The glass of water trembled faintly in Ayaan's hand. He sat on the couch, eyes down, pretending to focus on anything but the weight of what almost happened. His cheeks still burned, his pulse too loud in his ears.
Across the room, Rudra hadn't moved. He stood there like a statue—cold, composed on the outside, but inside, a storm raged. His fists tightened at his sides, jaw clenching and unclenching.
He wanted to step forward. He wanted to grab Ayaan's wrist and pull him back into that space where their noses brushed, where hesitation had felt like fire. But his mind screamed, Control yourself.
Yet his legs betrayed him again.
Slowly, firmly, they carried him forward until he was standing right in front of Ayaan.
Ayaan looked up, startled, lips parting as if to speak. But no words came.
Rudra leaned in, shadows curling over his sharp features, until Ayaan had to tilt his chin back slightly to keep his eyes on him. His breath ghosted across Ayaan's cheek. The silence was unbearable.
"…Rudra?" Ayaan whispered, voice small, uncertain.
Rudra's gaze flicked over his face—the shy curve of his lips, the blush spreading like soft watercolor, the innocent confusion in his wide eyes. Something inside him cracked.
He bent down.
And before Ayaan could process what was happening, Rudra pressed the lightest, quickest kiss to his cheek.
Warmth.
It lasted less than a heartbeat, but Ayaan froze as though the world had stopped. His eyes went wide, and then—just as fast—his face went crimson.
Rudra straightened, masking his expression immediately, though the tips of his ears betrayed him with a very red blushing color. His voice, usually cold steel, came out softer than he wanted:
"…Drink your water."
Ayaan blinked, his hand tightening around the glass as if to anchor himself. He nodded, too flustered to speak.
And Rudra—Rudra Malhotra, untouchable CEO, feared by all—turned away, trying to calm the thunder in his chest.
But his lips still tingled with the memory of that quick, stolen touch.
And for the first time in years, he wasn't sure he wanted control at all.