Bound by Fire

The Morning After

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Sanya woke up to the soft rays of sunlight filtering through the blinds, warming her face. For a moment, she couldn't quite remember where she was. But then she felt the weight of an arm draped around her waist, the heat of another body pressed against hers, and reality came crashing back.

She blinked her eyes open and turned her head slightly to see Aarav lying beside her, still fast asleep. His chest rose and fell with the rhythm of his breathing, his dark hair tousled and falling into his eyes. He looked so peaceful, so relaxed, and so impossibly handsome that for a moment, Sanya just lay there, staring at him.

Her heart fluttered, and for a few blissful seconds, she let herself soak in the warmth of the moment—the memory of last night still vivid in her mind. The way they had kissed, the way he had touched her, the way he had made her feel... She hadn't felt that alive in a long time.

But then, the inevitable wave of panic started to rise.

*What had she done?*

Sanya gently lifted Aarav's arm from her waist and slid out of bed as quietly as she could, careful not to wake him. She needed space to think, to breathe. She grabbed her discarded clothes from the floor and slipped into the bathroom, closing the door softly behind her.

She stood in front of the mirror, staring at her reflection. Her hair was a mess, her lips slightly swollen from their passionate kisses, and her skin still tingled from his touch. She looked... different. More alive, more radiant. But beneath that, there was a storm brewing in her mind.

Last night had been incredible. There was no denying that. But now, in the harsh light of morning, reality felt heavier.

This wasn't just a fling. Aarav wasn't some random guy she could walk away from without a second thought. He was her fake fiancé. They had a deal, an agreement, and this—whatever *this* was—was not part of it.

*You wanted this,* a voice inside her reminded her. *You kissed him back. You wanted him just as much as he wanted you.*

Sanya groaned and rubbed her hands over her face, feeling the weight of her emotions crashing over her. It was true. She couldn't deny it. Last night hadn't been a mistake. She had wanted Aarav, more than she'd ever wanted anyone, and that terrified her.

She had spent so long keeping people at arm's length, protecting herself from getting hurt. But now, with Aarav, all of her walls were crumbling, and she didn't know how to stop it.

*What happens now?* she wondered, anxiety gnawing at her.

She couldn't go back to pretending. Not after last night. But what if things between them didn't work out? What if this only made things more complicated?

Sanya was still lost in thought when she heard a soft knock on the bathroom door.

"Sanya?" Aarav's voice was low and groggy, tinged with concern. "You okay?"

Her heart skipped a beat, and for a moment, she debated staying in the bathroom forever. But she couldn't avoid this—couldn't avoid *him*. With a deep breath, she opened the door.

Aarav was standing there, leaning against the doorframe, his expression a mix of sleepiness and something else—something softer, more vulnerable. His hair was still a mess, and he was shirtless, which only made it harder for Sanya to keep her thoughts straight.

"Hey," he said, his voice warm and gentle. "You disappeared. Everything alright?"

Sanya forced a smile, though she was sure it didn't quite reach her eyes. "Yeah, I just... I needed a minute to think."

Aarav's brow furrowed slightly, and he stepped closer to her, his gaze searching her face. "Are you... are you regretting last night?"

The question hit Sanya like a punch to the gut. Regret? No. That wasn't what she was feeling. Confused, yes. Terrified, absolutely. But regret? Not for a second.

"No," she said quickly, her voice firmer than she expected. "I don't regret it, Aarav."

Relief flickered in his eyes, and he reached out, gently brushing a strand of hair away from her face. His touch was soft, tender, and it made her heart ache.

"But I'm scared," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "I don't know what this means. I don't know how to handle it."

Aarav's hand lingered on her cheek, his thumb gently stroking her skin. "We don't have to figure it all out right now," he said softly. "We'll take it one step at a time. No pressure."

Sanya nodded, though the knot of anxiety in her chest didn't completely go away. She wanted to believe it would be that simple, but deep down, she knew that nothing about this was simple.

Aarav must have sensed her hesitation because he stepped even closer, his other hand sliding around her waist, pulling her gently against him. "Sanya," he murmured, his lips brushing against her forehead. "You don't have to do this alone. Whatever you're feeling, whatever you're afraid of... I'm here. We'll figure it out together."

His words sent a warmth spreading through her, melting some of the ice that had been building in her chest. She looked up at him, and for the first time in what felt like forever, she let herself believe that maybe—just maybe—this could work.

"I don't want to lose what we've built," she whispered. "But I'm scared that this will mess everything up."

Aarav smiled softly, his gaze full of warmth and reassurance. "We'll mess it up together, then. And we'll fix it together."

Sanya let out a breathy laugh, her tension easing just a little. "You make it sound so easy."

"It can be," Aarav said, leaning down until his lips were just inches from hers. "If you let it."

And then, before she could say another word, he kissed her.

This kiss wasn't like the ones from the night before. It wasn't frantic or filled with urgency. It was slow, tender, and full of promise. Aarav's lips moved against hers with a softness that made her heart ache in the best way. His hands held her gently, as if he was afraid she might pull away, but there was a steady heat building between them, simmering just beneath the surface.

Sanya melted into him, her hands sliding up to rest against his chest as she kissed him back, letting herself get lost in the moment. There was no panic now, no fear. Just them, together.

When they finally pulled back, both of them breathless, Aarav rested his forehead against hers, his eyes closed. "I'm not going anywhere, Sanya," he murmured, his voice rough with emotion. "No matter what happens."

Sanya's heart swelled, and for the first time in a long time, she felt something like hope. Maybe this wasn't as terrifying as she thought. Maybe, just maybe, they could figure it out.

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In this chapter, Sanya grapples with the aftermath of her and Aarav's passionate night together. While fear and uncertainty cloud her thoughts, Aarav's steady presence and reassurance bring warmth and hope to the situation, marking a turning point in their relationship. Their romance takes a deeper, more emotional turn, as both characters begin to acknowledge their growing feelings.