Forever His

Chapter 74: Hidden Flames And Quiet Shadows

Mahnoor's POV: 

I sit on the sofa beside Shahmeer, carefully cleaning the gash on his arm. He winces slightly but doesn't say a word, his intense gaze fixed on me the entire time. I try to ignore it, focusing instead on bandaging the wound with the waffle-patterned plaster. Once I'm done, I gather the first-aid kit and stand to put it away, but before I can take a step, his strong hand wraps around my wrist and pulls me back.

I gasp, falling onto his lap. His hands hold me firmly in place, and before I can say a word, his lips crash onto mine. It's rough at first—desperate, fiery—but then it softens into something that makes my toes curl and my heart race. I kiss him back, smiling against his lips when I feel him go hard beneath me.

I love the effect I have on him, I think, giddy with a mix of shyness and pride.

When he finally pulls back, his eyes search mine. My cheeks flush under his intense gaze, and I can't help but giggle, burying my face into his chest to hide my embarrassment. His laugh rumbles through his chest, warming me in a way I can't even describe.

"Are you still shy?" he teases, his fingers brushing over my flushed cheek.

"I don't know if I'll ever stop being shy," I mumble, still hiding in the safety of his chest.

He chuckles again, his hand sliding up and down my back in soothing strokes. "Good," he whispers. "I like you this way."

I lift my head slightly to meet his gaze, and the smile he gives me is so tender that my heart feels like it might burst. Even after everything that's happened tonight—the chaos, the violence—this moment feels like a haven. A safe, warm place where nothing else matters except the two of us.

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As I sit on his lap, his arms still wrapped around me, we're both just staring at each other, our faces mere inches apart. His dark eyes lock onto mine, and a small, playful smirk tugs at his lips.

Before I can even ask what he's thinking, he starts peppering kisses all over my face—on my cheeks, my nose, my forehead. Each one sends a wave of warmth through me, and I can't stop giggling.

Then he leans closer, brushing his lips against my ear, and I feel a shiver run down my spine.

"You're..." he murmurs, planting a kiss near the corner of my eye. "Too..." Another kiss, this time on my temple. "Damn..." His lips graze my jawline now. "Cute."

I burst out laughing, trying to squirm away from his kisses, but his grip tightens, holding me firmly in place. "Shahmeer, stop!" I squeal, though I'm laughing so hard I can barely breathe.

"Never," he replies with mock seriousness, pressing another kiss to the tip of my nose.

My laughter echoes through the room, filling the space with something so light and carefree that it's almost hard to believe the night had started with so much chaos.

"Cuteness aggression is real," he teases, his smile growing wider.

"You're ridiculous," I manage to say, still giggling.

"Ridiculous about you," he shoots back without missing a beat, making me roll my eyes and blush at the same time.

I collapse against his chest, breathless from laughing, and his arms come around me once more, holding me close. His chin rests lightly on the top of my head as I snuggle into his warmth, feeling the steady rhythm of his heartbeat against my ear.

In this moment, it's just us—him, me, and the kind of happiness that feels too perfect to be real.

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