I clenched my fists in my skirt while he tugged unhurriedly and undid the knot. A rush of air brushed my skin, bringing a strange mix of relief. He pressed a soft kiss there before moving on to the next tie, just as slowly, making my heart pound.
My heart raced as the fabric loosened further. I steadied my trembling hands beside me, aware of how my blouse was giving way beneath his careful touch.
He continued kissing my back, and overwhelmed by the sensations curling through me, I bit down softly on the inside of my lip, trying to quiet my racing breath.
“Kunwar-sa,” I murmured.
He answered with a low hum.“Hmm…”
I felt his fingers tug at the third string. My blouse loosened subtly against my chest, and I blinked nervously.
“Kahin Rajkumari Rudraja aapke liye ro na rahi ho,”“What if Princess Rudraja is crying for you?” I managed, though my voice wavered.
He shifted, lifting himself slightly, balancing his weight on one arm, and with the other, pushed my braid aside and caught hold of the following string.
“Unke maata-pita hain unhe chup karaane ke liye,”“She has her parents to calm her.” he whispered against my nape.
I pressed my hand over my chest as the fabric lost its hold, and my nipples perked as his presence lingered close. I swallowed, careful not to breathe too deeply.
My head tilted to the side when he leaned in, brushing the base of my neck with a soft kiss. My eyes fluttered shut, but the moment he undid the last two strings, my breathing grew heavier.
His fingertip rested briefly at my nape before gliding downward, gathering the loosened ties slowly. I blinked, feeling the coolness of his breath, contrasting the warmth pooling beneath my skin.
“You smell incredible,” he murmured near my ear.“It’s getting to me.”
I arched inward instinctively as his palm settled against my back, sliding toward my side. I drew my arms closer, pressing them tight against myself, silently blocking his path.
He didn’t push. Instead, he kissed the skin just behind my ear and let his fingers trail to my arm, carefully undoing the knot of my armlet, as though he had all the time in the world.
“Suhaagraat to aaj hum mana kar rahenge, Suman,”“We will consummate our wedding tonight, Suman.”
he murmured against my ear, and I exhaled unevenly.
“Tumhaari ghabraahat ka arth kahin naa toh nahi?”“Does your nervousness mean no?” he asked gently, and I shook my head.
Heat rushed to my cheeks as timidity bloomed under his gaze.
“Are you sure?” he asked again.
I felt his fingers reach the knot of my necklace. I nodded, barely.“Ji,”
He loosened the knot, and the necklace slipped into my lap. My fingers shook as I gathered it and set it aside. A faint smile curved my lips when he caught the tail of my braid and began undoing the jewellery woven into it.
“Aapne toh kaha tha ki aap humse kshama maangenge,”“You said you would apologise to me.”
He didn’t answer, simply removed the ornament, placed it aside, and began smoothing my braid open. My hair spilt loose over my shoulders, and a few strands brushed my cheek. I tucked them back instinctively.
In one swift movement, he placed his hand on my knees and turned me to face him.
My gaze dropped shyly as he braced one arm beside my waist, while his other hand slid to the inside of my arm to undo the armlet there.
“I’m thinking I’ll apologise properly tomorrow,” he said quietly.
My brows creased in confusion, but before I could respond, his hand pressed gently to my midriff, guiding me back. I lay on the bed.
My heart pounded wildly, and my fingers curled into the bedsheet as I felt him move my dupatta aside at my waist, brushing just enough to make my breath catch.
I blinked as timidity flooded me, feeling his hand lower to the knot of my skirt. I turned my face away, fixing my gaze on the small lamp burning quietly on the table. I felt him loosening the strings with unhurried care. Goosebumps rose along my skin as he slipped his fingers beneath the waistband and eased the fabric downward.
