Dare to Be | Heir & Heiress #1 | ✓

Special: 1.31 This Battle

- Khushi -

Holding the fabric in my hands, I glance up through my eyelashes at Arnav and that smirk of his plastered on his lips. I roll my eyes even as my hands work on the tie around his neck. "Wipe that smirk off your face," I warn him as I often have over the years.

He'll get this look on his face every time he manages to talk me into fixing his tie for him. Nineteen years of our marriage and he has still not learned how to do this himself. I could make him bend to my will on almost all things except this one.

This one, he never budged on. Says it gives him an opportunity to be close to me. As if he needs an excuse for that!

As expected, his hands rest over my hips and nudge me a step closer to him. I have to lean my upper body back so I am still able to keep my eyes on the tie and complete the task. He, however, seems to be in the mood for mischief for he leans in, closing the distance I had attempted for.

His lips press lightly over my collarbone even as his hand travels to my bare back, underneath the crop top of the Indo-western dress I am currently wearing.

I swat his chest to reprimand, "Behave, Arnav."

When I attempt to nudge him back, he holds me against him firmly and whispers by my ear, "Sweet pea?"

I close my eyes at the shiver it still shoots through my spine when he'll whisper in my ear with that sexy, husky voice. "Hmm?" I say trying to contain my reaction because I should be used to this. I knew exactly what he is trying to do.

His breath falls over my ear. For a moment, I forget the task at hand as the hand on his chest meant to swat him rests over his heart. I just want to stay there. The feel of his heart beating under my palm is still one of the best feeling in the world, knowing it has only ever beaten for me.

"Happy birthday." He whispers and that is when I snap back.

It must be the nth time he's wished me today. It's like ever since I've allowed him bit by bit each year to wish me, to accept that it didn't have to be a day full of gloomy memories, he's taken it to his advantage... to remind me every few hours that it's a day to celebrate.

I bite back the smile as I nudge his upper half back, intending to bring a scolding glare in my eyes for distracting me but I'd be a fool to and even he knows. He still sees the smile in them when his eyes lock with mine.

He lifts his other hand resting on my hip to my face, softly caressing my cheek with the pad of his thumb. "Can you get any more beautiful?"

I chuckle, shaking my head at his cheesy compliments for he was only keeping my heart. It's one more year behind me.

The expression on his face remained serious, however, as a finger tucks under my chin to make me look at him again. "I'm serious, sweet pea. I don't think my heart can handle it if you won't stop."

"Really, now?" I challenge wrapping my arms around his neck.

He lessens the distance between our faces till our forehead rest against each other. "Really."

"Liar." I manage to mumble just before his lips peck mine.

He answers between kisses, "I know - better- than to lie - to - you."

I pull back for a moment to have oxygen return to my brain because without it, my brain cannot comprehend his words in a full sentence. Once it does click, my right-hand slides down his shoulder to rest over his heart again, "It's definitely a lie."

He arches a brow in disbelief, "Is that so?"

"Mhmm." I answer confidently while tapping my index finger over the center of his chest, "You see, Mr. Arnav Singh Raizada, this heart belongs to Mrs. Arnav Singh Raizada and she knows better than you just what you can handle."