𝑬𝒏𝒕𝒘𝒊𝒏𝒆𝒅 𝑫𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒚

61.

𝓘 𝓭𝓮𝓼𝓲𝓻𝓮 𝓼𝓸𝓶𝓮𝓸𝓷𝓮 𝔀𝓱𝓸 𝓼𝓮𝓮𝓼 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓸𝓬𝓮𝓪𝓷 𝓸𝓯 𝓬𝓱𝓪𝓸𝓼 𝔀𝓲𝓽𝓱𝓲𝓷 𝓶𝓮, 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓼𝓽𝓲𝓵𝓵 𝓭𝓲𝓿𝓮𝓼 𝓲𝓷.
-𝓛𝓛 𝓜𝓾𝓼𝓲𝓷𝓰𝓼

Sofia woke up to a blissful morning. The sound of birds chirping outside on their terrace balcony, the faint sound of vehicles moving, the soft rustle of curtains against the wind and a warm hand wrapped around her midriff while her back was pressed against the chest of a man she was obsessed with. One can be obsessed with their husband, right?

Slowly, she turns around in his arms, and her heart flutters when she comes face to face with his sleeping ones. The rise and fall of his chest was steady, unhurried, as though the world outside their bed had no claim on him. Strands of hair had fallen across his forehead, softening the edges of his usual strength. His lips were parted in some unguarded dream, the faintest shadow of stubble daring her fingertips to explore. The dawn kissed the curve of his shoulder, the hollow of his collarbone, making him look like a painting she wasn't allowed to touch—but would. Her gaze lingered, drinking him in, her pulse quickening with the knowledge that he was entirely hers, not just her husband; he was her safe place, her forever.

She gave in to the urge to slightly run her fingertips on his lashes that were caressing his cheek. It was unfair for a man to have such gorgeous, thick lashes.

They had a wonderful night together yesterday, despite being exhausted from the event, but their desire for each other ultimately prevailed. She was so addicted to him now, mentally and physically. They have done it for the second time after their first intercourse, and yet she still hasn't been able to adjust him. Her cheeks flushed at the memories, and instantly her body warmed at the images of him so gracefully moving, whispering things to her. God, he was perfect.

One urge led to another, and now she wanted to peck on his straight nose, and so she did, slowly picking her body up and placing her lips lightly on the tip of his nose, admiring his face once again before pulling away.

Last night, Arsalan was so gentle that he helped her clean, helped her slip into her nightgown, and pulled her close to him so that she could sleep comfortably in his arms. She was so tired after being so thoroughly claimed by him that she couldn't move a single muscle in her body, so he took care of her, and oh, this time Arsalan made sure he had a stack of precautions tucked inside the hidden area of the bedside table, not like the last time. One has to have it hidden in the desi household, you never know who might barge in and go through your things.

Once content with admiring him, she thought to have an early start, though her body protested even moving a bit. Today, Zaid and Abeer were visiting the house for breakfast. Sofia's mother-in-law had invited them to a small dawat. Malakeh was going to be so happy today seeing her dining table filled with her loved ones.

Sofia stole a glance at Arsalan, still lost in deep slumber. Swiftly yet with care, she brushed a tender kiss against his cheek, then reached for the hand resting loosely around her. Her fingers closed over his wrist—gentle, but firm enough to ease his hold—so she could slip out of bed. But before she could, his arm tightened around her waist, drawing her flush against his chest.

"Arsalan!" Sofia startled, turning her head to look at him.

Eyes still closed, he mumbled "Stay" his voice sounding thick with sleep.

One word, 'stay,' bloomed so much warmth in her chest that it reached her heart, squeezing them in the cocoon of comfort where she belonged. Even in his sleep, he knew that she was the right one to be in his arms.

"You are awake," she whispered against the still air between them, one that they were breathing in together.

He moved closer to her, close enough to snuggle his nose in her hair, sniffing the scent of roses—the scent of her "Not really," he replied and then once he found his comfort, he drifted back into his slumber.