Page 174 of One Hellish Wedlock
She passed him the mug again, their fingers brushing briefly as he took it. They talked in low voices, sipping from the same cup, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.Romantic.When the last drop was gone, Aanya leaned forward to set the mug on the table. As she pulled back, Reyansh’s gaze dropped to her lips, where a small dot of coffee clung at the corner.
He didn’t speak. Instead, he reached out with quiet tenderness and wiped the drop away with his thumb.
The pad of his finger brushed softly against her mouth, lingering, stroking the curve of her lower lip in a way that sent a slow, powerful ripple in her stomach.
Her eyes flicked up to meet his. And just like that, the memory of last night was back—his mouth on hers, their bodies pressed together, the ache in her chest that still hadn’t left.
Aanya didn’t realize when it happened, but suddenly, they were kissing her again. Deep. Slow. Hungry. Aanya gasped softly against his lips, and he took it as invitation. His tongue grazed hers. He devoured her, and she let him, giving as much as she took, her fingers tugging slightly at his hair, needing him closer.
They could have kept kissing like that, if not for the suddenthudof something falling in Shikha’s room.
They broke apart, both breathless.
“Shikha can be really messy with her stuff,” Aanya muttered, meeting Reyansh’s eyes, which still burned with longing.
“We’re getting late. Let’s go,” he said, then slipped his arm around her waist, and guided her toward the door.
CHAPTER 30
Negi House
“Reyansh?” Radhika jumped off the couch the moment her brother stepped inside with Aanya. She rushed into his arms, and he welcomed her with the same warmth.
“How are you doing, Di?” he asked softly.
“I’m good… but when did you arrive? And why didn’t anyone tell us?”
Before he could answer, Nani emerged from her room, visibly surprised. Her brows furrowed at the unexpected sight of Reyansh in California.
“Aanya… did you know about this?” Radhika asked, turning sharply.
“No, Di. He didn’t tell me either,” Aanya replied honestly.
“Rey!” Rishi called out from the kitchen, where he was busy making Nani’s daily dose of authentic masala chai.
“Jeeju,” Reyansh smiled, hugging him tightly as Rishi clapped him on the back.
“This is a wonderful surprise,” Rishi muttered. “We’ve all missed you. Why didn’t you come with Nani?”
“I wish I could have come with her,” Reyansh replied.
Aanya stood quietly, watching as everyone welcomed her husband with genuine affection. This family adored him. He shared an easy, natural bond with all of them.
“If you didn’t tell anyone about your visit, how did you end up arriving with Aanya?” Nani asked, curiously.
Reyansh and Aanya exchanged a look.
“I met her last night,” he said calmly. “So we decided to come here together this morning.”
The Negi couple nodded in quiet understanding, but Nani clearly struggled to process the idea that he had chosen to meet his wife before visiting the rest of the family.
“Nani,” Radhika intervened gently. “They’re missing each other since six months. Of course, Reyansh wanted to see Aanya first.”
Reyansh offered his sister a small, grateful smile.
A sudden cry echoed from the other room.
“Someone just realized her uncle is here,” Radhika grinned. “Come, Reyansh. Meet your niece.”
