Hold me in your arms [18+]

Rahul's pov -

A sudden thunder rumbled through the silence, pulling me out of my sleep. My eyelids fluttered open, and for a moment, everything was hazy. As my senses sharpened, I felt a warm breath steadily brushing against my chest.

I looked down and saw Shruti, her face pressed against me, her body tangled in an awkward position as she slept.

Carefully, I removed the cloth she'd been clutching onto my forehead and placed it aside, my fingertips lingering on her skin for a brief moment.

I shifted her gently, guiding her back to a more comfortable position. Her features softened in her sleep, and as I gazed at her, an unknown smile tugged at my lips. With a quiet exhale, I reached out, brushing her hair away from her face, tucking the strands behind her ear.

My gaze fell to her lips, the same lips I had kissed just hours ago. A deep, longing breath escaped me, and I pulled my hand back, closing my eyes for a second, trying to still the pounding of my heart.

Just then, she stirred, her hand wrapping around my waist, and I froze. My body went stiff as she pressed closer, her breath now mingling with mine, her warmth enveloping me. I carefully tried to loosen her grip, but she held on tighter, as if not wanting to let go.

She nuzzled into me, her body molding against mine, and in that moment, I realized there was no escaping this. I smiled to myself, feeling the steady rhythm of her breath against my chest. Her closeness felt right, natural, as if she was always meant to be here.

I let out a soft sigh, my body relaxing in her embrace. The world could fall apart around us, and I wouldn't care. All that mattered was the steady beat of her heart against mine, and the way she clung to me like I was her safe haven. Slowly, I wrapped my arms around her and let sleep take over once again.

Shruti's POV

I slowly open my eyes, and the first thing I see is the expanse of someone’s chest. My mind races. Why am I hugging him? When did I even fall asleep?

His hand is firmly placed on my waist, a heavy weight that makes my heart pound. I shouldn’t be feeling this way. I shouldn’t feel the way his touch makes my skin burn, his presence taking up space I never wanted him to have. But here I am, tangled up in him, my body betraying me.

I try to move his hand off my waist, carefully, slowly—hoping not to wake him up. But his grip doesn’t loosen. He doesn’t budge.

I tilt my head up, locking eyes with his face, so close that his breath brushes my skin. My gaze drifts to his lips, and before I can even process what I’m doing, I find myself leaning forward.

“I fucking hate you,” I whisper, the words coming out like a confession as my lips meet his. I close my eyes, and for a moment, tears slip down my cheeks, the sting of weakness suffocating me. I can’t afford to be weak, especially not for someone like him.

“I hate you too,” he breathes against my lips, and my eyes snap open. His gaze locks onto mine, unflinching, intense.

"Leave me," I say, my voice shaking as I squirm beneath him. But instead of releasing me, his hold tightens—his grip on my hips almost possessive. He pins me to the bed with a force that leaves me breathless.

“What?” I can’t find the words, my body frozen, overwhelmed by the proximity.

A smirk curls on his lips as he leans in even closer. He wipes away my tears, his touch tender but somehow more intimate than I can stand. For a long moment, he just stares at me, as if weighing something in my eyes.

“You tell me you hate me, but then you kiss me whenever you want. Isn't that unfair, sweetheart?” His voice is low, dark, and he breathes the words right into my ear.