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 tobreakfast 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.
