Hey, lovelies! 🎉 I'm absolutely buzzing to share this chapter with you all! This moment between Anaya and Rudra is a game-changer, packed with tension and undeniable chemistry. Their journey is heating up, and I can't wait for you to dive into this pivotal scene! Trust me, you won't want to miss what happens next. As always, your thoughts and feedback mean everything to me, so let's chat in the comments! 💖
With Love,
~Penola.S
——————AUTHOR'S POV:~~
Anaya's heart pounded against her chest, a frantic drumbeat that echoed in her ears. She could feel it—the urge to escape, the need to flee the room, though it wasn't because she hated Rudra. No, it wasn't hatred that filled her. But there was something about his presence, about the way he looked at her now, that made her feel like she was being pulled into a whirlwind she wasn't ready for. Her soul seemed to vibrate with a strange intensity, a sensation so foreign it unsettled her.
She tried to keep her voice steady as she spoke, though it came out shaky. "Rudra... the staff wanted to tell you something. That's why he came..."
Rudra's eyes darkened as he slowly walked towards her, unbuttoning his collar with one hand and loosening his tie with the other. He was calm, deliberate in his movements, but there was something in his gaze that made her throat dry. Anaya swallowed hard, her pulse racing uncontrollably as her emotions churned wildly.
"Maybe," he murmured, his voice low and husky, "but I need to tell you something first." He paused, eyes locked on hers. "It's important, Velvet."
Anaya blinked, confused. "Velvet?" she echoed in a whisper, her heart stuttering as she searched his face. "Did you just call me... Velvet?"
Rudra's lips curled into a faint smile. "Yes," he said, his tone deepening. "You are my Velvet. MINE."
Anaya's mind whirled as the word reverberated through her. Velvet. Mine. Did she hear him correctly? Her heartbeat quickened even more as she replayed his words in her mind. She looked into his eyes, her breath catching in her throat.
"Yes, Anaya," Rudra murmured, stepping closer until the heat from his body enveloped her. His hands found her waist, wrapping around her firmly, like a belt tightening. His touch was possessive, claiming her. One of his hands slid up to the back of her neck, sending a shiver down her spine. His grip was gentle, yet she could feel the power in his touch, the control he held over her even as her mind rebelled.
Anaya's thoughts raced. This was happening too fast—too much, too soon. Her soul screamed at her to push him away, but her body betrayed her, leaning into him, mesmerized by his closeness. No, no, this is going too fast, she repeated to herself. But before she could gather her resolve, Rudra's deep voice broke through her haze.
"Last night," he began, his tone softer, more vulnerable, "I should've told you everything, Anaya. I should've proposed to you like a man who loves, not a man making a contract." His eyes softened as he gazed down at her. "I'm sorry for that. You deserve better. You deserve someone who loves you completely. Not just for convenience, but for you."
Anaya blinked, her breath catching at his words. His apology was unexpected, and it left her reeling. "Rudra…" she whispered, her voice trembling.
He leaned in closer, his breath brushing against her skin. "Do you even know," he whispered with a teasing smirk,
"what a kiss really feels like?"
Her breath hitched as his words hung in the air, sending her into a spiral of anticipation and confusion. She tried to respond, but before she could form any coherent thought, Rudra tilted her head slightly with his fingers and gently pressed his lips against her forehead.
The kiss was soft, almost tender, yet there was an unmistakable intensity behind it. Anaya's heart fluttered as his lips lingered against her skin. He pulled back slightly, his eyes locked onto hers, filled with something she couldn't quite place.
"That's a kiss of care," Rudra whispered, his voice so low it sent a shiver down her spine.
Before she could even process what he said, he pressed another kiss to the tip of her nose. "And this," he murmured, his lips brushing against her cheek, "is a kiss of affection."
Her breath came out in short gasps as he moved lower, trailing soft kisses along her jawline and down to her neck. His warm breath tickled her skin, and she shivered involuntarily. "And this," he whispered, his lips barely touching the sensitive skin of her neck, "is a kiss of desire."
Anaya's mind was spinning, her senses overwhelmed by his proximity, by the intensity of his touch. She felt her resolve crumbling, her body melting into his. She had never felt anything like this before—this pull, this magnetic force that bound her to him, making her forget the world outside.
Rudra's hand tightened on her waist, pulling her flush against him, as his other hand cradled the back of her neck, holding her in place. He tilted her chin up, his lips hovering just above hers. Their breaths mingled in the small space between them, and Anaya's pulse raced wildly.
Her eyes widened as she realized what was about to happen. No, no… her mind screamed. This was too fast. Too much. But she was frozen, unable to pull away, unable to speak.
Rudra's eyes darkened with intensity as he leaned in, just inches from her lips, his voice a mere whisper against her skin. "But this… this one, Anaya, I don't deserve. Not yet."
He pulled back slightly, his forehead resting against hers, his breath heavy as he tried to compose himself. "Not until I've earned it," he murmured, his voice thick with emotion. "I think I need to wait for that one."
Anaya's heart was pounding so hard she thought it might burst. She hadn't even realized she was holding her breath until he pulled away, leaving her standing there, breathless, her body still tingling from his touch.
---
This scene captures the slow build-up of tension and Rudra's romantic side while keeping the intimacy restrained yet meaningful. Anaya's internal conflict, paired with Rudra's intensity, adds depth to their interaction.
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Anaya was lost in the moment, her mind still reeling from the intensity of Rudra's kiss. The warmth of his lips lingered on hers, a gentle reminder of the connection that had sparked between them. She stood there, eyes closed, savoring the sensations that swirled around her. It was as if time had suspended itself, the world outside her mind fading away.
Then, slowly, she became aware of the absence of Rudra's presence, the warmth pulling away. She opened her eyes to find him watching her intently, a soft expression on his face. "You're free now, Velvet," he said, the affectionate nickname wrapping around her like a comforting blanket.
A rush of heat flooded her cheeks as she processed his words. Flushed and shy, Anaya quickly turned her head, hiding her face behind her hands. Avoiding eye contact felt like the only way to shield herself from the intensity of his gaze, the reality of what had just happened crashing down on her like waves. How could one kiss feel so monumental? So transformative?
In her mind, she was floating in a dreamy haze, caught somewhere between reality and a delusional fantasy. Was this really happening? Was Rudra really her husband, and was that kiss the beginning of something more? Doubts and exhilaration battled for dominance in her heart.
Rudra settled back on the couch, his eyes never leaving her as he observed the effect of their kiss on her. The way her cheeks burned a deep crimson, the way she fidgeted with her fingers—every little detail told him how profoundly he had impacted her. "Come sit beside me," he encouraged, patting the fabric of the couch with a gentle, inviting motion.
She hesitated for a moment, still feeling the aftershocks of their kiss coursing through her. But something in his tone made her nod, and she moved to sit beside him, careful to keep a safe distance while still being close enough to feel his warmth.
"Anaya," he began, his voice steady but low, "can I ask you for something?"
She nodded, her heart thumping in her chest, curiosity piqued despite her lingering shyness.
"Can you give me seven days?" he asked, his eyes searching hers for understanding.
"Seven days?" she repeated, her brow furrowing. "What do you mean?"
"I want a week to show you who I really am. I want to prove to you that this isn't just a contract for me," he replied, his voice earnest. "I want you to see me, to feel this connection between us without the weight of our circumstances holding us back. Just seven days to explore us—together."
Anaya felt her breath hitch in her throat. Seven days? It was such a simple request, yet it held so much promise. A part of her wanted to leap at the opportunity, to dive headfirst into this unexpected journey with him. But another part of her hesitated, cautioning her to tread carefully.
"What if… what if it's too much?" she finally said, her voice wavering.
Rudra's expression softened further. "I won't push you, I promise. But I want you to trust me. Give me this chance, Anaya. I want to show you what we could have—what we could be."
As his words washed over her, a whirlwind of emotions surged within her. She could see the sincerity in his eyes, the way he leaned closer, silently urging her to embrace the moment. Could she allow herself to step into this new territory with him? Could she take the risk?
With her heart racing, she finally met his gaze, and in that moment, something shifted. She saw not just her husband but a man willing to fight for her, to fight for them. "Okay," she whispered, a mix of excitement and apprehension lacing her words. "Seven days."
Rudra's face broke into a genuine smile, the kind that made her heart flutter and melted the tension in the air. "Thank you, Velvet," he said, relief washing over him. "You won't regret it."
As they settled into a comfortable silence, Anaya felt a spark of hope flicker to life within her. Maybe this was the beginning of something beautiful—something real. The journey ahead would be challenging, but perhaps it was one worth taking, especially if Rudra was by her side.
And as she sat there beside him, her heart daring to believe in the possibility of their love, she realized that perhaps this was not just a kiss; it was the first step toward a new chapter—a chapter that could change everything.
Anaya felt the whirlwind of emotions still swirling inside her, each thought about the kiss, the warmth of Rudra's embrace, and the lingering intensity of their connection pulling at her like a tide. She knew she had to leave the room; the feelings were overwhelming, and the reality of their situation loomed heavily over her.
"I… I need to go downstairs," she stammered, standing up from the couch, her heart racing. But before she could take a step toward the door, Rudra's hand shot out, gently yet firmly catching her wrist.
"Wait," he said, his voice low and steady. His grip wasn't aggressive; it was a calm, deliberate gesture that made her heart flutter.
She turned to face him, the warmth of his body mere inches from hers. But as she shifted her weight, she felt a rush of nerves, her thoughts racing back to what had just transpired. The kiss lingered in her mind, making her dizzy. In her haste to escape the overwhelming emotions, she lost her balance, stumbling slightly.
"Careful," Rudra said, quickly pulling her into his lap to steady her. The suddenness of his movement caught her off guard, and she found herself sitting there, enveloped in his warmth. His hands wrapped around her waist, holding her securely.
Anaya's cheeks flushed as she realized the proximity between them, the way his breath brushed against her skin. "Rudra…" she began, but her voice trailed off, the reality of the moment overwhelming her again.
"Just a second," he murmured, a soft smile playing on his lips as he caressed her hair gently, his fingers tangling in the strands. The gesture sent shivers down her spine, stirring a mixture of comfort and excitement within her. Then, he leaned in and pressed a tender kiss to her forehead, his lips lingering just long enough to make her heart race.
In that moment, Anaya felt a rush of courage. She had to break the silence, to pull herself back from the edge of vulnerability. "Rudra…" she started again, her voice shaking slightly, "Can you… can you come and have dinner with my family tonight? It's a request."
The words tumbled out before she could fully process them, her heart pounding at the thought of introducing him to her family after everything that had just happened.
Rudra's eyes widened slightly in surprise, then softened with understanding. "Dinner with your family?" he echoed, a playful smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. "You're inviting me to meet them?"
Anaya nodded, feeling a mixture of apprehension and anticipation. "Yes, I know it might be a lot, but… I want you there. I want them to get to know you, and… I think it would mean a lot to me."
Rudra's expression shifted to one of genuine warmth. "I'd love to, Anaya," he said softly, his tone earnest. "I'll make it happen."
Anaya felt a wave of relief wash over her. Maybe this dinner would be a step toward bridging the gap between them—a way to solidify their connection beyond the confines of their contract. The thought filled her with hope, even as the butterflies danced in her stomach.
"Thank you," she replied, a shy smile creeping onto her lips as she looked into his eyes. For a moment, the world outside faded away, leaving just the two of them suspended in their shared moment of intimacy.
As she gathered her thoughts and prepared to stand up again, Rudra held her gaze, a lingering warmth in his expression. "But first," he said, tilting his head slightly, "I think you owe me another kiss before we face the world."
Anaya's heart raced at his boldness. "Another kiss?" she echoed, her cheeks flushing again.
"Yes," he said, a teasing glint in his eyes. "Just one more for good luck. It's a tradition, after all."
With her heart pounding in her chest, she found herself nodding, the nervousness mixing with excitement. As he leaned in closer, the world around them faded again, leaving just the two of them lost in the moment, each heartbeat echoing the uncharted territory they were beginning to explore together.
##To be continue...**