24
Chinese for Dinner
Jai
‘Fucking hell,’ I groaned into Ananya’s shoulder, every muscle in my body pulled tight as I moved against her. ‘I’m so deep inside you.’ My hand swept down her stomach and grabbed her hip, feeling the way her breath fluttered under my touch.
‘Jai,’ she gasped as she clenched hard around me. ‘I— I’m close.’ The sound shot straight through me. My control frayed.
‘Me too,’ I rasped, my teeth grazing her neck.
As if that’s what she was waiting for, her breath hitched, and she gripped me tighter. ‘Jai,’ she said, my name a promise and a prayer on her lips. Her orgasm tore through her with a cry. Her head tipped back as she convulsed beneath me, moaning loudly.
The sight pushed me over the brink.
My body strung taut as everything inside me broke open in a sharp, dizzying rush.
The world blurred, and Ananya became the sole focus of my attention. Her breath. Her heartbeat. The way she felt around me. But it wasn’t just that. It was also the way she looked at me. Like I was the only one that mattered. It was everything we’d lost and found together, crashing all at once.
I collapsed on the bed beside her. Silence followed, heavy with the sounds of our breathing.
Ananya turned to me, placing a hand over my chest. ‘I missed this,’ she admitted softly.
I covered her hand with mine. ‘I did too.’
Her cheeks looked sunken.
My gaze lowered to her body. Her ribs were more prominent, her stomach flatter, her thighs slimmer. She must’ve lost quite a few kilos in the last few months.
‘It cost her herself. The anxiety. The panic attacks. She couldn’t even eat on some days. She was a mess, Jai. I don’t understand how you didn’t see it.’
‘You’ve lost weight,’ I murmured.
She bit down on her lip. Nodded.
‘After leaving Harish uncle’s, I’d come here. You weren’t home, but Rhea … she filled me in on what you went through,’ I said softly. ‘She told me about your anxiety. Panic attacks. And that you couldn’t eat.’
Moisture lined her eyes as she took in a sharp breath. ‘I told Rekha I didn’t want to do it multiple times. But she kept blackmailing me.’ She swallowed. ‘It led to panic attacks. It was … terrifying. I–I even threw up once. When I told you I was dizzy.’
I struggled to get the words past my throat. ‘I’m sorry. I wish I’d noticed. Wish I could have done something about it.’
‘You did. The best way you could. By being there with me. I’m just glad it’s over.’
I kissed a tear off the corner of her eye and then pressed another kiss on her lips. ‘I am as well.’
We stayed there for a while, revelling in each other’s presence, soaking it in.
The blare of my ringtone startled us. I grabbed my phone from the side table.Dad. I ended the call and put it away.
‘It’s okay if you need to talk to him. With everything happening at the company and with Rekha …’ Ananya said gently. ‘He needs you.’
‘He doesn’t.’ I swallowed. ‘He … kicked me out.’
Shock hit first, then concern followed close behind.
‘From what you told me, I knew Rekha had a hand in Lehenga Bazaar stealing our work.’
I took in a breath and started recounting the events of the day: how Dad blamed the Mahalas and told me they were dropping the new line because dealing with artisans was too much hassle.
