Devil's Hidden Angel

Chapter 59: First touch

Ishqi sat at the edge inside the pool on a small platform, her eyes closed, lost in thought. The water around her was calm, reflecting the soft glow of the lights. She was deep in her own world when suddenly, she felt it, the faint sound of water shifting, rippling. Someone was entering the pool. Her eyes snapped open instantly. And what she saw made her freeze...

Someone was in the water. For a moment, fear gripped her. She almost moved to react, to defend herself, but then the figure rose from beneath the surface...

He pushed his wet hair back with his hands, droplets sliding down his face, tracing the sharp lines of his jaw before running across his chest. His body was sculpted, gym-fit, with defined six-pack abs glistening under the pool lights. He wore shorts, clinging to him from the water.

Looking at him, Ishqi's breath caught. Her throat went dry, and she gulped like a fish. Her eyes refused to move away from him. She was frozen, stunned, because this was the first time she had ever seen a man's body up close, so raw, so powerful...

The man noticed her gaze lingering, and a slow, intense smile spread across his face...

Man: Do you like what you see, My Pearl? (in voice low but possessive)

The way he said it, deep, commanding, almost claiming her, jolted Ishqi back to her senses. Her heart raced, her voice trembling as she tried to speak...

Ishqi: What... what are you doing here? (gulping nervously)

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"RAJVEER" (came out of her mouth)

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The water rippled softly as Rajveer moved closer after hearing his name, his presence filling the pool like a shadow Ishqi couldn't escape. She pressed herself against the edge, her fingers gripping the tiles, her heartbeat echoing louder than the sound of water...

Rajveer: You didn't expect me... did you? (voice low, teasing yet commanding)

Ishqi swallowed hard, her throat dry...

Ishqi: You said you'd be late... I thought I'd be alone... (nervous, whispering)

Rajveer's smirk deepened, his eyes locked onto hers, unblinking. He leaned in just enough for her to feel the warmth of his breath against the cool air...

Rajveer: Alone? My Baby, you should know by now... I don't let you stay alone. Not when I can be here all time with you... (softly)

The words wrapped around her like the water itself, heavy, intimate, impossible to ignore. Ishqi's chest rose and fell quickly, her mind screaming at her to look away, but her eyes refused to leave him...

Rajveer's eyes never left hers. They were sharp, intense, yet softened by her presence. He reached out slowly, deliberately, his hand cutting through the water until it hovered just inches from her arm...

Rajveer: You are trembling, Pearl... Why? Do you feel something? (low husky voice)

Her throat tightened, her pulse racing. She gulped, her mind screaming for control, yet her gaze stayed locked on him. Rajveer's fingers traced the edge of her arm, not fully holding, just grazing, a near-touch that burned more than a grip. His face was close now, so close she could feel the warmth of his breath against her damp skin...