Thank you, @jiniepiee for always commenting and for loving this story.

Ｓ Ａ Ｈ Ｅ Ｊ

───────

Ｎｅｘｔ Ｄａｙ

...

I AM AT Sai's apartment. Nil and I stayed for the night because she was crying non-stop until she finally dragged herself into the bathroom for a bath, and the untouched food on the counter speaks volumes about her inner struggle. It's incredibly hard for her to accept that Pratik is in love with her best friend, Preet.

Unrequited love hurts.

I'm sitting at the table eating breakfast when Sai finally walks in, post-shower, her eyes still slightly puffy.

"Did you sleep well?" she asks.

"Yeah, just a little headache."

"Come, we made your hazelnut coffee and croissants," Nil cheers for her.

A towel is wrapped around her hair. Her loose-fitting gray T-shirt and avocado shorts make her look effortlessly stunning in the morning hours. I want to ask her the big question, but Nil beats me to it.

"Are you going to the dinner?" Nil asks, his tone entirely serious. There isn't teasing or joking in his voice. Last night Nil and I talked about this exact same thing. "If you don't go, I won't go either."

Sai ignores him and walks straight into the kitchen. I catch her opening the cabinet to pull out her favorite coffee mug.

I lean over and whisper to Nil, keeping my voice so low I can barely hear myself. "If she won't go, you won't either? What does that even mean? Since when do you care so much about what Sai thinks?"

"Shut up," he shushes me. "She'll hear you," his brows furrowing tightly. "I always care about my friends. And I'm damn sure your boyfriend was between your legs while her heart was literally melting down last night."

"Nil, don't talk shit about my boyfriend. Yes, if you're my best friend, she's my best friend forever. Don't use this as an opportunity to make a move on her."

"I'm not trying to make a move. I genuinely care... sshh, she's here—"

We both immediately shut our mouths and sip our coffee in dead silence.

Sai comes over and sits down with us, taking a slow sip of her coffee.

"Yeah, so are you going?" I ask her gently. "They want to sort things out with you first because the two of them have decided to get engaged soon."

I still don't know the exact date, but the event is happening sometime this week. They keep saying they can't do it without us. I'm honestly happy for them, even though it's totally unexpected from Preet's side.

"I'll go if you guys are coming," Sai says quietly.

"Sai, that's exactly what we're asking you," Nil replies. "If you go, I'm right there with you."

We don't talk much after that, but she completely surprises us both by confirming she actually wants to go to the dinner.

Preet's texted her about the invitation.

None of us had any idea about the clandestine love affair. Well, yes, I admit that I had my doubts, but I thought maybe Pratik spent the most time with Preet because we were all in London and Preet and Pratik were in India. Pratik cares a lot about Preet; it's unwavering. In fact, in the past he always listened to Preet, whether he agreed or not, and none of us ever thought that there might be something more than friendship between them.

I tried to make Sai understand how difficult it must have been for Preet and Pratik to hide their feelings for each other, especially in front of us. Since we returned from London, Preet spent most of his time with us, and whenever we met, we were always together.

✦✦✦

Ｆｅｂ． ２１，

７：３０ ｐ．ｍ．

KAFERA

"Hey, it's been a while since we last caught up," Nil adds, setting his phone on the table to break the awkwardness in the air. It's the first time we've felt this much tension between us.

"Yeah, I know." I glance at Preet, signaling to her to stay calm and that everything is under control. We are all in this together.

"So," Preet says, with a lump stuck in his throat, while Pratik exchanges a look with Preet to go on. "I'm truly sorry for what you have gone through. Sai. I know it must have been distressing. But yes, Pratik and I have feelings for each other. We've fallen in love. But we had no idea about what our feelings were until recently."

Sai looks sad, and I place my hands gently on hers. "Sai, are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. Sorry, I was just... please continue," she smiles weakly.

I want to hug her; she's remarkably selfless, trying hard to understand the situation.

Pratik joins in to clarify. "As you know, Preet and I went to the same college, and when you were all in London, our friendship unknowingly turned into love. We only realized it when Preet found out about your return from London."

Both of them look at Sai while I glance at Nil, who seems surprised and saddened by the revelation.

Pratik is about to continue when a staff member interrupts, bringing our usual drinks and my coffee along with some king-size burgers and a green salad with beans and potato for Preet, as she is on a diet.

The order surprises me.

Who has ordered?

I look at Nil, who winks at me. I had underestimated him; I thought he was serious about this whole situation.

"We only realized it after I got hospitalized; that's when we found out," Pratik says, absentmindedly twisting a bean on her plate rather than eating it.

"Okay. Well, to be honest, I'm hurt. I really want to cry and get this out of my system, but I can't. I also know that I have to accept your relationship, but for that, I need time, you know?" Sai expresses, looking down at our close-knit hands.

"Of course, Sai. You don't have to rush yourself. We're all with you."

I tell her, hoping she knows how much we all love her.

"Tell me that this won't affect our friendship," Preet asks Sai. "If it happens, I should be the first person you tell. We won't tell each other anything affecting our lives. Right? Because your life is more than you know...revolving around a guy."

Preet, as always a baddie, has brought Nil to a halt. He was taking a large bite of his burger. Now giving Pratik an insanely funny stare, who appears proud of what Preet says.

"No, of course not. It won't." Sai smiles, and with that, we all take a deep breath. Suddenly, it feels as if the weight has lifted from our shoulders and the tension among us has dissipated.

✦✦✦

８：４５ ｐ．ｍ．

I'm curled up on the bed, my hands covering my eyes as I burrow my forehead into the pillow, its softness pressing against my cheeks. After a tiring day, I enjoy the quietness of my room. I'm in my little world until a soft knock at the door disrupts my daydreaming.

"Come in," I murmur, my voice lethargic. I'm not sure how much time has slipped out of the window while my laziness consumes me.

Mridula's aunty silently enters my room, places a mysterious box on the nightstand, and leaves. I sit straight up, slapdashly, fascinated by what I see. A gorgeous white box with a glossy ivory ribbon tied elegantly around it, embellished with a pair of dried flowers.

It's so lovely, almost mesmerizing.

By now, the ivory color shouts his name. I don't need to know who sent it. He's becoming obsessed with ivory. But why ivory? I reach for the mysterious box, now resting on my lap. Carefully opening the box reveals a beautiful red dress folded beautifully with a handwritten sticky note that says, "Wear me tonight."

There are more surprises inside the box. A delicate balconette bra with matching panties. Mind me, but a note says, "Snuggle me as his fingers do, but not for too long."

It has my jaw dropping.

He is blatantly offensive, shamelessly obscene, and insolently bold.

He's loud, bare-faced, immodest, and whatnot.

He is cognizant of the security at the entrances; they check everything closely, whatever enters the property.

Now, I have zero trust in Tapish when it comes to gifts.

His present, the ivory night suit, simply serves to worsen my need for sex, and at this moment, thinking about sex with Mr. Adyanthaya alone makes my skin prone to my need for good sex.

Also, he talks, touches, and walks in a way that suggests sex in every aspect. The worst feeling is not disclosing this to me. When will it happen?

It leaves me in the dark.

How can I make him aware that I'm very much interested? This makes me laugh so hard and diverts my attention from that sophisticated Sahej to getting dirty for this one guy, but it also makes my pussy a melting Atlantic Ocean. Which is bad for my own global warming.

And he should stop sending me lingerie or tell my team that anything with an ivory box or special mention of Tapish Adyanthaya won't be inspected ever. It makes me feel uneasy to look at my guards when I go for a run every morning.

Just as I'm processing the unexpected gift, my phone rings, and I scramble back and thrust myself onto the bed, where I was previously lounging.

I pick up the call.

Oh, my baby, "Hey," I say. My body reacts so differently that I feel like someone poured a bucket of glittering sparkles over me. I've been feeling so happy over the past few days, as if happiness has just begun to accept me into its territory to build a home close to them.

"Sahej," he says.

My name on the other end has an oddly tender tone, like clouds floating around a green meadow and then revealing the best sunrise ever. I'm not joking. I can see reels behind my closed eyelids.

Is that what happens when you are in love or finally find peace? Or both at the same time.

"I hope it's not Minus, Ms. Luthra, because if it is, I'll sleep in your atelier. And I didn't know the place has a nice bed," he teases, his voice clear through the phone.

"What are you doing there?" I am shocked, even though I can imagine him sitting on my four-poster bed, under a dim light in a room near a window, bathing in the moonlight and talking to me.

I immediately stand up and go to the window, looking at the driveway, peering for his car. I can't see a beam if it's standing at the back of the house. So I check the CCTV live stream of the driveway to see if he has arrived.

"I'm waiting for you. I hope you'll come, and if you do, please wear what I've sent and come here fast," his hope beaming.

"I can't come fast. I need to get ready and do my hair," I point out, stressing out about how long it'll take to get ready.

"Just wear the dress. You don't need to do anything. You always look immaculately stunning, as always," he whispers suggestively. "Do you need me to tell you that?"

"Fine, coming." I agree and hang up the phone with a smile.

My attention is back on the breathtaking dress. It's sexy, with a daringly high slit that sends a flutter of nerves through me. Does he know I love to wear these types of dresses?

With the dress and lingerie in tow, I dress up. I settle for a middle-parted hairstyle, nude lipstick, and heels while the memory of the note mentioning other items intensifies my blush.

I go downstairs, the clicking sound amplifying the nervous excitement building within me. I take the back entry of the house as usual. It's private.

As I walk, my eyes catch the glow of lights. Next, I catch sight of something beyond me. My eyes scintillate. The surroundings turn into something different, even more beautiful, as I continue inside, crossing the threshold, and lots of beautiful lanterns and lights surround the area.

I step in, and the first thing that grabs my attention is Tapish; his sexy, long back is facing me. He is busy on a phone call. I take note of the decorations; they're breathtaking.

Oh, my fucking sweet life.

Wait, is this a date or something?

He turns, and his face lights up. It's as if he's been sucking my breath while holding his own. I take a moment to look at his customized three-piece suit, which exudes class. As if it were specially made for this day. Like he was getting ready to marry.

Then something shifts in the air: this longing, the control displayed in his eyes that bores into mine.

I was looking for a place where no one could bother us or stare at us, where she could feel herself totally. No, I'm lying to myself, not completely. The truth is, she had given up on lots of nice things to make space for my bullshitness. And I just wanted a place where I could make everything right.

ＴＡＰＩＳＨ

───────

There could not be a finer place than this, her atelier, to tell her what I always wanted and what she always wanted to hear from me. If I wait much longer than this, I might not survive.

My heart stops beating as the most special person is here. I wish to freeze this moment in my heart. The sight of her lovely, soft-curved face makes my breath quicken. My soul shrivels and disintegrates out of my body into tiny sand particles that disappear into the air. Then my heart starts to pound and race simultaneously.

My eyes have been fixed on her for far too long. She's a walking goddess in that red dress. I can't help but notice how the dress draws attention to the characteristics of her perfect figure. It holds her small frame while she looks out of this world. She appears more innocently ravishing than I could have ever imagined her, beyond my darkest desires.

I'm constricted, my hands in my pants pockets as my weak eyes drift down to her satin breasts. The dress has delicate lace that gently moves over her breasts.

I'm not going to rip out my eyes if she catches me looking at her breasts right through. Fuck! I bought this dress to watch how those beautiful cups would look when it held her, and if it'll ever be touched by my palms, will it feel snug, morphing from soft to tender.

Elegantly, her hair is parted in the middle, a half-up, half-down style falling down her back, highlighting her face.

Then my eyes drop down to her legs, which have become somewhat of an obsession for me, I must admit. Since I last saw them, it has been in my best interest to see them. Her soft, twinkling eyes are forever galvanized as my wild eyes all dazzle around her.

She's waiting for my reaction to her dress, but she has no idea that what is running through my mind is all illicit cognition. Even when I'm very well aware of the purity she is living in, I still feel it.

That is why I am sinister.

But now I'm glad I didn't choose a location where the backstage crew would follow my every order as she walked in this dress, with lights and smoke happening all along. Because my intentions are neither pure nor malicious, but they're definitely affectionate, with other things igniting in my body.

"You are looking beautiful, Sahej," I mumble, caught off guard, and I find myself blushing.

I have no idea my face has it in it to react this way. She possesses some uncanny ability to stir up reactions in me.

"And you're looking hot, handsome, and..." she pauses, and I can't help but lift my eyes and later smile. "Delightful," she says, smiling back.

She always speaks less, but her eyes tell a story of what her heart feels. Trying to look calm, but I'm nervous as hell. "I am glad you came here and wore this dress."

"Are we going on another date or something?" she asks genuinely, but I can feel her befuddlement.

Her softness and her simplicity are just making me even more nervous.

"No, more than that. But before I say what I want to say, there's something I need to tell you because I want you to know how I felt when I first saw you." I try to articulate perfectly. I was fucking prepared for this, so I'd better get it right. But I find myself falling flat on my face, and nervousness is evident in my voice.

I move back from the ridiculously large gap I've been keeping between us as she gets closer and closer. ''Please,'' I say, stopping her.

Her eyes blink, looking confused. She gestures at the distance between us. "Are we going to stand here like this?"

That's when I realise how far we are—I'm standing where her easel is usually set up far back into the hall, and she's standing only feet from the exit.

The large carpet is located across from us.

"Yes, for a while, because then I won't be able to tell you," I murmur.

I can't believe it, but the girl I can't bear to be apart from, even for a day, is now making me feel safer, as I've decided to keep myself away from her when I tell her how I feel. Because if she gets close, my heart will start racing like crazy, and I'll end up kissing her to calm those crazy, insane, mind-fucking beats. Then I won't be able to control myself after knowing that she feels the same way about me.

This thought's driving me crazy.

Therefore, I need her to keep a safe distance from me. The exquisite display of her gown falling perfectly to the floor draws my attention, and then my gaze moves to her.

She says, "Okay," without much thought, and I inhale deeply, tucking my anxious heartbeat into my sleeves.

We exchange a warm, heart-pounding look. She is so kind and so understanding. She listens because she values what I have to say, rather than because she wants to be submissive.

"You know—" My voice is more turbulent than my thoughts.

I look down at the floor, searching for those perfect words. Then I adjust them to relax my muscular calves. I drift up, and our eyes meet again. I need strength... Her eyes. Okay, you can do it.

"Everything starts from New Year's night when I was watching you on my phone screen before I walked into my cabin. You were tying our long hair and redoing it. Your back was facing the camera. It was so quick, yet you instantly grabbed my attention. It's really hard for anyone to grab my attention, and the weirdest part for me was your innocence, which caught my eye. I never thought innocence could attract me. I was never that type of guy. You know, the next day when you were leaving the party, I hoped you'd stay a bit longer; I didn't want to see you go. And since you entered my life, it feels like my soul has learned to live again. I wanted to spend more time with you. Gradually, I don't even know when the fear of losing you crept in. You have no idea; the moment that bullet hit your car's windshield, it felt like my life was over. That's when I realized I wouldn't let anything happen to you. I wanted and still want to kill each and every person who is involved in hurting you because I don't promise red roses. But I'm more into black roses." I pause.

"So, Sahej Luthra, please don't give me any of your minuses because, from the bottom of my heart, I always felt like my life had been waiting for you. I want to make my next and new days beautiful, and in them, I see nothing but you. Because I've fallen for you madly, crazily, and fuckingly insanely in love with you. Please don't ever leave me. Please be mine...mine forever," I admit it.

My soul is laid bare before her.

By the time I finish, my eyes are a bit numb, not wet but nearly so, on my dangerous side of the eyelids, where they can't fall, yet they can be felt. But I can feel they are there. Because my throat hurts when restraint tears don't come.

Tears are an expensive privilege that not everyone can afford. For some, they turn into a shame, dying down where they were never found.

"Tell me then, Tapish, how badly do you want my yes?" She asks, straight out, making my heart race as her eyes lock with mine.

"That I can't express in words."

"Then why the hell are you standing so far from me?" Her voice shifting to authority, she says, "Come here—"

Her stance is exactly what she wants me to do. "Come close to me, hold my face and hand on my waist, pull me, and then tell me you love me. And then I will think about it."

Once again, her words have worked like magic. I take my first step towards her. I don't usually follow instructions, no matter where they come from, and I never imagined that I would be so readily persuaded to do as told.

However, I'm meeting all of her needs in every possible way. Her hands are clutching the slit of her dress in a soft fist. Even though she has confidently told me to come closer. I can sense the butterflies fluttering inside her. Her eyes express the emotions she hides.

Reaching her, I step an inch to close the distance between us even further. That's exactly what I want.

I place my hands on her waist to stroke it a bit, feeling the soft satin along her smooth curves. She holds her breath as I pull her gently, allowing my torso to traverse her. My chest heaves up too as she puts both of her hands on my chest in return. And my heartbeat starts to fibrillate erratically as soon as her hands caress my chest, feeling its taut muscles.

"I'll do exactly as you told me," I answer, sounding like a crooning melody that is slowly living in the dark night.

I am not in the mood to play.

One hand rests on her waist while the other traces the contours of her face, gently swaying from her cheeks to her jawline, tracing down to her adorable chin. My fingertip is dangerously close to her lips.

Her eyes close, surrendering to the craving.

Then my fingers trail down her neck for a virtuous grip. I tilt her face towards mine, and with a subtle jerk, I guide my face closer to her. She catches her breath, her lips slightly parted. I bring my lips to hers, forcing myself to resist the impulse to eat those two sweeties so wildly, making her moan my name. When she does so, I feel her nipples harden beneath the bra I've gifted her.

At a moment to control myself, my nose rests on hers as the sensation is too strong to torment me in this way; it interferes with and worsens the sensation that lies between my legs.

Every single second forbade me from thinking about it and focusing on something more important.

"I fucking love you, Sahej Luthra. And now I want to know your answer. I want to know... will you be mine for life forever?"

Whispering a soft coo, she holds the sigh while her hands clutch my shirt. "I am not yet convinced," she says, playfully biting her lip.

I pull away from her and take a look at her face. "Ahh... So are you teasing me because now you know my weakness?"

Her eyes tell a story, like how much she has been desiring to hear the words that have just burst from my heart and struck hers.

"I guess I'll have to work harder to convince you then." I lean in closer.

My fingers touch her lips right through her soul. My head is down, but not as much as it usually is, as I guess she is wearing high heels, and I badly want to see her in them, just in them and nothing else.

And this elicits my thought; my desire arises. It's not just sexual, but I crave her answer, her attention, her presence, her touch, and her affection and love—her and us.

We stare at each other, letting me fall completely into her eyes.

Then, a gentle pulsation settles on my chest. My protective instincts kick in as I stop her from pushing me away. I jerk her into my chest. "Sahej," I become alert, tightly holding her waist.

I have no idea why, but it seems like alert mode goes into autopilot every time I sense something that triggers fear of losing her.

"I am not going anywhere...I...I need to show you something..." She says, assuring me.

My hold on her tightens even more as I try to process her words. What could she possibly need to show me that is so urgent?

I search for alternatives, doubting myself more than her. "I don't want to see anything other than you...tell me. I want to hear the words, Sahej—"

Her being against my chest is the only thing that confirms that I have layers of protection around me.

"I will...but before I give you my answer, I want to first show you something. You've made it clear to me how you feel, so it's my turn," she says, and my eyes fix on her for seconds.

I get reassurance, so I leave her. She smiles. I'm relaxed watching her smile.

Then slowly, she removes her hands from me and begins walking towards a definite wall. I feel like I'm high on the drug of attentiveness because my whole body is fixed on her every move.

"And don't move." She turns like a swing, her hair swaying beautifully, and watching my chest tingle. I can still smell the addictive scent of her hair. But then I shift as she walks towards another easel position near the wall. I can only wait and admire her long hair falling like a waterfall as she bends down to pick something from the ground.

A big gift wrapped in paper, she places it carefully on the easel. I can't see it, as her back is blocking any revealing view of what I shouldn't be seeing.

"Close your eyes," she says, and I do so, awaiting the surprise. I hear the rustling of paper.

She reveals, "Now you can open your eyes."

I open my eyes. She steps aside, revealing a secret.

And my pulse stutters... goes wild as I see something breathtaking.

"It's me—" I breathe, staring at the artwork depicting a painting of my stark, naked body lying on the couch with precisely the colors that best reflect my character. My pose was meant to tease, seduce, and awaken desires in her. All for me.

Yes. That day, I was totally into seducing her. A part of me was also jealous because she had painted other guys in the past, but I wanted her to see me more.

Now my eyes are back on her as I stare into her gaze. "When did you finish this? I remember not coming the next day." Her coy smile melts my heart.

"I imagined," she softly confesses, her cheeks flushing with red-hot shyness.

"You imagined me like this?" I comment, realizing the sensuality on canvas. "Well, Tapish, I am an artist, remember? It's a kind of promise that I have to pay you back. You gave a sizable donation to the charity I support." She makes fun of it, but her words demonstrate how serious she is about the charity.

"Oh yeah, hell yeah, an artist who visualized me stone-naked. Do you even know what I am feeling right now?" I step forward, but she stops me with a smile.

"Well, there's one more surprise, and it's your answer." I stop dead in my tracks, my heartbeat quickening. If I were nervous before, this is a whole new level.

With exquisite grace, she grabs the train of her dress and turns around, placing another painting on the easel.

"It's that? How was I looking at you that day?" I ask. Yet again, my painting, all in black and red shades of color.

I can't fucking believe I was looking at her like a puppy on New Year's night. My face is screaming in her artwork, showing how much she affected me that night.

Her walk into my life impacted me so much. I was unwillingly and unconsciously searching for peace in my life, and I lost hope, but that night she entered my life and changed everything.

"That's how your eyes were, all lost." She says with a tingle of happiness.

In the painting, my eyes are sparkling as I'm looking straight into her eyes with my lips slightly parted, exactly as it was when she was leaving. "And—" Her smile wanes a little as she finishes.

"Oh, my little Sahej. "

With those fine, delicate amber flames kissing my toes, also keeping me still. I thought I'd rather burn myself than be in hog heaven. But then I start taking long strides, quickly snaking my hands around her waist and placing her on the table near the standing easel.

Leaning in, I gently press my lips to the corner of hers while she giggles, seeing my frustrated reaction. "This isn't fair, Sahej. Don't tease me; otherwise, it won't be good for you."

It's just a harmless threat, but she's undeniably testing my patience. "Tell me it's a yes."

She stops me, placing one finger sensually on my chest. "I said what I said; my painting is an answer," she declares, her face flushed and her cheeks tinted red. One day, her flushed cheeks and her skin feel will kill me.

"Why can't I see anything?" I express my frustration, and it's so strong that my hand drifts tightly around her breast. Without touching her, my fingers inexplicably and absentmindedly flick to the lacy butterfly resting on the heart of her neckline.

"Go, check, and then come back to me and finish what you started," she teases me.

"God, Sahej, you're making this so hard, and I'll fucking mark you with my love."

I vent my annoyance, adding a touch of seduction. "Don't play this game right now. You will be begging soon."

Stepping towards the painting, I use my sharp eyes to scrutinize it for any clues. She innocently chuckles at the whole situation as I take my time.

"It seems to me that you are destined to lose badly, and by the time you win, I'll be fast asleep. So you take your time." She says, sliding from the marble platform to the floor effortlessly, as if she does it daily. "Adyanthaya, good night." Frustration rises as I'm trying to figure out the clue.

And I spot it.

Something is written on the lips. It's so difficult, as I have to narrow my eyes to read it again. Going closer, I read something in red, "I love you, Tapish—your Lienzo."

The thinnest brush she has, written in gorgeous calligraphy. But my frustration grows as she is almost leaving. I rush towards her. My suit moves with me, showing how completely desperate I am for her. I'm not just desperate; I'm now also dependent. Reaching halfway across the room, I finally make it to her.

She gasps as I grab her elbow from behind and pull her from her waist, yanking her into my chest. She fits perfectly in my arms as soon as I wrap my arms around her waist and her fingers drift into mine. Then my hand leaves her waist, drifting up to be placed on the front of her throat, choking gently, and arching her head back to make her look into my eyes.

"Time's up, my love," I declare in the scent of her. "It's for me to play dirty."

My other hand is settled around her waist while the other one rubs her throat as she looks at me. I turn her around, holding her face in close. "Now, I'll show you what a real good night looks like." Deeply, I bury my nose in her hair, intoxicated by its sweet scent. It's time for her to take things seriously.

Because my mind has found its way to where my heart was, now there is no going back. She needs to realize the importance. From this point, no one can stand in my way as I delve even deeper into the realms of love I have for her. If anyone dares to harm her, rest assured, they'll face the brunt of my agony.

When others throw their eyes her way, I'll be the first to step up. She can fight all she wants, but I'll be the one to handle the darker side of things.

It's time she knows she can rely on me for anything and everything. My commitment runs deep, and I'm fiercely in love with her. But she needs to get serious and say the words I desperately want to hear. That is, she loves me, and I crave her pure, innocent love, yet I can't hold back the ferocious, passionate love that consumes me. She needs to realize how serious this is and how much it means to me.

She's more than just a desire now. She's beyond that realm. She's the woman I've been waiting for, the missing piece that completes the puzzle of my soul. There's a connection that runs deeper than mere attraction, because you don't get attracted to your home.

I also wanted to tell her that I see her as my future wife, but I figured it might be too much for her to handle in just one moment. I want her to have space and time to make her own decision. If she steps back a little, it'll only make it easier for her to see what she genuinely wants.

Leaning down, I lift her effortlessly into my arms, and she rests one hand on my chest while the other curls behind my neck. I get chills from the way she clings to me, and my heart begins to weaken under her solace.

She looks absolutely captivating.

. . . . ╰──╮𓆩ꨄ︎𓆪╭──╯ . . . .

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XOXO💚streetlight389 ❤️‍🩹↶