Aadarsh wanted nothing more than to sleep. A yawn escaped his mouth as he pulled the chair and took his seat at the dining table He had been overworking himself. He absolutely hated when something slipped out of his control. He had been going through old books, looking at financial records anything that could help with the case. He was afraid to lose it all. It was his responsibility to make sure each of his sibling thrived. Now he even had a daughter to raise. There was no way he was letting anyone snatch anything from them.

He could hear the voices of Mukti and Pari. The two were fighting about something. Then there was Abhi and Ashvi debating about something while they sat at the sofa. He sighed, placing both his elbows on the table. The plates had been set but the food still had to be brought out. He looked around wondering where Nirvan was. Probably, trying to sort things between Pari and Mukti. He placed both his palms on his face, closing his eyes. He needed a moment of quiet, a moment of still.

A few minutes passed before a voice interrupted the quiet. "Had a tiring day?" Her voice came from somewhere close. He brought his hands down slowly. He opened his eyes and his gaze flew up to her to find her arranging a plate before him, standing quite close to where he sat. She was serving the dinner on to the plate before him.

"Where are the others?" He asked blinking, to get the sleep out of his eyes. His gaze then dropped to the plate she was filling. She never served a plate for him, she was always preoccupied with the others, with the kids. He wanted to protest and do it himself, but tonight he had no energy. Off late, she asked him questions like that often. Did you have a long day? Tough day at work? All okay, you look exhausted? 

He disliked the fact that she took note. Not just her. Apparently, everyone knew he had work stress. Even Abhi and Ashvi had asked him about work two days back. He hadn't felt the need to let them know it wasn't work per se but the new court case he had on his plate that worried him.

"Arey, dinner is ready and no one called me," Shelly Bua's voice was heard as she made her way to the dining table. She had been back from her trip two days back.

"I was just going to do that," Ruhaani answered with a smile, quickly putting a chapati on Aadarsh's plate.

"Rice?" She asked.

He shook his head in a negative.

"Baccha party, dinner is ready!" Dai Jaan announced loudly as she brought a huge dish of kheer from the kitchen.

"What's the occasion today?" Shelly Bua asked as she took a seat at the table, her eyes on the kheer.

"Just like that, Ruhaani wanted to learn." Dai Jaan answered with a bright smile, turning her gaze to Ruhaani.

"Oh that she definitely should. No offense, Ruhi darling." Shelly Bua gave her a smile. Ruhaani forced a smile on her lips momentarily, one that fell as soon as she turned away. The woman beat Aadarsh in the race of annoying her. No matter what she made or what she did, Shelly Bua would pick faults and make taunts with sweet words, sometimes as though she want cracking a joke and then follow it with a— don't mind Darling, in a tone that got Ruhaani's blood to boil.

Aadarsh noticed the fall of her smile and how her face lost it's glow, as she walked away to bring the kids. Shelly Bua was being a very dramatic mother-in-law figure. Like the ones in those dumb serials that Dai Jaan occasionally watched. He looked at Dai Jaan, she had thinned her lips, her smile gone too. She seemed to be just as upset. She was growing fiercely protective of Ruhaani by the day.

"Bua, she's making efforts. You don't have to call her out every damn time." Aadarsh said politely, glancing over his shoulder to make sure Ruhaani wasn't around.

"I agree," Abhi who had been approaching the table chipped in, "Bhabhs is a sweetheart,Bua. And she's only human. You don't have to keep picking her faults. You are too hard on her."

"So, now I can't even express my thoughts?" Shelly Bua exclaimed loudly. "A few days I am off and I don't know what this house is come to."

Aadarsh thinned his lips. Shelly Bua loved to pretend that she was the woman of the house, the one who ran it, the one who nourished it. But they all knew it was Dai Jaan, it had always been. And now, it was Ruhaani too.

"A tad bit dramatic you're being, Bua," Ashvi said as she walked around the dining table to sit to Aadarsh's right. 

Aadarsh heard Pari whining and turned to find her in Ruhaani's arms. He wanted to take the girl in his arms. He hated it when she cried. "Stop naa, shona. You're my good girl naa. I will get you make the house again, okay?"

Pari hid her face in the crook of her neck.  A frowning Mukti and Nirvan followed Ruhaani and Pari.

"What happened?" Aadarsh softly asked Nirvan as Mukti walked around his chair to go to the other side of the table away from Pari. 

"Pari took my building blocks. I told her the green ones were mine. But she took them anyway." Mukti answered instead, annoyed.

"She's little, you should let it go." Aadarsh said while Nirvan buffed and took a seat beside Abhi.

"That's not fair. I gave her all the pink and orange blocks." Mukti complained.

Aadarsh sighed. He didn't have the patience to make peace today. He would rather just eat and go sleep.

"It's okay Muku, I will buy you another set," Shelly Bua said, drawing Mukti close to herself. "My princess doesn't has to be upset. Yes?"

Aadarsh followed Mukti's forlorn gaze to Ruhaani. Ruhaani was whispering something in Pari's ear oblivious to the conversation at this end of the table. Pari was already smiling. Aadarsh looked back at his sister. He got up from his chair and picked Mukti in his arms. He then walked around the table to where Pari and Ruhaani were. Pari was standing on the chair and Ruhaani was standing beside her. Their gazes shifted to him as he approached.

"Come on, say sorry to each other for fighting," Aadarsh said, to both of them. "You both are supposed to be a team."

Pari scowled, shifting closer to her mother.

"She started it "Mukti protested.

"You took my garden." Pari complained.

"Blocks are for making buildings not garden, Pari!"Mukti remarked. "The green blocks were mine."

Pari frowned and hid her face against her mother's torso. "Pari, say sorry to Mukti didi. If you took the green blocks then how would she make her house." Ruhaani spoke up, looking down at Pari.

"I was not making a house, I was making the Great Wall of India." Mukti spoke up.

Ruhaani looked at Aadarsh. He looked like he was ready to pull his hair out. Even her patience was running dry.

"Fine. If you both are not saying sorry then okay. You both are bot allowed to talk to each other. Mukti you will not play with Pari. Pari no going to Mukti Didi's room. Do you both hear me?"

Aadarsh stared at Ruhaani. He then looked around as the others had all heir attention on Ruhaani too. Her voice was louder and very sharp. 

"No," Pari protested stepping away from her mother.

"Then say sorry, Pari." Mukti said as her brother finally put her down.

Pari sat on the chair folding her arms, making a  grumpy face.

"Fine, don't say sorry." Mukti muttered going around the table to sit on the other side of the table directly across from Pari. She also folded her arms and stared at Pari.

"Fine," Ruhaani muttered sitting on the empty chair beside Pari, next to Nirvan. As much as the girls made her go crazy, this little boy calmed her. He smiled at her. She returned the small smile and served his plate.

Aadarsh regretted even getting into this. Females, were all mad. They'd fight one minute and goggle with each other in the next. Or they'd be grumpy and throw attitude. He walked back to his chair. He was done.

"You know Smriti, Vasant Bhaiya's daughter," Shelly Bua spoke up, "she's got engaged."

Aadarsh had sworn to finish his dinner, get to his room and sleep. He was done dealing with people for the day. But Shelly Bua's mention of Vasant Sehgal, the man who had drove away all his peace made him look up at her. "How do you know?"

"I spoke to them, he had called last weekend to tell me. They're planning to have the wedding in June."

"Wow, this is unbelievable. Smriti is about my age, no?" Abhi asked. 

"Yes, she is." Shelly Bua answered.

"Isn't Laksh Bhaiya older than her?" Abhi questioned.

"He is. But apparently they found a really good match for her. He's apparently the heir of a renknown steel manufacturing firm."

"I am not surprised," Aadarsh muttered. He shot a gaze towards Pari. She was eating on her own. So was Mukti. In utter silence. His gaze met Ruhaani's as she looked at him.

"Yeah well, not everyone marries someone beneath..."

"It's been a while we met them, no?" Abhi said loudly, interrupting the taunt that was at the tip of his aunt's tongue.

"Oh yes, we should definitely have a get together. They couldn't make it for Aadarsh's wedding as well. Smriti ha deer graduation on the same day. We should definitely plan something,  I will talk to.."

"No. There's going to be no get together." Aadarsh declared.

"What do you mean?" His aunt turned to him.

"I mean what I said. There's no need for any formality."

"They're our relatives!" Bua exclaimed.

"Bua what I said is final. No get together. They can stay where they are, they are not invited here or anywhere to meet us. I hope I am clear."

A loud silence fell upon the table. Aadarsh's annoyance was no secret. Everyone could read it. Ruhaani wondered what was going on with the man. He seemed a bit... worried off late. She turned to Abhi, the instant he looked up from his plate she raised her brows. He shrugged. She discreetly gestured him to talk to Aadarsh about it after dinner. He nodded.

* * *

Ruhaani made as little noise as possible as she entered the cold and dark room. Her eyes were taking time to adjust. She turned to the bed. Aadarsh was probably already asleep. He seemed quite exhausted, she would be surprised if he was already fast asleep. She made her way to wardrobe, the light inside was switched on. She pushed open the door as quietly as she could only to coil back a bit, with gasp escaping her lips as Aadarsh stood right in between the ottoman in center and the rack of his clothes on the left, shirtless.

He turned around almost instantly, equally surprised.

In so many weeks of their marriage, Ruhaani had never seen in him in less than decent clothes. He was always decent in appearance. The most extreme so far had been the top two buttons of his shirt undone and the sleeves of the shirt rolled up to the elbows.

But here he was, with nothing on his upper body. Not eight, not six, not four, there were no ab packs. He had a normal belly, with a neat little hole that was right in the center, on the straight crease that ran down from his chest to the navel. Her gaze moved higher from the navel. Her eyes realizing he did have two abs on his upper abdomen, was two ab pack a thing? She had never read about that. He gaze eagerly moved up. 

"You're staring," Aadarsh said aloud when she didn't look away. She kept looking at his body, very evidently. For a minute, Aadarsh enjoyed the attention. His gaze was fixed on hers. Her eyes had been wide and watchful. She swallowed, he could see the movement in her throat while looking at him. There was nothing more satisfying than knowing Ruhaani wasn't immune to his charm. If anything, he enjoyed how she looked at him. It had been a while he had a woman stare at him like that.

However, after that visible gulp and the way her tongue flicked over her lips, he started having other ideas. Ideas that were far from decent. A vague image ran in his mind. The image had him and Ruhaani's mouth, and there was nothing decent about it. When he felt the physical impact of his thoughts he decided to control the situation before things went out of hand.

"I was," Ruhaani tried not to look at his nipples. They were so freaking tiny. "Not" She added, looking away feeling the heat on her cheeks. She wondered if his chest would be as hard as it looked. No. However, her brain's signal was a bit slow and she had turned back to look at him. Maybe it was the golden lights in the wardrobe that made him appear that good. 

Aadarsh turned away. He had to get his mind of the gutter. He was glad he wore a pair of airy night pants. Ruhaani couldn't help but shamelessly gawk at his back muscles. They appeared golden under the light, so well sculpted that her fingers inched to run over them and explore the contours. She bit her lower lip. She shouldn't have read that stupid book early that evening. It was the book's fault, totally, corrupting her innocent mind. He pulled a t-shirt down his head. Slowly the skin her eyes had been feasting on was half covered. 

Luckily, her sanity returned and she rushed out into the dark room, except that it was dimly lit now by the light of the wardrobe. Something was definitely wrong with her. She made her way to the bed and sat down and took deep breaths before he came out. Luckily he took time, minutes together, so it gave her time to cool herself down. For the first time she appreciated the cold air of her bedroom.

"Why did you switch off the lights of the room? I thought you were in bed. I didn't know you were changing." She said in her justification, as soon as he stepped out, dressed. What was the point, she couldn't bleach the memory from her mind, could she?

"I was going almost in bed but I spilled water on my t-shirt so I had to change." He answered.

She somehow couldn't meet his eyes. 

"Can I sleep?"

She looked up at him. What did he mean by that? Since when did he need her permission to do anything? "Of course, why would you say that?" She asked flustered. Did she give him crude ideas by shamelessly gawking at his naked torso? 

He was amused. Suddenly his sleepiness was gone. He walked over to her and she looked at him, with eyes widening. She leaned backwards as he got closer. He didn't know why but he absolutely enjoyed her helplessness. He leaned over her face, knowing exactly what he was doing, "you're in my bed," he whispered, "my side of the bed," he said a bit loudly.

She blinked, gulping. Her gaze momentarily dropping to his lips. Justbas she was having a close look he backed off. He withdrew and stood upright in a blink, his amusement limited to his eyes. 

Ruhaani hated this. She hoped he wouldn't call her out. She didn't know why she was reduced to a flushing mess of jittery nerves. She got up hurriedly. Her gaze coming at the level of his. "You can sleep on your bed." She muttered and hurriedly made her way to the wardrobe. She should definitely change her reading list for a few days. What she read was definitely influencing her mind!

Aadarsh was a tad bit surprised when he felt the mattress dip a bit beside him. He couldn't sleep. He had been sleepy to the point that he could doze of at the dining table at dinner but now he was wide awake. Ruhaani had taken more time than usual to change and get out.

"Where's Pari?" He asked, his voice barley a few decibels above a whisper.

"You haven't slept yet!" Ruhaani said surprised, turning to him. Heat rose to her cheeks again. She had assumed he would have been fast asleep. 

He said nothing but waited for her to answer his question. She did within a minute. "She's sleeping with Mukti."

"What? That's surprising."

"I know right. They fighting stubbornly before. And now they're inseparable again. It's like every time they fight, they come closer when it ends."

"Hmm,"

"I thought you'd be asleep the moment you hit the bed." She spoke staring up at the ceiling.

"Yeah, my sleep seems to have ditched me." He sighed. He couldn't believe he had jerked himself to thought of Ruhaani giving him a blow job. His life had been reduced to fucking his own hand. He never had had such an intense urge in all these days of being married. But suddenly, that had changed tonight. Worse of all, it was also their first night after many, when Pari wasn't sleeping with them. 

He wondered if that was destiny's way of teasing him. He didn't want to have sex with Ruhaani. He couldn't even imagine it, at least not until tonight. Yet, his body was hyper aware of every tiny movement.

"Can I ask you something?"

When he hummed to her response, Ruhaani spoke up again, "why is Shelly Bua so bitter? What's her story?"

"Story?" He repeated, turning to look at her.

Feeling his gaze on her, she turned to look at him. "Every villain has a story. Every bitter person has a reason why they're so bitter."

"Are you trying to say that she's the villain of your life?"

"Well, sort of, at least in the current track. Don't worry you're not much behind."

Aadarsh looked at her with disbelief. "You're calling me a villain."

"No, runner up villain." She clarified.

"I don't believe you!"

"Oh you should."

"What have I done?" He asked fixing his gaze back on the moving fan. It was hard to digest. He was making sure she was happy. He had even spoken back to his aunt for her today. 

"Are we really going to get into the list of reasons?"

His head snapped in her direction yet again. "A list? You have a list of reasons that make me the villain in your life," he repeated. It sounded so ridiculous.

"Well, you don't have to be in a twist about it. Right now it's your Bua. She's so annoying. You know one thing that I counted as a plus being married to you was no mother-in-law. But your Buas seem to fill the roles exactly. While I have no complaints against Badi Bua in fact I look up to her in some way, Shelly Bua is just as much annoying. I guess my luck with mother-in-law and the likes is terrible."

"So, Harsh's mother was a villain in your life too?"

"Yeah. She was bad. Shelly Bua is nothing compared to her. That woman was something else." Her voice trailed off. "It's surprising how good mothers can make such bad mother-in-laws."

A silence fell. He was almost sure  his mother would be a good mother-in-law too.

"I think you should update your understanding of the word villain." He spoke after a long silence. "And then you'll find out that me or Bua for that matter are really not villains."

"Villain is someone who pisses you off at the drop of hat, drives away your peace for no good reason, creates problems that seem impossible to even have existence. Tempts you to commit murder in self defense. You fit the bill Mr. Sehgal."

Aadarsh smiled to himself. "If that's the definition we are going with, then you'll be surprised to know that you're a big one in my life. At least I am the second on your list. You're the only one on mine."

"Ahaa, so we're finally talking facts." Ruhaani smiled widely. "And now that we're finally talking ... honestly. Do you think it would be rude if I answer back to Bua like a few times? Or will that make me ... a difficult daughter-in-law of this family?"

"I wouldn't bother answering back. She's bitter because she has a family who doesn't want her."

Ruhaani sighed. "I knew there was something like that."

"She got married around the same time as Badi Bua. But her marriage didn't last long. Four years and a child later, she got divorced. It was an ugly divorce."

"What about her kid?"

"Her husband got the custody."

"What? How, I mean, her kid would have been little. Usually the mother gets the custody, right?" She asked gazing at him, she had now turned to his side.

"He proved Shelly Bua to be an unfit mother in court. Since then Bua has been living with us. "

"Does she get to see him?"

"She can. But she never has, never does. Her husband remarried and now lives well with his family."

"That's bitter and sad."

"I think she never got over that. She's just coping. She got a few hotels in alimony. One in Goa, another in Pondicherry. She likes traveling so she's always on the go. She won't stay long at home. She never does."

Ruhaani exhaled audibly. "It must be hard for her. Damn it. Now I can't even be rude to her, without feeling guilty."

Aadarsh turned his head to look at her. "You're very mean. I tell you all this and that's what worries you."

"Well at least I am not double faced. She is rude to me. And now I can't be because, I know where all her bitterness comes from."

"Very mature for you!" He remarked, mockingly, looking up again. A hint of smile on his lips. He knew it would piss her off. 

"Yeah, well, some of us like to be better people unlike others who...well just enjoy being the villain in someone's life." She muttered turning on her back again. Just when she thought that the man could be kind to her, more friendly perhaps, he'd make a biting remark like that.

"Excatly my thoughts."

"Shh, let me sleep."

"You started the conversation." He pointed out.

"I always do, because you're incapable of starting one." She said with a clear mocking tone.

Aadarsh drew out a sharp breath turning away, "good night, Ruhaani."

"Good night," she murmured turning the other way. Aadarsh was a lost cause. He was like that pistachio that didn't have a crack. She wondered why she even tried to crack the hard nut open. 

* * *

Aadarsh had no mood to get ready for the night out. However, there was no way he was sending Ruhaani and Ashvi with Abhi. As much as he trusted his brother to make sure of the women were safe, he still needed to be there. Having fun topped Abhi's priority list and sometimes Abhi could be too dense to notice a threat, those facts motivated him to get dressed.

He was ready and decided to see if the other three were. Ashvi was way over-excited for the evening. She had taken Ruhaani to her room to get dressed. Aadarsh had thought over Ruhaani's words. Maybe he should cut Ashvi some slack. Abhi had more than once been of the same opinion. Perhaps this night would be start.

He decided to check on the kids. It was movie night for them. Shelly Bua had wanted to come along too. Abhi had dodged her request by saying that the passes were no longer available, which wasn't entirely true. Only Abhi could handle and talk Shelly Bua into doing something she didn't want to do. Like right now, she was supervising the kids, much to Dai Jaan's annoyance. 

He was making his way to Abhi's room after checking on the kids when he stopped in track as Abhi walked down the passageway along with the ladies. Aadarsh's gaze was fixed on the ladies as he took their form in. He couldn't help but be surprised. 

Ruhaani wore a straight black dress. It had two layers. One a solid black beneath and another was made of fine lace. The sleeves were just lace and instantly drew attention to her arms. Lace looked good on any woman any day, and Ruhaani was no exception. His gaze took note of her neck. A sweetheart neckline showed off more skin than he had ever seen. Had it been a little lower it would have given a glimpse to what promised to be abundant ...

"Bhai, you're a chess board again." Abhi's comment made him snap out of his thoughts, only for a few seconds though. He pinned Abhi with a glare and then shifted his gaze back to the ladies.

"What the hell are you wearing?" He muttered, looking at his sister. His gaze drifting to Ruhaani. 

Ruhaani blinked. For a few seconds she was lost. It was unfair that in a simple white polo t-shirt and black denims he could look like that— gorgeous, sinfully attractive. Off late her hormones had been partying too hard. It left her a bit high and dry— only figuratively, it was quite the opposite literally. 

Ruhaani turned to Ashvi and then looked down at her dress, wondering whose dress was Aadarsh referring too. It had to be Ashvi's. It was a straight dress, made of fine silk in olive green that had strap sleeves and a sleek slit, a little over the knee at her thigh.

Ruhaani had wanted to wear a denims and a dressy top. She even liked a beige colored top that had a brilliant intricate embroidery. But Ashvi had made it clear that they would wear dresses. She didn't want to be the only one in a dress. Ruhaani didn't like wearing dresses or skirts. She had always been the one to not dress provocatively. She had always hated unnecessary male attention.

"Ashvi?"

"What it's a dress!" Ashvi said tugging at Ruhaani's hand.

"Yeah, she looks gorgeous!" Ruhaani spoke up only to have Aadarsh's hard gaze on her. 

"Yeah, bro!" Abhi added when he got a glare from Ashvi. "Let's get going."

Aadarsh sighed. "Take a jacket or something at least."

"It's in Bhabhi's bag." She said, glad that Ruhaani had suggested her the same thing.

"Wear it on."

"Bhaiya, please! Don't be old school." Ashvi protested.

"You need to dress appropriately." Aadarsh argued.

"This is appropriate for a club," she answered back.

"God, Ashvi, you...."

"Aadarsh," Ruhaani interrupted. "It's okay. It's not like she's on her own."

He exhaled. "Fine," he turned around and walked away.

"He's upset." Ashvi sighed. 

"You could have dressed better, not trying to be a jerk about it." Abhi said.

"This is the problem with being raised by brothers. You guys are over protective and have zero fashion sense."

"Timeout guys," Ruhaani spoke up. "Let's not kill the mood."

"Your husband killed fifty percent of it. I am sure, it's only the beginning." Ashvi muttered.

"Hey, he's just concerned about your well being. You look gorgeous and the world is full of creeps, it's natural for him to worry. So, cut him some slack."

Ashvi huffed and made her way to the lift.

"Look at you Bhabhs, taking Bhaiya's side and all. Cute."

"Desperate times call for desperate measures." She muttered, moving towards the steps.

He offered her an arm. She looped her arm around his arm as they walked down. "I'd rather be on the other side than on the side your Bhaiya is on." She muttered.

"He cares for you, you know." He said softly. He had seen a shift his brother's behavior. It was subtle changes. No one could single out those changes except someone who knew the man.For instance, he spoke to Shelly Bua for her yesterday. He had noticed how his brother would randomly step up to take care of Pari when she annoyed Ruhaani. And a few minutes back, he could be sure that his brother totally had eyes for his wife.

He just hoped his brother would love Ruhaani, cause she deserved it. Ruhaani was one of the most wonderful people he had come across. He didn't warm up to people as fast as he had warmed up to her. In fact, that was common for all of them. They had always been a very closed family, especially after the demise of his mother. But they had very easily opened up to take her in.

"Of course, he cares." Ruhaani murmured. But for all of you.  "So, what about your friend, is she back from her vacation?"

"Not yet." He said.

"No wonder," she mused.

"Now wonder what?"

"You're bored all the time, you come back early from work."

Aadarsh discreetly looked towards the stairs. Ruhaani's arm was wrapped around his brother's. They were both smiling and talking to each other. His gaze moved down her body. Her legs glowed, like they had never seen the sun. The two inch heels she wore had a criss cross of black strings around her ankle. His gaze moved up to her face. Dark make up suited her. Her eyes were outlined with pitch black color. Her lips colored in a deep shade of brown. He turned around as they got closer. 

"Where's Ash?" Abhi asked.

"Waiting out." Aadarsh answered, turning to him. He avoided looking at Ruhaani.

"Could have been a little sweet, no? You know she was excited about the evening." Abhi remarked, gently unwrapping Ruhaani's hand from his arm. 

"She could have worn something decent, no?" He replied in the same tone, with a mocking gaze.

"Rude." Abhi muttered, walking ahead. "I am driving!" He said looking back.

"As you wish!" Aadarsh said, tossing the keys at him. 

"Please don't be ....difficult again." Abhi said and almost ran out.

Aadarsh scowled. 

"He's right, you could be more diplomatic about the whole thing." Ruhaani added.

"I don't need your advice on how I should talk to my siblings." His voice was cold and his gaze piercing. Ruhaani blinked. Perhaps he was annoyed because she took Ashvi's side. 

"Of course," she muttered, her voice clipped as she walked past him. Perhaps the man was bipolar. 

Aadarsh closed his eyes, for a moment. He then took a deep breath and turned to the door and headed out. He closed the door and walked down the stairs with long strides. As his gaze went up and his breath hitched. A huge drop shaped cut was designed on the back of her dress. It gave peek to her fair and flawless skin. Her straight hair had been tied into neat ponytail, it covered her skin but only partially. His gaze shifted lower as she walked towards the car. His jaw tightened and he willed himself to look away. He couldn't believe he was behaving like a teenager. What was worse was he was checking out Ruhaani!

He remembered the previous night when Ruhaani had shamelessly checked him out. Well, at least they were even. You haven't seen her topless, a small voice in his voice said. He gulped, trying to shove those thoughts away. He didn't want a complicated marriage and he wasn't going to do anything that complicated it. Even if that meant he had to fuck his hand for the entirety of his life.

• — • — •

Looking forward to read your thoughts on this chapter.

Next : Wednesday (hopefully!)

—Anami!♡