Rishi's grip on the steering wheel was tight, his knuckles turning white as he pressed the accelerator. The car sped through the empty roads, the streetlights casting fleeting shadows over Aisha's flushed face. She stirred beside him, her breath uneven, her fingers still gripping the fabric of his sleeve.
His mind was a storm of emotions....rage at the trap set for her, worry over her state, and something dangerously close to desire at the way she kept whispering his name. But above all, the urgent need to get her home, to get her safe, overpowered everything else.
Within minutes, he pulled up outside her mansion. Not wasting a second, he stepped out and rounded the car, opening her door. She barely had the strength to move, her limbs weak and her body feverish. Before she could even attempt to step out, Rishi scooped her up in his arms.
"Aisha…" he murmured, his voice softer than he intended, but she only sighed and nestled closer to his chest. The warmth of her breath against his neck sent shivers through him, but he clenched his jaw and forced himself to focus.
As he carried her inside, the servants gasped in concern, but he silenced them with a look. "She's fine. Just make sure no one disturbs us." His voice was firm, leaving no room for questions.
He ascended the stairs with ease, his arms tightening protectively around her. By the time he reached her room, her head was tucked into the crook of his neck, her breath shallow but steady. Gently, he lowered her onto the bed, his fingers lingering at her cheek for just a second longer than necessary.
She whimpered slightly, her eyes fluttering open. "Rishi…" she whispered, her voice weak yet full of something unspoken.
He exhaled slowly, brushing a strand of hair from her damp forehead. "You need to rest," he said, but she caught his wrist before he could move away.
"Stay." It was a plea, barely audible, but it struck him harder than anything else.
Rishi hesitated, his body still on edge from the night's events. He wanted nothing more than to pull her into his arms, to chase away every trace of the drug's effect, to make sure she felt nothing but safety and warmth. But the moment he untied her wrists, thinking she was too exhausted to move, she lunged at him, her arms wrapping around his neck. Her breath was hot against his skin as she pressed against him, eyes dark with unrestrained need.
"Take it away, Rishi… this heat, I can't...." she murmured, her hands sliding over his chest, nails scraping lightly as she tugged at his shirt.
But he couldn't. Not now.
Swallowing hard, he gently pried her fingers away. "Aisha, you need to calm down," he murmured, his voice husky yet firm. But she wasn't listening, her hands moving over his body with a desperation that made his blood boil.
Realizing he had no other choice, he scooped her up again, carrying her into the bathroom. Without hesitation, he turned on the cold water and filled the bathtub before lowering her in, without taking her clothes off. Aisha gasped as the chill surrounded her, the heat within her body slowly dissipating.
Her breaths evened out, and she looked up at him, her expression unreadable. "Rishi..." she whispered, her fingers lightly grazing his wrist. He hesitated for a moment, his heart pounding in his chest. But before she could say more, he turned away....just as he reached for the door, she shifted, and in her weakened state, her foot slipped against the wet tiles. In an instant, he turned back to steady her, but the momentum brought them too close, and before he could react, their lips brushed in a fleeting, electrifying touch, they kissed.
Aisha gasped, eyes widening as she met his stunned gaze. Her breath hitched, the brief connection leaving behind a tingling sensation.
Rishi's entire body tensed, his self-control hanging by a thread. He exhaled sharply, forcing himself to step back. His heart pounded so violently that he could hear it in his ears, his pulse racing as the ghost of her lips still tingled against his own. For a split second, his gaze flickered to her parted lips, the way her chest rose and fell in shallow breaths, the soft, dazed look in her eyes that nearly unraveled him completely.
Without a word, he picked her up ,placed her on the couch then turned and called for the maid, his fingers curling into fists to suppress the wildfire raging inside him.
Once she was dressed in dry clothes, Rishi returned to her room, watching as she lay curled up on the bed. He sat beside her, brushing damp strands of hair away from her face before reaching for a towel. Carefully, he began drying her hair, his fingers moving with gentle precision.
Aisha stirred slightly at his touch, her lashes fluttering as she murmured something incoherent. He smiled faintly, continuing his slow movements until her hair was no longer dripping. Once satisfied, he pulled the blanket over her, his fingers lingering for a moment before he leaned back with a sigh, his gaze fixed on her peaceful face.
Her eyes fluttered open, her voice groggy. "Are you staying?"
He gave her a small smile. "I'm not going anywhere."
As she finally surrendered to sleep, Rishi leaned back, watching over her. His heart was still hammering, and his body was tense. Tonight had been a close call. Too close.
And as he sat there, one thing became painfully clear....he could fight his desires all he wanted, but keeping his distance from Aisha was no longer an option.