Warm and Cozy

That moment of peace between them was fleeting—Aksh knew it. The weight of his secrets pressed against his chest like an iron cage, suffocating and inescapable. But right now, in the quiet of the night, with her warmth against him, he allowed himself to pretend that none of it mattered. That she was his, and he was hers, without the darkness looming over them.

She sighed softly, her breath warm against his neck, and he felt his resolve weaken. It would be so easy to give in completely, to let himself believe that he could have this—her—without consequence. But reality had a way of creeping in, and the moment was shattered when his phone vibrated in his pocket.

He stiffened.

She felt it. He knew she did, because she pulled back just slightly, her brows furrowing. "Aksh?"

His pulse pounded against his skin. He needed to let it go to voicemail. Needed to keep this moment intact. But the persistent buzzing refused to be ignored.

Reluctantly, he pulled the phone from his pocket, his grip tightening when he saw the caller ID. It wasn't just anyone.

It was someone who had no business calling him. Not now. Not ever.

His hesitation must have been obvious, because she placed a gentle hand on his arm. "Is everything okay?"

He forced a nod, though every instinct screamed otherwise. "Yeah. Just a business call."

Her lips pressed together, and for a second, she looked like she wanted to say something, but she didn't push. Instead, she simply nodded and took a small step back, giving him space.

He missed her warmth instantly.

With one last glance at her—her face open, trusting—he turned away and answered the call.

The voice on the other end was low, cold, and laced with amusement. "Took you long enough."

Aksh's jaw tightened. "What do you want?"

A chuckle. Slow, deliberate. "Oh, come on. No need to be so hostile. I thought we had an understanding."

His grip on the phone turned white-knuckled. "I don't have time for your games."

"Then I'll make it quick," the voice said smoothly. "I have information for you. About her."

His breath stilled. Ice shot through his veins. "What?"

"Did you really think you were the only one watching her?" The voice was mocking now. "You should be more careful, Aksh. She's not as safe as you think."

His blood roared in his ears. Every muscle in his body went rigid, his entire being snapping to attention. "If you touch her—"

"Relax," the voice interrupted. "I haven't done anything. Yet."

Aksh's free hand clenched into a fist. "What do you want?"

A pause. Then, "Meet me. Tomorrow night. Usual place."

Click.

The call ended.

Aksh lowered the phone slowly, his breathing uneven, his mind already spinning with possibilities. This wasn't good. If someone else was watching her, if they knew what she meant to him…

He turned back to find her still standing there, watching him carefully.

She tilted her head. "Are you sure everything's okay?"

Lying to her felt like another sin to add to his already heavy list. But telling her the truth? That wasn't an option.

So he forced a smile, a poor imitation of reassurance. "Yeah," he said, slipping the phone back into his pocket. "Everything's fine."

But it wasn't.

And something told him it never would be.

His grip on her hand tightened slightly, grounding himself in her warmth before he turned to her. "We're leaving."

She blinked, caught off guard. "What?"

His expression was unreadable, but his voice was firm. "It's not safe here anymore. They know where we are."

Her stomach twisted. She had known something was wrong the moment he answered that call, but she hadn't expected this. "Who knows?" she asked, trying to keep the tremor out of her voice.

Aksh's jaw clenched. He didn't answer. Instead, he pulled her toward the car parked a few steps away. "We don't have time, come on."

She resisted for just a moment, planting her feet. "Aksh, talk to me. What's happening?"

He exhaled sharply, turning to face her fully. "I can't explain right now. But I promise, I won't let anything happen to you."

There was something desperate in his voice, something raw that made her chest tighten. She wanted to argue, to demand answers, but the urgency in his eyes made her swallow her protests.

She nodded, and without another word, he helped her into the car.

As they drove through the city, the streets illuminated by the glow of passing headlights, she glanced at him from the passenger seat. His grip on the steering wheel was tight, his knuckles pale. He was on edge.

And that terrified her more than anything.

"Where are we going?" she asked softly.

Aksh kept his eyes on the road. "Somewhere safe."

She bit her lip, her mind racing with possibilities. Who was after them? Why now? Was it because of her?

Or was it because of him?

The car sped down the empty streets, leaving behind the penthouse—the one place she had started to feel was home.

But if what Aksh said was true, then home wasn't safe anymore.

And she wasn't sure it ever would be again.

The house was nothing like the penthouse. It wasn't grand, towering, or surrounded by floor-to-ceiling glass walls overlooking the city skyline. Instead, it was tucked away in a quiet neighborhood, hidden behind tall trees and bathed in the golden glow of streetlights. It was smaller, cozier—a place that felt more like a home than the cold luxury of where they had been before.

As Aksh parked the car in the driveway, she stared at the house, taking in the warm light spilling through the windows. It had an old-world charm, with a wooden door and a small porch, a welcome contrast to the life of steel and glass she had gotten used to.

She stepped out, wrapping her arms around herself as she shivered slightly in the night air. "This is… different."

Aksh smirked, walking around the car to her side. "What? Disappointed that it's not a palace?"

She rolled her eyes. "I didn't say that."

He moved closer, his hand brushing against her lower back as he guided her toward the door. "Good. Because I think you'll like it."

The way he said it—low, teasing—sent a shiver down her spine.

The door creaked open, revealing the inside. Warm wooden floors, soft lighting, a comfortable-looking couch in the living room. It smelled faintly of lavender and something familiar, something that reminded her of comfort.

She turned to him. "This was your place before, wasn't it?"

His lips curved, but he didn't answer directly. "It's safe. That's all that matters."

She sighed, stepping inside as he locked the door behind them. "You know, one day, you'll actually give me a straight answer."

Aksh chuckled, moving past her. "One day."

She rolled her eyes, shaking her head as she walked toward the small kitchen. It was nothing like the sleek, modern one in the penthouse. The countertops were marble but slightly worn, the cabinets painted white, and there was an actual dining table instead of a breakfast bar.

She trailed her fingers along the wooden surface. "It's cozy."

"Are you saying the penthouse wasn't cozy?" Aksh leaned against the counter, watching her with an amused expression.

She gave him a pointed look. "The penthouse was… extravagant. This feels more real."

Aksh hummed, stepping closer. "You like real, huh?"

Something about his tone made her pulse flutter. "What's that supposed to mean?"

He was right behind her now, his breath warm against her ear. "Nothing."

She turned to glare at him, only to realize just how close he was. His eyes flickered with mischief, a slow smirk playing on his lips.

She took a step back, but her hips hit the counter.

He didn't move away.

"You're doing that thing again," she accused, trying to sound annoyed even as her heart pounded.

"What thing?"

She narrowed her eyes. "The thing where you get all close and—"

"Flirty?" he supplied, tilting his head.

Her cheeks burned. "I was going to say annoying."

He laughed softly, his hand coming up to brush a strand of hair behind her ear. "Admit it. You like it."

She swallowed, refusing to look away. "I like my personal space."

Aksh grinned, his fingers trailing lightly down her arm, sending a shiver up her spine. "Liar."

Her breath caught. "Aksh…"

He leaned in, close enough that she could feel the warmth radiating off him, his lips just a breath away from hers. "Yes?"

She hated how easily he made her nervous, how he could make her forget everything else with just a look.

So, instead of answering, she pushed against his chest, trying to create some distance.

But he barely moved. Instead, he caught her wrist, his grip gentle but firm. His other hand rested against the counter beside her, caging her in.

"You should get some rest," he murmured, his voice lower now, rougher. "Tomorrow will be a long day."

She exhaled slowly, trying to ignore the way her pulse refused to slow down. "Yeah. You too."

But neither of them moved.

And in that quiet moment, with the night settling around them and the warmth of his touch lingering on her skin, she knew—this wasn't just about safety anymore.

This was something else. Something much more dangerous.