Chapter 23

Chapter 23
Shanaya pushed him and ran to the random side "now catch me if you can" shouted back at him. He shook his head and ran after her. She was laughing and running around the shore freely. She felt delighted and wanted to be careless for a while.

As she saw him approaching her she ran faster screaming in excitement but not faster than him. He grabbed her wrist easily but her feet twisted and they both fell on the sand. Her back hit the ground and Avyaansh was on top of her hovering over her.

Both were panting hard after the run and were staring at each other. None of them said a word. Avyaansh dipped his head in the crook of her neck and inhaled her hair. She shivered in his hold and shut her eyes.

Her intoxicating lavender scent was addicting him and he wanted nothing more but to inhale her intoxicating smell. However, he pushed his arms and stood up it was then she released a breath that she was holding.

Avyaansh forward his hand and she grasped it and he pulled her up. "I have something to tell you" he husked cupping her cheeks. She gaped at him and he took the cue to continue. "I think I have fallen for you" he whispered and pulled her closer, gazing down at her while her eyes were on him. Her heartbeat sped up unevenly, she could hear it in her ears. Her breath hitched and her throat bobbed up and down and her cheeks turned bitterroot if it was even possible.

None of them breaks the state until he said "I know it's too early but you can't deny what we have between us," he said taking another step closer to her, eating the gap between them. Her soft body crushed against his hard one and she inhaled sharply to calm her rapid heartbeats.

He dipped his head more and she had to crane her neck to look him in the eyes as his tall frame was towering over her. Before she could comprehend anything his lips came crashing down over hers.

A little gasp escaped her throat and her heartbeat quickened. He moved his lips gradually over her, nibbling her lower lip softly. She stood stiffly caged between his arms. Her heart jackhammered against her rib cage. He sucked her lips slowly and nibbled between his lips. He felt an irresistible pull towards her which compelled him to explore more of her.

She didn't move her lips nor did he try to enter his tongue inside her mouth. Her hand fisted on his chest while he could hear her uneven heartbeats. Another suck on her lips and her hand fisted his shirt more. It was a soft but intense kiss. He took his time sucking and nibbling her soft petals until she began moving her lips against his. She reciprocated the kiss and fisted his shirt on his chest.

This mere act of hers took him off guard and his eyes opened wide before he took the bait and grasped the nape of her neck to deepen the kiss. He slowly sucked her upper lips while she tried to repeat his moves but her inexperienced act was his undoing. He groaned in approval and wrapped his arms around her waist, yanking her closer to him so that there was no room left for air. A soft moan escaped her throat and he felt the urge to do more than just a kiss.

He only pulled back when they both were out of breath and he joined their forehead together. Their eyes closed, harsh breaths, and pounding heartbeats. He opened his eyes and gazed at her flushed face while she was panting hard. He felt something tugging at his heart. 'Was he doing right with her? Isn't it wrong to use her for his own personal means?' His subconscious questioned but then again his mother's face flickered in front of his eyes and he pushed back those thoughts which were unsettling him. 'No, this is what I planned. I can't screw up right now,' Avyaansh thought.

"Avyaansh" Shanaya whispered between her pants which broke his reverie. He glanced at her whose eyes were still casted down. "I…I need time to make my decision" she managed to say but felt shy. She still couldn't believe she reciprocated the kiss but felt giddy. This all is so new to her and the thought she kissed him back was making butterflies do salsa in her belly. That smile never left her face.

On the other hand, Avyaansh was in deep thought. Why was he suddenly feeling uneasy after sharing the kiss? Pushing his thoughts to the back of his mind, he pinched her chin to look up at him "it's okay, take your time but know one thing…I am not the man of patience" he husked and she blushed.

She licked her lips in apprehension but that act of hers was his turn on, only he knows how he holds himself back to devour her lips again.



Avyaansh parked his black sedan in front of Singhania mansion. "We are here," he declared and it was then she looked up and found they had reached home. Shanaya bobbed her head and unbuckled her seat belt before she could open the door. He yanked her back and her face was just an inch apart from his "I will wait for your answer" saying that he pecked her lips and she jostled in his hold.

"Take care," he said before pulling back, making a red hue crept over her cheeks. Shanaya nodded slightly and got down. Avyaansh drove off from there and Shanaya sauntered inside the mansion. All the while that smile never left her lips. She was feeling beyond happy.

"Where were you this late?" There stood Neil looking infuriated. She would have crashed with him if not for her quick thought she took back steps immediately. She looked at the clock showing it was 7 in the evening her father must be in his office.

Shanaya scowled looking at the impulsive man asking her questions. Her father didn't question her on something and this guy got the nerve to ask her. "I already told you. Didn't I?" Saying that she walked past him while glaring at him and turned back to him "And one more thing, my personal business is none of your concern so don't you dare to question me next time" saying that she ascended the stairs hurriedly.

Neil clenched his jaw in anger and strolled out of the mansion not before cursing her.

Shanaya locked her door first thing while entering the room. "What with him?" She muttered while tossing her bag on the nearby couch and slumping on the bed.

Shanaya was annoyed at Neil but when she recalled her date a few hours ago a wide smile crept on her lips and she hid her face on the pillow feeling shy all of a sudden.

She would have said yes because she likes him and there's no lie but she needed to ponder over her feelings and before answering him, she needed some me time.

When Rajeev returned from the office it was already dinner time. Everyone arrived at the dining table and Rajeev sat on the head chair Shanaya sat on his right while Neil sat on his left across from Shanaya. Reema bi served the dinner and they ate while Rajeev and Neil were discussing business. On the other hand Shanaya was eating silently.

Neil motioned Rajeev to talk and he gave him a curt nod. After dinner, Shanaya was about to leave for her room when Rajeev called her. "Yes dad," she said. "Come, I have something to tell you," he said and they both walked into the living room while Neil left for his room.

"What do you have to tell me?" Shanaya asked as they settled down on the couch. "Princess you have to promise me something," Rajeev declared and she looked puzzled. "Promise me that you will do the thing I will ask you" Rajeev again asked when she paused. "What happened? What promise do you want me to do?" Shanaya asked.

"Do you trust your father?" He started and Shanaya felt her father was disturbed emotionally. "What is there dad? Tell me what happened?" She asked, feeling concerned. She took his hand in both hands when Rajeev was silent, waiting for her answer.

"Okay, I promise I will do anything you want me to. Now please tell me why are you so tense" she asked softly, earning a smile from her father. At that moment she just wanted to erase the worry from her father's face without pondering much about what it could cost her.

"I am recently facing crashes in business. I have a huge loan to pay the bank. If within a week I didn't return the amount to the bank we will lose our company" Rajeev said sighing last and Shanaya got more worried.

"There's only one way to save everything" Rajeev asserted looking at her. "If you marry Neil. They will help us to save the business and even pay back the loan" Rajeev let out and Shanaya left his hand abruptly. As if the ground slipped beneath her feet. Suddenly she felt the whole world come crashing down on her.