Page 94 of Heal my Heart
A giggle erupts from my mouth and soon turns into full-blown laughter. "I think it's hilarious."
"Oh yeah? You find it hilarious?" He asks, and before I can blink, he pins me down on the bed. His body hovers over mine, eyes gleaming with playful challenge.
"Let me show you—wait—" I gasp, laughing, and push him back. He falls onto the bed beside me, his expression caught between surprise and amusement.
"That would make a good scene for my next book!" I say, jumping off the bed and rushing to grab my diary. My brain is already racing with ideas.
"Are you kidding me?" He groans from behind me. Amusement lacing his voice.
“Just a moment!" I call over my shoulder, scribbling furiously. I can practically feel his eyes on me, equal parts amused and exasperated.
"You just killed the mood, you know that?" He mutters when I finally look back.
I giggle and hop back onto the bed beside him. "You know, you're going to owe me big time for being your muse," he beams, grinning.
I lean in and peck his lips lightly. Rudra responds instantly, deepening the kiss. His lips are warm, insistent, and full of tender urgency. It’s not rushed. It’s like he’s pouring every unspoken feeling into that moment. I melt into him, letting him cradle my face, our bodies aligning in a quiet rhythm.
"I love you," I breathe out against his lips.
He kisses the tip of my nose. Then my eyes. My cheeks. His beard tickles my face.
"Stop it," I giggle, squirming. "You're tickling me."
He laughs and pulls me into his chest, his arms wrapping around me protectively. There’s silence for a moment, the kind that feels safe and soft.
"If you were a number, what number would you be?" I ask, voice muffled against his shirt.
He groans into my hair. "Please don't tell me you have an answer for that."
I swat his chest, laughing. "Shut up! I just feel like everyone relates to a number. Like... a number that represents who we are—our values, our strength."
He hums, thinking. Or pretending to. "I don't know about me, but you would definitely be a ten. Because you're a ten."
I grin, rolling my eyes at his flirty tone. A smile lingers on my face as I tell him. "And you would be the ‘one'. Because you're the one."
Rudraksh’s eyes widen slightly, and I swear he flushes just a little. He tries to hide it, but I see it—the faint pink dusting his cheeks, neck, and ear tips.
"Oh, shut up," he grumbles and looks away, trying to hide himself. "That was disgustingly cheesy, you know that?"
"What can we do? You started it." I nudge him.
He sits up slightly, a mischievous glint in his eye. "Oh, I’ve got another one. Go and grab your damn diary. Add this one in too."
I raise a brow, already laughing. "Oh no. What now?"
He leans in, pretending to peer into my imaginary notebook. "If I were to pick a number for you, it would be infinity. Because that's how long I want to be with you."
I blink, caught off guard. My heart actually skips. "That’s... actually really good, Rudra."
"Just don’t forget to give me credit when your book becomes a bestseller." We both burst out laughing. God, I love this. I love him. This little us.
"I mean it, though," he says, quieter this time. "Every word I said just now."
"Okay, fine. I’ll give you the credit," I tease, swatting his arm again.
"No, Shivani," he says, more seriously now. He takes my hand, his thumb brushing over my knuckles. "I mean that I do want to be with you. Forever."
My chest tightens, my throat a little too thick to speak for a second.
