The Destiny Of Red String

part25||kiss or regrets?

"HE is the light,he is the
                    Colour of my blood"
                                                      ~S.R~

The night was alive with a gentle breeze carrying the scent of freshly blossomed flowers through the dimly lit streets of Paris. Shanaya's room glowed softly under the warm, golden light of a bedside lamp. She sat cross-legged on her plush bed, her hair slightly tousled from a long day, and her cheeks tinged a faint pink-not just from the wine she'd sipped earlier but from the lingering thoughts of James.

James sat on the edge of her bed, his tall frame slightly hunched as he leaned forward, elbows on his knees. He looked tired but relaxed, his crisp shirt unbuttoned at the collar, revealing a hint of his toned chest. His gaze was focused on her, his sharp features softened by the intimacy of the moment.

And the moonlight casting on james body making him look like a Greek god and Shanaya can't help but notice that

"Thank you again," Shanaya said, breaking the comfortable silence between them. Her voice was softer than usual, her nerves betraying her. "For earlier... You didn't have to save me like that."

James's lips curved into a small smile, his hazel eyes shimmering with a mix of amusement and something deeper. "Of course, I did," he replied simply. "You were struggling, Shanaya. I couldn't just stand there and watch."

She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, looking down at her lap. "I wasn't just struggling. I was panicking. I must have looked ridiculous."

James's tone turned serious. "You didn't look ridiculous. You were brave, Shanaya. You stood there even when it felt like the ground was slipping beneath you."

His words wrapped around her like a warm blanket, and she felt her chest tighten. The way he looked at her-so genuine, so unwavering-made her heart race.

The atmosphere in the room shifted subtly, growing heavier with unspoken words and emotions. Shanaya glanced at James, her usually sharp tongue rendered silent by the intensity in his gaze.

"Why did you do it?" she asked after a moment, her voice barely above a whisper.

James frowned, his brows knitting together. "What do you mean?"

"Why did you go out of your way to help me?" she pressed, her hands gripping the edge of the blanket. "You could've let me figure it out on my own. Why risk embarrassing yourself for me?"

He leaned back slightly, studying her as though debating how much to reveal. Finally, he spoke, his voice steady but laced with vulnerability. "Because I couldn't watch you suffer, Shanaya. I'd do anything to keep you safe, to see you succeed."

Her breath hitched, and she felt her chest constrict. The room seemed to shrink around them, the air crackling with a tension that was both exhilarating and terrifying.

Before Shanaya could process his words, she leaned forward impulsively and pressed a soft peck against his lips. It was brief-just a fleeting touch of warmth and softness-but it sent a jolt through both of them.

Was it the effect of the wine she is drinking or it is the james effect.

The moment her lips left his, her eyes widened in shock. "Oh my God," she stammered, scooting back on the bed. "I... I don't know why I did that. I'm so sorry-"

And she moves toward the sofa

She was about to bolt when James caught her wrist, his grip firm but gentle. "Shanaya," he said, his voice low and husky.

She froze, her wide eyes meeting his. His gaze was intense, a storm of emotions swirling in his hazel depths.

"You don't have to apologize," he murmured, pulling her closer.

Shanaya barely had time to register his words before James leaned in, his hand slipping to the back of her neck. His lips met hers in a kiss that was anything but fleeting. It was deep, passionate, and filled with all the unspoken emotions that had been simmering between them for weeks.
This wasn't fleeting or uncertain-it was raw, unrestrained, and filled with all the emotions they had kept bottled up for far too long. His hands framed her face, his thumbs brushing against her cheeks as if trying to memorize the feel of her.

Her hands instinctively found their way to his chest, clutching his shirt as though he were the only thing grounding her in that moment. The world outside ceased to exist; there was only James-his warmth, his strength, and the way he kissed her like she was the most precious thing in the world.

James tilted his head, deepening the kiss, his other hand sliding to her waist. He pulled her closer until there was no space left between them. Shanaya felt herself melting into him, her fears and doubts dissolving under the weight of his affection.
All the words are gone the tension everything is gone.

When they finally broke apart, both were breathless. Shanaya's cheeks were flushed, her lips tingling. She stared at James, her mind a whirlwind of emotions. foreheads resting against each other.

"I couldn't stop myself," James admitted, his voice hoarse. "You have no idea how long I've wanted to do that."

Shanaya's lips parted, but words failed her. Instead, she leaned in again, her fingers trailing up to the nape of his neck as she kissed him once more-this time with intention.

They lost themselves in each other, the intensity growing with every moment. James's arms wrapped around her, pulling her flush against him as if afraid she might vanish.

But suddenly, Shanaya's eyes snapped open, realization crashing over her like a tidal wave. She broke the kiss and stepped back, her chest heaving.
"I...I can't," she murmured, shaking her head as if trying to clear her thoughts.

"Shanaya, wait-" James began, but she was already moving toward the door.

"I'm sorry, James," she said, her voice breaking as she opened the door. "I need to think."

And with that, she was gone, leaving James standing in the middle of the room, his hands still tingling from the feel of her.
leaving james with thousand of thoughts running in his mind .