Chapter 26: A Warmth She Chose

They both got up slowly, the quiet comfort of the morning still lingering between them.

By evening, she was in the kitchen of his penthouse.

It wasn’t new to her.

She had come here many times before.

But today… it felt different.

This was not just his space anymore.

It felt like theirs.

“What are you making?” he asked casually, leaning against the counter.

“Biryani,” she replied.

He nodded slightly. “Good.”

She continued cooking, her movements smooth, familiar, completely at ease.

The aroma slowly filled the space.

Then she felt it.

A hand on her waist.

She didn’t turn.

She knew.

His touch tightened slightly, pulling her closer from behind.

His face near her shoulder.

His lips brushing softly against her skin.

A soft sound escaped her lips before she could stop it.

He paused for a second.

He liked it.

“Cook,” he murmured, his voice low.

But he didn’t move away.

He stayed there.

Backhugging her firmly.

His fingers lightly moving at her waist, sometimes tickling her, sometimes just holding.

She tried to focus.

But her breath kept breaking.

Her movements slowed.

Not because she couldn’t cook—

But because she was feeling everything.

And she wasn’t uncomfortable.

Not even a little.

In fact…

She leaned back slightly into him.

Accepting it.

Wanting it.

Time passed like that.

Between cooking and quiet closeness.

When the biryani was finally done, she served it.

Placed it in front of him.

“Poornima,” he said.

Just her name.

Nothing more.

But she understood.

She walked closer and sat on his lap.

Naturally.

Like it was already a habit.

He took a bite and held it toward her.

She looked at him for a second, then leaned forward and ate.

He continued feeding her.

Slowly.

Calmly.

Between his bites and hers.

No rush.

No awkwardness.

Just… ease.

She looked at him once, her eyes softer than before.

There was something growing between them.

Not forced.

Not sudden.

But deep.

She could feel it.

And for the first time—

She didn’t hold back from it.

She wanted this warmth.

She wanted this closeness.

She wanted him.

And she allowed herself to feel it.

Fully.

Without fear.

Without doubt.

Just being there…

With him.