Snapshots of Desire ✔ [Completed]

Cover Me in Warmth

She doesn't open the door for him, not because she's annoyed or bothered by his flippant attitude.

Despite being all those things, her main incentive for keeping the passenger door locked is actually purely subconscious. When Shreya first slides into the car, her instinct is to let Daya in too, but when she catches sight of him staring up at the stormy sky, tongue out, with the most child like expression of unadulterated enjoyment on his face, she simply cannot look away.

It's only a moment later, as he tries the door handle again and looks at her with an amused smile when he sees that she's staring at him, that Shreya realizes she has inadvertently been hypnotized by Daya and he wasn't even trying.

All he had to do was lose his damn mask for just one moment, let himself indulge in the simple exhilarating feeling of rain against his skin, and she's putty.

The blush is unmistakable and when Daya’s eyebrows rise, she's tempted to keep the door closed for just a little while longer. Yet somehow the idea of a wet Daya, clothes sticking to his body, only intensifies her slight embarrassment, so she quickly leans over the console and pushes the car door open.

He slides in rather stealthily, nearly colliding with her as she takes too long retreating. Yet she gracefully brushes her slightly damp curls behind her ear, before starting the engine as if the silent moment of unabashed staring didn't happen.

But of course, Daya doesn't let her forget it.

"You know it's too cold outside to be flushed. What's got you so hot, Shreya?"

She hasn't actually pulled out of the spot and is eternally grateful, because sly comment nearly gives her whiplash as she turns to look at him, and she's pretty certain the SUV would've crashed into something if she'd been driving already.

If possible, Daya’s impish and somewhat knowing stare sends a wave of heat through her entire body and Shreya itches to steal a glance in the review mirror just to check if she hasn't broken out in hives by this point. Her shy nature has invariably gotten the best of her, especially under Daya’s slightly domineering and equally seductive gaze.

Nevertheless, she simply matches his look with one of her own, making sure he knows just how annoyed she is by his attempt to put her on the spot.

Because she is annoyed, perhaps not as much by his current comment, as by the fact that despite his sinister views regarding criminals, his blatant disregard for rules, and slight penchant for mocking her authority, she still feels this incredible magnetic pull towards him, an attraction that she fears runs far deeper than the physical.

"Well…" Daya's voice trails off. He leans back slightly, obviously expecting a reply and this time. Shreya doesn't hesitate rolling her eyes at him.

The moment has passed, and her skin feels slightly cooler, so she looks over her shoulder and expertly reverses the Chevy out of the makeshift parking spot before answering.

"Well nothing. It was probably your ego sucking all the oxygen out of the car."

Daya looks offended for a minute, but then grins again, pressing the automatic button on the passenger door to roll the window down just slightly, a teasing response to her jib.

Fresh air, smelling faintly of rain, rushes in and Shreya can't help but inhale, momentarily forgetting Daya's presence.

He watches her slightly transfixed, as she closes her eyes in content, a small sound of pleasure escaping her mouth as her usual pout dissolves into an almost smile.

It's only a second, but it's enough to have the image of her pale skin, dark curls, and pink lips forever itched into his mind, and Daya has to look away to conceal his wistful expression.