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Finally, the door creaked open. The moment he looked up, he froze.

Nandini stepped out slowly, wearing a silver maxi dress that hugged her in all the right places. The spaghetti straps rested delicately against her shoulders, framing a neckline that dipped lower than she’d anticipated. Her hands hovered self-consciously, covering her breasts, as if she could shrink the fabric into modesty. Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes slightly nervous as she looked at him.

“I think the size’s fine,” she mumbled. “But the neckline… might be a little too deep.”

Shaurya didn’t move at first. He simply stared, his intense gaze lingering at the hollow of her throat before lifting to meet her uncertain eyes.

“Don’t decide that for yourself,” he said, stepping closer. “I’m the critic tonight, remember?”

He gently took her hands and lowered them, his thumbs grazing the spaghetti straps on her shoulders like they were made of silk. The moment his fingers brushed her bare skin, it sparked a thousand goosebumps across her skin.

As his eyes roamed over her from head to toe, Nandini tried not to melt under his smouldering gaze.

“It’s perfect,” he said at last.

She bit her lip. “Are you sure?”

He smirked. “Absolutely. Leaves… just enough to drive a man wild.”

She let out a giggle. “Okay, stop drooling. Time for dress number two. Try not to faint. And if you are getting bored waiting for me… turn on the music.”

Shaurya raised an eyebrow, amused. “I could never be bored after that visual.”

She swatted his arm playfully, her fingers grazing the fabric of his T-shirt, before spinning around and rushing back into the bathroom. The door clicked shut behind her.

Shaurya let out a long breath, running a hand through his hair. He was still reeling. If this was just the first dress… he wasn’t sure he’d survive the next two.

Another ten minutes passed, and Shaurya, growing both impatient and amused, wandered to the bedside table and lit the vanilla candles he found there. The warm flicker added a soft, golden hue to the room. He played melodious, romantic musicfrom his phone and leaned against the wall, arms crossed, his gaze fixed on the bathroom door.

And then it opened.

Nandini stepped out, this time in a long black gown, its silky fabric caressing her curves like it had been stitched for her alone. The thigh-high slit revealed a smooth stretch of her leg, each step making it sway just enough to send his heart into overdrive. Her back was mostly bare, and instead of trying to hide it, she’d pulled her hair into a sleek ponytail, almost as if she was daring him to have a look.

He almost whistled but stopped himself just in time.

She gave him a little twirl, grinning mischievously. “How’s this one?” she asked, striking a playful pose like a model on a runway.

Shaurya didn’t move at first. His gaze swept over her slowly, reverently, as though he was memorising her every curve. Then he said, “I think it’s not the dresses anymore. It’s the woman wearing them. You make every one of them look perfect.”

She blushed hard at that, her fingers fidgeting for a second before he crossed the space between them. His knuckles grazed along the exposed skin of her back, making her breath hitch.

“Why did you buy these outfits?” he murmured, leaning close.

She raised an eyebrow in mock-offence. “You forgot? Valentine’s Day is nearing.”

He smirked, about to lean in for a kiss, when she tugged on his T-shirt with a teasing glint in her eye. “Don’t get too excited. Priya and the girls have planned a Valentine’s girls-only party. That’s what the outfits are for.”

“Party?” he repeated, visibly unimpressed.

She nodded.

“Well,” he said, his voice dipping as he traced a finger slowly down her arm, “then you better start planning for an excuse.Because you’re definitely wearing one of these on Valentine’s… but not with them. With me.”

She bit her lip and gave him a gentle push, laughing.

“Keep dreaming, Mr. Ahuja.”

He stumbled backwards onto her bed and made no attempt to get up, grinning lazily.