Page 169 of Lawfully Yours

He didn’t even glance at the plate as he texted someone urgently. “I’m late already.”

“I made them especially for you. Even last time, you skipped them in your ego. Don’t do it again.”

Nowthatgot his attention. His eyes lifted, pinning her. Without another word, he took one, bit into it, and began chewing slowly. Relishing it. Loving it. But the worst part was the way his gaze never once dropped from hers. It was love.It was hunger. It was a stare that stripped her bare, right there in the kitchen.

Although flirting wasn’t her forte, she still couldn’t help but smile. “If you keep staring at me like that, I’ll have to start charging you, Mr. Nair.”

He smiled. A pure, heartfelt smile, the kind only Kushal Nair could give to his wife. He finished the sandwich, licked a faint crumb from his thumb, and finally replied, “You’ve become more demanding as a wife than you ever were before. You feed me first, and when I show my appreciation and gratitude by admiring your beautiful morning face, I’m suddenly not allowed? That’s hardly equitable consideration, Mrs. Nair. If this were a legal contract, I’d call it a breach of fair terms.”

Her heart raced. Damn him. Damn his voice. And she had nothing to counter defend.

He checked his watch, breaking the spell. “I’m running late. Bye.” He turned around and headed toward the door, gathering his files and laptop, while Arundhati trailed behind him.

“I would have dropped you at the office before heading to court,” he muttered casually as he adjusted his coat. “But, I’m seriously late.”

“It’s fine. I’ll drive myself.” She smiled faintly, hiding her disappointment.

But just as he reached the door, she stopped him. “I guess you forgot something.”

He frowned, checking his phone and wallet before glancing back at her. “No. I’ve got everything.”

When he turned, his chest went still. She was holding hiswedding ring.

The one he had never taken off until recently, after their bitter argument returning from Dalhousie.

“I found it in your closet yesterday while looking for my things,” she said softly. “Thought you might need it again.”

His lips curled into a slow smirk. “And why would I need it again?” His tone dripped with mockery, but the flicker in his eyes betrayed him.

She stepped closer and held his right hand, sliding the ring onto his finger without breaking their eye contact. “Because it’s a reminder of what you are…mine.”

He sucked in a sharp breath, as if he’d almost kiss her right then. But he swallowed it down, forcing his lips into a faint smile instead of surrendering. “See you later,” he said briskly, stepping back.

And just like that, he was gone.

Arundhati let out a long sigh, pressing her palm to her racing heart. How could he control himself so much? Not even a forehead kiss before leaving? Last night, he had. But today felt new, and she definitely deserved more.

Fine, she thought with a sly smirk tugging at her lips. It looked like wearing satin spaghetti night suits, sarees, and sindoor was the only way to get her husband’s attention these days.

***************

Arundhati had a different glow about her as she stepped into Verma and Associates that day. Her smile lingered constantly like sunshine on her lips. She looked visibly relaxed and happy after a long time. A couple of her colleagues even stopped her on the way, teasing and asking what the reason was behind her cheerful mood. She only laughed it off, brushing away their questions. She wasn’t ready to make anything official yet. Not without Kushal standing beside her, saying it out loud, claiming her openly the way she secretly craved.

Later that evening, she walked into her uncle Raj’s cabin with a steaming mug of coffee for him. He was hunched over his laptop, typing furiously, but the moment his eyes landed on her, his face broke into a smile.

“Coffee for me?” he said, pushing the laptop aside. “Where’s the heart on it?”

Arundhati froze for a second, recalling the heart she had made on Kushal’s coffee the other day, the one he had rejected with that stubborn pride of his. Raj uncle had ended up drinking it instead. Now her lips curved slowly as she placed the mug before him.

“You already have my heart, Uncle,” she teased softly.

Raj chuckled, sipping the coffee, eyes narrowing with mischief. “And what’s special today? You don’t usually pamper me like this.”

Her smile softened. “Because you are my lucky charm… and I wanted to say thank you. What better way than with your favourite coffee?”

“Lucky charm, am I?” He leaned back, intrigued. “What did I do? I don’t recall anything significant lately.”

Her eyes shimmered as she shook her head. “You’ve done too much for me… ever since childhood. But the best gift you ever gave me was Kushal. You’re the one who proposed our marriage to him.”