Playful Nights

The air between them was thick with something unspoken, something that had been simmering beneath the surface for far too long.

Tanmay leaned against the doorframe of Aditi's apartment, his arms crossed, his eyes never leaving her. She stood before him, arms wrapped around herself, her breath unsteady. The evening had been magical—his surprise movie night on the terrace, the way her eyes had sparkled with delight, the way she had laughed so freely. But now, standing here, alone, with no distractions, everything felt heightened.

Aditi's fingers toyed with the hem of her oversized t-shirt, a nervous habit she hadn't outgrown. Tanmay smirked, taking a step inside, closing the door behind him.

"You've been avoiding me," he said, his voice low, teasing.

Aditi rolled her eyes, though the flush creeping up her neck betrayed her. "I have not."

Tanmay arched a brow. "Right. That's why you've been sneaking in and out of your apartment all week like a criminal?" He took another step closer, and Aditi took an instinctive step back, only to find herself pressed against the wall.

He braced one arm beside her head, his other hand ghosting over her wrist, his touch barely there, yet sending shivers through her. "So tell me, Aditi, what exactly are you running from?"

She swallowed hard. "I just... I was embarrassed, okay?"

A slow grin spread across Tanmay's lips. "Embarrassed about what?"

Aditi groaned, tilting her head back against the wall. "You know what."

His fingers trailed up her arm, feather-light, making her breath hitch. "Hmm... Was it when you danced with me at the wedding? When you called yourself my future wife in front of all those girls?" He leaned in closer, his breath warm against her cheek. "Or was it when you looked at me like you wanted to devour me?"

Aditi's face burned. "You're insufferable."

Tanmay chuckled, the deep sound vibrating through her. "And yet, you can't seem to stay away from me." His hand finally closed around her wrist, drawing slow circles on her skin. "Admit it, Aditi. You want me as much as I want you."

Her heart pounded, her body betraying her as she leaned into his touch, her lips parting slightly. The room was filled with tension so thick it was almost suffocating.

"You're so full of yourself," she whispered, though there was no real bite in her words.

Tanmay tilted his head, his eyes dark with amusement. "Am I?"

Before she could protest, his fingers slid beneath her chin, tilting her face up to meet his gaze. The air around them crackled, and for a moment, neither of them spoke. The only sound was the distant hum of the city outside and their uneven breaths.

Then he did something unexpected. He pulled away.

Aditi blinked, stunned. "Wait... what—"

Tanmay smirked, stepping back with infuriating ease. "Goodnight, Aditi." His voice was smooth and confident. Teasing.

He turned to leave, but not before brushing his fingers against hers one last time—a lingering, deliberate touch that sent a wave of frustration and yearning coursing through her.

Aditi stared after him, her breath coming in shallow bursts.

That man was going to drive her insane.

And worse? He knew it.

Aditi had spent the entire day lost in a daze, her mind unable to focus on work, her body still tingling from the way Tanmay had left her last night—teasing, tempting, and leaving her utterly restless. She hadn't slept a wink, tossing and turning as his words played over and over in her mind.

"Admit it, Aditi. You want me as much as I want you."

Of course, she did. And now, she was done running from it.

By the time evening rolled in, she had already set her plan in motion. If Tanmay thought he was the only one who could play this game, he had no idea what was coming.

She transformed her apartment into an intimate haven—soft golden candlelight flickering against the walls, the scent of roses and vanilla curling in the air, and red petals scattered across the floor. The lights were dim, the air thick with anticipation. She had invited him over for dinner, but she knew that food would be the last thing on his mind.

Draped in a black satin saree that clung to her curves like a second skin, she took one last look at herself in the mirror before settling in to wait. She had just received his message:

"Just parked. Be there in 15."

Her pulse raced. The thought of Tanmay walking into this, seeing her like this, knowing she had planned it all for him—it sent a thrill down her spine.

She didn't answer the door when he rang the bell. Instead, she let him find his own way inside, watching from the shadows as he hesitated, called out for her, and then stepped into the main hall.

Tanmay froze.

His sharp intake of breath was the only sound in the room as he took in the sight before him. The dim candlelight bathed everything in a soft, golden glow, but it wasn't the decorations that had him rooted in place. It was her.

His gaze dragged over her slowly, reverently. The black satin hugged her body, slipping over her curves like a whisper. The way the fabric clung to her, draped just right over her shoulder, left little to the imagination. His throat went dry, his hands clenching at his sides.

And then she moved.

With deliberate slowness, Aditi walked toward him, each step measured, each movement laced with purpose. When she reached him, she leaned in, her lips barely brushing the shell of his ear.

"Welcome home, Mr. Tanmay."

His entire body tensed.

His breath came in short, uneven bursts as she pulled back just enough to look into his eyes, amusement flickering in hers. She was enjoying this—seeing him unravel, seeing him fight for control when all he wanted to do was touch her.

Tanmay swallowed hard, willing himself to stay still, to not give in so easily. But she wasn't making it easy.

She took his hand, her fingers slipping through his, and guided him toward the dinner table. The food was plated, the setting intimate, but Tanmay barely glanced at it. His focus remained on her—the way the candlelight kissed her skin, the way her lips curled in that infuriatingly knowing smile.

"Take your eyes off me," she teased, pouring him a glass of wine.

Tanmay leaned back in his chair, his gaze unwavering. "It is my right to look at you."

Aditi arched a brow. "And who gave you this right? I don't remember allowing anyone that privilege."

His lips twitched. "So, you've decided to tease me tonight? Let's see who wins this game, Aditi. So far, you're ahead... but let's see how long that lasts."

Aditi tilted her head, her smile widening. "Oh? You want to compete?"

Tanmay leaned forward, his voice dropping. "If you think this is a game, sweetheart, then let's play."

That's when she did it.

She reached for her phone, scrolled through her playlist, and pressed play.

"Kuch khwaab dekhe hai, kuch rang soche hai..."

The moment the first notes of Sadka filled the air, she rose from her chair and walked over to him. Without a word, she took his hand, pulling him up from his seat, leading him to the center of the hall where red balloons littered the floor.

Tanmay let her move him, though his muscles were taut, his body thrumming with restraint.

Then, with agonizing slowness, she guided his hands to her waist.

His fingers curled instinctively around her, his palms pressing against the silk of her saree. The moment he touched her, an electrifying current shot through him. His breath hitched, his eyes darkening as his fingers flexed against her skin.

Aditi lifted his chin, forcing him to meet her gaze. "Look at me."

Tanmay hesitated. He had never felt like this before—so completely out of control, so utterly consumed. His body was betraying him, moving on its own, drawn to her in ways he couldn't explain.

She moved closer, her chest brushing against his.

"What's wrong, Mr. Tanmay? Lost for words?"

His grip tightened around her waist. "You have no idea what you're doing to me."

Aditi's smile was wicked. "Oh, I think I do."

She moved against him, her body pressing into his as she swayed to the music, their movements slow, sensual, deliberate. Every shift of her hips against his sent fire racing through his veins.

Tanmay clenched his jaw. "Aditi..."

"Hmm?" she hummed innocently, dragging her nails lightly down his chest, feeling his muscles tense beneath her touch.

He exhaled sharply, his hands roaming up her back, fingers pressing into the exposed skin at her waist. "You wanted to play this game, sweetheart... but you forget, I always win."

Aditi gasped as he suddenly pulled her flush against him, their bodies completely aligned, the heat between them undeniable. His lips hovered just over hers, his breath warm, teasing, sending shivers down her spine.

"Who's seducing whom now?" he murmured.

Aditi swallowed, her resolve wavering for the first time that night.

Tanmay smirked, tilting her chin up with his thumb. "Tell me to stop."

She didn't.

Her silence was his answer.

With a low chuckle, he pressed a lingering kiss to her forehead, his lips trailing down to her temple, his fingers tracing slow, lazy patterns down her spine.

"Careful, Aditi," he whispered against her skin. "You might just lose this game after all."

Aditi shuddered, her hands tightening around his shoulders.

But as she lifted her gaze to meet his, there was nothing but challenge in her eyes.

"We'll see about that, Mr. Tanmay."