Dangerous truth

The moment Aksh's lips met hers, Ahana forgot to breathe.

It wasn't a desperate kiss, nor was it hurried. It was slow, deliberate—like he was memorizing the feel of her, claiming her in a way that went beyond words.

Her hands trembled as they pressed against his chest, her body caught between the urge to push him away and the overwhelming need to pull him closer. Aksh made the decision for her, wrapping an arm around her waist and pressing her firmly against him.

Ahana gasped against his lips, and he took advantage of it, deepening the kiss with a quiet, possessive hum.

Heat spread through her, drowning out every thought except him.

His scent, his warmth, the way he held her like she was something precious—like he would never let her go.

And that terrified her.

She turned her face away, breaking the kiss, her chest rising and falling rapidly. "This… this isn't right," she whispered, her voice unsteady.

Aksh's lips hovered just above her skin, his breath hot against her cheek. "Tell me you don't want this," he murmured, his voice dark, daring.

Ahana squeezed her eyes shut. She couldn't.

Because even if her mind screamed at her to run, her heart… her heart was already his.

Seeing her hesitation, Aksh's fingers trailed up her spine, his touch both soothing and electrifying. "You can fight it all you want, Little Flower," he murmured, his lips brushing against her ear, "but you already belong to me."

Ahana shivered. "You're too sure of yourself."

He pulled back slightly, his gaze locking onto hers with an intensity that made her knees weak. "I don't need to be sure." He ran his thumb over her lower lip, his expression dark with something unreadable. "Because I know."

Ahana swallowed hard. She could feel the weight of his words settling deep in her chest, in a place she had long kept guarded.

This wasn't just a moment.

This was a promise.

Ahana sat curled on the couch, her mind a tangled mess. The ghost of Aksh's touch still lingered on her skin, the intensity of his words refusing to leave her thoughts.

"You already belong to me."

She wanted to deny it, wanted to say she still had a choice. But deep down, she knew—Aksh had already become something she couldn't walk away from.

But what did that mean for her? For them?

The sound of the door opening snapped her out of her thoughts. Aksh stepped inside, his presence filling the space effortlessly. His dark eyes immediately found hers, scanning her face like he could read every emotion swirling inside her.

He didn't say anything at first. He simply walked toward her, slow and purposeful, stopping just a breath away.

"Why do you look like you're about to run?" he asked, tilting his head.

Ahana let out a soft laugh, though it lacked humor. "Because I should."

Aksh's gaze darkened, his jaw tightening. "Then why aren't you?"

She hesitated before whispering, "Because I don't want to."

His expression softened, just for a fraction of a second. Then, in an instant, the intensity was back.

"Good." His voice was low, firm. "Because you can't."

Ahana frowned. "You can't just—"

A knock on the door interrupted her.

Aksh's entire demeanor changed. The warmth in his eyes disappeared, replaced by something cold. Dangerous.

He turned, walking toward the door, and Ahana could see the shift in his posture—the tension in his shoulders, the way his fingers flexed like he was ready for a fight.

Something was wrong.

Aksh opened the door, and a man stood on the other side. He was tall, wearing a black coat, his sharp eyes flickering to Ahana for a brief second before returning to Aksh.

"They've made their move," the man said, his voice grave. "She's not safe here anymore."

Ahana's blood ran cold.

Aksh exhaled slowly before glancing back at her.

His next words weren't a question. They were a command.

"Pack your things, Little Flower. We're leaving."