The warm, golden glow of the late afternoon sun bathed the beach, where the team had decided to unwind after an exhausting but victorious series against England. 

India had won the series 4-1, and everyone was still riding high on their success. 

They'd been out on the field for days, battling it out under the scorching sun, and now, the team had finally earned a well-deserved break.

Naima was sprawled out on a beach towel, her sun-kissed skin shimmering in the light, wearing a black bikini top and a matching sarong tied loosely around her waist. 

She had her sunglasses perched on her nose, her long dark hair tied up in a messy bun, and her feet buried in the soft sand. 

With her phone in hand, she scrolled lazily through her social media feed, catching up on the latest news and messages from friends and family.

The atmosphere was relaxed and easy-going, with the boys, some of them shirtless in the heat, lounging around the beach or paddling in the shallow water. 

Rohit and Shreyas were tossing a cricket ball back and forth, while Axar and Yashasvi were talking strategy, discussing upcoming matches and potential tactics. 

Even Jadeja, normally intense, had a relaxed grin on his face, sipping on coconut water and watching the younger players play in the surf.

But as Naima flicked through her phone, one post stopped her dead in her tracks. She didn't know what to expect, but it certainly wasn't that.

Her eyes widened as she saw the image: Shubman. Shirtless. He was standing on a balcony, dressed only in a towel slung low on his hips, looking like some kind of sun-kissed god, his abs glistening in the sun. 

To top it off, he had a cowboy hat on, tilted at a jaunty angle, as though he was some kind of wild west character. He was posing casually, one hand resting on the towel at his waist, his other hand holding his phone out in front of him, no doubt taking the picture himself. The way he looked—confident, playful, and impossibly hot—made Naima's breath catch in her throat.

Her cheeks flushed so deep that she could feel the heat spreading from her face to her neck. Her heart skipped a beat, and she quickly looked up to see if anyone had noticed her reaction. But no one seemed to be paying attention. 

She was still staring at the screen, her fingers frozen on the phone as she blinked at the picture in disbelief.

What the hell is he doing?

Her mind was racing, but she couldn't help but giggle in surprise. The sight of Shubman like this was a combination of embarrassing and... fucking hot. 

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Her heart was pounding, and she couldn't help but mutter under her breath.

"Fuck me, he looks... he looks so..." she trailed off, feeling herself heat up even more.

Just then, Yashasvi, who had been walking past, noticed Naima's flushed expression. He glanced over her shoulder at the phone screen and immediately grinned mischievously. 

"Damn, Naima, seems like Shubman's been showing off again, huh?"

Naima quickly scrambled to hide the phone, but Yashasvi had already seen enough. He was laughing so hard that his voice carried across the beach. 

"Bro, you're gonna kill her with this," he said loudly to the others.

Rohit, Jadeja, and Axar, who had been sitting nearby, glanced up at Yashasvi, then at Naima, and then at the phone.

"What the hell?" Rohit laughed, making his way over, his abs still visible from his sleeveless shirt, his sunglasses perched on top of his head. 

"Did Shubman post that?"

"Yeah," Yashasvi said, his grin widening. "Look at him. He's basically giving Naima a private show."

Naima buried her face in her hands, mortified. "Shut up," she muttered under her breath, unable to stop herself from laughing at how ridiculous this all felt.

"Girl, you've got good taste, I'll give you that," Axar said, his voice full of playful amusement. "Who wouldn't want a cowboy in their life?"

Rohit gave him a look that told him to stop, but the grin on his face said otherwise. "Alright, alright, Naima. I get it. We've all got our crushes, but this? Shubman? Damn, he's got some guts to post that shit."

"I swear to God," Naima muttered, still embarrassed as she swiped away from the picture. "I'm gonna kill him when I see him."

"No, you won't," Yashasvi teased, stepping back with a wink. "You'll probably thank him for the hotness overload and then beg him to do it again."

Naima rolled her eyes, but even though she was trying to act annoyed, her heart was still hammering in her chest.

Meanwhile, just as the others started to laugh and joke around, they heard a voice behind them.

"What's going on here?"

It was Shubman, walking up from the water's edge, his toned body still dripping from his dip in the ocean. 

He had a towel around his neck, and a pair of sunglasses perched casually on his nose, with a pair of shorts. 

His broad shoulders and defined muscles were on full display, and Naima had to fight the urge to stare at him like some lovesick teenager.

"Did you really post that picture of yourself?" Naima asked, her voice sharp, but there was a playful edge to it.

Shubman looked at her, feigning innocence as he tucked a lock of wet hair behind his ear. "What? You didn't like it?" he asked, his voice smooth and teasing, not the least bit apologetic.

Naima's eyes narrowed. "Are you serious? Why would you post that?"

"Well, I thought you might enjoy it," he said with a smirk. "But I guess I was wrong."

Naima shot him a glare, but she couldn't hold back the laugh that followed. 

"You're unbelievable," she muttered, though she couldn't hide the grin tugging at her lips.

Shubman winked at her, obviously enjoying the flustered effect he had on her. "Guess I'll have to make it up to you then, huh?"

The team, still lingering nearby, exchanged knowing glances and chuckles. They were used to the playful banter between the two, but it was hard to ignore the way they seemed to glow when they were together.

As the conversation shifted, Naima found herself not caring about the picture anymore—she was too caught up in the warmth of Shubman's presence. 

Despite the teasing and the antics of their teammates, she knew that when it came down to it, it was just the two of them. 

And even though the beach was filled with noise, laughter, and chatter, in that moment, it felt like it was just the two of them.

"You're lucky you're cute," Naima muttered under her breath, her face still flushed but her heart soaring. Shubman raised an eyebrow, leaning closer.

"You really think so?" he asked, his voice low and teasing.

Naima gave him a playful shove, but he just laughed and pulled her closer, the sound of the waves crashing behind them a perfect soundtrack to the quiet intimacy of the moment.

His scent—sunblock mixed with the salty ocean breeze—was intoxicating, and for a moment, it was as though everything else faded away.

The teasing from the boys, the ridiculousness of the cowboy hat picture, all of it seemed to vanish in the softness of the moment.

"You know," Shubman said, still grinning, his voice a little quieter now, "I swear, you look even more gorgeous when you're mad at me."

Naima rolled her eyes, but the smile tugging at her lips betrayed her. "You really are something else," she muttered, leaning into him more comfortably as they both sat down on the sand.

The other boys had wandered off to the water's edge, clearly giving them space. But Yashasvi, ever the mischievous one, couldn't resist.

"Hey, Shubman," Yashasvi called out from where he stood, not even bothering to hide the amusement in his voice, "If you want to impress her more, I heard you're supposed to add a little more muscle to that chest—maybe get a few more shirtless selfies in."

Everyone else laughed at that, and Shubman shot Yashasvi a half-hearted glare, but he wasn't upset—his grin said it all. Naima, however, was having none of it.

"If you keep talking like that," she said to Yashasvi, "I swear I'm going to dunk your head in the water. I'll let you drown for five seconds to learn a lesson, okay?"

Yashasvi held up his hands in mock surrender. "Alright, alright," he said, stepping back. "No need to go all deadly on me. I'll stop with the jokes."

But as the teasing died down, Shubman's hand found its way to Naima's again. His fingers brushed against hers, lingering there for just a second longer than normal before he slipped his hand into hers completely.

Naima's heart skipped a beat, and she couldn't stop herself from squeezing his hand back.

For a moment, neither of them spoke. They just sat in silence, the sound of the waves crashing and the distant chatter of the others filling the space between them.

"You know," Shubman started, his voice quiet, thoughtful, "I never really realized how much I needed this. All the time we've been spending together, just away from everything... it's been like... we're in our own little world."

Naima turned her head to look at him, finding the sincerity in his eyes. "Yeah?" she asked softly, genuinely curious.

"Yeah," he said, nodding, a little smile playing at his lips. "I mean, we've been through a lot this past year—crushing the series, the pressure of always being in the spotlight... but right here, right now, with you? It's perfect."

Naima felt her chest tighten, a warmth spreading through her. She had always known their bond was something special, something more than just teammates or friends. 

It was something deeper, something unspoken between them. She knew it. The team knew it. But hearing him say it out loud... it hit differently.

"You're full of shit," she teased, but it was with affection, the corners of her lips curling into a grin. "But I like it."

Shubman chuckled, brushing his thumb over the back of her hand. "You know you love it," he said, his voice playful yet still carrying that undertone of sincerity.

She leaned her head on his shoulder, allowing herself to soak in the moment. The sun was lower in the sky now, casting a warm glow over everything. 

The beach was quiet, almost tranquil, and for the first time in a long time, she felt a sense of peace—away from the pressure of cricket, away from the media, away from the expectations. Just them.

It was enough.

As the sky darkened and the others began to settle around a bonfire, Shubman and Naima remained close, their fingers still entwined. 

They didn't need words anymore. They were both content just sitting together, sharing the space, and knowing that things between them were real.

Shubman squeezed her hand. "You know," he said softly, "I think after this... I'm ready to take on anything. Test series, IPL, hell, even life off the field. Just as long as I have you by my side."

Naima's heart fluttered, and for once, she didn't feel the need to crack a joke or push the feeling away. Instead, she rested her head against his, closing her eyes for a moment, taking it all in.

"I'm with you," she whispered back, her voice low, soft, but full of meaning. "Always."

And as the fire flickered to life in front of them, casting long shadows on the sand, the rest of the world faded into the background. 

It was just them, here in this perfect little corner of the universe, and neither of them had any intention of letting go.

The bonfire crackled in front of them, sending soft, flickering light across the beach. The other teammates were gathered around the flames, laughing and joking, but Shubman and Naima remained in their own little bubble, comfortable in the silence that had settled between them.

Naima could feel the steady beat of her heart, the warmth of the fire, and the even warmer presence of Shubman beside her. 

Six months. Six months they had been secretly dating, their bond growing stronger each day. The first few weeks had been filled with stolen moments and quiet exchanges, but over time, they had grown more comfortable with their love—hidden from the public eye but entirely real between them.

Shubman shifted slightly, his fingers still interlaced with hers. His thumb brushed across the back of her hand, sending a ripple of warmth up her arm. He turned his head toward her, his face soft but serious. 

The laughter from their teammates faded into the background as he leaned in closer, his breath warm against her ear.

"Naima," he murmured softly, his voice barely above a whisper, "I don't think I've ever felt more at peace than I do right now... with you."

Her heart raced, and for a brief moment, everything felt so perfectly in sync. The ocean breeze, the firelight, the quiet hum of their teammates around them... and the way Shubman's words wrapped around her like a promise.

She pulled back slightly to look at him, her gaze locking with his. His dark eyes were filled with so much emotion—something deeper than the usual teasing or banter they shared. There was tenderness in them, vulnerability that he only ever showed to her.

"Shubman..." she whispered, her voice catching slightly as she took in the rawness of his expression.

In that moment, all the teasing, all the jokes, and even the pressure of being the country's most celebrated young cricketer faded into nothing. It was just them. 

The chemistry between them, the unspoken bond, was so strong that neither of them could deny it. They had been together for months, and yet it still felt like they were discovering new depths in their connection every day.

Without another word, Shubman gently cupped her cheek, his fingers brushing softly against her skin. 

The touch was so tender, almost reverent, as though he was savoring the moment. Naima held her breath, her heart hammering in her chest, but she didn't pull away.

His thumb traced the line of her jaw, and she leaned into the touch instinctively, closing her eyes for just a moment. 

She could feel the warmth of his body beside her, the heat from the fire mixing with the warmth of his presence. Slowly, almost hesitantly, he lowered his face to hers. She could feel the anticipation in the air—charged, electric.

When his lips finally met hers, it was soft at first, almost too gentle, as if testing the waters. But then, as the sensation of his kiss washed over her, it deepened, and the world seemed to fall away. 

She could taste the salt on his lips, feel the soft pressure of his mouth against hers, and everything inside her stilled. The fire behind them was nothing compared to the heat that seemed to ignite between them.

Her fingers curled into the front of his linen shirt that he was wearing though it was completely unbuttoned, pulling him closer, deepening the kiss. 

Shubman's hand slid to the back of her neck, holding her steady as his lips moved against hers with increasing urgency. It was a kiss full of everything they hadn't said—the late-night conversations, the stolen moments, the understanding they shared.

Naima's heart raced, and for a moment, she couldn't think of anything except the feeling of his lips on hers, the way his touch seemed to ignite something inside her that she didn't even know was there.

Their kiss became more frantic, more desperate, as though they both wanted to make up for lost time. Naima could feel the weight of his chest against hers as he shifted closer, and she couldn't stop herself from pulling him in even tighter. 

His body was solid against hers, and she let herself be consumed by the feeling—the connection between them, stronger than anything they had ever shared before.

But then, just as quickly as it had started, they pulled back slightly, both of them breathless. Naima's face was flushed, her lips tingling from the intensity of the kiss. 

She couldn't meet his gaze at first, her mind still reeling from the electric charge that had passed between them.

Shubman, however, couldn't wipe the grin off his face. His chest was heaving as he leaned his forehead against hers, his hand still resting gently on the back of her neck. 

"Fuck," he whispered, his voice hoarse. "I've wanted to do that for so long."

Naima laughed softly, shaking her head. "Well, fuck you for making me wait so long," she teased, but there was no real heat behind her words.

 She was still floating, still lost in the warmth of the kiss, the feeling of him, the way he made everything feel so right.

Shubman chuckled, his breath still unsteady. "I didn't make you wait, baby," he replied, his voice low and playful. "You just like to tease me too much."

Naima couldn't stop herself from smiling at him, her heart soaring. For once, she let herself bask in the feeling of being with him—of being seen by him in a way that no one else would ever understand. 

Their relationship had always been something they kept hidden, but in that moment, with the firelight dancing around them and the world quiet, it didn't matter.

"You're not getting away from me now," she whispered, leaning in to kiss him again. And this time, there was no hesitation. 

Only passion, only the pull that had been growing between them for months.

Shubman's lips met hers once more, and this time, it wasn't just a kiss. It was a promise—of love, of secrecy, of moments just like this, where the world around them didn't exist. Where everything they needed was right here, between them.

And as they kissed again, the fire burned brighter in the distance, but it was nothing compared to the flame they had ignited between them.

Welcome to the nineteenth chapter of "The Man"!
they're so hot, it's not fair

what are your thoughts about the next chapter?
anyway, hope y'all enjoyed this chapter!
make sure to comment on what you liked!

until then, yours truly
soup 🫶