mine. I’m definitely not into public displays of affection, but according to him, he needs to constantly touch me. So, he’d just pulled me into his lap, not bothering to ask. I won’t admit it, but I’m secretly enjoying it way more than I should.
"Not as bright as you, my wife," he replies and kisses my forehead, and warmth fills me.
I laugh at the cheesiness, nudging him gently and shaking my head. "You're so mushy," I murmur, though I’m smiling. I try to sound unimpressed, but he knows me better.
He feigns a hurt expression. "What? Can't I even compliment my beautiful wife?"
I swat his chest as red covers my cheeks. "Stop it." He laughs at how flustered I am, and I pout like a child. That's when Aarav walks into the living room, and I jump off Rudra's lap like I’ve been caught doing something illegal. Simbu follows him, taking a place next to Rudra.
Rudra stares back at me, looking absolutely dumbfounded, as if we weren't just being intimate a few moments ago. I blush furiously, feeling embarrassed and a little guilty, even though there’s no reason to. I avoid meeting his eyes, knowing full well he's watching me with that annoying amused look of his.
Aarav shakes his head with a smirk. "Can't keep your hands off each other, huh?"
