The GIRLFRIEND Deal

CHAPTER 69

Anika raised an eyebrow. "You heard me. We can't sleep on the same bed. It's... I don't know."

He stepped forward, voice laced with amusement. "I'm your boyfriend, Anika. I'm pretty sure that includes the right to sleep in the same bed."

Anika looked away, cheeks flushed. She hated how the word boyfriend made her stomach flip every single time.

"I didn't mean it like that," she muttered. "It's just - chodiye ye sab. Can I borrow one of your T-shirts?"

His teasing expression softened. He reached into his wardrobe and pulled out a black cotton tee. "Here. It's soft. Might be a bit big though."

She took it and walked into the washroom to freshen up, her heart doing somersaults for reasons she wasn't ready to name.

When she came back out, wiping her damp face with a towel, she stopped mid-step.

Shivaay was on the bed.

Already under the blanket.

Anika narrowed her eyes. "Aapne to bed pe kabza karhi lia (You already claimed the bed)."

He looked at her with a smirk. "Well, you said I couldn't. I disagreed. And also-" His gaze moved over her in the T-shirt, voice dropping, "you look dangerously pretty in my clothes. I think it's fair I get to enjoy the view a bit closer"

"Shivaay!" she gasped, walking toward the bed, scandalized.

He grinned. "What? I'm being honest."

She stood beside the bed, arms crossed. "Ye sab bolne me sharam kijiye thora (have some shame before spitting out words like these)"

"You want me to lie?"

She opened her mouth, then closed it again.

He scooted slightly to the side, patting the empty space. "There's plenty of room. I won't cross any invisible lines. Promise."

Anika looked at the bed. Then at him. Then back at the couch.

It was a long night.

And she did trust him.

Slowly, she climbed into bed, adjusting the blanket over herself.

A quiet pause settled between them, but it wasn't awkward. Just... charged.

Shivaay turned to her side, resting his head on his palm. "So? Comfortable?"

Anika nodded, eyes fixed on the ceiling.

Then he added gently, "You know, you're allowed to relax. I'm not going to try anything. Not unless you want me to."

A few minutes passed.

Then she turned to face him.

Shivaay immediately scooted a little closer, just enough for their knees to touch under the blanket. She tensed but didn't move.

His voice was low, barely above a whisper. "Comfortable?"

She nodded once.

"Can I... come closer?" he asked gently, not wanting to spook her.

She didn't respond. But she didn't say no either.

"Anika? Words?" He asked again and she nodded in affirmation.

Taking the permission, he moved until their bodies were almost touching. His hand slid over hers under the blanket and rested there.

"You're really pretty, you know," he murmured. "But there's something about you in my cloth... something soft. Like... you belong right here."