I smiled and placed my hand on his chest, tracing lines on his torso as his muscles stood out even more.
“You’re beautiful,” I whispered.
He leaned down and kissed my jaw, and I laughed softly.
I tried again to disrupt his balance, shaking his forearm, pushing at his chest, even looping my arms around his neck. But he didn’t budge.
“Four hundred and ninety-eight,” he murmured, kissing my nose.
“Four hundred ninety-nine,” he said, brushing his lips over my cheek.
And I… I could just laugh quietly.
“Five hundred.”
He finally lowered himself onto me and gently pinned my hands above my head. I felt the rough warmth of his palms around my wrists, and his chest pressed against mine. He groaned softly against my neck, sending a shiver down my spine.
He felt heavier, too heavy.
I gulped and closed my eyes in silence.
“For you, I did push-ups wearing this ghaghra and this suffocating blouse,” he whispered.“Now you know I’m not a baby.”
His warm breath brushed against my ear.
I pressed my lips together, teasing him just a little longer.
“In my opinion, kids can do as many push-ups,” I said lightly.“It’s all about strength, and with the right diet and effort, anyone can build that. But you’re still a baby.”
He lifted his face, frowning.
“My little baby,”I added mischievously.“You irritate me sometimes, just like Princess Rudraja irritates Nandani.”
He shook his head with a faint chuckle and finally moved off me.
“Vivaah ho jaane do, phir bataate hain baccha kaun hai aur bheegi billi kaun,”“Let the marriage happen, then we’ll see who’s the baby and who’s a scared kitten.”he said in a challenging tone.
I inhaled deeply, resting my cheek against his chest.
“Ab aisa karenge aap? Apni ke saath—apni Suman ke saath?!”“You’re really going to be like this? With your wife—with your Suman?!” I murmured dramatically.
He looked down at me and laughed.
“Oh my God, you’re such an actor,” he said mid-laugh.“I thought you were simple and innocent, turns out you’re playing my game,”
I lifted my face proudly.“Hm. It was my plan all along to bring you under my control.”
He widened his eyes childishly.“I’m scared.”
I laughed, and suddenly he kissed my forehead.
“You look the most beautiful when you laugh,” he whispered.
I hid my face in his chest, feeling his fingers trace gentle patterns along my bare back.
“Good night, Kunwar-sa,” I whispered.
“Agastya,” he corrected, taking a deep breath.
