God. He’scute.
His breath might be my new favorite thing. I wouldn’t mind waking up like this more often—waymore often.Especially when his lips arethat closeto my skin.
And let’s talk about his body temperature. The man sleepshot.Like, radiating-enough-warmth-to-bake-a-pizza-hot.
And hesmiledat drunk Kiara last night.
“What are you thinking about this early in the morning?”His voice.That deep, husky, unfairly attractive voice—now whispering way too close to my ear.
I might not survive this.
“Good morning…” I smiled awkwardly, trying to wriggle out of his arms without making it a big deal.
“So… is it time to end the birthday hug?” he asked, sleepy and tousled—and unfairly attractive for this hour.
“Drunk Kiara gives hugs. Not me,” I muttered, bolting upright and pretending I wasn’t still melting from the warmth of him.
“Tell her I said thanks,” he murmured, gaze steady.
“We’re not on talking terms,” I grumbled, reaching for the water glass. “It’s already 8:30. Be ready. We leave at nine.”
He didn’t budge. “Kiara…”
“I’m leaving with or without you,” I snapped, and marched toward the door, ignoring every cell in my body begging me to stay.
Behind me, I heard a groan. Low. Frustrated.
Drunk Kiara – 1. Manav Oberoi – 0.
Last night was chaos. But somehow, I convinced him to take me to The Cape House today. It’s not like I believe in magical closure. But he needs this. He needs to face whatever ghosts live there.
I rubbed my temples. Ugh. Too much wine. Too much emotion. Too much Manav.
Because here’s the thing—Drunk Kiara? She’sreckless.
She touches him like he’s home. Sleeps in his arms like it’s the safest place in the world. She smiles at him like he’s light in all the wrong places.
And the worst part? He lets her.
And now, I’m the one stuck—feeling too much, thinking too much.
This needs to stop before I fall any deeper. Before we both get burned.
____________
“Good morning, sir, ma’am!” A small parade of staff rounded the car as soon as we rolled through the magnificent gates ofThe Cape House.
Holy God…
If I’d ever thought I’d seen some of the most beautiful houses in the world, I was, undeniably, laughably WRONG.
This isn’t just a house. It can’t be. Not in this universe or any other.
Somebody will have to physically drag me out of here if I ever decide to leave! Honestly, I’m pretty sure my soul has already unpacked its bags and decided this is home forever.
I turned to Manav, my eyes wide in disbelief. “Thisis The Cape House?”
He stood there, unmoving, his gaze fixed on the grand entrance of the mansion. His expression was unreadable, but the subtle tightening of his jaw betrayed something—something.He swallowed hard, his Adam’s apple bobbing, but his gaze didn’t waver.
