Felt and Fell

Thirty-seven

Zoya

I was almost done packing my luggage, the last few items being carefully placed inside.

The fatigue of the day weighed heavily on me, my body aching from the endless hours of sorting and packing after office.

Just as I was about to collapse onto the bed, Aditya walked in, carrying a steaming mug of coffee.

He had come straight after his flight to help me with the packing.

Aditya approached with that gentle smile of his, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of relief wash over me. "Here, shortcake," he said softly, handing me the mug.

I took the coffee gratefully, taking a sip and feeling the warmth spread through me.

With a deep sigh, I settled into his arms, the exhaustion making me melt into his embrace.

"Your living room's stuff is packed," he told me, his voice a soothing balm to my frayed nerves. "There's nothing much left."

"Thank goodness the furniture isn't mine," I sighed, feeling the weight of the day lift slightly. "...I'd have died." He leaned on the wall, holding me like a soft cushion-y support.

Aditya chuckled, tightening his hold on me. "I'd have taken care of that," he assured me, his lips brushing against my hair that I had tied in a bun.

I smiled, resting my head against his chest. "....I know," I murmured, feeling the steady rhythm of his heartbeat beneath my cheek.... "I don't know what I'd do without you..."

His fingers gently stroking my back. "You won't have to find out," he promised. "I'm here, always."

The excitement of moving in together couldn't completely erase the fatigue of packing after a long day at the office, but having him here made it all more bearable. "You've already done so much," I said, my voice tinged with gratitude.

He tilted my chin up, his eyes meeting mine with a tenderness that made my heart swell. "You're my priority, shortcake..." he said simply.

I leaned up to kiss him, a soft, lingering kiss that conveyed all the love and appreciation I felt.

His eyes lingered on my neck for a moment.... and I noticed a flicker of something intense in his gaze.

Slowly, he slid my T-shirt to the side, exposing more of my skin. "You still have the marks," he murmured, his voice filled with a mix of concern......aaaaand pride.

I blushed, feeling the heat rise to my cheeks.

He was right; I still had the hickeys from last night...but this wasn't much different.... Aditya has left countless hickeys on me...but last night....was......ugh..... don't think about it Zoya....."Yeah," I whispered, my voice barely audible. "You were... pretty rough."

A smirk played on his lips as he leaned in closer, his breath warm against my neck. "I couldn't help myself....sorry" he admitted, his fingers gently tracing the marks he had left. "You drive me wild, Zoya."

I laughed softly, the sound mingling with the tension in the air. "You're insatiable..," I teased, my fingers playing with the buttons of his shirt.

"And.... you're irresistible," he shot back, his lips brushing against my ear. "It's a dangerous situation."

I laughed again, but I didn't miss the concern in his gaze. "What happened?" I asked.

"I didn't mean to be...this rough, shortcake... I'm so..." he began, his voice trailing off.

I interrupted him with a kiss, my lips pressing against his to silence his apologies. "I've said this before and I'll say it again... I'll let you do so much more to me... you have no idea... so you better not apologize," I told him, my voice firm yet filled with affection.. "Especially not after being told that I have a sex life that my friends envy me for..."