FF : I Can't Let Her Go! Part 49 (Conclusion)

“Oh...God...what have I done, what have I done, what have I done...” Khushi mumbled into Arnav’s shoulder...

She tried to move but Arnav locked her head between his hands...”What are you talking about?”

Her eyes avoided his...

“Khushi...I’m not going to let you go...or let THIS go...so you better tell me...”

She flicked her eyes up to him...”You...You and your mind boggling kisses...I can’t think straight or think properly! I told you that I wanted you to let me go! I told you that...”

The swift, possessive kiss was unexpected, the rapid response of her body inevitable.

He didn’t give her a chance to come to her senses and protest his high-handedness.

He stormed her senses, strummed her like a damn instrument.

She was just starting to gather her wits when his head lifted.

Khushi finally blinked at him, completely dazed.

Both of them were breathing hard, their bodies vibrating in perfect unison.

“What was that?” she blurted stupidly.

“A sure way to shut you up. I didn’t like what you were saying...”

Khushi desperately pushed away and sat up...”You didn’t like...I thought I was doing the right thing!!!”

Arnav rose up beside her, his eyes drilling into her...”Oh really, and the right thing was to push me out of your life!?”

When his brows jerked up, she blurted, “I was trying to protect you.”

He blinked as though she’d yanked the carpet from underneath him. “Pass that by me, again.”

“If anything happened to you, I couldn’t bear it...so I was afraid to let you get close to me again..”

When he continued to stare at her, she sstood up defiantly...

Arnav followed and tried to reach for her...but she moved back and knocked a flower vase off the table...

It smashed...

“Khushi, careful...”

But it was too late, she tripped over one foot and yelped, “Ouch.”

Pain shot up her leg.

She lifted her foot and saw the blood on her foot...

“Khushi...” Arnav hurried to grab her... “You’re hurt...Here, let me lift you...”

Her face scrunched up when she saw blood ooze out of the wound.

He didn’t give her a warning before he scooped her up.

“There might be broken glass imbedded in it.” Khushi searched his scowling face.

“I’m...I’m sorry Arnavji...”

“Forget it. It doesn’t matter now.”

“But it does.”

He stopped outside the door of the bathroom.

“Khushi, let it go.”

“I can’t.”

Sighing, he entered the bathroom, set her down on the bench and propped her leg over his arm...

When he shifted to straighten his body, she reached out and touched his cheek.

He froze but didn’t pull away.

Instead, he turned his head to look at her, his expression unreadable.

Ignoring her stinging foot, she studied his face—the arched eyebrows and the chiseled cheekbones, the strong jaw line and the sculptured lips.
She caressed with her fingers where her gaze had been, ran her knuckles over his stubble.

She realized her hand was trembling and let it fall on her lap.

“I don’t know why you love me...I’m so unreasonable and irrational...”

He sat on the edge of the tub, right beside her feet.

“Khushi...I love you...no matter how stupid or frustrating you may be....”

He cleared his throat then pointed to her foot.

“I need to take care of that.” His voice was gruff.  

Arnav pulled out the red and white box and set it on top of the sink .

Neither of them spoke as he sat down again, turned on the tub faucet and held her bleeding foot under the stream of water....

She winced at the stinging sensation, but her gaze followed the outline of his face, his muscular arms and down to his long fingers.

He held her foot in his large hand, his touch gentle and soothing.

He set her cleaned foot on his lap then reached inside the first-aid kit for peroxide and a cotton swab.

He poured the disinfectant on the swab and cleaned her cut.

She whimpered, her leg jerking.

Arnav looked up apologetically “It’s not bleeding anymore, it wasn’t very deep...”

He put her foot down, lifted her up and carried her back out and sat on the bed...pulling her carefully on his lap.

For a moment, he didn’t speak, just held her tight, her head on the curve of his neck.

She could feel his heart beating hard in his chest.

The heat from his body spread, warming her until her shivering subsided.

She let him cuddle her, offering her comfort when she was the one who’d hurt him by pushing him away...

How could she have been such a fool?

This man was priceless.

She turned her head and dropped butterfly kisses on the hot skin of his neck, gripped his face and tilted it so she could kiss along his jaw, the corners of his mouth.

She knew exactly when he relaxed. “Forgive me please...” she whispered.

“I don’t need to...”

She leaned back to look into his eyes.

They were watchful, caring, and serious....

“Wh...what do you mean?”

“I understand why you felt that way...You still need to forgive all the wrongs I’ve done to you, I have no right to be angry at you...when you were only trying to protect your heart...But Khushi...” he leaned forwards, his gaze turning brutal...”Don’t you EVER distance us again....”

She blinked “I couldn’t let you be hurt again because of me...”

He blew out air and shook his head. “I know. Just don’t ever do it again....”

“I won’t...I won’t... I’m really so—”

“Don’t. No more apologies. ..”

He planted a brief kiss on her lips.

“My God you’re beautiful...”

Khushi smiled...”Shall we try to have a normal, relaxing night now?”

“I used to live normally quite easily. Unfortunately, you bring out something primal in me.” He angled his head and kissed her again, deeply, possessively.

She pulled him close and poured all her hunger and need in a single kiss.

Within seconds, the atmosphere in the room changed.
He gripped her head and plundered her mouth as he intended to do her body.

Their heavy breathing, sighs and groans filled the room as their needs spiraled out of control.

The desire to cherish and please clashed with the wild urge to conquer and claim.

The former won hands down and he slowed to a languid pace.

Her responses, the tiny moans, the arching of her back, were spurring him on...

He moved back...a wild light shining in his eyes...

Pushing her thighs apart, he separated her labia with great care and licked her entire slit once, twice, three times.

She shivered with every sweep of his tongue, the slightly roughened flesh sending electric shocks through her.

When he gently peeled back the hood protecting her clit and took the throbbing bud between his teeth, she was sure she would ignite...

His mouth gently posessed every inch of her...

When he finally climbed over her she was panting her pleads...”Please....Arnavji...Please...”

“Please what...Please take me home? Please stay away from me? Please Let me go!?!?!! WHAT KHUSHI!!!”

Her tears began to fly off her cheeks as she shook her head...

He lowered his lips to hers and spoke softly against them...“Please have me once again and claim you as mine?”

“Yes,” she breathed. “Please.”

Gripping her hips he thrust himself inside her, deep enough to press against the mouth of her womb.

He held himself motionless, filling every inch of her...

The flare of heat in his eyes as he brought her to the edge of release again and again, controlling the moment when a shattering orgasm crashed down on her.

Caring for her in a hundred different ways.

His kindnesses. His tenderness. Always putting her comfort first.

And finally,  she came with shattering intensity.

Her orgasm roared through her, contracting her muscles and shaking her so hard she was sure she’d fall apart.

His climax followed soon after as he growled in primal satisfaction...

The were sweating and heaving when the violent shudders became aftershocks, and the aftershock became tiny quivers.

At last he lowered her legs to the bed and leaned his forehead down to hers.

Breathing was a problem, and Khushi’s heart was still beating so fiercely against her ribs she thought they’d crack.

Long moments passed before he roused himself...

Rising up on his elbows, his eyes were hypnotising her...

He was raw and so sexually seductive that she couldn’t look away...

As his eyes held hers, he began to slowly thrust inside her once again...

She couldn’t do anything but respond, matching him thrust for thrust as she spiraled higher and higher until she thought she would die from the edge of madness gripping her.

“Arnavji...I...I can’t take it anymore!!” she cried in ecstasy....

One of his hands cupped her breast, grasping her nipple between his fingers, and his other hand moved to the throbbing nub of her sex.  

Then he plucked both in rhythm to his movements until she screamed, her hips bucking uncontrollably.

Arnav drove into her with a need that had never racked his body  so urgently before.  

Her mouth lay softly open, just waiting for him.  

He claimed her lips in a devistatingly soft kiss...
Watching her shudder with sexual need had him so rock hard, so damn hot, that he’d never been this out of control.  

Her eyes, smoky with desire, had turned the deep green of a wild storm...  

He let out a ferocious roar, shoving deep one last time.

She cried out as another shudder of pleasure claimed her and triggered his release simultaniously.  

He felt the shock of their mutual orgasm all the way through his body...but it wasn’t enough, he needed to be closer to her.  

As if feeling the same, she reached for him and he leaned forward, matching his palms to hers, threading his fingers through hers as he pressed harder against the bed...

He thrust again, heightening the aftershocks of pleasure and still needed more.  

Planting his mouth on hers, he kissed her hard.  

It was as if the sexual energy thrumming between them needed this many points of contact to flow through or he’d explode.  

His knees were weak and a dizzy sensation spun around inside his head.  

He didn’t know exactly what in the hell had just happened to him, but he knew he felt mighty powerful...

They collapsed together...

Khushi couldn’t move from the heat and fullness of him inside of her, from the pressure of his body pinning her...

She reveled in the feel of his strong hands holding hers captive against the bed.

Clamping her legs around his hips, she pulled him closer to her.  

His eyes found hers and he pressed himself deeper again, groaning.  

She stared at him, speechless.  

He stared back, almost out of his mind with love for her...  

The moment hung, seemingly endless...

He held her tight, for how long he didn’t know.

But one thing remained for certain...He'd never let her go...



Don't fret just yet...

Epilogue coming soon...

FF : I Can't Let Her Go! Part 48

“What am I doing...”

Khushi’s heart was pounding...

All she wanted was Arnav...

But then his pain, his amnesic eyes...”I can’t let that happen again...”

Standing straight up, even though her heart was plummeting, she strode out of her room to see Anjali...

As she walked to Anjali’s room, her arms tingled with the memory of his touch...

“Khushiji?”

Unaware that she’d already walked in, she quickly perked up...”Di...I’m so so glad you’re back home...I was worried for you and Nani...”

The noise of a crying baby interrupted them...

“Oh no, not again...” Anjali said in a tired voice...

“What is wrong? colic?”

Anjali lifted baby Akshay and nodded...”He just won’t settle and I’m...” she yawned...”I’m so tired...”

“Di, let me hold him...Why don’t you take rest...I’ll stay in the room incase he needs you...”

Anjali smiled sadly...”Thankyou...and I’m sorry...”

Khushi frowned...”No Di...New beginning...and anyway look how much Akshay looks like Arnavji...no wonder his cry is so loud...”

Anjali laughed heartily...”I needed to hear that...and yes, he’s already grumpy too”

As Khushi walked up and down the room trying to settle the baby, Anjali immediately fell asleep...

Nani soon came in quietly to check on things...”Khushi Bitiya?”

“Hi Naniji...Di needed a rest, and I am still trying to settle...” she paused...

Looking down she saw the sleeping baby in her arms...
“It seems you already have...which is why I came in...it was quiet” Nani smiled

Arnav stood outside the room watching over the women in his life...

Nani, Anjali and Khushi...

Khushi instinctively looked up...

Their eyes spoke...apologies, explanations, messages of love, tauntings of anger, questions of confustion...

“Nani?” Anjali’s voice broke their stare...

“Di? Go back to sleep, I managed to settle him, he’s actually quite easy to calm...”

Anjali stood up smiling...”That’s because he is so much like Chote...both respond so well to your care and love...”

“I agree, I came in because everything went quiet, and I saw Akshay sleeping...She will make a wonderful mother too, don’t you think so Anjali Bitiya?”

Khushi smiled nervously as her eyes wandered over to Arnav once again...

Anjali followed Khushi’s gaze and saw her brother outside her room...

“Chote, come in! Why are you standing outside...”

Arnav walked in and embraced Anjali....

“I love you Di, I’m sorry for everything...”

Anjali pulled back, “No Chote, like Khushiji told me just moments ago...New Beginnings...”

Arnav turned to his wife with a look of indignation on his face...”Did she say that did she?”

Khushi moved closer to Nani...

“Your arms must be aching Khushiji...Here let me take him now...” Nani carefully took the baby...

Khushi hugged herself as the baby was keeping her warm...

Arnav saw her shiver and inwardly wanted to pull her into his arms, but he suppressed the urge...


“Chote...” Anjali began...”wait...Nani?”

“yes?”

“did you make the arrangements I asked for?”

Nani nodded and smiled...

“Chote, I have asked Payal and Nani to help me with Akshay for tonight...and I would like you and Khushiji to go to the hotel I booked for you and have a relaxing night together...Things have calmed in our lives, except for my babies loud screaming...” she smiled...

“No Di, we can’t possibly, I want to be here to help...”

“Khushiji...you HAVE helped me...Now I want to see you and Chote start your new life together...” Anjali encouraged...

Arnav hugged his sister, “thank you...we need this...”

Anjali whispered back, “I know...”

….......................

Arnav looked up at Khushi...

Her expression was full of confusion...He softened towards her...

Taking her hand he said, “Di, thank you for this...we shall see you tomorrow sometime...”

Khushi tried to resist when he began to lead her out...”Di...Are you sure? Are you sure I can’t help in any way?”

“No Khushiji...If you want to help me, go and spend time with Chote!” She managed to tell Khushi before Arnav led her out of sight...

…............................

“Let me Go...Arnavji...Please...”

Fury filling him again, he flung her into their room and before she tripped and fell back, he caught her...

Scared eyes looked up at him...

“Khushi...” his voice was soft...”I want you to...”

He began walking her backwards...

“Wh...What...”

Her back hit the closet door and he gently pressed against her...

“I want you to...pack a small bag and be ready to leave in 10 minutes...”

He released her instantly and backed away...

The look of surprise on her face was priceless...

…...........

They silently packed a few clothes and before Khushi could lift her bag, Arnav grabbed her hand, “Khushi...I’m warning you...We will not leave the hotel until this nonsense is sorted out...”

Furious, she snapped at him...”Nonsense! Do you have any idea how scared I was seeing you hurt!”

Ignoring her protests, he ushered her into the car and they drove silently to their hotel...

…................

Khushi felt astronomically nervous...

She knew she was a married woman checking in with her husband...”But this is not what I had planned!” she thought to herself...”I can’t let him back into my heart...something will happen again and I won’t be able to cope.....No...No I won’t respond. I have to try and remain unmoved...He will be back to his angry self in no time...”

He took her hand again and they walked to the elevator...

They were alone.

He turned to her and she edged away...

“Khushi! STOP THIS!”

“Stop what...?” her answer was followed by a scream...

The elevator stopped and the lights flickered off and on again...

Instantly he hauled her to him and she held on tight...

He saw the terror in her eyes as the light was flickering...

Praying silently that the lights would stay on, His arms held her trembling body against his solid body...

The lights stopped flickering and light filled the small space...

Looking down at her, he saw her eyes clamped shut, her lips parted, her breathing rapid...

“shhhh....Khushi...shhh...”

Her fingers tightened on his shirt...”Arnavji...It’s dark...I...”

His lowered his head and spoke against her lips...”open your eyes...”

When she saw the light, her hands relaxed slightly...

“Are you okay?”

She nodded...still staring hypnotically at him...

His arms tightened around her...

Shocked into the moment, she pushed at his chest...”Let go...Arnavji please let go...”

“Khushi...Your mouth tells me one thing, but your body doesn’t lie...”

He pulled her hips closer to feel his growing erection and she shuddered...

“Does it Khushi!”

“Let me go...”

“no..”

“Stop this! LET ME GO!!”

He marched forward still holding her against him and shoved her harshly against the wall...

Framing her face in his hands, and resting the weight of his body onto hers, he kissed her...fiercely...


When the kiss broke he shook her saying, “ADMIT IT KHUSHI!”

“Fine! YOU KNOW I LOVE YOU!!!” She couldn’t even find the will to push anymore...

“Does that satisfy your ego? To know that you make my body respond?”

He crushed her mouth under his and drew back just as fast... “Yes...to know that I move the woman I love...My pleasure comes from yours...THAT satisfies me...but Khushi...I don’t just want your body...I want your mind and your heart. I will treasure them and care for them forever. Why can’t you believe that?”

“I DO BELIEVE THAT!!!”

Arnav felt like screaming...“Then I don’t know what is FUCKING wrong with you! Why are you trying to push me away! I promised I won’t hurt you! I promised never treat you that way that I used to! WHY!”

"I won't be able to cope if anything happened to you...I won't!..."

Arnav wanted to shake sense into her, "HE IS GONE! He can't hurt you OR ME again!"

"Arnavji..."

"NEVER AGAIN KHUSHI!"

His voice halted when he saw her begin to break down...”Khushi...”

Her sobs were making her breathing difficult...

“No no no Khushi...stop jaan...please...”

Her body went weak and her hands that were gripping his shoulders fell to her sides...

“Khushi...I’m sorry for yelling at you...I just...” he let out a growl...”Sweetheart...I will NOT let you push me away any more...”

Her eyes timidly rose to his...

Before she could say anything...

His mouth found hers...

The lips she coveted...

The hard, smooth feel of his satin mouth...

The thrust of his tongue inside her mouth...

The sounds of his passion for her as he bent her back in his arms...

He lifted her hips and pressed her against his.

He bent to suck hard on her neck...

They both heard a bell sound... the elevator had begun to move again...

Arnav leaned in and kissed her nipple through the thin silk sheath.

One hand cupped the weight of her breast. “No bra?” he asked and breathed heavily when she shook her head.

Astounded at her sensuality...“Why not? what...what for?”

“You,” she murmured, acknowledging a truth she hadn’t dared admit even to herself ...

Then, she sank her hands into his thick satin hair.

He groaned and pinched her nipple.

She moaned as he fingered her areola to a hard diamond.

“God, Arnavji, if you don’t stop, I’m definitely going to need you before we get out of the elevator!”

As if on cue, the elevator door whooshed open.

Arnav moved slightly away from her, but held her with two strong hands to her upper arms.

His gaze sought hers while one waiter cleared his throat and wheeled in a rattling room service cart.

Khushi bit her lip to hold back a smile and looked down at the steel rod poking her stomach....

Arnav’s bulging trousers stood between them like a monument to a glorious but far-off future.

Sighing, she down attempting to touch him, but he grabbed her hand and held her to him with an angry glare shooting down from his eyes...

They stopped, it seemed, at every floor in the damn hotel where every waiter, or maid in the place had some mission or other.

By the time they hit their room’s level, Arnav was biting his inner cheek in frustration and Khushi was choking on gales of laughter.

The doors opened and he grabbed her wrist and dragged her out...

“Arnavji? this...” she grinned at the reason for his brutality...he used to yank her by the wrist or drag her places because he was angry...and now...it was because he wanted her...wanted her in the way a man wants a woman...

The second they entered their room, He caught her to him, squeezing the breath from her as he took her lips, her throat, in his hungry mouth and bit her, sucked her...

Forcing her against the back of the door he sank to his knees.

There, he held her with both hands to her thighs as he nuzzled his face to her mound.

“Spread your legs for me...” he growled at her.

On shaking limbs, she shifted and he carefully pulled her free from her clothes...

He parted her folds, then dove into her with a succulent madness that had him tickling and nibbling her with a talented tongue.

She could barely stand, hardly breathe.

She moaned and braced herself on his shoulders.

There he feasted like a man who had not eaten all his life.

He knew to circle her nerves with deft, hard fingers.

Knew to hum against her swollen bud and use the tip of his tongue to make her moan and melt.

He knew to insert one thick finger in her and swirl and twirl it up inside her giving walls...

Pulling away, He pulled at her waist and laid her to the carpet …

He gnashed his teeth in satisfaction as he leaned back on his haunches and splayed his fingers into her...

“You’re MINE Khushi...”

She cried in agreement... “All of me,” she shifted her hips up as if to make an offering to him, “is yours.”

Arnav bent over her and took her chin between his thumb and forefinger. “Listen to me. There is no more resistance between me and you. Got that!!!” He palmed himself up and she marveled at his girth.

“I do,” she whispered. “No resistance. Anymore.”

A wicked smile on his mouth, he slid down, splayed her legs wide, pulled her thighs up atop his and without a moment’s pause, rammed himself home.

The shock, the size, the sizzling heat of him had Khushi opening her mouth to speak soundless words of praise.

“I love you...” he whispered to her as his hips began to pump her hard and good...

And then in countless plunging claims, he primed her, pumped her and possessed her as his own.

Driving her hard, he’d pause and take her sweetly, his hips barely moving, her hips inching closer and closer to feel every inch of his thrusts.

He rolled one of her engorged nipples with his talented fingers, pushing her to a new height of madness...

She screamed and climaxed with a pulsing delight....

In a moment, he followed her over the precipice, grinding out her name …

Minutes later, he rolled off her and took her in his arms...

FF : I Can't Let Her Go! Part 47

2 hours went by...

A soft knock was heard again...

Payal slowly walked in with some tea...

She saw Khushi sleeping on the bed, and Arnav sitting against the wall with his head in his hands...

Her heart went out to them...

"Arnavji?" she asked quietly...

"Khushi?" He said as his head sprung up...

"no...It's Payal...here have some tea..."

As Arnav took the tea from her, he glanced back at Khushi...

Payal went to sit beside Khushi...she checked for fever...

"Is she?" Arnav's worry growing...

"No, she's fine...I think the hyperthermia has completely gone now..."

When Payal removed her hand from Khushi's forehead, Khushi began to stir...

Arnav almost dropped his cup to the floor, liquid splashing over the rim, as he stood up the instant he saw her move...

Khushi's eyes opened and she saw her sister..."Jiji..." her voice immediately became choked with tears...

"Shhh...you're safe..."

Khushi sat up and embraced Payal...

Arnav felt his heart shrivel up even more...sure he was glad to see her comforted by Payal, but she didn't look for him, didn't ask for him...

Almost 15 minutes had past...

Arnav stood in silence...

Payal had fed Khushi her tea, and kept her talking about light hearted things, her eyes glancing over to Arnav, trying to reassure him...

Finally, Payal mentioned his name..."Khushi...did you want to speak with Arnavji..."

Khushi didn't appear scared...but her response shot him in the heart...

"No Jiji...I don't want to speak with him."

Unable to take it, Arnav ran from the room as fast as he was able...

Khushi was unaware of his presence in the room...

For the first time ever, she didn't feel him near her.

And that thought frightened her...

"Khushi, he's been sitting with you for hours...he only did what he thought was right...he didn't intend to hurt you again..."

Khushi looked over feeling betrayed by her own sister..."Jiji! I was being held by SHYAM!!! Dangling from the second story!!! And Arn...And...HE told me to shut up! I was already terrified as it was, and then to think that Shyam hurt him again...and then to see the floor beneath me...and..."

Khushi broke down again...

"no no Khushi...shhh...I understand your view too...I know you have lost things dear to you...I know you don't want to lose Arnavji...and it has definitely been a shock to you, but you can't blame him..."

"I don't...I don't blame him...but I have to shut him out of my heart...I don't think I'd survive this shock to my system another time..."

"Shut him out? What are you saying? you don't love him?"

"Ofcourse I love him...with all my heart..."

"Then why do this? HOW are you going to do this..."

"I have to do this so we can both survive...I promised I'd never leave him...so I won't...but he has been in danger because of me, and I can't see that happen again...so...I will have to distance my heart from him..."

…...

With every word that he heard, Arnav's fists clenched tighter...

His heart beat faster...

His determination became stronger...

"Like hell you will Mrs. Raizada...If you think that I have already been fighting for you, then you're in for a rude awakening! Because there is no f**king way that I will let you shut me out of your life!"

Payal  began to walk out of the room and came face to face with Arnav …

She waited till she closed the door to speak...

"You heard?"

Arnav nodded...

"She's scared...she's in shock...but...she honestly believes what she's saying...she thinks it's the right thing..."

"...good...then changing her stubborn mind will only more so prove that she's being an idiot!"

"Arnavji! YOU saw what she went through...She doesn't need more hurt from you!"

"Hurt!" Arnav stepped forward, frightening Payal slightly..."I would NEVER hurt her again! EVER! I am going to prove to her, that she's NOT alone anymore! that she hasn't been for sometime now! She has to stop relying on herself! I'M here now! And whether she likes it or not...Arnav Singh Raizada is her husband..."

…...

"DI!!!!" Payal and Khushi squeeled in delight

"I'm home!" Anjali said happily as she held her baby boy...

Nani entered behind her...She had stayed by Anjali's side

"Oh my, he's beautiful..." Khushi smiled as she looked at the new baby...

"May I hold him?" Payal asked in anticipation

"Ofcourse..."

Anjali passed the tiny, sleeping baby to Payal...

Akash entered and immediately lit up seeing Anjali home...

Arnav followed..."Di! You're home? I thought you were coming home this afternoon?"

"I got released early and so I thought I'd surprise you all! Are you alright now Chote? Khushiji?"

Arnav looked over to Khushi...

It had been hours since he'd spoken to her...after hearing her confession to Payal, he needed time to cool off...

Payal had taken Khushi downstairs to try and occupy her mind...

And Arnav had stayed away...giving her time to breathe...before he started to completely invade her space...

"We're fine Di..." Arnav said as he walked over to Khushi and draped his arm naturally around her...

He felt Khushi go rigid and his anger started to swell again...but he took a deep breath and held her tight as the Anjali approached them both...

"I am truly hoping that from today, we can all have a fresh start...okay?"

Khushi smiled..."Ofcourse..."

Anjali hugged them both and turned back to see Payal, now holding a very fussy, hungry baby..."Oh I think It's time for a feed...I shall see you all in a little while..."

Nani and Payal followed Anjali up to her room as Akash carried up her bag...

Arnav had not released Khushi...

She tried to push him away with her shoulder but he didn't let go...

Arnav's voice came out clear and firm..."I'm stopping your stupid plan before this goes any further...You're mine Khushi, and I'm not letting you shut me out of your heart..."

She dropped her mouth open to shout at him, maybe curse him, but any words she would have thrown at him were smothered with his mouth.

He hadn't meant to kiss her.

He was simply going to use his powerful persuasion.

But something happened every time he saw that defiant look in her eyes.

Something physical seemed to pull him to her and he was powerless to stop it.

His lips were not gentle, but they weren't punishing either.

Even through the sense of urgency, he controlled himself.

One of his arms locked around her waist and pulled her firmly up against him.

His other hand moved to the back of her neck, touching the tender nerves there.

Initially Khushi's whole body seized up with shock, but now that he was this close to her, she shivered and he felt dark satisfaction.

He deepened the kiss, tasting the sweet corners of her mouth.

He wasn't thinking.

He still didn't know when his brain had registered the kiss.

It was an involuntary and shockingly automatic response on his part.

When his head floated back to reality, Arnav pulled his mouth back slightly and found himself staring into a pair of heavy lidded, confused brown eyes.

She trembled again, just like she did only a few days before...before the fear...before the pain...

Her response left him aching... 

Wanting more...

Keeping his arm around her waist, Arnav lifted his other hand and let his fingers caress her face... "I'm glad we agree..." he said, inches from her kiss-bruised mouth.

Khushi's eyes flew open..."We do NOT agree..." she pushed hard and successfully moved away...

"Oh, no you don't!!!" He made a grab for her. 

"There's nothing you can do about it." She whirled around and started for the kitchen and yelped again when Arnav forcefully lifted her off the ground.

"What the hell are you doing? Put me down!" she fumed, kicking and clawing at whatever she could.

"You said there was nothing I could do about it," he explained calmly. "And you're wrong."

"Put me— oh, oh!" He threw her over his shoulder and started walking up the stairs...

He clamped his arm around the back of her knees when she bucked.

She squirmed, but he carried her up a staircase, through a hall, and into their room.

She balled up her fist and starting pounding on his lower back.

He didn't budge.

"I mean it! Put me down!" She growled, low and furious.

Arnav strolled into their room and kicked the door shut behind him...

"I mean it! Put me down, right now!"

"FINE!" He gritted as he threw her down unceremoniously on the bed.

She scrambled to her knees, but Arnav shoved her back down on the bed.

"Who the hell do you think you are?" she demanded, her chest heaving in pure fury.

"You know who I am Khushi!" He moved closer... "And if you think for one minute that you're going to shut me out, then just remember this. I can and I will haul your stubborn ass back up here again and again until you realize that I am your husband, you are NOT alone, and..." he lay his palms flat on the bed and leaned in towards her..."and you belong to ME, Khushi!"

She tried to roll of the bed and make a run for it, but he made another grab for her, but she threw herself out of his reach. "Don't you dare Mr. Raizada!"

"Fine. You stay in here or I'll lock you in. Your choice."

Angry at her for wanting to distance them, he took her arms and lifted her off the bed, tearing a small gasp from her.

"Why!? You don't want this! Neither do I! I KNOW you were frightened! And I want to destroy even myself for being the cause, but I KNOW you don't want this! I need you! I LOVE YOU!"

"Don't."

"Don't what? Don't make you remember? Remember the intensity between us!? Well, too bad Khushi." He tightened his grip when she began to squirm.

"Stop." She pushed hard against him.

He was like a stone— hard and unmoving.

Too many emotions were churning her up, was all he could think.

He watched her struggle with herself.

She wanted him, he knew, but her stubborness brought on her panic and desperation.

"Don't do this!" he begged, struggling for calm.

His grip loosened but he still held her firm.

His thumb made circular motions on her back.

Khushi brought her gaze to his.

He made her feel furious one moment, then comforted the next.

She shook her head at a loss for words.

She felt responsible for him being hurt...for all the trouble that had been caused...she never wanted to feel such pain again...

"Khushi..." His voice was gruff, his eyes were dark.

She met his stormy gaze again and she saw what would happen next.

She watched his dark eyes sharpen.

She felt it when his fingers tensed on her lower back, but she could never brace herself for the swell of passion that exploded when his lips touched hers.

There was no gentleness, no tenderness. 

There was a hungry, demanding kiss that stole her breath and had her aching...

This wasn't as simple as desire, not as basic as need.

This was vital.

Her hands shook as they came up to rest on his broad shoulders.

She had no recollection of when it happened exactly, but she'd lost herself in his kiss, gave as much as she could, and matched the passionate caress.

His tongue shot out to seek and find all the dark corners of her mouth.

His hands slid down and grasped her narrow waist.

In a quick movement, he lifted her up and in reflex, she wrapped her legs around him.

Fire, was all she could think of.

She was burning up.

She heard herself moan when he took the kiss even deeper than before.

One of his arms were hooked around her waist, his other hand framed the side of her face, his fingers teasing the sensitive skin on the nape of her neck.

She ran her hands through his silky hair.

This was passion, she wanted to be swallowed in it...

This was rage, she wanted to revel in the fury.

She was vaguely aware of his fingers diving in hair.

Almost brutally, he yanked her head back and plundered her throat.

She moaned softly at the pure pleasure of it.

Her fingers dug into his shoulders as he continued to caress the side of her neck with hot, open mouthed kisses.

Only when she felt the cold sheets of the bed against her back did she open her eyes.

Reality intruded and interrupted.

Letting out a stream of curses, she pushed him off of her and rolled out from under him.

She could hear nothing but the blood rushing through her ears.

Everything was throbbing.

She touched her swollen lips and stared at Arnav who was sitting on her bed trying to catch his breath.

His broad shoulders shook with effort. "What the hell?" he managed.

"That shouldn't have happened."

She was breathless now as her lungs struggled to keep up with her racing heart.

He was up and crossing the room before she could finish her sentence.

Abandoning all pride, she retreated three steps before she collided with the wall.

"Arnavji, no..." She pushed her hands out to stop him.

He stopped a mere inch from her hands.

She watched his eyes turn dark ...

"Why?"

"I can't. I'm not—" She shook her head, unable to form the words.

She could see the visible effort it took for him to control his fury.

"This," he hissed in an awful voice, "is not over."

She met his gaze.

"You want this as much as I do," he accused, shoving his balled fists in his pockets.

He jerked his body toward the door and stormed out of their room.

Only when she heard the door to the room next to hers slam shut did she sink to the floor.

"What am I doing..."