Chapter 9 — Learning Each Other

Before Veeresh could say another word, Poornima grabbed his shirt and pulled him down, kissing him impulsively.

It was clumsy.

Unsteady.

More emotion than experience.

Veeresh froze for half a second before a low amused smile appeared against her lips when she pulled back slightly.

“You don’t even know how to kiss,” he murmured teasingly.

Poornima glared at him immediately. “Don’t make fun of me.”

The annoyance in her voice only amused him more.

“I’ve never kissed anyone before,” she admitted stubbornly. “So shut up, Salvatore… and do it properly before I kill you.”

Veeresh actually laughed.

A real laugh.

Rare and dangerous.

“Such violence,” he murmured.

Before she could argue again, Veeresh suddenly pushed her gently onto the bed, towering over her. His eyes held something darker now, but strangely softer too.

“Careful what you demand from me, Poornima.”

Then he kissed her again.

This time slowly.

Patiently.

Like he was teaching her instead of consuming her.

Poornima’s fingers instinctively curled into his shirt as she kissed him back, awkward at first before slowly matching his rhythm. The tension between them melted into something warmer, heavier, impossible to ignore.

For the first time that night, Poornima stopped thinking about her family, her pain, or the world outside.

And for the first time in years, Veeresh Dreewan forgot he was supposed to keep his heart untouched.