"From Rivals to Forever: A Journey of Love"

Chapter 53

Kabir's Perspective

As I walked around the car to the driver's side, I could still feel the gentle warmth of Aditi's hand in mine from moments before. My heart was racing, and I couldn't wipe the stupid grin off my face. Her presence had always had this effect on me, but tonight was different. Tonight, she was breathtaking. Every little detail about her—the shimmer of her gown, the way her hair cascaded down her back, the soft blush that spread across her cheeks when Anaya teased us—was like something out of a dream. And somehow, impossibly, she was all mine.

I slipped into the driver's seat, and without thinking, I reached for her hand again. Her soft fingers slipped easily into mine, as if they belonged there. With one smooth motion, I lifted her hand to my lips and pressed a soft kiss to her knuckles. Her skin was warm beneath my lips, and I let the moment stretch out, savoring it, letting it ground me. This was Aditi—my Aditi, the girl who made every moment feel extraordinary.

"You look... utterly mesmerizing tonight," I murmured against her hand. I didn't even care if the words sounded cliché, because they were true. I couldn't help but let my gaze roam over her again, taking in the way the streetlight illuminated her face, casting soft shadows that made her eyes look even more intense, her lips even more tempting. "I've seen you in a thousand ways, but tonight... I don't think I've ever seen you look this beautiful."

Aditi's eyes softened, and a shy smile played on her lips, her cheeks turning that familiar shade of pink that I loved. She reached over, her hand cupping my cheek gently. "Kabir," she whispered, her voice barely above a breath, "you should see yourself right now."

She leaned in closer, her breath warm against my skin. Her eyes were scanning my face, taking in every detail as if she was seeing me for the first time. "Do you even know what you're doing to me?" she whispered, her fingers lightly brushing over my jawline, sending sparks shooting through my skin.

I could feel the warmth of her gaze, and I watched as her eyes traced the lines of my three-piece suit. I had thrown it on hurriedly, but seeing the way she looked at me now—her lips parted slightly, her gaze full of admiration—made me feel like I'd made the best decision of my life by wearing it tonight.

"You look so... handsome, Kabir," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "When I saw you standing there earlier, I could barely breathe. I was so mesmerized by you, by how perfect you looked tonight. Like you just stepped out of one of my dreams."

Her words sent a rush of warmth straight to my chest, but before I could respond, she leaned in closer, her lips brushing against mine. The kiss was soft at first, tentative, as if she was still letting the moment sink in. But then, as if something clicked between us, the kiss deepened.

Her lips moved against mine with a hunger that took me by surprise, igniting a fire in my chest. I groaned softly, pulling her closer, wanting to feel her against me. Her hands slid up to the back of my neck, her fingers tangling in my hair as she kissed me with a kind of urgency that made my heart race.

I couldn't think—there was only her. Her soft lips against mine, her warmth seeping into me, and the way her breath hitched whenever I kissed her just right. I tilted my head, deepening the kiss even more, savoring the way she tasted, the way her body seemed to melt into mine.

I could feel the heat rising between us, the way our breathing became shallow and quick. I slid my hand down to her waist, pulling her even closer until there was no space left between us. She responded with a soft moan, and I felt my own control slipping away.

Her hands moved down to my chest, her fingers tracing the edges of my suit jacket before slipping underneath to feel the warmth of my skin through my shirt. Her touch was electric, sending shivers down my spine. I kissed her harder, more desperately now, as if I couldn't get enough of her.