Bengal, Chatterjee Residence

He just did not do that.

His thumb had the slight reddish tint of her lip color as well. He-he sucked that too....

'God! Stop staring at him like that, Saudamini!' But that freaking thing just worked in her mind, whereas in reality she was gaping at her, her stomach flipping as she stared into those deep eyes, 'Don't look at him like that!'

'You only claimed he desired for you, now what are you doing?' Saudamini felt funny as her right sense was trying to reprimand her, she gulped. He was just trying to rile her up, right? Right? But it was working, and she was hating her hormones for it. Suddenly the entire scenario appeared to hit her. The cold wind sweeping past through the window panes and rustling the curtains, the sweet fragrance of the flowers, the rose petals scattered all over the bed.

And an extremely handsome youth; her husband, trying to incite her through his subtle actions. 

Damn!

Those romantic novels weren't helping her situation either, the vivid scenarios began to penetrate in her mind suddenly.

She sat jammed, staring at him shamelessly with her lips slightly parted. 

Anirban definitely knew what he was doing. He exhaled visibly, leaning forward yet not breaking his gaze with her. Saudamini's eyes raked around him, unsure of his next move. But all he did was wrap his fingers around the glass of milk she was holding, "Are you full?" 

The fact that his lips had that odd, mischievously teasing yet an innocent smile—as if it was only Saudamini whose mind was betraying her and not him. 

How does he manage to pretend that he is this innocent?

Saudamini's lips twitched slightly, as she released the glass; embarassment pulsing through her veins. Her lashes dimmed as she tried to look away, but what he did next made her widen her eyes further. His gaze traversed towards her as he turned the glass, where the imprint of her lip color had been smudged and swiftly attached his lips exactly there, slowly upturning the glass and drinking the rest of the milk. 

And her wet tongue from the milk she had drunk a few moments ago, turned dry.

He brushed the corner of his lips and placed the empty glass beside on the table, and jumped back on the bed, that smile not leaving his face, "What?" He raised a brow at his wife, whose face was burning by now.  

Anirban tried to conceal his laughter as Saudamini immediately looked down, pretending as she wasn't affected by anything and began to undo her ornaments. Gathering them, she walked up and kept them at the dressing table. Anirban cupped his mouth with the palm of his palm and chuckled silently. 

Saudamini firmed her lashes and shook her head. 

Why wasn't earth slipping beneath her feet? 

Her gaze traversed to his reflection upon the mirror, he was leaning against the headboard supported by his pillow, but his eyes were fixed upon her and a soft half smile. He was deliberately doing that. Everything to entice her, and even though she wouldn't admit, it was working. 

She stole away her gaze from him, trying ignore as her fingers shifted to her waist, in the attempt of removing her waist chain; her heart was thudding fast as her not so innocent mind wasn't helping her clear the scenarios she had read and imagined. 'Have a grip on your Saudamini. What are you doing?'

She felt like cursing herself right then for having her mind spoilt, and Anirban's intense gaze upon her every activity wasn't helping it either. Her fingers faltered repeatedly as she tried to unhook it.

"Saudamini?" 

Oh God. 

She peered at him through the mirror slightly. 

"Do you need some help regarding that?" That tease in that tone was so evident. He flipped on over to one side, resting his head on his palm and raising a brow. 

She hated it. She hated how he was able to read everything that was running through her mind shamelessly.

"N-no, no. You, you go to sleep!" Saudamini exhaled instantly, feeling her cheeks would burst right then. 

"Are you sure? Are you sure you don't need any help, love?" 

She bit her lips, almost chewing upon it by now due to embarassment. Her breaths had turned erratic, it was almost as if she could hear her own heart beat. What was wrong with her? How can just a simple gaze and some words have that effect upon her? And the fact that he was just pretending to be innocent yet pulling her leg from right, left and center wasn't helping it either. 

And here she was going to spend her entire life with him-

Her fingers thankfully was able to unlock the hook, she almost sighed audibly in relief as she removed the waist chain; pushing back her hairs. Anirban as usual, was snickering again, but this time he had shifted the other side. But the way his body was vibrating indicating that he was laughing silently. 

Oh God!

She blinked around, trying to normalize herself and strode towards the bed. Sharing the bed with her husband who was already riling her up just from afar. How brilliant! She smoothened her saree and gulped, as she sat on the bed making it creek slightly. She side eyed Anirban, who was again watching her amusedly, and instantly look away. Meeting his gaze right then definitely meant inviting unwanted trouble. 

Saudamini grabbed her pillow and stacked it against the head board and swiftly laid down, adjusting the length of her saree, and stared at the ceiling. She could practically sense Anirban staring at her and smiling, and she was having a difficult time to control her smile as well. The mixed emotions he was rendering with his presence was unbelievable. 

He was definitely taking revenge for everything she did. 

"Don't smile," Saudamini pretended to huff, as she faked a glare at him. 

"Why? Does it take money to smile?" He brushed his hairs back, still smiling. 

It was futile to argue with him.

"If, if you are trying to rile me up, it won't be working," She pressed her lips, staring up at the ceiling again, feeling hot and cold at the same time.

"I can see what and how it is working," He husked, stressing on those words which needed to be, making the latter freeze for a moment as she side eyed him with slightly widened eyes. His lips curled into a smirk as gently removed a strand of hair from her forehead, his feathery finger stroking her skin in the process, "And I will make sure it works every time."

Saudamini stared at him with her lips parted open. 

"Nighty night..." His smirked widened as he winked,  turning the other side and switched off the light. 

★★★★★★★★★

A/N

🙈🙈🙈🙈 Ik you guys are too embarrassed and red.

Moi felt like chewing my clothes while writing this chapter 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣.

Kal tumlogo ke comments padhke ekdum majja agaya, so aaj ka chapter is a gift for that ;p.

Ab next chapter thore dino baad ayega because your author needs time to think! 🙈

Also,

Triptii Dimri as Tripti Chatterjee

I love her so much that I kept her name only in the fic 🙈😋. I needed an innocent face like Anirban but not so innocent mind. 🤣

Signing off for today!

Nushkie