An Inconvenient Flame

Chapter 58

Abhiraj's POV

The first thing I notice is the weight.

Warm. Secure.

It takes me a second to realize what it is. An arm, curved snugly around my chest. Fingers resting lightly over the fabric of my t-shirt. Steady breathing brushing against the back of my neck.

I freeze for a moment, brain scrambling to adjust to something I'm not used to. I'm not the one holding her. She's holding me.

It's disorienting. I've never... let anyone do this. 

Even when I sleep with her, I'm always the one around her, guarding. It's new

Her legs are engulfing mine, her body curved into my back, as if she's keeping me here.

And the insane part? It doesn't feel like a trap. It doesn't choke. It soothes.

Something restless in me goes quiet, like a switch flipping off.

I let out a breath I didn't even realize I was holding. Her palm rises and falls with it, keeping pace, like she's synced herself to me.

I should shift, probably, before she wakes up and realizes she's got me locked down this tight. Before she sees me like this. Vulnerable.

But I don't move. I don't want to.

Safe. God. That's not a word I've ever applied to anyone, least of all to myself. Safe, because she's the one holding me? Because she's wrapped around me like I'm something worth keeping?

My chest squeezes, tight, uncomfortable.

What shit is happening to my brain...? No, seriously...what the fuck is this?

 I've never let anyone hold me like this, never even thought I wanted it, and yet... here I am, craving more.

The thought makes me restless. Too restless to stay still.

I shift carefully, turning in her arms, not wanting to shatter the cocoon she's wrapped me in. Her arm slips when I move, but I catch it, guiding it back around me like some desperate idiot afraid she'll let go.

She stirs. Lashes flicker. Eyes heavy with sleep.

And before I can think better of it, I move closer. Bury my face into her chest, my forehead tucked under her collarbone. Breathing her in like oxygen.

God. It hits me hard like I've been starved of this without even knowing it.

Her hand reacts before she fully wakes. Fingers slipping into my hair, nails grazing my scalp in slow, lazy strokes. I almost groan from the sheer relief of it. No one touches me like this. Hell, No one ever has. Except she did once...and I can't even remember how long it has been.

"Abhiraj?" Her voice is groggy, soft.

I don't lift my head. My voice muffles against her. "Hmm."

There's a pause, then this small, surprised murmur, "You're... here."

I huff a quiet laugh against her skin. "Where else would I be?"

She chuckles faintly, still half-asleep, nails still scratching. God, she doesn't even realize she's undoing me. My control frays and I clutch her tighter, arm cinched around her waist, leg hooking over hers. I just want her closer. Always closer.

"Are you okay?" she whispers, tilting her head to try and see my face.

I shake my head into her chest, more honest than I intended. "Not really. But this helps."