Ishaan felt he had lost his last chance to win her love and was about to leave when he felt her hand holding his wrist. Before he could react, Pari hugged him from behind.
Ishaan froze in shock at her sudden gesture. Slowly, he turned to face her, and Pari was crying against his chest.
“I’m sorry, Ishu,” she whispered.
He stood still, still in a daze, not hugging her back. Then, raising his hand, he showed his bruised knuckles, streaked with blood.
“You have one last chance to change your mind, Pari. Once I hold you, there’s no way I’ll ever let you go. Not now, not ever.”
Pari took his hand and wrapped it around her waist. That was all he needed. Ishaan hugged her tightly, finally feeling the peace he had craved for years. Burying his face in the crook of her neck, he let his emotions spill through tears, and Pari did the same.
He kissed her crown and temple with trembling lips. Pari gently pulled back and guided him to the couch. Sitting beside him, she carefully tended to his bruised knuckles. Ishaan’s free hand caressed her cheek, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
“Tell me this is real, Pari… that you won’t regret this or leave me in the morning.”
Pari raised her head, meeting his gaze. In his eyes, she saw the same fear her mother had spoken of—the fear of losing her.
“You said you always trusted me…”
Pari picked up the first-aid box and turned to leave, but Ishaan caught her hand and pulled her, making her crash into his chest. His palm cupped her cheek, his thumb caressing gently. His warm, ragged breath fanned her lips as his eyes flicked between her mouth and her eyes, silently seeking her consent. Pari closed her eyes and leaned closer. Ishaan’s arm snaked around her waist, pulling her flush against him.
He kissed her slowly at first, tasting her lips, then tightened his grip on her waist, making her gasp. Taking the chance, he deepened the kiss, his tongue claiming every corner of her mouth. Her petite frame pressed against his strong, toned body as he devoured her with hunger and longing. Pari felt as though her body had been set ablaze; every cell burned with need. For the very first time, she felt like a woman in desire. His kiss wasn’t just passion—it was a claim. He was engraving himself into her heart, soul, and body.
The world around them disappeared until there was nothing but the two of them. Their first kiss etched itself into their very souls, binding them forever.
When he felt her struggling for breath, Ishaan finally pulled away. His chest heaved, but his heart swelled with pride at the sight of her flushed face, her swollen lips—a beautiful mess made by him. Pari slowly opened her eyes, meeting his gaze. His smile was genuine, radiant, and in his eyes swirled raw emotions—love, care, longing, and desire.
“You look gorgeous, baby. I’ve been waiting for years to hold you in my arms. Now that I have you, I don’t ever want to let you go.”
Pari smiled softly, and he captured her lips again. She wrapped her arms around his neck as his hands roamed over her back. He stepped backward, and when the back of his knees hit the couch, he toppled onto it with Pari landing above him. Their kisses grew unrestrained until finally, he slowed, pressing a lingering kiss to her forehead and gently caressing her hair.
Pari laid her head on his chest, listening to the wild rhythm of his heart—beating as if he had just run a marathon. Ishaan’s eyes grew moist, overwhelmed by the sheer joy of holding her. He wrapped his arms tightly around her, as if anchoring her to him forever. It was late into the night when Pari drifted to sleep in his embrace, her gentle breathing warming his chest. Ishaan didn’t dare wake her. For the first time, he felt complete. Closing his eyes, he let sleep take him, content in the truth that he had finally won his love.
In the morning, Ishaan’s mobile started ringing, and both stirred from their sleep. Pari realized Ishaan had been holding her all night and tried to get up, but he shook his head and pulled her closer.
“Please don’t leave, stay for a while, Pari.”
His morning-hoarse voice sent chills down her spine, butterflies fluttering in her tummy. She rested her head against his chest, and they lay awake together while his mobile continued to ring. Ishaan ignored it.
“Ishu, your mobile doesn’t seem to stop ringing. It might be something important. Let me go, and I’ll wait while you check it,” she said softly.
Ishaan clicked his tongue and caressed her hair. “Let it ring. I’m busy and nothing will ever be more important than you.”
Pari’s heart skipped a beat. She never imagined she would become the top priority of the man in her life. Smiling, lost in the thought, her fingers absentmindedly played with the collar of his T-shirt.
Ishaan only smiled and let her, until she drifted back to sleep in his arms.
Thirty minutes later, Pari woke up and insisted on getting down. Ishaan kissed her forehead before letting her go. She sat on the couch, and Ishaan straightened up to sit beside her. It felt strangely domestic, waking up together after cuddling all night on the same couch.
“I’ll get back to my room and get ready. I need to check on Zara and Ayaan. I think he needs time with her, so I’ll head back to the office after that,” Pari said.
Ishaan hummed, and just as she turned the knob to leave, he caught her wrist again.
“Will you go out on a lunch date with me? A proper date. And… I’ll let you meet someone.”
Pari didn’t know whom he wanted her to meet, but she nodded. Ishaan smiled, pressed his lips against her forehead, and leaned closer to kiss her lips. But Pari quickly placed her palm over her mouth and shook her head.
“Bad breath. I need to brush.”
Ishaan chuckled and playfully pinched her nose.
“There’s nothing dirty in intimacy, and we wouldn’t be able to explore the world of it if we kept prioritizing being clean. Now get ready and I’ll drive you to the office and pick you up for lunch.”
He opened the door, and Pari walked out, though she could still feel his gaze burning into her back. She stopped and glanced over her shoulder. Ishaan was leaning against the wall, eyes fixed on her. Blushing, she hurried into her room and shut the door, leaning on it, panting with her cheeks aflame.
Ishaan arrived at the dining hall where everyone was having breakfast. Ayaan was feeding Zara, who already looked better than last night. Moments later, Pari joined them—just after Ishaan. Everyone noticed the way they sneaked glances at each other, the way Ishaan silently passed his juice to her. Reyansh and Mithun shared a knowing smile.
Later, while Ishaan was on a call, Pari sat with Ayaan, Zara, Ishika, and Adhvika, trying to cheer Zara up. Before leaving, Pari told Ayaan to stay with Zara. Ishaan walked out first, and Pari followed him to his car. The whole family stood by the door, secretly watching. Ishaan opened the door for her before taking the driver’s seat.
Once the car drove off, squeals erupted behind them. Even Ayaan and Zara hugged each other in celebration.
“Finally, my Ishu won his love,” Mithun mumbled—only to hear Vaishu clear her throat. They turned and saw her holding a tray of sweets.
“It’s time we celebrate our children’s love. Now, we just need to find someone for Ishi and Adhvika, then we’ll get them all married,” Vaishu said, stuffing a sweet into Rey’s mouth.
Ishika and Adhvika slipped away to their rooms, leaving the elders behind.
“We should bring out that woman from hiding now. Enough of this hide and seek,” Kajal remarked, but Mithun shook his head.
“Let’s not hurry, Kaju. Our children have just found each other. Let them enjoy this phase before we start with all the drama. Let them live in peace.” Everyone agreed to his words.
Ishaan stopped his car at Rey’s arcade, and Pari turned to him with a smile, about to step out, but Ishaan stopped her.
“I don’t have any work today. Do you mind if I crash at your office until lunch?”
Pari chuckled at his pleading expression and nodded. Together, they took the private elevator. Ishaan touched her cheek, but Pari glared and stepped back, keeping a distance.
High on love, Ishaan leaned forward and kissed her cheek. Pari gasped, swatted his arm, and twisted his ear.
“Behave, Mr. Ishaan Rey. We’re at the office and I don’t want people looking at us.”
Hands raised in mock surrender, Ishaan followed her. Once inside her cabin, Pari’s heart thudded against her ribcage. She took her seat, while Ishaan casually discarded his blazer and shoes, flopped onto the couch, and opened a video game.
But his mind betrayed him. He couldn’t stop imagining her bent over the desk, her things scattered on the floor, her laid out for him on that huge desk. Groaning, he ruffled his hair, forcing himself to focus on the game.
“What is that sound?” Pari asked, lowering her MacBook.
“I miss you. I wish we could cuddle, but since you’re busy, I’m trying to convince my poor heart.” He winked.
Pari shook her head and returned to her mails, though her eyes kept darting toward him. Every time she typed a line, she caught him lounging on the couch. She finally shut her eyes—and felt phantom fingers tracing her neck. Her chest heaved; she bit her lip, trying to suppress the moan. But when she felt a sharp bite at her pulse, she couldn’t hold back.
Something crashed. Her eyes flew open. Ishaan was still on the couch, his MacBook on the floor, staring at her.
Realization hit—she had been daydreaming. Embarrassed, she shut her eyes, but Ishaan was already walking toward her. He pushed her chair back and leaned over, hands resting on either side of the armrest.
“Did you dream of me while you were wide awake? What did I do that made you moan?”
Pari dropped her head in mortification. Ishaan only shook his and, in one swift move, scooped her up, carrying her to the couch. He kissed her hard, their legs tangling. His body stirred with need, but he deliberately raised his hips, creating space so as not to overwhelm her.
When they finally broke apart, Pari slapped his cheek lightly.
“This is what you call behaving?”
Grinning, Ishaan pulled a cushion over his lap, tugged her against his shoulder, and wrapped an arm around her.
“I did nothing, baby. I was just playing my game, and you provoked me by moaning. So, not my fault. Anyway, I need to talk to Appa about shifting my office here—maybe on a different floor. What do you say?”
Pari pushed him away, her blush giving him all the answer he needed. Settling back at her desk, she tried to focus, but his gaze burned into her.
“Stop staring, Ishaan. I can’t focus. Go crash in Ayaan’s room.”
He chuckled and finally opened his mails, deciding not to disturb her—for now.
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A/N:
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[…] chapter 17 […]