Page 232 of One Hellish Wedlock
“No,” he said, catching her wrist and pressing a kiss to her palm. “Because you knowingly walked into danger even after I warned you.”
She looked away before he pulled her chin and made her look at him again.
“Aanya, I know you’re not the same woman you once were. You’ve grown stronger, braver and I admire that more than Ican say. But strength doesn’t mean you stop needing protection. You may trust your instincts. But I trust my fear more, especially when it comes to you.”
She pouted again, lips trembling.
“Ever since you told me what Vicky did to you,” he added, voice raw, “my fear has doubled. I don’t want you to ever be near him again. I don’t want his eyes landing on you. I don’t want you in his orbit.”
Tears burned her throat.
“You didn’t riskAanya Malhotra,” he continued. “You riskedmywife,Aanya Chopra. And for the first time, I wasn’t just hurt, I was terrified. I could still live without you all these days, because deep down, I believed we’d reunite soon. But this? This felt like I could lose you.Reallylose you. And I couldn’t breathe through that fear.”
His words shattered her. She threw her arms around him and hugged him tight, desperate to ease his fear, to reassure him she was right here, alive and his.
“Promise me you won’t do this again,” he whispered, his breath warming her ear.
“I promise,” she murmured, nuzzling back into his chest.
His arms tightened around her instinctively, pulling her even closer as if to confirm she was truly there…safe, warm,his. Then, slowly, he tilted his head and pressed a lingering kiss to the top of her head.
They lay there for a while longer, soaking in each other’s presence until she finally squirmed breaking the quiet.
“I’m hungry,” she said.
Reyansh chuckled at her expression and slid out of bed to get dressed.
“Are we going out to eat?” she asked, watching him.
“We’re not stepping out tonight. Text Shikha you are not coming home. I’ll inform Di,” he said over his shoulder.
She didn’t argue. A cozy night with her husband was exactly what she needed.
“Then what about food?” she asked. “Should I order pasta? I know a place nearby that has amazing alfredo pasta.”
“Go ahead,” he replied, pulling open a cabinet. “While I whip up some salad for us.”
Aanya blinked. “You’re making salad? Since when do you cook?”
Reyansh leaned over her again, pinning her down with that smug smirk of his.
“Since my wife left me alone for ten days.”
She grinned and kissed his jaw. “Don’t forget to add some extra veggies. I’m starving.”
“Yes, Ma’am,” he muttered with a wink before disappearing into the kitchen.
CHAPTER 39
When Aanya stepped into the kitchen, she saw Reyansh hunched over the chopping board, slicing vegetables with practiced ease. So, he did know how to chop. Maybe distance really did force husbands to learn how to cook. She smirked, watching the way he concentrated on the knife like it was a deal waiting to close.
“Never seen a man cook before?” he asked, breaking her stare.
She approached and nodded. “Never.”
“Then admit it that I’m better than most husbands already,” he replied smugly.
Aanya wrapped her arms around him from behind, resting her cheek against his shoulder as she peeked at his knife skills.
