Chapter 32: Crave

Khushi

"See something you like?"

"N-no ... I mean ... Y-yes ... I mean ... What-what are you doing?"

"Changing," Arnav-ji started towards her.

"B-but why ..."

The mattress tilted as he prowled across the bed to come to a rest a few inches from her. Khushi trembled, held captive by his gaze. The thunder of her heart almost drowned out his whisper.

"Would you like to help?"

He kissed her when she would have answered, scraping his teeth on her lower lip in admonishment. She tried to speak again when he released her.

"Ssshhh," Arnav-ji placed a gentle finger on her lips. "Hold that thought."

He climbed off the bed, snatching a change of clothes from the wardrobe and disappearing into the bathroom without another word. Khushi stared at the closed door for a few seconds before reaching for her phone. Jiji had sent a photo of her and Arnav-ji on the dance-floor. He held her from behind, one hand on her shoulder and the other at her waist. She was dancing, body tilted to one side with her arms stretched out, while he smiled directly at the camera. She zoomed in, focussing on the way the sari had bunched under his hand.

The water in the bathroom shut off. Khushi felt her pulse kick as she hurriedly placed the phone on her bedside table. She smoothed her hands over the duvet as Arnav-ji joined her, her body suddenly heavy with need. He pulled her close, pressing a kiss to her neck after brushing her hair over one shoulder.

"You okay?" he wrapped his hands around her ribcage.

They curled together, his leg sliding over hers and her hands splaying on his back. She felt a wave of contentment wash over her as she listened to the rhythm of his heart. These small, night-time rituals hadn't only become familiar to her, they'd become essential. She prepared to speak her love into their silence, but Arnav-ji made a noise that spoke of tiredness and relief before she'd figured out how.

"I'm glad the wedding is over."

Khushi shifted to peer at him, "Why?"

"Just glad," his fingers trailed along her spine. "You know I don't like these things."

"You knew so many people there. Everyone wanted to talk to you."

"And I ..." Arnav-ji sighed. "I only wanted to talk to you."

"Thank you," happiness soaked into her, "for making time for the reception."

The people are less intimidating when you're there.

A contended hum from her husband, "What did I teach you about saying thank you?"

Heat unfurled in her tummy as she stretched to press her mouth to his jaw. He shifted, using two fingers to tuck her hair behind her ear before capturing her lips in a kiss filled with promise. There was, she was beginning to realise, no more powerful a drug than her husband's kisses. Her fingers curled into his night-shirt as her body tightened in response to the intoxication. He stroked a hand from her hip to her waist, higher. She arched into him, already burning for his touch, and was rewarded when his hand covered her.

"You tired?" he spoke against her lips.

Khushi fought to gather her thoughts, "W-what?"

"Are you tired?" he asked again. "Or is this okay?"

She must have stayed silent for too long. Arnav-ji pulled back, his gaze focussed.

"I'll always ask," he said huskily. "If I'm not sure, I'll ask. And you can always say no. You've had a long day and I want to be sure."

Her heart swelled with emotion, eyes burning as she breathed deeply. She understood instinctively that there were few things more intimate than what he offered — that here, in their marriage bed, there was trust, acceptance, honesty, and safety, for her and for him.

In that realisation, she found the courage to whisper, "I'm not tired."

Her earlier exhaustion had been replaced by electricity in her veins.

"I can make you tired," he offered with a smirk.

Arnav feathered kisses on her neck and jaw, coaxing her onto his chest so he could pull down the zipper that held her suit closed. She gasped, feeling her world spin as the air cooled her heated skin. He'd teased her for hours with careful, secret touches and whispered words, and now she felt wild and almost feverish with want. Khushi slipped her hand under his night-shirt, revelling in his warmth and strength, and exhaled shakily as he unsnapped her bra. Her body seemed to thrum in time with the pulse between her legs.

His mouth was commanding when he kissed her, one hand tugging at her hair and the other covering her exposed back, the beat of his heart chaotic under her fingertips. He groaned deep inside his chest as his tongue swept inside her mouth. He tasted of mint, and it swirled inside her as she reciprocated the kiss.

They were pressed so close together that she felt him grow hard against her.

"Arnav ..."

His gaze was molten, the intensity holding her motionless as he tugged the material of her dress down. Moving without warning, he took the upper part of her breast into his mouth. She tunnelled her hands into his hair, biting her lip to contain a sound of delight and trying to hold him there as he marked her skin.

"Mine."

His tone was possessive, his hand proprietary where it squeezed her bottom. Her bra fell away, allowing him to move his lips to her nipple and suck. Khushi gasped air into her lungs, her body undulating as need clawed her insides, but he continued to hold her up as he moved to lavish the same attention on her neglected breast. A moan tore out of her, her hand falling from his hair to his shoulder as she momentarily became limp. It was some time before he returned to her lips, stroking his tongue inside as his thumb took up the task his mouth had left. When the onslaught of sensation was almost too much, he took mercy on her by kissing his way to her ear.

"That will feel much better without clothes."

Khushi froze at his whisper. She blushed at the realisation that she'd shifted until she could grind herself on his thigh and started to climb off.

"Ssshhh ... it's okay," a whisper against her ear as he flipped them so she was pressed into the mattress. "You make me crazy too."

A small bite that had her sucking in a breath.

Arnav paused, "You liked that?"

I like everything you've shown me.

She tried to tell him without words, angling her head so he had better access. He nibbled a path from her ear to her collarbone and back up as his hand toyed with her breast. She shuddered when he kissed her again and felt the throb between her legs intensify when he sank his teeth into her lower lip.

He undressed her with care, slipping her dress and bra down her arms and pulling at the knot on her pants before sliding it all down her body. She helped by kicking it away. Before she could gather her thoughts, he slid his hand between her knees and up towards the apex of her thighs.

"Arnav!"

His eyes were wary as he met her gaze, "Too fast?"

Fast? This is fast?!

Khushi shifted against the hand that had stilled against the cotton of her panties, and he understood. Lightning flashed behind her closed eyelids he pushed her underwear aside to touch her. She buried her face against his neck, smothering herself as he found where her ache was centred. This time, the world didn't fall away as soon as he caressed her. The pressure of his fingers moved lower, rubbing at her in a teasing motion for a few agonising seconds before he stroked inside.

An inferno built within her body, and she desperately made coherent the only thought left burning in her mind.

"I ... I love you."

Arnav chuckled against her heated cheek.

"Of course you love me now," a flex of his wrist so there could be no mistaking his meaning. "We'll see if you feel the same way in the morning."

Her protest was cut off with a deep, hard kiss, and then her mind stopped working, lost in delirium as he worked magic over her body. Her pleasure, when it broke, was almost violent in its intensity. It ripped through her, stealing the air from her lungs as the world went black. She was sure she cried out, though she felt him cover her mouth with his. Wave after wave of pleasure wracked through her, until she finally subsided, sated and limp against his hand.

Their jagged breaths in the silence of the room. Khushi nestled into her husband, stroking his chest in an idle motion. He pressed kisses into her hair.

"Khushi?"

"Hmm?"

"Say it again."

She smiled against his shirt, "You'll have to wait until the morning."

Arnav nipped her ear, "Now."

"You can't make me!"

"Oh yeah?"

The hand he'd moved to her hip stroked upwards to tickle her side. Giggling, Khushi attempted to roll away, but he was unrelenting as he moved with her. She caved to the affectionate torment after a few minutes, struggling to speak.

"I ... lo-love ... y-you."

"I didn't hear you," he grinned down at her. "What did you say?"

"I love you!"

The heat that flared in his eyes was the only warning she had. His mouth was soft and wet on her still sensitised breast. Heat coiled in her belly though aftershocks of pleasure still pulsed inside her. Khushi arched upwards, trying to press her body into his.

"We'll have to work on your patience," her husband nuzzled her affectionately.

A surge of tenderness blossomed in her chest as she traced two fingers from his temple to his jaw, across his cheek and over his lips. Her body clenched when he took those fingers into his mouth, sucking gently. She kissed him, sliding her hands into his shirt and pushing it up until he got the hint and whipped it over his head. Then, she explored, pressing her lips to the rough heat of him as she learned the landscape of his body. Arnav groaned as she kissed his neck, his hand tangled into her hair and his breath coming in harsh pants as he held her there. She drew in the scent of him as she sucked.

"More."

His voice was rough, strained. Recalling the sensation of his teeth on her skin, she bit down and was rewarded when he rasped her name in the darkness.

Pushing at him until he lay back, Khushi kissed her way across his chest. She hesitated when she reached his nipple. He took advantage, sliding a hand down her back to shape her bottom. Closing her eyes, she allowed herself to be deliciously distracted for a few moments. Arnav didn't hurry her, though he seemed to make a sound of impatience in the back of his throat. Instead, he trailed his fingers across her collarbone and down to her breast, toying with the peak that ached for his touch. He jerked when she touched her tongue to his skin. Feeling powerful, she did it again, but it seemed his patience had run out. Pulling her up, he met her in a heated kiss that stole her breath.

She trailed her hand across his chest and down his torso, lost in the wildfire he created within her. Her fingers met the waistband of his pants.

"Lower," a rough growl against her lips.

She stilled. "W-what?"

"Your hand," Arnav watched her carefully. "Move it lower."

Swallowing against the dryness in her throat, Khushi gave a small nod. Her pulse roared in her ears as she inched her hand closer. Capturing her fingers in his, Arnav guided her until she could feel the scorch of him through his pants. He was all muscle and strength, and currently wholly in her power. He swore when she shaped him of her own accord, her hand stroking gently up and down, growing bolder by the second.

It was several minutes before he took over, demonstrating what he needed.

"It won't hurt you?"

"No," he thrust into her hand. "Babe ... please ..."

He gave her his words, telling her how she felt, what he wanted from her, what he'd do to her next. The answering dampness between her thighs had her burying herself in his chest. His movements became rougher, his breath gasping as he tightened her grip even more. Then he groaned into her hair, stiffening for several long seconds before he jerked in her hand.

"Khushi ..." he exhaled harshly. "That was ..."

He didn't protest when she quietly removed her hand from under his. Raising her head when it became clear that he wasn't going to say any more, Khushi saw that he'd closed his eyes.

"Are you asleep?"

"No," he muttered. "You've killed me."

Grinning, she gave him a playful smack before succumbing to a yawn. Arnav opened his eyes.

"We need to clean up," he hauled her out of bed after flicking on a light. "Come on."

He guided her to the bathroom, whispering a few words of advice about what she should do before and after their love-making. Heat crept into her cheeks and stayed there, intensifying when he handed her one of his night-shirts before leaving her alone.

"Wear this."

Her blush was still there when she came out, clad only in a fresh pair of panties and his shirt — tugging at its hem — but Arnav-ji didn't seem to notice as he stepped into the bathroom. She saw that he'd gathered their clothes into a pile and straightened the sheets, so busied herself by brushing out the tangles in her hair. Her blush brightened anew as she realised how ... enthusiastic ... he'd been in his pleasure.

Typical Laad Governor, wants everything his way. Should I wear pants under the shirt?

But the sensual thrill of wearing his clothes prevented her from acting on the thought, and her legs were still bare when he tumbled her into bed within seconds of re-entering the bedroom.

"Sleep," he turned out his light.

Khushi yawned into her pillow, "Don't tell me what to do."

He wore pants but no shirt, and the heat of him seeped into her as he cuddled her close. His hand crept inside the shirt to rest against her tummy. His leg slipped between her thighs.

"Shut up, Khushi."

As always, a heartfelt thanks to everyone who takes the time to read and to comment on Charade, and especially to everyone who left such nice reviews:

booknerdforlife21 I can't believe you needed time to recover from the last chapter, omg. Thank you very much, I love that you loved their intimacy! I hope in this chapter you've seen exactly what you commented on - the need to balance where Khushi is in terms of intimacy with where Arnav is. You never need to apologise for any perceived lateness - the fact that you took time out to read it is more than enough. Honestly. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

HoneyInDaRock Thank you so much for that amazing and kind comment. I'm glad you thought this chapter was full of meaning because I did have a few people stop by to tell how disappointed they were that this chapter didn't include intimacy. To me, it was very important to pause and show just how far they'd come. And I love that you noticed the small details in Arnav's behaviour - Arnav to me is a man of few words but a lot of action. He'd shown her that he loved her in a multitude of ways but Khushi ... Khushi needs the words. And now she has the words, she can see the gestures for what they are (instead of what they might be).

candicane26 I'm glad you liked that chapter as much as the first - sometimes I worry that I will lose momentum with this piece given everything else going on in my life.

Jessiluck Thanks for reading!

All the guest reviews are so nice, I don't even really have words. Thank you very much for reading! You're all so sweet, but please don't miss sleep and stuff! And a special shout out to my new friend S (not for Sheetal!), that review made me cry!

I hope you are all keeping well and safe in these uncertain times. Take loads of care.