ishq lost & found

59; Bonus + Announcement

hii, before i start i wanted to say thank you for all the support! i didn't plan on making another book buttt seeing how many people enjoyed this, i decided i will! i've been working on it and the first chapter should be out by late december or early january! anyway enjoy!

It had been a long day for Ranya, filled with endless meetings for professional development for her students. From one location to another, by the time she got home she was drained beyond repair. There was only one solution.

Wearing his sweatshirt since the winter chill seemed to penetrate the walls of their home, she found her feet instinctively dragging her to him. She knew he'd be in the basement, working out like he usually did. She always wondered why he got a home gym instead of going to one, but as she reached the last few steps she was glad the sight was all hers.

Saad was mid push-up, his arms shaking ever so slightly like he'd been doing this much longer than it appeared. The room was filled with shaky breaths, whimpers as he pushed himself back up like if he did give up, he'd lose everything. He didn't even realise how frustrated he sounded or looked, but Ranya would tell he was carrying a lot of tension.

Forgoing her movie plans, she leaned against the railing, biting her lip as she tried not to smile. He seemed a little tense, maybe even upset, and she felt awful for enjoying the show but she couldn't help it. He looked too hot for her not to react.

"You okay?" She asked, finally stepping down and walking towards him.

Like her presence was the medicine he needed, he relaxed, lying back first on the mat, his chest heaving up and down as she avoided her gaze, exhaling through his teeth. "I'm fine"

"When you start lying I know it's bad"

That earned a tired, breathless laugh. The kind that slips out when he's too exhausted to hide it. Sitting up, that too without using his arms for support, his core strength surprising strong, he ran a hand through his hair. When he finally looked up at her, his eyes were almost pleading, and he didn't even know it.

"Everything okay? What'd you come down here for?" he asked, voice raspy and rough, just enough for Ranya to smile. She felt awful. It was like she enjoyed his suffering.

"To see if you wanted to watch a movie with me... but," Her gaze locked on him- tired, stubborn, trying his absolute hardest to take out his frustration on himself. She knew exactly what he was doing, and she knew he wouldn't be satisfied until he reached his goal.

"How many more sets left?" She asked, sitting down beside him, brushing his hair out of his eyes.

"Just one. But we can go upstairs and watch your movie." He began, proceeding to get up. But before he could, she grabbed onto his arm, purposefully trying to feel his biceps.

"No. You have one set left, are you really gonna give up?" She challenged him, knowing what to say and do to push his buttons.

"Ranya-" He huffed, tired and a little frustrated, still with himself. It had been a long day and though finishing the set would be great, he was over it.

"Come on big boy, I know you can do it." She teased, grabbing a fistful of his shirt pulling him towards her as she lowered herself onto the mat. Laying right where he'd be if he did another push up, she watched as he huffed out a laugh.

"Fine."

"Good. With each rep, you get one kiss. A reward system will help don't you think?" She smiled up at him, soft and teasing as that tired expression he'd been wearing started to wear off.

He positioned himself above her again, arms shaking, breath rough. He let out a breath that was half-laugh, half-surrender. "Deal."

Smiling up at him, her eyes big as she waited in anticipation, barely able to hide her excitement, she waited patiently as he slowly lowered down, a whimper escaping his lips as he finally reached her, their lips finally touching. Giving her a short, warm kiss, he pushed himself back up.