Page 35 of Strictly Solo
Before she could continue, Ruhaan wrapped his arms around her waist and drew her close, their bodies almost touching. “You look cute when you lie,” he said with a playful grin.
She tried hard not to blush.
“What have you decided about us?” he finally asked in desperation.
“What about us?”
His patience was already wearing thin. “Remember, I kissed your cheek last night to help you think about my proposal?”
“You mean a proposal for a fling?” Naina teased.
Ruhaan felt a slight sting at her words because that was precisely what he had offered—a fling, nothing more. But he couldn’t let her define it so simply.
Before he could respond, Naina continued, “You think a woman like me would ever want that?”
“No, you wouldn’t want that ever with anyone, Naina. I know,” Ruhaan replied quickly before pulling her further closer. “But I also know that I mean something to you, and you feel safe with me. You always have. So, now I am asking you again, what have you decided about my proposal?”
Naina still didn’t reply.
“Don’t test my patience, Naina. I’m dying here...”
“Dying here for what?” she gasped.
He leaned in, his face mere inches from hers. “Dying to kiss you... properly... unlike the last time.”
Just as the words left his lips, the garden was plunged into darkness. The lights had went off, causing a ripple of concern among the guests. They could hear voices from afar, urging someone to check the power.
Naina froze.
“I’m scared of the dark,” she confessed, her fingers clutching at Ruhaan’s sherwani instinctively.
“You should be more scared of coming this close to me in the dark, Naina,” Ruhaan teased back.
To his surprise, her fear dissipated, replaced by laughter.
“Is this your pickup line for every woman to woo her into your fling proposal?” she asked playfully and laughed again, but Ruhaan’s expression turned serious. He didn’t like the implication. He had never used such lines before with anyone else, nor had he felt such a connection.
He gently clasped her jaw. She saw the sincerity in his eyes, realizing that he meant every word he’d said. Their eyes locked fiercely.
It was hard to say who moved first; perhaps they both did, drawn together by an irresistible force. The very next second, their lips met in a passionate kiss
Ruhaan’s hands, initially resting on Naina’s waist, began to move with a mind of their own. His fingers traced the delicate curve of her waist, feeling the warmth of her skin through the thin fabric of her lehenga. One hand slowly made its way up her back, his touch feather-light yet electrifying, until it reached the nape of her neck. His fingers tangled in the soft curls at the base of her hair, gently massaging the sensitive skin as he pulled her closer, deepening the kiss.
For Naina, this was only the second proper kiss of her life, both from the same man who had claimed her heart so many years ago. She had never imagined this moment would happen again, and as Ruhaan’s lips moved against hers, she realized why no other man had ever ignited such desire in her. It wasn’t that she had been pining for Ruhaan all these years, but deep down, she understood that no one else could take his place. No one else could make her feel this alive, this burning with need.
Her hands, initially frozen at her sides, came to life. They moved up his chest, feeling the strong beat of his heart beneath her palms, before threading through his thick hair, feeling the silky strands slide through her fingertips. She pulled him closer, losing herself in the safety of his embrace. He pulled back for air, only to kiss her again.
This time her hands traveled down, skimming over his neck, her nails gently scraping his nape, eliciting a soft groan from him, causing him to pull her even closer, eliminating any remaining space between their bodies.
Ruhaan was overwhelmed by the sensation of having Naina in his arms. He had been with different women over the past seven years, but he never felt this magnetic pull, this irresistible need that Naina awakened within him. Her taste wasintoxicating and he couldn’t get enough. It was as if no time had passed since their first kiss, the connection between them still as powerful and undeniable as ever.
He cupped her face with one hand, his thumb brushing against her cheek as he deepened the kiss. It was in that moment he knew that she was the one he had been searching for, even when he didn’t realize it.
Unable to get enough, Ruhaan reluctantly broke the kiss, needing to see Naina’s face. In the soft moonlight, her cheeks were flushed, her eyes hazy with desire. The sight of her, lips slightly swollen from their passionate exchange, hair tousled by his exploring hands, took his breath away.
“You’re beautiful,” he whispered, unable to keep the words from spilling out.
Before she could respond, Ruhaan leaned in again, capturing her lips with a renewed sense of urgency. This time, the kiss was even more sensual, his tongue gently parting her lips to explore the warmth of her mouth. Naina responded in kind, her body pressing closer to his, savoring the intimacy of their connection. Her hands once again roamed his back, as she marveled at how perfectly they fit together, how natural it felt to be in his arms after all this time.
