Page 126 of Strictly Solo

Ruhaan hugged his mother. “Goodnight, Mom.”

Before heading to their room, Ruhaan made sure to ask Neil if he wanted to join them, but the boy was too excited about his new space to leave it.

Neil shook his head and clung to Kaushalya. “I will sleep here or with Daadi.”

Naina was deeply moved by Ruhaan’s boundless love for their son. The way he prioritized Neil’s comfort, even on their wedding night, showed the depth of his character and the strength of their family bonds. She kissed Neil on his forehead and once assured he was fine, the couple headed to their master bedroom. The moment they were inside, without a second thought, she pushed Ruhaan against the closed door and pressed her lips to his.

Ruhaan, caught off guard, chuckled into the kiss before deepening it, his arms locking around her waist.

After a few breathless moments, he pulled back, smirking. “I thought you were too tired?”

“I changed my mind.” She grinned mischievously.

He swept her into his arms.

“Before you change it again, let me show you just how much I love you.”

He kicked the bedroom door shut with his foot, never loosening his hold on Naina as he carried her effortlessly in his arms. As he reached the bed, he gently set her down, his fingersgrazing her waist as he did so. Naina let out a soft sigh, her cheeks flushing under his intense gaze.

“You’re staring,” she murmured, lowering her eyes, suddenly feeling shy.

“Can you blame me? Look at you, Naina. My bride. My wife.” His voice was thick with admiration and laced with an undertone of hunger.

She blushed deeper, but before she could say anything, Ruhaan’s fingers traced the delicate chain resting against her neck.

“Let me help you with these,” he whispered, carefully reaching for her necklace.

She had already removed some of her heavier bridal jewelry after reaching home, but a few pieces still remained. Without a word, Ruhaan reached behind her neck, unhooking the heavy necklace with practiced ease.

Her lips curled into a teasing smile. “I thought you’d spring into action right away.”

His lips curved into a knowing smile as he gently removed her bangles one by one. “Oh, trust me, I’m fighting every instinct right now,” he confessed in his voice husky. “But I’m learning to be patient. I’ve heard from my friends, including Rohit, that a husband’s patience is the most important aspect of a relationship.”

“Rohit said that?”

Ruhaan nodded, his grin widening. “Yes. And for once, I think he’s right.”

His charm, his teasing, everything about him was so intoxicating that she didn’t realize when he reached for her earrings. His fingers brushed against her skin as he unclasped them, his touch sending tiny sparks down her spine. The moment he removed one, he leaned in and nibbled her earlobe, making her shiver.

Her laughter stilled.

Ruhaan smirked against her skin. “What happened? Cat got your tongue?”

Her lips parted, but words failed her. The playful atmosphere between them shifted into an electrifying tension. Her hands instinctively clutched his kurta as he removed the second earring, his lips trailing featherlight kisses along the shell of her ear, down her jawline.

He pulled back slightly, just enough to see the way her eyes darkened with need. “Tell me, Mrs. Singh,” he whispered, his voice husky. “Are you still planning on sleeping the moment you hit the bed?”

She swallowed hard, barely able to process a response as his fingers traced the intricate embroidery of her bridal blouse.

“I… I said... I changed my mind.”

Ruhaan grinned. “Good. Because I plan to make the most of this night.”

His hands slowly moved down, finding the delicate bangles still circling her wrists. One by one, he slid them off, his fingertips brushing against her skin in the process. The anticipation between them built with every soft and deliberate touch.

He took his time, undoing the ties of her lehenga with an agonizing slowness, savoring every second of undressing his wife for the first time. The heavy fabric slid down, pooling at her feet, leaving her in the delicate layers of her bridal lingerie.

Naina felt bare. There was something about the way Ruhaan looked at her, like she was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen. His fingers traced up her bare thighs, his touch sending waves of pleasure through her.