The cabin door handle turned.

The soft metallic click sliced through the charged silence.

Anu’s eyes widened.

Arya was still hovering over her, their faces barely an inch apart, the warmth of the almost-kiss still lingering between their breaths.

“koi aa raha hai—” she whispered nervously.

Arya didn’t move.

His gaze was still locked on her lips.

“ane do,” he murmured lazily.

The door opened.

And in walked Jhende.

He took exactly two steps inside the cabin before freezing mid-stride.

The sight in front of him was… spectacular.

Anu half lying on the couch.

Arya leaning over her.

Their faces dangerously close.

The plate of half-eaten food abandoned on the table.

For three long seconds…

no one spoke.

Then Jhende slowly turned his head away and covered his eyes dramatically.

“Arre bhai!” he groaned loudly.

“Office hai…Tumhara room nahi”

Anu gasped and instantly pushed Arya away, sitting upright in panic.

“Jhende sir!”

Her face was now a shade of red that matched her saree perfectly.

Arya straightened slowly, completely unbothered.

He adjusted his cufflinks calmly as if nothing unusual had happened.

“Knock karna nahi aata tumhe?” he said coolly.

Jhende peeked through his fingers.

“Knock kiya tha! Door khula tha… mujhe kya pata tha andar romantic disaster chal raha hoga!”

Anu buried her face in her hands.

“Hey bhagwan…”

Jhende now fully removed his hands from his eyes and grinned mischievously.

“Waise Arya… impressive speed.”

Arya’s expression turned dangerously calm.

“Jhende.”

“Hmm?”

“Zinda rehna hai na tumhe?”

Jhende raised both hands defensively.

“Arey bhai mazaak kar raha hoon!”

Then his eyes flicked toward Anu, who was still trying to recover from the embarrassment.

He leaned closer to Arya and whispered loudly enough for her to hear—

“Waise Miss.Anu… congratulations.”

Anu blinked in confusion.

“Kis baat ki?”

Jhende smirked.

“Office history mein pehli baar kisi ki vajah  Aryavardhan ne kaam chhod ke kisi aur cheez pe itni shiddat se focus kiya hai”

Arya pinched the bridge of his nose.

“Tum yaha kaam se aaye ho ya commentary karne?”

“Kaam se,” Jhende said quickly.

Then he casually dropped the bomb.

“Board members aaye hue hain.”

Arya’s head snapped up.

“Abhi?”

Jhende nodded.

“Conference room mein baithe hain. Aur… Meera unko already bata chuki hai ki aap ‘busy’ hain.”

Arya’s eyes darkened slightly.

Anu looked between them nervously.

“Sir… aapko jaana chahiye.”

For a moment Arya didn’t move.

His gaze shifted from Jhende… back to Anu.

Then slowly he leaned closer to her again.

Anu’s heart skipped.

“Baaki baat…” he murmured quietly.

“Office ke baad.”

Her cheeks flushed instantly.

Jhende clapped his hands loudly.

“ohh bhai sahab, meeting ke baad waqt milega. Kaam ko bhi attention de do thodi, bechara left out feel kar Raha hai”

Arya shot him a lethal glare.

“Chup.”

Then he straightened and walked toward the door.

But before leaving—

he paused beside Anu.

His voice softened again.

“Medicine le lena.”

Anu nodded quietly.

Arya looked at Jhende.

“Tum yahin rukho.”

Jhende blinked.

“Main?”

Arya’s tone was final.

“Uska khayal rakhna.”

And with that—

Aryavardhan walked out of the cabin toward the boardroom.

Jhende watched the door close.

Then slowly turned toward Anu.

For a moment he studied her… then burst into laughter.

“Miss.Anu…”

She looked up nervously.

“Ji?”

Jhende leaned against the table dramatically.

“Sach batao.”

Anu frowned.

“Kya?”

Jhende grinned.

“Aapne Arya ko phasaya hai… ya Arya ne aapko?”

Anu stared at him.

Then suddenly she laughed too.

And outside the cabin—

unknown to both of them—

Meera was standing near the corridor.

Watching everything.

Her expression unreadable.

Because the game she had started…

was about to get far more dangerous.

The cabin fell quiet the moment Aryavardhan walked out.

Not the ordinary office quiet.

A different one.

The kind that still carried the warmth of someone’s presence.

Anu sat on the couch for a few seconds, staring at the door through which he had just disappeared. The faint echo of his footsteps had already faded into the corridor outside.

But somehow…

he still felt close.

Very close.

Jhende stretched lazily beside the table, watching her expression with amusement.

“Miss.Anu,” he said dramatically, “agar aap aise hi door ko dekhte rahi na, toh bechara door bhi sharma jayega.”

Anu snapped out of her thoughts instantly.

“Nahi! Main… main bas…”

Jhende chuckled.“Haan haan, samajh gaya.”

He walked toward the door.

“Waise medicine le lena. Arya ne mujhe strict instructions diye hain.”

Then he added mischievously—

“Boss ke orders hain.”

Anu rolled her eyes.

“Aap dono bhi na…”

Jhende laughed and stepped out of the cabin.

“Main thodi der mein aata hoon. Aap rest karo.”

The door closed again.

This time the silence was deeper.

Anu leaned back slowly against the couch.

Her eyes wandered around the cabin.

The tall glass windows.

The polished desk.

The leather chair still held Arya’s authority even when he wasn’t there.

Everything about the room felt… him.

Her gaze shifted to the table.

The plate he had brought for her.

The roti slightly torn where he had fed her.

The spoon resting in the dal.

A strange warmth spread in her chest.

She picked up a glass of water beside it.

But just as she lifted it—

something caught her eye.

Arya’s coat was lying on the back of his chair.

She hesitated for a moment.

Then slowly stood up.

The payal on her ankle chimed softly as she walked toward the chair.

Her fingers brushed the fabric lightly.

Expensive.

But warm.

Still carrying the faint scent of his perfume.

Before she realized what she was doing…

she lifted the coat slightly and wrapped it around her shoulders.

The fabric felt heavy.

Protective.

Almost like his arms.

Anu closed her eyes for a second.

Her lips curved into a shy smile.

Just then—

the cabin door opened again.

Anu turned instantly.

And froze.

Because this time…

it wasn’t Jhende.

It was Meera.

And her eyes were fixed on Arya’s coat around Anu’s shoulders.

The cabin door closed softly behind Meera.

The silence that followed felt heavier than before.

Anu stood near Arya’s chair, his coat still draped around her shoulders. The faint scent of his perfume lingered in the fabric, warm and reassuring.

But the moment Meera’s eyes fell on it—

that warmth turned into tension.

Meera’s lips curled into a thin smile.

She looked at the coat… then slowly at Anu.

“Manana padega…” she said, her tone dripping with sarcasm, “ab sir ke coat tak pahunch gayi tum?”

Anu’s brows furrowed slightly.

There was confusion in her eyes, but also quiet restraint.

Meera took a few slow steps inside the cabin, her heels clicking sharply against the floor.

“Ye kya tamasha laga rakha hai tumne office mein?”

Anu straightened.

Her fingers lightly gripped the edge of the coat around her shoulders.

“Mujhe nahi pata aap kis baare mein baat kar rahi hain.”

Meera laughed softly.

A cold laugh.

“Anu… ye jo innocence ka drama hai na…” she said, stopping right in front of her, “ye Sir ke aage karna. Mere saamne nahi chalega.”

Her eyes hardened.

“Tum bohot achhe se jaanti ho ki main kis baare mein baat kar rahi hoon.”

Anu inhaled slowly.

Her voice remained calm.

“Aap jis baare mein baat kar rahi hain… vo mera aur mere Arya sir ka personal matter hai.”

She looked straight into Meera’s eyes.

“Aapko isme padne ki zarurat nahi hai.”

For a moment—

Meera’s expression froze.

Then she repeated slowly,

“Tumhare Arya sir?”

Her smile widened, but there was venom behind it.

“Arya sir tumhare kab se ho gaye?”

She began circling around Anu slowly, like a predator studying its prey.

“Anu… ye jo Arya sir tumhare yun ird-gird ghoom rahe hain… tumhare liye yun care dikha rahe hain…”

She stopped just behind her.

“In sab ka matlab pyaar mat samajhna.”

Anu’s jaw tightened.

Meera leaned slightly closer, her voice dropping into a poisonous whisper.

“Ye sab Arya sir isliye kar rahe hain… kyunki unhe umeed hai ki badle mein tum unhe kuch dogi.”

The words hit like a slap.

Anu turned instantly.

Her eyes flashed.

“Bas kijiye Meera ma’am.”

Her voice was still respectful—

but firm.

“Main kuch bol nahi rahi hoon iska matlab ye nahi ki aap kuch bhi bolti jayengi.”

She stepped closer.

“Apni nafrat mein itna mat giriyega ki aap sahi aur galat ke beech ka farq hi bhool jaayein.”

For a brief second—

the air between them crackled.

Meera tilted her head slowly.

Then she smiled again.

A dangerous smile.

“Gussa aa raha hai?”

She folded her arms.

“Aana chahiye. Main tumhari jagah hoti toh mujhe bhi gussa aata.”

She leaned closer.

“Gussa aata iss realization ke baad… ki Arya sir mera use kar rahe hain.”

Before Anu could reply—

a thunderous voice roared from the doorway.

“MEERA MADAM!!”

Both women turned sharply.

Jhende stood at the door.

His usually playful face was gone.

His expression was dark.

Furious.

His eyes were fixed on Meera.

And anyone who knew Jhende well knew one thing—

he could tolerate many things.

But not a single word against Aryavardhan.

The cabin suddenly felt colder.

Even Meera took a step back involuntarily.

Jhende walked inside slowly.

Very slowly.

Each step carrying controlled anger.

He stopped between them.

His gaze never leaving Meera.

“Aapko shayad yaad dilana padega…” he said quietly, but his voice carried steel.

“Yeh Aryavardhan ka office hai.”

A pause.

“Aur Aryavardhan ke baare mein bakwaas karne ki ijazat… yahan kisi ko nahi hai.”

The warning hung heavily in the air.

Anu stood silently behind him.

Her heart was still racing from the confrontation.

But somewhere deep inside—

she knew one thing.

If Arya had seen this scene himself…

the storm that followed—

would have been far more dangerous.

“Himmat kaise hui aapki mere dost Arya ke character pe ungli uthane ki?”

His voice was low, but the fury in it was unmistakable.

Meera swallowed.

For the first time since she had entered the cabin, her confidence faltered.

“Jhende… main toh bas—”

“Bas?” Jhende cut her off instantly.

He stepped closer.

Not aggressively… but with a quiet dominance that made the room feel smaller.

“Mujhe iss baat ka explanation dene ki zarurat nahi hai ki aap kitna gir chuki hain.”

His eyes hardened.

“Aap aurat hain isiliye izzat se baat kar raha hoon. Varna agar aapki jagah yahan koi aadmi khada hota…”

He paused.

The silence stretched for a second.

“…toh ab tak uski sirf ginti ki saansein bachi hoti.”

Meera’s face flushed with anger and humiliation.

Anu stood behind Jhende, stunned by the intensity of the moment.

She had never seen Jhende like this.

Usually he was relaxed, teasing, always joking around with Arya.

But right now—

he looked like a man guarding a fortress.

Meera straightened her shoulders, trying to regain control.

“Aap overreact kar rahe hain, Jhende.”

Jhende laughed.

A cold laugh.

“Main overreact nahi kar raha. Main sirf yaad dila raha hoon ki aap kis hadd tak ja chuki hain.”

His gaze flicked toward Anu for a moment.

Then back to Meera.

“Aur ek baat aur clear kar deta hoon.”

His voice dropped lower.

“Anu ke baare mein ya Arya ke baare mein agar maine dobara aapse is tarah ki baat suni na…”

He leaned slightly closer.

“Toh phir mujhe Arya ko batana padega ki unki Vice President office politics mein kitni busy hain.”

That landed exactly where it was meant to.

Meera’s eyes flickered.

For a brief second, the tension between them was almost visible.

Then—

the cabin door opened again.

And this time—

a calm, deep voice spoke from behind them.

“Mujhe kya batana padega, Jhende?”

All three turned.

Aryavardhan stood at the doorway.

His expression unreadable.

But his sharp gaze had already moved from Jhende…

to Meera…

and finally—

to Anu standing there, still wrapped in his coat.

And suddenly—

the air in the cabin felt ten times heavier.

Aryavardhan stepped fully into the cabin.

The door closed softly behind him.

For a moment, no one spoke.

His sharp gaze first rested on Jhende… then briefly on Meera.

But the moment his eyes reached Anu—

everything else in the room seemed to fade.

She was standing near his chair.

His coat wrapped around her shoulders, slightly oversized for her delicate frame. The sleeves covered half her hands, and the fabric almost brushed her knees.

The red silk of her saree peeked from beneath it.

Her hair still slightly messy from sleep.

Payal chiming softly when she shifted her weight.

Arya’s expression softened instantly.

A faint smile appeared on his lips.

Slowly… deliberately… his eyes travelled from her feet—

the silver anklets,

up to the red silk draped around her,

the coat wrapped protectively around her shoulders,

and finally…

her shy, lowered face.

For a second the tension in the cabin melted into something warmer.

Anu noticed his gaze and instinctively looked down.

Her fingers moved nervously to remove the coat.

But before she could slip it off—

Arya reached forward and gently caught her wrist.

“Pehene rakho.”

His voice was calm… but intimate.

He stepped a little closer.

Close enough that only she could hear the next words.

“Cute lag rahi ho.”

Anu’s breath caught.

Her cheeks instantly turned crimson.

She lowered her gaze even more, her fingers nervously clutching the edge of the coat.

Behind them—

Jhende quietly looked away with a knowing smirk.

And Meera…

stood frozen.

Watching the entire moment unfold.

The softness in Arya’s eyes.

The ease with which Anu blushed.

The way his coat rested on her like it belonged there.

Something dark flickered across Meera’s face.

Because that small moment had just confirmed something she had been trying to deny.

This wasn’t office gossip.

This wasn’t temporary attraction.

Aryavardhan—

the man who kept his emotions locked behind walls—

was looking at Anu like she was HIS WORLD.

And that realization made the jealousy burning inside Meera even more dangerous.

Jhende’s eyes shifted toward Meera.

The moment Arya stepped inside, he had noticed the tension in the room. And Jhende knew Meera well enough to understand that she had crossed a line.

His jaw tightened.

For a brief second he glanced at Arya and Anu.

Both of them were standing close.

Arya’s hand still lightly holding Anu’s wrist.

Anu wrapped in his coat.

Lost in each other’s eyes.

The moment was quiet.

Soft.

Too soft for the poison that had just filled the room minutes ago.

Jhende’s gaze hardened again.

He turned toward Meera.

Without saying another word, he grabbed her wrist firmly and started dragging her toward the door.

“Chaliye,” he muttered coldly.

Meera stumbled slightly, shocked by the sudden force.

But before they could reach the door—

Arya’s voice stopped everything.

“Meera.”

The single word froze the air.

Jhende halted.

Meera slowly turned.

Even Anu looked up at Arya, surprised by the sudden shift in his tone.

Arya’s expression was no longer soft.

The warmth that had been in his eyes a moment ago was gone.

Replaced by something far colder.

Far more dangerous.

He stepped forward slowly.

His gaze fixed directly on Meera.

“Ye tumhari last warning hai.”

The words landed like thunder.

Everyone in the cabin went still.

Even Anu.

Arya’s eyes didn’t leave Meera’s face.

His voice dropped lower.

Controlled.

Deadly calm.

“Shukr manao tumne mere baare mein bola hai… isiliye bach gayi.”

A pause.

The silence stretched painfully.

Then his next words came sharper.

“Agar ek shabd bhi meri Anu ke khilaaf nikalta na…”

For the first time—

Arya placed a protective hand lightly on Anu’s shoulder.

The gesture was subtle.

But powerful.

“Toh tum Vardhan Group ki history se aise gayab ho jaati…”

His eyes narrowed.

“Jaise kabhi Meera naam ki koi employee thi hi nahi.”

The threat wasn’t loud.

But it carried absolute authority.

Meera’s face drained of color.

Because everyone in that room knew something very clearly—

ARYAVARDHAN NEVER MADE EMPTY THREATS.

Jhende slowly released her wrist.

For once even he had nothing to add.

The room was silent.

Heavy.

And standing beside Arya—

Anu realized something she had never fully understood before.

Aryavardhan’s love might be quiet sometimes.

But his protection?

It was RUTHLESS.

____

The cabin door shut behind Jhende and Meera with a muted thud.

Silence followed.

Not calm.

Not peaceful.

But thick… charged… alive.

Arya didn’t move for a moment.

His gaze remained fixed on the door—until slowly, deliberately, it shifted back to Anu.

She was still standing there.

Wrapped in his coat.

Breathing unevenly.

Avoiding his eyes.

That was enough.

He took a step forward.

“Tumhe mera boss kya keh diya…” his voice dropped, slow and dangerous,“meri cheezon pe haq jatane lagi?”

Anu’s head snapped up.

There was a flicker of something in her eyes—hurt, defiance… and something deeper.

She turned her face away.

“Mera nahi toh kiska haq hai?” she said quietly, but firmly.

A pause.

Then—

“Meera ma’am ka?”

The name had barely left her lips—

when Arya moved.

Fast.

His hand caught her wrist.

Before she could react—

he twisted it behind her back.

Not enough to hurt—

but enough to stop her breath.

“Kya kaha tumne?”

His voice was no longer calm.

It burned.

Anu gasped softly.

“Kya kar rahe aap—”

His grip tightened just a fraction.

“Mera naam kisi aur ke saath jodne ki saza de raha hoon tumhe.”

Her breath hitched.

In one sharp motion—

he turned her toward him.

Pulled her close.

Too close.

Their breaths collided.

His eyes locked into hers—

dark, intense, unapologetically possessive.

“Mera naam…” he said slowly, each word deliberate,

“agar kisi ke saath judega…”

He pulled her a little closer.

Her heartbeat stumbled.

“…toh vo hai Anu.”

Another pull.

Her hands instinctively clutched his shirt.

“Mrs…”

Closer.

Their foreheads almost touching now.

Her lashes trembled.

“Anu…”

And then—

so close that her breath brushed against his lips—

he finished, his voice barely a whisper—

“Aryavardhan.”

The name lingered between them.

Heavy.

Claiming.

Final.

For a second—

neither moved.

Then—

his hand slid from her wrist to her jaw.

Holding her gently now.

As if the storm had suddenly softened—

but the intensity hadn’t faded.

At all.

His gaze dropped to her lips.

Then back to her eyes.

As if asking—

but already knowing.

And then—

he closed the distance.

Not rushed.

Not forceful.

But deliberate.

His lips brushed hers—

and stayed.

A moment longer than a peck.

Long enough for her breath to disappear.

Long enough for her fingers to tighten against him.

Long enough to blur the line between hesitation… and surrender.

When he finally pulled back—

barely an inch—

his voice came out low.

Almost a murmur against her lips.

“Ab samajh aaya…?”

Anu didn’t answer.

She couldn’t.

Because her silence had already said everything.

And Arya—

was nowhere near done.

Arya walked back to his chair and sat down, the leather creaking softly beneath him.

But the storm inside him hadn’t settled.

His jaw remained tight.

His expression—cold, distant.

He pulled out a file from the drawer and opened it, his eyes scanning the pages with forced focus.

Anu watched him.

The shift in him… it didn’t go unnoticed.

“Arya sir?” she called softly.

No response.

Just the faint rustle of paper.

Arya turned a page, deliberately ignoring her.

Anu’s lips curved slightly.

Oh.

So that’s what this was.

She took a step closer.

“Arya…”

This time—

his eyes flickered up.

For a split second.

Then immediately dropped back to the file.

Anu’s smile deepened.

She walked right up to him.

“Arya…” she said again, softer… sweeter.

He felt it.

That tone.

That pull.

But still—

he kept his face stiff.

Unmoved.

Or at least… pretending to be.

Anu frowned slightly.

“Achha…” she huffed under her breath.

Before he could react—

she reached forward and snatched the file from his hands, placing it aside.

“Ye kya—”

His words were cut off.

Because her finger came up—

resting lightly against his lips.

“Shhh…”

The simple touch sent a sharp current through him.

Her other hand settled on the arm of his chair—

leaning in.

Close.

Too close.

“Dekhiye… Pati dev…”

Arya’s eyebrows shot up.

PATI DEV?

The corner of his lips twitched.

But before he could respond—

her fingertip began to move.

Slowly.

Tracing along the sharp line of his jaw…

down toward his chin…

back up near his cheek.

“Ab aap hi ne toh kaha tha…” she murmured, her voice dipped in teasing warmth,“Mrs. Anu Aryavardhan…”

Her eyes locked into his.

“Toh… hue na aap mere pati?”

Something in Arya’s expression shifted.

The anger.

Still there.

But now…

mixed with something far more dangerous.

“Accha?” he said quietly.

And in the next second—

his hand shot out.

Grabbing her wrist.

Pulling her forward.

Straight into his lap.

Anu gasped softly, her hands instinctively landing on his shoulders to steady herself.

Their faces inches apart again.

His grip firm at her waist now.

“Toh meri iss biwi ka… kya iraada hai?” he asked, voice low, edged with heat.

Anu didn’t pull away.

Didn’t even try.

Instead—

her fingers slid slowly over his chest.

Feeling the steady, powerful rhythm beneath.

Her gaze dropped for a second…then lifted back to his.

“Anu ke iraade… nek toh nahi hain…” she whispered.

Her touch lingered.

Intentional.

"Mere pati ko leke... zara meri niyat kharaab hai."

Arya inhaled sharply.

His hold on her tightened.

Just slightly.

His eyes darkened.

"Begum sahiba..." he murmured, his voice dipping lower, rougher now,

"jo maza aapki kharaab niyat mein hai..."

He leaned closer.

Their breaths tangled again.

"...vo mamuli se romance mein kahan."

The words didn't just hang in the air-

they burned.

And the distance between them...

was disappearing again.

The air between them snapped.

Arya didn't wait anymore.

He closed the distance.

Their lips met-

soft at first.

Testing.

A breath-

Then deeper.

Anu froze for a fraction of a second-

before melting.

A quiet, shaky exhale escaped her.

"Mm..."

His hand tightened at her waist, pulling her closer-eliminating even the smallest gap between them.

Her fingers curled into his shirt.

"Ah..."

His lips moved against hers again-

slower this time.

Lingering.

As if memorizing.

As if claiming.

Her breath broke against his mouth-

uneven...

warm...

uncontrolled.

"Mmh..."

Arya tilted his head slightly, deepening the moment-

not rushed...

just intense.

Heavy.

Their breaths tangled.

Clashed.

Merged.

Her grip tightened.

His hold steadied her.

Time blurred.

Sound faded.

All that remained-

was the quiet rhythm of breaths...

soft broken murmurs...

and the heat that refused to settle.

When he finally paused-

Their foreheads rested together-

breaths uneven...

still tangled.

Arya didn't move away.

Didn't want to.

His thumb brushed slowly along her waist, feeling the warmth of her through the fabric, pulling her just a little closer again-

as if even now...

it wasn't enough.

Anu's fingers were still curled into his shirt, her lashes lowered, lips slightly parted-

still trembling from what had just passed between them.

"Hmm..." a soft sound escaped her again.

That was it.

That sound.

Something inside him snapped again.

He leaned in-

his lips brushing dangerously close to hers once more-

his breath hot against her skin.

"Anu..." his voice dropped, rough... almost lost.

Her grip tightened.

She didn't pull away.

Didn't stop him.

Instead-

she leaned in too.

Closing the distance.

Just a fraction more-

And then-

Arya froze.

Completely.

His expression shifted in an instant.

Like a sharp wave crashing through heat.

His hands stilled on her waist.

His breath steadied-

forced.

Reality hit.

Hard.

His eyes dropped for a second...

then closed briefly.

A quiet exhale left him.

"Damn..." he muttered under his breath.

Anu blinked, confused, still caught in the haze.

"Sir...?" she whispered softly.

That one word-

pulled him back fully.

Arya opened his eyes.

The fire was still there-

but now...

layered with something deeper.

Something steadier.

He leaned back slightly-

creating space between them.

Not much.

But enough.

His hand moved-

not gripping anymore-

just resting gently at her side.

"Periods..." he said quietly, almost to himself.

Then looked at her.

Really looked this time.

The slight tiredness beneath her eyes.

The way her body had unconsciously leaned into him earlier for comfort.

The faint tension still in her posture.

And just like that-

the heat inside him didn't disappear.

It changed.

Softened.

Focused.

His fingers moved up-

tucking a loose strand behind her ear again.

But this time-

slower.

Gentler.

"Pagal ho tum..." he murmured.

Anu frowned slightly, still flushed, still breathless.

"Abhi... aap hi toh-"

"I know..." he cut in softly.

No arrogance.

No teasing.

Just quiet acceptance.

His thumb brushed lightly across her cheek.

"I'm sorry" he whispered, voice low but steady,

"mujhe thoda dhyaan rakhna chahiye tha."

Anu looked at him-

really looked.

And what she saw made her heart skip differently this time.

Not just desire.

Care.

Possessive.

Protective.

He shifted slightly, adjusting her more comfortably on his lap, his arm moving around her-not pulling, not demanding-

just holding.

Supporting.

"Dard ho raha hai?" he asked quietly.

She hesitated.

Then nodded faintly.

Arya's jaw tightened.

Not in anger.

In restraint.

His hand moved down gently, pressing the heating pouch slightly better against her.

"Seedha baitho..." he murmured, guiding her posture carefully.

The same man-

who moments ago couldn't hold himself back-

was now adjusting her like something fragile.

Precious.

He leaned forward slightly-

his forehead brushing against hers again.

But this time-

no rush.

No fire overtaking.

Just warmth.

"Romance bhaag nahi raha..." he whispered, a faint smirk touching his lips,

"par tumhari tabiyat important hai."

Anu's lips curved softly.

Her fingers tightened slightly on his shirt again.

"Arya..." she said quietly this time.

No "sir".

No hesitation.

Just his name.

And that-

that did something far more dangerous to him than anything before.

His eyes darkened again.

But he didn't move closer.

Didn't close the distance.

Instead-

he pressed a slow, controlled kiss to her forehead.

Lingering.

Steady.

Claiming-

without consuming.

"Good girl..." he murmured softly.

And somehow-

that felt even more intense than everything that came before.

PRECAP: The Ice-cream Conspiracy