Chapter 1
She had just finished praying when something or rather someone tugged on her dupatta from behind.
She didn't even have to turn around to see what her dupatta had caught on.
Purab.
“What are you doing?” She hissed, lacking any real heat. “Dad will see.”
Purab released her dupatta, and closed the gap between them, wrapping his strong arms around her from behind, covering her exposed mid-drift, resting his chin on her shoulder. “Abhi is asleep Mrs. Khanna.”
She melted instantly at that, leaning back into his solid chest, not caring for the guests around them, everyone here already knew about their relationship, it was only Abhishek, Rhea's father and Purab's childhood best friend, who didn't know, couldn't know if they wanted him to recover.
The doctor's words were clear. “No stress, no news that might upset him.”
And finding out your best friend married your daughter while you were in a coma would be pretty upsetting so they decided to keep it a secret from him for now but it was hell, maintaining the distance.
Rhea folded her arms over Purab’s, her bangles clinking against each other, interlacing their fingers together. “I miss you.”
“I miss you more.” Purab whispered against her skin, nosing her cheek, Rhea moaned softly, arching into the touch. They lived in the same house, saw each other every day, but the past week since Abhishek had been back home had been nothing but longing stares.
He soaked up the feeling of having her in his arms now, before they had to go back to pretending. He never thought when he first proposed this marriage, a marriage of convenience, an effort to save Abhishek's company and daughter from Abhishek's vengeful and power hungry sister Alia that it would become this.
That the girl who he considered immature, spoiled, and too naive to understand the complexities of the corporate world would become so important, so dear to him.
It was supposed to be a marriage for appearance, the easiest and fastest way for him to act as Rhea's proxy on the board, Abhishek had entrusted him to take care of Rhea, and he would do that from afar, they would have no relationship resembling that of a husband and wife, he had made it clear on day one, set the boundaries.
But he severely underestimated who Rhea was, she loved challenges and breaking boundaries, and had a long-standing crush on him that he did not account for.
He didn't think it was possible to love again after his first wife Bulbul died, hadn't been with anyone else for nearly three decades, loyal to a fault, but Rhea- Rhea changed that.
He didn't know when it happened, but she wormed her way into his heart, and she wouldn't leave. He loved her knowing he wasn't supposed to. He loved her knowing it could cost him a lifelong friendship. He loved her regardless, and would continue to love her even if Abhishek killed him for it.
She turned in the circle of his arms, cupping his face “You're awfully quiet, what are you thinking about, Hubby?” She had felt his body tense behind her, knowing his thoughts were going nowhere good.
He smiled at the nickname he used to hate before, because she used to use it to make him confront what they actually were to each other, he loved hearing it now.
He dropped his forehead to hers. Pulling her flush against him. His pink Lips grazed her glossy plump ones as he spoke, breathing in her intoxicating jasmine perfume. “Just thinking about how much I love you, Mrs. Khanna.”
He leaned in closer, she sighed into the soft, slow, albeit short kiss, she pulled away with every shred of strength she had before it got heated, they didn't need to be putting on a show for all noisy aunties littered about. They had caused enough of a scandal by getting married, him being her father’s best friend and twice her age, they didn't need another by making out in front of everyone.
He chased her, uncaring of possible audience, desperate for her, she rested her palm flat against her chest, feeling the effect she had on him in his erratic heartbeat, her own breath uneven as she asked, “How long do you think we have before dad wakes up?”
Purab took a beat to register the question. “I'd say thirty minutes or so.”
Abhishek had just needed to lie down for a bit, nap, as was expected after all he'd been through.
“Then you better work fast.”
