Unveiling Meerab [Tere Bin FF]

30. surprises

A/N: I am so glad so many of you enjoyed the last chapter, I giggled so much going through the comments. Onto the next one where there's yet more fluff and smut, but more fluff this time!

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Lulled by the post-nap warmth and the comforting embrace of Murtasim, Meerab felt a gentle fatigue still clinging to her, even as they lay awake in their sun-drenched room. The soft light filtering through the curtains bathed the room in a gentle glow, creating a serene ambiance as they lay comfortably in their plush bed, the coziness of their surroundings amplifying the warmth between them.

The morning drive had been exhilarating, filled with the rare sight of cheetahs and the majestic presence of a lion pride, consisting of many little cubs that had stolen the show. Murtasim had been so thoughtful, wrapping her in a blanket and cushioning her seat for a smoother ride, his attentiveness making her heart swell with affection. They had taken a shower upon returning from the drive, the water washing away the dust of the savannah, and had subsequently fallen into a deep, restful sleep, with her tucked against his warm and bare chest. Waking up hours later, they were still cocooned in the tranquility of their villa, the outside world seemingly a distant memory.

As she scrolled through the pictures on his camera, she couldn't help but be impressed. "They all look like they're out of a magazine," she remarked with a smile, flipping through the images. "You would have been a world-class photographer." Each photo was a testament to his skill, capturing the essence of the wild in a way that was almost tangible, the kind of stuff that belonged in the magazines he loved to read.

Murtasim responded with a noncommittal hum, his face buried in the crook of her neck. The sensation of his beard tickling her skin sent giggles rippling through her, his hands and lips had been roaming for the past hour as they lounged, his tiredness giving away.

"Are you even looking at the pictures?" she teased as his lips found her neck, planting soft kisses that made her pulse quicken.

"I can look at them after," he murmured against her skin, his voice muffled but laced with affection.

Meerab sighed contentedly, her fingers continuing to press the button to advance through the images. It was a mix of wildlife and shots of her, some captured in moments she hadn't even realized he was watching, capturing the childlike delight on her face at the sights they witnessed. As she looked at the photos, it struck her how Murtasim saw beauty in everything - the animals, the landscapes, and even in her. His camera showed dozens of wildlife pictures followed by dozens of her, interspersed with just a few of him or of them together.

Murtasim continued to shower her with gentle kisses on her bare shoulder, his affection palpable, as she flipped through the pictures.

"Am I wildlife?" Meerab teased lightly, a playful lilt in her voice. She could feel the warmth of his breath against her skin as he chuckled. Her silk camisole, with straps too delicate to be any barrier, felt cool against her skin, contrasting with the warmth of his lips.

"Judging by the scratches on my back, and the bite marks on my shoulder, maybe," he quipped, his voice a soft murmur against her shoulder, followed by a gentle bite that sent a tingling sensation down her spine.

She couldn't help but whine softly, playfully nudging him with her foot, eliciting a hearty laugh from him, which filled the room, adding to the light-hearted atmosphere.

Meerab shifted slightly, feeling him move away from her neck and shoulder. His gaze was fixed on the camera screen she held aloft. His arm rested comfortably on her waist, over her stomach, his thumb caressing the fabric of her camisole in a rhythm that was both soothing and affectionate.