I'm Right Here

Chapter 4 - "I'll lick you up."

Spoiler alert: Contains some details about 'Stay Mine'. FYI if you are planning to read that next.
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As they disembarked from the train in Mangalore, Faisal's strong arms came to her rescue, effortlessly helping her with her luggage. He had traveled light, carrying only his backpack.

Asfia stole a longing glance at her fiancé and let out a contented sigh. Perfection, she thought.

He turned toward her, flashing a teasing grin. "What's got you staring?" he playfully inquired, making her cheeks flush.

"You," she confessed, surprising even herself. He took a step closer to her, his gaze shifting to her lips. Her breath caught, her heart raced, and she couldn't help but think, We're at a railway station; my first kiss is going to be at a railway station.

In the background, she heard the familiar call, "Aavokay, aavokay, Kaapi kaapi kaapi chaaye."

Faisal, undeterred, took another step toward her, his gaze steady. However, her duffle bag, which he was carrying, accidentally collided with her knee. Flustered, Faisal quickly retreated, mumbling, "Sorry."

What had come over him? It was the way she gazed at him and softly uttered, "you." It ignited an irresistible urge to kiss her, to savor the taste of those luscious lips, to caress her innocent face and hold her close. It surprised him, hadn't he resolved not to fall for her? He was willing to give her everything she desired, but his heart had suffered too much damage; he couldn't bear exposing it once more.

In the taxi, a comfortable silence enveloped them as they rode together. He had insisted on escorting her back to the hostel before heading to his apartment. Asfia's heart still raced from their previous closeness, and a subtle smile lingered on her lips. Her thoughts wandered, venturing beyond just a kiss, as her eyes traced the contours of his face while they sat side by side.

But he wasn't returning her gaze; instead, he focused on the road ahead—or so she thought. To her surprise, she caught him watching her through the rearview mirror. Their eyes met in that reflective surface, and a sly, knowing smirk graced his lips.

Flustered, she looked away, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. She longed for the taxi ride to conclude so she could retreat to her room and hide, yet simultaneously, she wished it would never end so she could remain in his company forever.

As the moments passed, she came to a beautiful realization: she would be with him forever.

"What are you thinking?" Faisal inquired, noticing her shift from embarrassment to a beaming smile. She shook her head, her thoughts a mystery to him. He found her innocence utterly charming, but then he remembered the steamy book she'd been reading.

Deciding to playfully tease her, he leaned in closer to her ear and whispered, "Having dirty thoughts?"

Asfia pulled back, taken aback by his sudden shift from gentlemanly to flirtatious. Was he just flirting now, or did he really believe she was having dirty thoughts about him? What should she say? Her mind raced, but before she could stop herself, her mouth had already answered, "Yeah..."

Faisal looked at her for a moment, and then burst into laughter. 'Oh, Asfia,' she thought to herself, shaking her head. 'Why did God forget to install a filter when he created you?'

"You've never been kissed?" He suddenly inquired, his gaze intensifying as he delicately cupped her cheek, his touch sending shivers down her spine.

She took a sharp breath, her entire face tingling, her heart doing somersaults, and dizziness enveloping her.