Embers of Obsession

chapter 8

The sun dipped below the horizon, casting an amber glow across the zamindar's estate. The air was heavy with the scent of jasmine, mingling with the lingering warmth of the day. Aaradhya moved through the garden, her heart racing with anticipation. It had been a few days since her last encounter with Dev, and the distance had only fueled her desire to pull him deeper into her web.

As the evening unfolded, Aaradhya felt a magnetic pull toward the secluded corner of the estate where they had shared stolen moments before. The trellis, draped in climbing vines, provided a perfect cover from prying eyes. She reached the spot and waited, her heart thrumming in her chest.

A few minutes later, Dev appeared, looking handsome yet troubled, his brow furrowed with unspoken thoughts. He spotted Aaradhya, and a flicker of relief washed over his features.

"Aaradhya," he said softly, stepping closer, his voice barely above a whisper. "I was hoping to find you."

She felt a thrill at the urgency in his tone. "I'm glad you did, Dev Babu," she replied, her voice laced with warmth. "It seems we both needed this moment."

He took another step forward, the tension between them palpable. "I don't know what it is about you, but every time I'm away, I feel... lost. Like something is missing."

Aaradhya took a breath, steadying herself as she leaned slightly closer. "Sometimes, we crave the things we're not supposed to have," she murmured, her gaze locked onto his. "What is it that you truly desire, Dev?"

He hesitated, the weight of their shared history hanging heavily between them. "You," he admitted, his voice cracking slightly. "I desire you, Aaradhya. I've tried to fight it, but every moment without you feels unbearable."

Aaradhya's heart raced, the confession igniting a fire within her. She stepped closer, closing the distance between them. "Then why fight it? Why not embrace what we have?"

His eyes searched hers, desperation flickering in the depths. "What we have is wrong. I am promised to someone else."

"But does your heart belong to her?" she challenged, her voice dropping to a sultry whisper. "Or does it belong to the one who truly understands you?"

Dev's breath hitched, and she could see the struggle etched on his face. Aaradhya gently placed a hand on his chest, feeling the rapid beat of his heart beneath her palm. "Let go of the expectations, Dev. Just for tonight. Let's be free."

With a surge of confidence, she pressed her body against his, her lips barely brushing his ear as she breathed, "Let's surrender to this moment."

The words ignited a spark in him. Dev's hands found her waist, pulling her closer, his breath hot against her skin. "You make it so hard to resist," he confessed, his voice thick with desire.

"Then don't resist," she urged, tilting her head back to meet his gaze. "Let me show you how right this feels."

In an instant, their lips collided in a heated kiss, igniting a rush of passion that had been building between them. Aaradhya's heart raced as she tasted the urgency in Dev's kiss, the longing spilling over into an intoxicating connection.

Dev deepened the kiss, his hands exploring her back, drawing her against him. The world around them faded as they lost themselves in the electric chemistry, every touch setting their skin ablaze. Aaradhya's body responded instinctively, arching against him, craving more of his warmth, more of him.

"Let me feel you," he murmured between kisses, his breath hot against her lips. "I need to feel you."

Aaradhya pulled back just enough to look into his eyes, her heart pounding with exhilaration and desire. "Then let's not waste another moment," she replied, her voice low and inviting.