Page 53

Things had been going well, and everything was eventually falling into place, yet something was unsaid in the air.

Days passed, but we still had no news about Chandramukhi.

Whenever I asked Rudra, he’d either smile or change the topic, pretending it wasn’t worth discussing..

Guruji left on the same day he arrived.

Abhinandan had also been gone for three days now.

The memory of the look on his face, the burning in his eyes, haunted me.

It was the same look Rudra once had... for me.

“Enjoying the stargazing?”

Rudra’s voice broke the silence, and I turned to see him, a smile playing on his lips.

“Ji, Ranaji,”

I replied shyly, straightening up.

He walked toward me and sat down on the carpet.

It had been days since we had relaxed in the courtyard like we had in the beginning, under the blanket of stars and the soft music of the winds.

I stared at him, shifting closer.

He lay down and placed his head on my lap.

He looked dangerously handsome, his face glowing in the moonlight.

A soft smile graced my lips as my fingers instinctively moved to his hair.

“What happened?”

I asked, my voice barely a whisper.

He stared up at the stars and shook his head.

“Does something need to happen for me to lie in my wife's lap?”

he teased, making me chuckle.

“No,”

I replied softly, biting my lower lip.

Silence stretched between us as I continued threading my fingers through his hair.

He kept staring at the sky, and I couldn't help but stare at him.

“Rudra...

can I ask you something?”

I whispered, and he hummed.

“You once said it wouldn’t have mattered to you if I had married someone else,”

I began hesitantly.

“It was a lie?”

he answered instantly, not even a second of hesitation.

My heart fluttered wildly at how simply he accepted it.

“Weren't you ever afraid of losing me?”

I pressed.

He caught my hand from his head and brought it to his lips, placing a gentle kiss.

“I was.

I am.

And I always will be,”

he said.

“This is the only fear I carry, not in a romantic way, because romance fades...

but as a lover,”

He inhaled deeply, the stars reflecting in his eyes.

“When you find that one person you can trust with your soul, who becomes your whole family, your home...

the fear of losing them never leaves.

But even if I lose you someday, I’ll be content, because I had you, and loving you is the sweetest, most intoxicating experience I have ever known,”

“Intoxicating?”

I chuckled, blinking back the emotion swelling in my chest.

“Am I a drug?” I teased.

He grinned mischievously.

“The most powerful and dangerous one,”

he whispered.

We kept talking about ourselves, about the past and the future, until I slowly drifted off to sleep, cocooned in the comfort of his presence.

***

A gentle touch stirred me from my slumber, and blinking against the early morning mist, I found myself still lying under the vast sky, surrounded by peace, in his and nature’s embrace.

“Good morning, little dove,”

he whispered, pressing a kiss just below my ear.

I stretched lazily, feeling the cool morning air brush against my skin.

“Why are you awake so early?”

I mumbled.

I felt his fingers gently sliding my rings off.

“Your fragrance...

it was driving me crazy,”

he murmured.

“Right now?”

I teased, half-asleep.

He kissed my bare fingers and nodded.

“Hnn-hnn,”

I chuckled, looking into his dark, playful eyes.

“But Ranaji, if I remember correctly, we decided to take at least a week's break,”

I reminded him teasingly.

He smirked, looking at me with a glint of mischief.

“Are you still sore?”

he asked, and I shook my head shyly.

Truthfully, I had been.

The last time had exhausted me—my body aching in painful and strangely satisfying ways.

“No,”

I answered softly.

“Then let me taste you,”

he whispered flirtatiously, and I gasped, pushing him away playfully and sitting up.

“Shut up,”

I scolded, picking up the earrings I had removed the night before.

I could feel his hand trailing over the bare skin of my back, sending shivers through me.

When I turned, he was staring into my eyes with an intensity, like he wanted to eat me raw, which made my stomach twist.

So he was indeed serious about it.

And then, without a warning, his lips captured mine.

I tried to pull back in surprise, but he cupped my face, deepening the kiss, forcing me to lean into him.

He hovered over me, reclining me back on the carpeted floor, and I tried to balance myself with my hand.

“Not here, Rudra,”

I managed to mumble against his mouth, but he pressed me further gently.

“Why not?”

His breath was hot against my lips as he passionately nibbled my lower lip.

I tried to move slightly.

“Someone might see,”

I whispered, my heartbeat hammering wildly.

He looked into my eyes, unbothered.

“I don't care,”

he said, and my heart flipped inside my chest.

I felt his feet move against mine.

Parting my lips, I blinked nervously, locking eyes with him as he mischievously hooked his toe in my anklet, nudging my legs apart.

A shiver raced through my body, and I closed my lashes tightly as he pressed a kiss against my cheek, his hand slowly sliding down from my face to my thighs.

Instinctively, I bent one knee, and my abdomen tightened when I felt him pulling up my skirt.

I opened my eyes and met his smouldering gaze.

“Be a good little wife, and undo my lower, ,”

he murmured.

My heart thundered wildly in my chest.

I bit my lower lip, struggling to contain the rush of heat flooding my body.

“Do you want me to fuck you?”

he asked, and I narrowed my brows slightly.

“What’s the difference?”

I whispered, letting my fingers find the ties at his waist.

He was already half-undressed, and the warmth radiating from his body enveloped me.

“Come prepared if you ever want to find out,”

he said lowly, and I swallowed hard, lowering my gaze as I unfastened his lower garment.

My fingertips brushed his lower abdomen, and he caught my lips in a searing kiss.

His breath was warm and shaky against me.

A soft gasp slipped from his lips, and I felt him shiver when I accidentally shifted against his hard arousal, making my stomach flutter with a wicked sense of pride.

A playful smile curved my lips as I wrapped my hand around his erection.

He jolted slightly, his lips parting, forehead resting against mine, as I slowly stroked him.

“Oh...

my goodness,”

he breathed shakily, his body growing hotter, and he grew even harder under my touch, pressing firmly against my belly.

I could feel the wetness pooling between my thighs.

He pushed my lehenga higher, and with my other hand, I shoved his lower garment down completely.

Settling between my legs, he grabbed my hand and guided it to cup him.

My heart pounded furiously, and I shut my eyes just as he thrust into me without warning.

A sharp cry tore from my throat.

It felt rough, dry, and hot.

Tears welled up at the corners of my eyes as my thighs instinctively pressed together, my hands pushing lightly against his abdomen, overwhelmed by the sudden fullness in me.

I opened my eyes to see his brows furrowed in concentration.

Suddenly, he grabbed both my wrists, pinning them over my head.

Another moan escaped me as he buried himself completely inside, moving wildly, his devastating thrusts that left me breathless.

He intertwined our fingers and rested his forehead against mine, continuing his relentless rhythm, turning me into a gasping, moaning mess beneath him.

“Aap apne bade hone ka tanik adhik hi laabh uthaate hain, Rudra,”

(You take too much advantage of being a few years older than me.) I said in a shaky voice, meeting his intense gaze.

A sudden mischievous smile tugged at his lips, and he flipped me over onto him, gripping my arms to steady me as he made me straddle him.

I gasped at the overwhelming sensation of him stretching me even deeper.

My head fell back in a helpless moan.

“Then ride me...

like you want,”

he said, his voice thick with desire.

Panting, I steadied myself with my hands on his chest.

His hand lazily moved to my thigh while the other rested behind his head, watching me with hooded eyes.

I inhaled deeply and slowly started grinding my hips against him.

“Like this?”

I asked breathlessly.

“Yes,”

he rasped, his chest heaving with each movement.

The soft jingling of my bangles and the faint ringing of the bells on my ornate waistband filled the space, blending beautifully with our bodies' movements.

“Take off your clothes,”

he commanded, his voice low and rough.

Shivering under his gaze, I brought my hands to the back of my blouse, untying the strings.

Slowly, I slid the fabric off my shoulders, baring myself to him.

He inhaled sharply, eyes locked on my breasts, watching them move subtly with each grind of my hips.

Teasingly, I brushed a finger over my hardened nipple, making him bite his lower lip.

His hand shot out, grabbing my breast and squeezing firmly, pulling a deep moan from my throat.

I moved to untie my skirt, lifting the hem, pulling it over my head, and discarding it to the side.

Now, completely naked and adorned only in jewellery, I straddled him.

His hand touched my neck, and my head fell back, eyes closed.

I was even more aroused and was feeling immensely hot.

He moved his other hand around my waist and helped me ride him faster, building a devastating rhythm.

I grabbed his wrist, guiding it towards my chest and moved my hand to undo my bun.

My long hair flowed down his thighs, and I pushed my hands against his midriff, bouncing gently.

His parted lips and flushed cheeks told me how he liked it.

Suddenly, he sat up, grabbing a fistful of my hair and yanking it back gently, forcing me to meet his burning eyes.

I moaned, and my hands pressed against his thighs behind me for support as he kissed me deeply.

I felt an intense wave of sensations building in my stomach.

“Keep going, ... ahhhh,”

he muttered against my lips, voice thick with pleasure.

“Yes…”

I nodded, my body trembling with exhaustion but desperate for release.

“Yes, don't stop... please,”

he begged breathlessly, making my heart race faster.

I clung to him, my core tightening, the knot in my stomach about to explode.

“Yesss, yesss...

keep going...

or I'll kill you if you stop,”

he growled, his mouth grazing my ear.

The words pushed me over the edge.

I climaxed with a loud moan, my body convulsing, but his hand in my hair kept me upright, guiding me to keep moving against him even as my strength waned.

“Aahh… yes, yes,”

He kept groaning, and I could feel him growing even harder.

His chest was heaving wildly.

He grabbed my neck with one hand, freezing me in place under his firm hold.

My hips kept moving frantically, almost beyond my control.

My fingers trembled, and my knees hurt.

“Yes, be a good girl.

Keep going,”

He grunted senselessly against me.

Suddenly, he crashed his lips onto mine, and I felt him grinding his hips against me, both of us moving in desperate unison.

Without warning, he grabbed my waist, lifted me off him, and released onto my dupatta.

He lay back, exhausted, on the carpet, and I collapsed beside him, both of us panting heavily.

Slowly, our breathing evened out.

I opened my eyes and saw the first ray of sunlight land on his face, making him glow, mixing with the sheen of sweat on his forehead.

He looked at me and whispered, “I know you want me dead one day,”

I burst into laughter and grabbed the comforter to cover myself.

“Get dressed,”

I said, tossing his kurta at him.

He smiled lazily, watching me.

I stood up and returned to my chamber.

“,”

I heard him call behind me.

I turned and found him following me, wearing nothing but my dupatta loosely wrapped around his waist.

“How dare you leave me alone like that?”

he said, sounding like a sulking child before hugging me from behind.

“I am getting late, Rudra.

I have to get ready,”

I said, smiling as he rested his chin on my shoulder, shaking his head like a stubborn boy.

“For what?” he asked.

“For the coronation,”

I answered.

He inhaled deeply.

“Oh... yes,”

he murmured, stepping back.

I turned to him and grinned.

“Let's take a bath together,”

He smiled mischievously and immediately lifted me into his arms.

“Why not,”

he said, making me giggle as I wrapped my arms around his neck.

He carried me toward the bathing room, set me down, and tossed the comforter onto a table where the attendants collected clothes for washing.

He removed the dupatta from his waist and took my hand as we entered the pool.

He made me sit on his lap, the cool water sending shivers through my body.

He touched my waist, making me giggle.

“Rudra,”

I said with a laugh.

He leaned in to kiss my neck, and I gasped, smiling as I leaned against his chest.

He gently brushed my hair aside, his lips trailing along my neck.

“Did I hurt you?”

he asked softly, his fingers combing through my hair.

“I bet you couldn't help it,” I teased.

He chuckled.

“You know me too well,” he said.

I looked at him from the corner of my eye as he held my hand.

“Can I ask you something, ?”

“Of course,”

I replied.

He leaned closer and kissed my cheek gently.

“Why did you learn seduction?”

I smiled.

“For you,”

I answered honestly.

I felt him smile against me as he asked, “Why for me? You're beautiful, lovely, and charismatic.

You have a natural energy, a magnetic aura, and a spirit anyone could fall for.

Why learn seduction?”

I smiled at his question and lowered my gaze, holding his hand tightly.

“Do you know Suman?” I asked.

He nodded.

“Yes, your maid,”

I shook my head.

“No, she’s my best friend,”

“Oh,”

he said, surprised.

“Four years ago, she was married off to a man,”

I began, watching our fingers gently intertwine.

“And?”

he prompted.

“She went through a hard time understanding her husband.

He would come late at night, have sex with her, and then leave in the morning.

Their only communication was physical.

She couldn't satisfy him, and he didn’t care to understand her.

We're lucky, Rudra. We have love,”

I took a deep breath and continued, “But not everyone marries for love.

Sometimes it's for status, money, alliances or mere survival.

And when that happens, the first thing that binds them is physical intimacy.

No man waits months to touch his wife.

He wouldn't wait to understand her mentally, emotionally, or spiritually before getting physical with her. That is the harsh truth of relationships in this society, Rudra. When two people are tied together, whether in a wedding, a love affair, or similar relationships, they first explore their physicality. But most young and inexperienced women don’t even understand their own needs. They aren't taught. They aren’t encouraged to talk. Even between couples, physical needs remain unspoken,”

He listened intently as I went on, “Suman lived in a joint family.

They barely spoke, but there was constant pressure for a child.

They only connected physically, and when even that failed, their relationship crumbled.

The man found chemistry elsewhere...

and eventually, their relationship came to an end,”

“He cheated on her,”

Rudra said, anger flashing in his eyes.

“Yes,” I agreed.

“And it wasn’t her fault,”

he added firmly.

“Exactly,” I nodded.

“It doesn’t make sense,” he said.

I shook my head slowly.

“It does, Rudra, it truly does.

Thousands of women suffer because they don't understand or voice their needs.

Meanwhile, men—more vocal, more confident—show their needs openly.

It is visible on their faces.

Meanwhile, women are taught to hide, to stay modest, to remain ignorant. But that ignorance creates loneliness, dissatisfaction, and emotional wounds,”

I paused, squeezing his hand.

“It’s unrealistic to pretend that love alone sustains a marriage.

Without satisfaction—physical, emotional, mental—a relationship suffocates.

Our instincts are natural, Rudra.

They're survival.

And when intimacy lacks understanding or pleasure, it becomes traumatic,”

“I learned seduction to give you everything, Rudra,”

I whispered.

“Everything.

So that you would never feel incomplete or unloved, just like feeding healthy food to a hungry body, I wanted to nourish your heart, body, and soul.

That is how it should be.

But Suman didn't know about it, and her marriage broke because of it and thousands of relationships struggle for the same reason,”

He looked at me deeply, his brows drawn together.

“But not everyone sees it your way.

Some would call you shameless, immoral,”

he said thoughtfully.

I nodded.

“Yes, that's the tragedy.

We live in a world where brothels thrive, but wives suffer in silence.

Where a man’s infidelity is forgiven or even praised, while a woman must bear humiliation with a stiff smile, society won't change overnight, Rudra.

But I can choose. I chose to love you completely, without shame,”

“That is so deep for a girl like you, ,”

he said, and I gulped softly.

“When I saw Suman crying because of it, I questioned myself,”

I began.

“It was her husband's fault that he cheated on her.

But a part of me always believed it was our society’s fault, for not preparing Suman for what marriage truly demands.

They speak so sweetly about marriage, like it's a fairy tale where two people live happily ever after, but they never discuss the real source of that happiness.

When two people come together, physical attraction is often the first bond.

Emotional, mental, and spiritual connections come much later, often after conflicts arise.

Thousands of relationships break early simply because people lack understanding, conversation, and education.

Leave others, every man and woman must first understand themselves before stepping into a relationship.

Know what needs you seek to fulfill.

Ask yourself, do you even need a relationship? Where are your boundaries? What are your insecurities? What lines cannot be crossed, even for love?

Love isn’t just about surrendering completely and allowing the other to do anything in its name.

Learning about seduction isn’t just about fulfilling needs; it’s about control, communication, and nurturing a relationship.

Whether people agree or not, it does affect them.

Neither man nor woman should lose themselves so much in the name of love that they forget where their lines are.

Because emotional, mental, and spiritual health cannot exist without physical well-being.

They say God resides inside you, so how can love come only from outside?”

“That's true,”

he said, his voice soft with understanding.

I nodded.

“Exactly.

Love comes from within.

Understanding your needs, your desires, your limits—it’s your responsibility first, before it becomes anyone else's,”

He smiled warmly and kissed my cheek.

“I think I have an idea for you,”

he said, making me frown slightly.

“For me? What?”

Still smiling, he said, “I completely agree with what you're saying.

That’s why I want you to discuss this with the women of Suryagarh,”

My brows furrowed deeper.

“Me? How could I? My parents don’t even know I learned all this,”

He kissed my cheek again.

“You don’t have to do it personally.

But you can lead it.

We can bring in masters who can educate women about these things.

We can't force them to listen, but taking a step is better than remaining silent,”

I smiled, biting my lower lip, thinking about it.

“See, that’s the true power of seduction,”

I teased.

“A man is a beast, and only an angel can tame him,”

He chuckled and kissed my forehead.

“I love you even more, ,”

I closed my eyes, and we kept talking while sitting in the water.

After our bath, we stepped out and walked into the dressing room, watching each other get ready.

He picked a white kurta, and I chose the attire he had bought for me.

After dressing, I called him over to tie the knot of my blouse.

He happily obliged.

He sat on the chair by the dressing table, wearing his kurta and dhoti, silently admiring me as I got ready.

His lips curled into a playful smile, and his teasing began.

“I think sex suits you,” he said.

I narrowed my eyes while fixing my earring.

“What do you mean?”

Clicking his tongue mischievously, he said, “You're gaining weight...

and your breasts are getting bigger,”

His voice was so slow and teasing that I burst into laughter.

“How dare you! You didn't even notice if my hair’s gotten longer, but you’re worried about my breasts?”

He laughed, making animated hand gestures.

“You know, earlier it was this," he said, mimicking a smaller size, “And now it’s this,”

he teased, opening his hands wider.

I smacked his hand away, shaking my head.

“You don't like it?”

I asked, making a sad face.

Suddenly, he pulled me onto his lap, hugging me tightly.

“I love every inch of you, .

Every inch,”

he said sincerely.

I smiled, cupping his jaw and kissing his cheek.

“And I love you so much,”

I whispered, looking into his eyes.

“By the way, I have to ask you something,”

I said shyly, feeling a blush creep over my cheeks as I lowered my gaze.

“Yes?”

he asked curiously.

I fidgeted with my fingers.

“Before our marriage...

how did you imagine our first time would be?”

He suddenly burst into hearty laughter, and I immediately felt embarrassed.

“You can't laugh like that!”

I whined, trying to get up.

But he tightened his arms around me, still laughing, and hugged me closer.

“Stop!”

I said, half-laughing myself.

Eventually, his laughter died down, and he looked at me, his eyes warm and teasing.

“You really want to know?”

I nodded eagerly.

“Please,”

I said softly, “I want to do something special for you after your crowning ceremony.”

***