Aanya’s hands trembled as she brushed her hair away from her face, the lingering warmth of Veer’s protective embrace still radiating through her skin. The shadows had retreated, leaving a sense of quiet that crackled with unspent energy. The room was a mess, but she could only focus on the man in front of her, his breathing still ragged from the fight, his dark eyes locked onto hers.

Veer looked like a fallen warrior, disheveled yet unbearably beautiful, and the tension that hung between them was electric. Aanya swallowed hard, her pulse racing for an entirely different reason. The way he had shielded her, the fierce protectiveness in his gaze, had ignited something deep within her—a yearning she couldn’t deny.

“Are you okay?” Veer asked, his voice low and husky. His eyes scanned her face, lingering on her lips, and Aanya felt her heart stutter.

She nodded, but her breath caught as she stepped closer, drawn to him as if pulled by an invisible force. “I’m fine,” she whispered, though her voice betrayed the chaos swirling inside her. She hesitated for only a moment before reaching out, her fingers finding his, and a jolt of heat surged between them.

Veer’s grip tightened on her hand, his gaze darkening with something that sent a thrill down her spine. “Aanya,” he murmured, her name a warning and a plea all at once. But there was no mistaking the desire in his eyes, the barely contained hunger that mirrored her own.

Aanya took a shaky breath, her courage fueled by the way his eyes followed her every move. She stepped even closer, their bodies mere inches apart, and placed her hands on his chest. The heat radiating from him was dizzying, and she felt the steady, powerful rhythm of his heartbeat beneath her palms. “I don’t want to be afraid anymore,” she said softly, her voice trembling with vulnerability.

Veer’s jaw clenched, his restraint slipping, and he cupped her face in his hands, his touch gentle yet desperate. “You have no idea what you’re doing to me,” he whispered, his breath warm against her lips.

“Then show me,” Aanya whispered back, her gaze unflinching.

That was all it took. Veer closed the distance between them, his mouth capturing hers in a kiss that obliterated every thought, every fear. His lips were firm, claiming, and Aanya melted against him, her fingers curling into his shirt. The world around them faded, leaving only the heat, the urgency, the way their bodies seemed to fit together perfectly.

Veer’s hands slid down her back, pulling her closer until there was no space left between them. Aanya gasped against his mouth as his touch sent shivers down her spine, her own hands exploring the hard lines of his chest, his shoulders. She felt his muscles tense beneath her touch, and the way he responded to her sent a wave of exhilaration through her.

His lips left hers only to trail kisses along her jaw, down her neck, his breath hot against her skin. Aanya tilted her head back, her eyes fluttering shut as she surrendered to the sensations. Her heart raced, each touch, each kiss leaving her breathless, and she clung to him as if he were the only thing grounding her.

Veer’s hands found the curve of her waist, his grip firm yet reverent, and he whispered her name, his voice thick with desire. The way he said it, like a prayer, made her skin tingle. “Aanya,” he murmured, his lips brushing the sensitive spot just below her ear. “Tell me to stop, and I will.”

But stopping was the last thing on her mind. Aanya opened her eyes, meeting his gaze, and saw the storm of emotions swirling there—desire, yes, but also a tenderness that made her chest ache. “I don’t want you to stop,” she breathed.

His restraint shattered, and he lifted her effortlessly, her legs wrapping around his waist as he carried her to the edge of the bed. They sank onto the soft surface together, and Aanya’s laughter bubbled up, a mix of exhilaration and joy. Veer smiled, a rare, breathtaking sight, before his lips found hers again, their kisses deepening.

The heat between them burned hotter, their touches growing bolder, more daring. Veer’s hands explored her curves, his touch reverent and hungry, and Aanya felt as if she were on fire, every nerve alight with sensation. Their clothes became an obstacle, and she blushed as his fingers brushed her bare skin, but the way he looked at her—with awe, as if she were something precious—made her feel fearless.

Time seemed to stop as they lost themselves in each other, in the passion that had been building between them since the moment they met. It was raw, breathtaking, and beautiful, a moment suspended between danger and desire, and they clung to each other, savoring every second.