👑 Rudra's Perspective

With a sharp, playful thud, her small fist connected squarely with my chest. "You two are impossible!" she huffed, her brown eyes tossing one final warning glare my way.

She turned on her heel and marched right back to her splayed-open luxury luggage. Her red bridal *chooda* clinked aggressively as she began aggressively refolding her pastel kurtis and restacking her designer makeup kits. Once everything was packed to her absolute satisfaction, she zipped the massive suitcases shut with a definitive *snap* and wheeled them completely out of our way, setting them firmly by the bedroom door.

Neither I nor Oscar dared to utter a single sound or disturb her this time. The King of Rajasthan and his apex predator were officially grounded.

From under the safety of the king-sized bed, Oscar's massive black-furred head poked out just enough for his golden eyes to lock onto mine. I remained standing near the mattress, my arms crossed, looking down at him. For a long, silent moment, the two of us just engaged in a heavy, intense, eye-to-eye silent conversation.

*'This is your fault,'* I signaled to him with a sharp narrow of my ocean-blue eyes. *'You're supposed to be an emotionless, heartless beast. Why did you scramble under the bed the second she raised her voice?'*

Oscar let out a tiny, pathetic huff, blinking his large eyes at me as if replying, *'Don't look at me, Dad. You're 6'3" and muscular, a top five global businessman, and you looked ready to pass out. She threatened the WiFi and your car keys. I just protected my treats.'*

"Don't look at me like that," I muttered aloud to the tiger, my deep, gravelly baritone breaking the silence of the room as I rubbed the back of my neck. "You completely ruined our defense strategy."

Ishita stopped by the vanity, dusting off her hands, and glanced back at the two of us. Seeing me having a literal verbal argument with a tiger hiding under the furniture made the last of her anger instantly melt away. A beautiful, breathless laugh escaped her lips, her long curly hair shaking as she shook her head.

"I can literally hear your brain cells communicating from here, Ru," she teased, walking back over and wrapping her arms around my neck, her red *chooda* jingling softly against my shoulders. "Are you two plotting a second rebellion, or have you officially accepted defeat?"

I let out a low chuckle, my large hands automatically finding her waist to pull her 5'3" slim figure flush against me. "Defeat, Janna. The King and his tiger formally surrender to the Queen."

I let out a low, defeated groan, finally letting my cold mask crumble completely as I buried my face straight into the crook of her neck. The intoxicating, familiar scent of her skin immediately wrapped around my senses, and I tightened my arms around her slim waist, pulling her so close there wasn't a single inch of space left between us.

"Don't go, Janna," I mumbled, my voice dropping into a deep, muffled whine against her soft skin. I began nuzzling my face deeper, my stubble brushing against the small, dark moles on her neck and jawline that I was completely, helplessly obsessed with. "Fifteen days is too long. Cancel it. Mummy that the King has placed you under palace arrest."

Ishita let out a breathless, tickled gasp, her long curly hair shifting over my shoulders as she tried to tilt her head away from my aggressive nuzzling. "Ru! *Arey* stop it, it tickles! And no, I am not canceling anything."

"I'll buy you a new makeup studio in Delhi," I murmured against her skin, my lips trailing a slow, possessive path up toward her jawline. "I'll clear my schedule again. Just don't leave me alone in this room."

"You are a literal child right now, do you know that?" she giggled softly, though her hands wound lovingly into my dark hair, her red bridal *chooda* jingling right next to my ear as she gently held me against her. "The great, heartless Rudra Singh Rathore is throwing a full-blown tantrum."

"I don't care about the corporate reputation right now," I rumbled, taking a deep breath of her scent, completely unbothered by my own lack of shame. "I care about my wife staying here. Where she belongs."

Under the bed, Oscar let out a low, deeply dramatic chuff, as if perfectly matching his dad's miserable, whiny energy.

Ishita couldn't stop laughing, her fingers gently massaging the back of my neck to soothe my stubborn, possessive streak. "Only one week, Ru. I promise I'll come back right after the Holi celebrations are over. Now stop smuggling into my neck and let your Queen sleep, Patidev!"

I looked up from her neck, my ocean-blue eyes locking onto her teasing brown ones. Her soft voice always had a way of cutting straight through my stubbornness, but those specific words made my heart skip a beat.

"Or vaise bhi, Holi par toh aap vahi aayenge na? (And anyway, you will come there for Holi, right?)" she whispered, a beautiful, mischievous glint in her eyes as her fingers gently traced the hair at the nape of my neck. She leaned in closer, her breath warm against my cheek. "Mere sath holi nahi kheloge kya? Mere pyare se... Patidev? (Won't you play Holi with me? My sweet... husband?)"

A slow, intense smirk finally replaced my whiny facade. My large hands slid down from her waist to firmly grip her hips, lifting her slightly so her slim figure was perfectly level with my frame.

"Do you really think a few miles of Delhi traffic could keep me away from you on Holi, Janna?" I rumbled, my deep, gravelly baritone dripping with an unyielding possessiveness. I leaned forward until my lips brushed against the soft skin of her jawline, right over the new moles I was entirely obsessed with. "I am going to be the very first person who puts color on you. Every single inch of this beautiful skin belongs to me, and I'll be there to claim it before anyone else even thinks about it."

Ishita let out a soft, breathless gasp, her red bridal *chooda* jingling musically as she wrapped her arms tighter around my broad shoulders. "So dominant, Patidev. But what if my bhabhi or purav try to apply color first?" she teased playfully, though her racing heartbeat against my chest told a completely different story.

"They can try," I murmured against her neck, my thumb tracing her waist "But they know better than to stand between the King and his Queen. I'll be at the Sharma house bright and early, Janna. You won't even have time to miss me."

"I'm already missing you, and I haven't even left the room yet," she confessed softly, her brown eyes softening into pure, unadulterated love as she looked at me. She leaned forward, pressing her forehead against mine, our noses brushing in the quiet room. "Seven days, Ru. Then you come get me."

"Seven days," I growled softly, capturing her lips in a deep, slow, and devastatingly passionate kiss that sealed the promise. Under the bed, Oscar let out one final, quiet chuff of approval, completely ignored as the world narrowed down to just the two of us.

I couldn't stop the deep, rumbling chuckle that left my chest as I kept showering her face with continuous, soft kisses. Her skin was warm, and the sweet scent of her was completely addictive.

Ishita was giggling uncontrollably under my touch, her red bridal *chooda* jingling wildly as she raised her small hands, pointing her pink bow-detailed extensions at different spots on her face. "Here, Ru! Now here... and here! Missed a spot right here!" she teased, and like a man completely possessed, I followed her commands, pressing my lips wherever her fingers landed, completely worshiping her jawline, her cheeks, and those beautiful dark moles.

Suddenly, her brown eyes lit up with a brilliant, mischievous spark. "Wait, wait, wait!" she gasped, gently pushing against my broad shoulders.

I paused, my ocean-blue eyes narrowing slightly as I looked down at her 5'3" slim figure. "What is it, Janna?" I rumbled, my voice thick with raw affection.

Instead of answering, she swiftly slipped out of my embrace and grabbed her phone from the vanity. With a few quick taps, she connected it to the bedroom Alexa. A second later, a highly energetic, nostalgic romantic beat started pulsing through the high-end speakers, filling our massive, dim bedroom with a sudden burst of vibrant rhythm.

Ishita turned back to me, a breathtakingly gorgeous smile on her lips. She gracefully extended her hand forward, bowing slightly with absolute dramatic flair. "May I, Mr. Rathore?"

I raised an eyebrow, a slow, devastatingly handsome smirk spreading across my face. I stepped forward, my towering **6'3" frame** closing the distance instantly as I took her small hand in mine, my large palm completely engulfing her fingers.

The male vocals echoed loudly through the room, and I pulled her into my chest, matching her energy instantly.

> **Male Part:**

> *Yeh dil~*

> *Yeh dil~*

> *Gustakh dil tere liye*

> *Betaab hain ae jaanejaa*

> *Darde jigar kaise bayaan*

> *Tujhse kare dil bejubaan*

> *Yeh dil~*

> *Gustakh dil tere liye*

> *Betaab hain ae jaanejaan*

> *Darde jigar kaise bayaan*

> *Tujhse kare dil bejubaan yeh dil~*

I spun her around smoothly, her house silk pajamas swirling as her long curly hair flew around her shoulders. With every single beat, our movements became completely synchronized and full of high-spirited energy. I pulled her back by her waist, my hand resting right over her spine, matching the exact rhythm of the song. She looked up at me, her eyes sparkling with pure happiness, matching my intense, unwavering gaze.

She broke away for a second, doing a graceful, energetic step around me, her *chooda* clinking beautifully as she sang along, her voice ringing clear over the speakers.

> **Female Part:**

> *Ae humnasheen yeh dillagi*

> *Ban jaaye na ek din kahin*

> *Tere liye dil ki lagi..*

> *Yeh dil~yeh dil~*

I caught her by the waist mid-turn, lifting her slightly off the ground with effortless strength before setting her down. The beat dropped again, heavy and energetic, and we both completely let loose, laughing and dancing right in the middle of our room, completely forgetting about the packed suitcases, the impending two-week separation, or the world outside.

I pulled her hand up, spinning her back into my arms, my chest pressed firmly against her back as I leaned down to whisper the final lines right against her ear, my gravelly voice vibrating along with the male playback.

> **Male Part:**

> *Gustakh dil tere liye*

> *Betab hain ai janeja*

> *Darde jigar kaise baya*

> *Tujhse kare dil bejuban.*

> *.yeh dil~*

we were both slightly breathless, our hearts hammering against each other in perfect unison. Oscar poked his massive black head out from under the bed again, letting out a loud huff as if wondering why his parents were throwing a full-blown Bollywood concert at one at night

The bedroom transformed entirely into our personal concert stage. Ishita was on absolute fire, her energy completely infectious. She didn't just dance; she was being beautifully, unapologetically crazy-singing at the top of her lungs, using her hairbrush as a microphone, and exaggerating every single facial expression just to break through my usual cold, expressionless facade.

And it worked. A wide, unscripted, blinding smile took over my face, leading into a loud, deep laugh that echoed through the room. She paused for a split second, her brown eyes softening with absolute triumph. She always told me how much she loved watching me smile and laugh-how it melted the icy 'ruthless tycoon' image away-and right now, she was doing everything in her power to keep that smile locked on my face before she left for her *mayika*.

She grabbed my hands, pulling me right back into the rhythm as the second verse kicked in, her *chooda* jingling like a frantic background instrument.

> (Rudra singing along, his deep baritone teasing her):**

> *Jane anjane mere khwab mai tu hi*

> *Aane lagee hain aane lagee hain*

> *Ho..jane anjane mere khwab mai tu hi*

> *Aane lagee hain aane lagee hain*

I spun her out, but she didn't just spin-she did a dramatic, slow-motion Bollywood twirl, pointing a finger at her own chest with wide, mock-serious eyes as she hit the female lines, mocking my supposed 'obsession' with her.

> (Ishita acting completely dramatic):**

> *Janena tu ae jaaneman*

> *Yeh to hai bas deewanapan*

> *Bekhudi leke jaayegi*

> *Yeh lagan yeh teri lagan*

Before the next line hit, she suddenly took a dramatic leap backward, using the edge of the bed as a pedestal. She pointed at the tattoo etched over my heartbeat-the one that boldly read *ISHITA*-and sang with a brilliant, teasing wink.

> (Rudra pulling her down by her waist, laughing over the lyrics):**

> *Tere mere mere tere pyar ka charcha*

> *Hone laga hain, hone laga hain*

> *Ho..tere mere mere tere pyar ka charcha*

> *Hone laga hain hone laga hain*

"Oh, it's definitely *hone laga hain*," she giggled, her 5'3" slim figure completely trapped against my chest again as we moved left and right to the heavy, pulsing beat. She raised her hands, tracing the sharp line of my jaw, her pink bow-detailed extensions gently brushing my stubble.

> **Isha singing

> *Yeh ada yeh teree ada*

> *Saree duniya se hain juda*

> *Dekhle jo tujhe sanam*

> *Tujhpe ho jayega fida*

She sang the line *"Saree duniya se hain juda"* while doing a hilarious imitation of my stern, cold-hearted corporate glare, crossing her arms and lowering her brow. I couldn't contain it-I threw my head back, a breathless, booming laugh ripping from my throat. She beamed, utterly delighted with herself, and instantly threw her arms back around my neck, swaying us intensely as the chorus built back up.

> (Both of us moving in perfect synchronization now):**

> *Ai humnashin yeh dillagee*

> *Ban jaye naa ek din kahee*

> *Tere liye dil kee lagi*

> *Yeh dil~*

> *Yeh dil~*

> *Ai humnashin yeh dillagee*

> *Ban jaye naa ek din kahee*

> *Tere liye dil ki lagee*

> *Yeh dil~yeh dil~*

The energy reached its absolute peak. The grand finale of the track was blasting through the Alexa speakers. I completely took control, matching her crazy energy, lifting her entirely off her feet by her hips and spinning her around in a dizzying circle. She shrieked with laughter, her long curly hair flying wildly across my face, her hands gripping my shoulders for dear life.

As I set her feet back on the floor, the heavy beat dropped into the final, passionate echo of the male vocals. I pulled her flush against my broad chest, my ocean-blue eyes locked onto her flushing face, my voice dropping to a gravelly, raw whisper that perfectly matched the song.

> Rudra part .

> *Gustakh dil tere liye*

> *Betab hain ai janeja*

> *Darde jigar kaise baya*

> *Tujhse kare dil bejuban yeh dil~*

> *Yeh dil~*

> *Yeh dil~*

> *Yeh dil~*

The music finally stopped, leaving nothing but the sound of our heavy, synchronized breathing and the frantic clinking of her red bridal *chooda* resting against my chest.

Ishita looked up at me, her chest heaving, her beautiful brown eyes shining with so much warmth and love it made my chest ache. A soft, breathless smile stayed on her lips as she leaned her head against my heartbeat.

"Now that," she whispered, her thumb gently caressing my cheek, "is exactly how I want to remember my husband for the next seven days. No frowning allowed while I'm away, okay?"

💖 Ishita's Perspective

The sudden silence in the bedroom felt heavy and thick with warmth as the high-energy music faded completely away. I stayed pressed against his solid chest for a long beat, my hands resting lazily around his neck.

"Alexa, off, please," I breathed out, my voice dropping to a soft whisper.

The glowing blue ring on the device blinked out, leaving only the soft, ambient nightlights of our room casting long shadows on the walls. I pulled back just an inch from Rudra's strong embrace and leaned down slightly, looking under the king-sized bed where a pair of glowing golden eyes were watching us warily.

"Osci baby, go out," I called out, keeping my tone sweet but firm, my red *chooda* jingling softly as I gestured toward the door. "Mumma has very important work with Papa now. Go to your lounge, baby."

Oscar let out a low, huffing sound-almost like a sigh of relief that the crazy dancing portion of the night was officially over. He slinked out from under the mattress with that heavy, silent grace, gave a quick, loyal glance to his dad, and padded out of the bedroom, pushing the heavy door nearly shut behind him with his tail.

Once we were completely alone, I turned my attention back to the towering King** standing right in front of me. The breathless, playful laughter had completely settled, replaced by a deep, pulsing tension that always existed whenever we were this close.

I stepped back into his personal space, my bare toes touching the edges of his track pants. Slowly, deliberately, my fingers slid up his chest, tracing the heavy, rapid thudding of his heart right beneath the fabric of his black t-shirt. My thumb brushed over the exact spot where his tattoo-the one with my name *ISHITA* and his special nickname for me, *Janna*-was permanently etched into his skin.

"Now," I whispered, tilting my chin up so my brown eyes could lock directly into his intense, ocean-blue gaze. The teasing girl from a few minutes ago was entirely gone. "Since your wife is leaving for her *mayika* early in the morning... don't you think you should stop wasting time complaining and actually give me something to remember you by, Ru?"

Rudra's jaw instantly tightened, his heavy, possessive gaze darkening in a split second as his large hands slid down to grip my waist with an unyielding, burning grip.

I took a slow, deliberate step backward toward our massive king-sized bed, my brown eyes never breaking contact with his intense, burning ocean-blue gaze. My fingers curled tightly into the soft fabric of his black t-shirt, tugging him along with me.

Rudra followed every single step without resistance, a slow, devastatingly handsome smirk spreading across his sharp jawline. He looked down at me like a predator watching his prize, his towering **6'3" muscular frame** casting a heavy shadow over my **5'3" slim figure**. The second the back of my knees hit the edge of the mattress, he reached out, his massive hands wrapping securely around my waist to completely control my descent onto the plush sheets, shutting out the rest of the world entirely.

🌅 The Next Morning

The soft, golden rays of the morning sun filtered through the sheer ivory curtains of our bedroom, painting the room in a warm, peaceful glow. The lively Bollywood music and playful banter from the night before had completely melted into a deep, heavy tranquility.

Rudra was dead to the world, snoring softly, his large, muscular arms wrapped tightly around my bare waist under the heavy duvet. We were tangled together completely bare beneath the sheets, the warmth of his skin acting like a natural shield against the morning chill. He had his face buried right into my shoulder, his sharp stubble tickling my skin, his chest rising and falling in a deep, rhythmic pattern right against my back.

*Beeeep. Beeeep. Beeeep.*

The sharp, sudden chime of his phone alarm broke the silence, threatening to disrupt our peaceful bubble.

Moving as quietly as possible so I wouldn't disturb his sleep, I wriggled one hand out from under the heavy blankets. My red bridal *chooda* jingled with a soft, muffled clink as I reached across the nightstand and swiftly swiped the screen to turn the alarm off.

I turned around within his secure embrace, shifting my body so I was facing him completely. Looking at him like this-completely relaxed, without the heavy, ruthless mask he wore for the corporate world-always made my heart swell with an overwhelming wave of love.

I leaned in close, pressing a soft, lingering kiss on his warm cheek, right where his stubble was the thickest. Then, I slid my lips down to press a deep, sweet kiss directly onto his lips. He let out a low, subconscious rumble from the back of his throat-a deep baritone sound of pure contentment-and his grip on my waist automatically tightened, pulling my slim figure flush against his chest.

Knowing that this was the last morning I would spend in his arms for the next seven days, I didn't try to get out of bed to check on my suitcases. Instead, I wrapped my arms securely around his torso, burying my face into his chest right over his steady heartbeat, and cuddled him as tightly as I possibly could, soaking in every single bit of his warmth before the long week of separation officially began.

The morning sun crept across the duvet, but neither of us was in a rush to leave the sanctuary of our bed. It was quiet, save for the rhythmic rise and fall of Rudra's chest against mine. Every time I tried to shift slightly to get up, his arms-heavy and solid-would pull me back into the curve of his body, effectively anchoring me there.

I tilted my head back, looking up at him. His ocean-blue eyes were already open, fixed on me with an intensity that made my breath hitch. He wasn't looking at me like the King of Rajasthan; he was looking at me like the only thing that kept him grounded.

"You're already planning how to make me miss you, aren't you?" I teased, my fingers tracing the sharp, rugged line of his jaw.

He let out a low, gravelly hum, leaning down to press his forehead against mine. "I don't need to plan anything, Janna. You leaving is torture enough. I've already decided: you're going to make it up to me."

"And how, exactly, does the great Rudra Singh Rathore want me to make it up to him?" I whispered, smiling as he captured my lower lip in a soft, possessive nip.

"I need a contract," he murmured, his voice husky with sleep and longing. "Every morning. Every night. And every single time the thought of me crosses your mind-which, I expect, should be every ten minutes at the very least."

I giggled, a soft, musical sound that filled the room. "Every ten minutes? Do you have any idea how busy my family keeps me? My purav and bhabhi and the cousins..."

Rudra's eyes narrowed instantly, his grip tightening just a fraction. "I don't care about the cousins. I care about the calls. If I don't see your face on my screen, I'm coming to pick you up. I don't care if the custom says fifteen days; I'll break the tradition and bring you back in fifteen minutes."

"Okay, okay! You win," I laughed, realizing he was completely serious about his possessive terms. I leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to his nose. "I promise."

"Not enough," he growled, shaking his head.

I kissed his cheek. "I promise to call you every single night."

"Still not enough."

I kissed his jaw "I promise to call you every single morning the moment I wake up."

"Getting closer," he murmured, his eyes darkening as he watched my lips.

I smiled, my heart melting at his vulnerability. I leaned forward and pressed a long, lingering, and absolute promise of a kiss right onto his lips. It was deep, slow, and carried every ounce of the love I felt for him. When I finally pulled back, I traced the line of his tattoo-*ISHITA*-right over his heart.

"I promise, Ru," I said softly, my voice filled with sincerity. "You'll be the first thing I think of when I wake up, and the last thing I see before I sleep. You won't have a single second to miss me because I'll be flooding your phone with calls and texts. Happy, Patidev?"

He let out a shaky, relieved breath, burying his face in the crook of my neck, his stubble grazing my skin. "It's going to be a long week, Janna. But... I suppose I can survive if you promise to hold me like this right up until the last second before you leave."

"I'm not going anywhere for a while," I whispered, wrapping my arms tighter around his neck, pulling him down to me. "For now, there is only us."

I let out a soft, helpless giggle as my fingers threaded through his thick, dark hair, gently caressing his scalp. The contrast between my delicate, red-chooda-clad hands and his rugged, broad shoulders always felt so right. We shared another slow, lazy kiss, the kind that tasted of quiet mornings and lingering promises.

"We should really get up, Ru," I whispered against his lips, though my arms didn't loosen their grip around his neck even a fraction. "The sun is completely up, and Mummy is probably waiting for my call to see when I'm reaching the Sharma house."

"Yeah... we should," Rudra rumbled in his deep, gravelly morning voice, his baritone vibrating directly against my bare chest.

But neither of us moved an inch.

We stayed exactly where we were, completely frozen in our warm, tangled bubble under the heavy ivory duvet. I looked at him, waiting for him to be the responsible one, but the great, disciplined corporate tycoon who usually ran on a strict schedule was completely off duty today.

"Ru! Get up!" I laughed, giving his broad shoulder a playful, gentle shove.

Instead of moving, his answer was to lean down and press a firm, warm kiss right onto my cheek. Then another one on the edge of my jaw. Then he slid lower, his stubble grazing my skin as his lips found the exact spot on my neck where my new moles were, kissing them with a slow, agonizingly possessive rhythm.

"I am trying to get up, Janna," he murmured against my skin, his hands sliding down to securely lock around my waist, pulling me even tighter against his muscular frame. "But someone's gravity is pulling me back down."

"Oh, please! You are the one holding me captive, Patidev," I gasped softly, my breath hitching as his lips moved back up to my jawline. "If Laksh calls you for an urgent meeting at Eternity right now, I am telling him his boss is currently slacking off because he's throwing a tantrum."

"Let him call," Rudra growled playfully, his ocean-blue eyes opening just enough to look into mine, flashing with a sudden, wicked heat. "The company can survive without its president for a few more hours, but I cannot survive without my wife. Give me five more minutes."

"You said five minutes half an hour ago, Ru!" I teased, my pink bow-detailed fingers gently cupping his face, forcing him to look at me. "If I didn't reach my home on time , Siya Maa is going to know exactly who to blame."

Rudra let out a low, defeated chuckle, a genuine, beautiful smile breaking across his Greek-god face. He captured my hand, kissing the palm of it softly before resting his forehead against mine. "Fine. But the countdown to my arrival at the Sharma house starts the exact second you step out of this room."

I stepped out of the attached bathroom, wiping a stray droplet of water from my jawline with a towel slung low around my waist. The steam followed me out into the cool, air-conditioned bedroom, but the moment my eyes landed across the room, my breath completely caught in my throat.

An hour had passed, and she was fully ready.

I stood there, frozen, silently cursing the entire universe because my brown-skinned, curly-haired wife looked absolutely, devastatingly beautiful. She was wearing a breathtaking deep teal-blue georgette saree that hugged her 5'3" slim figure perfectly, adorned with intricate floral silver embroidery along the border. Her neck featured the delicate diamond mangalsutra resting just above her collarbone, highlighting those beautiful moles I was completely obsessed with. Heavy silver jhumkas with brilliant blue stones dangled from her ears, and her wrists were stacked with the vibrant red bridal *chooda* that jingled with her every movement.

And the worst part? She was looking this stunning because she was leaving me.

Right now, she was struggling with her footwear near the edge of the bed. Balancing precariously on one slim, mehndi-adorned leg, she was tilting forward, trying to strap the shimmering silver rhinestone stiletto heels around her ankle with just one hand. The heavy silver payal on her feet let out a sweet, rhythmic chiming as she wobbled slightly.

Seeing her look like an absolute queen while simultaneously fumbling with her shoes made my possessive, childish streak flare right back up. I felt like sulking badly all over again.

I dropped my towel slightly lower on my hips and strode across the room, my 6'3" muscular frame cutting the distance between us in three long strides.

"Janna, do you want to break an ankle before you even cross the palace gates?" I rumbled, my deep, gravelly baritone lacing through the quiet room as I suddenly knelt on one knee right in front of her.

Ishita gasped softly, her hand instantly flying to my damp shoulder for balance as she looked down at me. "Ru! You're going to get water all over my saree!"

"Let it get wet," I muttered, completely ignoring her protest as my large hands caught her delicate ankle. I easily stabilized her, lifting her foot slightly to align the dazzling rhinestone strap. "If you ruin the drape, you have to stay here and let me re-dress you. Personally, I highly prefer that option."

"You are unbelievable, Patidev," she giggled, her fingers gently threading through my damp, post-shower hair as she looked down at her corporate tycoon husband playing a personal shoemaker on the floor. "Are you still sulking?"

"Yes," I said deadpan, effortlessly tightening the delicate silver buckle around her ankle before reaching for her other foot. I looked up, locking my ocean-blue eyes onto her flushing brown ones. "You look entirely too beautiful today, Ishi. I am seriously considering calling Laksh right now and telling him to block every exit out of Rajasthan."

I closed my eyes for a fraction of a second, the tiny silver buckle of her second heel still secured between my large fingers. I let out a low, defeated growl as my shoulders slumped slightly.

"Ah, ah! For your kind information, my great, intelligent *'hus band-ji'*..." Ishita pulled her foot back slightly from my grip, tapping the pointed tip of her shimmering silver stiletto against the hardwood floor with a brilliant, teasing smirk. She leaned down further, her long curly hair brushing against my damp shoulder as her red bridal *chooda* jingled right by my ear. "We are *already* in Delhi! Okay? Come out of your dream of Rajasthan!"

I cleared my throat, slowly rising to my full frame** from my kneeling position on the floor, towering over her slim figure**. I tightened the low towel around my waist and crossed my arms over my muscular chest, deliberately narrowing my ocean-blue eyes at her as I continued to sulk badly.

"Delhi or Rajasthan, it doesn't matter, Janna," I rumbled in my deepest, most stubborn gravelly baritone, my jaw locked tightly. "The rule remains the same. You are still leaving this penthouse to go to the Sharma house, and I am still stuck here alone for a whole week. The geography doesn't make me feel any less miserable."

Ishita let out a breathless, musical laugh, her brown eyes dancing with absolute delight as she watched the top-five global businessman completely pout over a minor distance. She took a tiny step forward, her heavy silver payal chiming softly against the floor, and reached up to gently cup my sharp jawline with both of her hands. Her pink bow-detailed nails lightly brushed against my stubble.

"Oh, look at you! The completely ruthless, heartless, and emotionless corporate king is acting like a drama queen," she teased softly, tilting her head as she traced the edge of my lip with her thumb. "Ru, the Sharma house is literally just a drive away in the same city. It's not like I am flying back to the Jaipur raj mahal without you."

"A drive in Delhi traffic takes three hours, Ishi," I muttered, completely deadpan as I leaned my weight slightly into her soft palms, unable to resist her touch even while throwing a tantrum. "That is three hours too long. I'm telling Laksh to cancel my afternoon meetings at Eternity so I can just drive behind your car."

"Rudra Singh Rathore, you will do no such thing!" she gasped, a beautiful blush spreading across her brown skin as she slapped my chest playfully with her red-chooda-clad hand. "You are going to be a good, responsible president, go to your office, and count down the days like a civilized husband. Now, stop sulking and give your wife a proper goodbye kiss before my driver gets impatient downstairs."

I couldn't even maintain my stern glare as she finally stood up to her full **5'3" height**, her teal-blue georgette saree rustling elegantly around her slim figure.

"Get ready now, and bring my bags downstairs, please," Ishita directed, a brilliant, commanding smile on her face as her red bridal *chooda* jingled beautifully. "I'm going to go bid our family goodbye downstairs, okay? And absolutely no more sulking!"

Before I could even think about crossing my arms to protest, she stepped right back into my space. She reached up, cupping my sharp jawline with her hands, and deliberately squeezed my cheeks together until my lips were comically puckered.

"Awww... my sweety hubby, don't sulk, ok?" she cooed, tilting her head and talking in a completely exaggerated, high-pitched baby voice, her brown eyes dancing with absolute mischief.

"I am not a kid, Janna," my voice came out completely muffled and distorted through her tight squeeze, but I didn't even try to pull away from her touch.

"But you *are* my kid!" she insisted, completely ignoring my deep, gravelly protest as she kept up the intentional baby voice. She patted my cheeks gently, her pink bow-detailed extensions brushing against my skin. "My big, 6'3" handsome, muscular, ocean-blue-eyed baby! Yes, you are! So no long faces while Mumma is gone, okay?"

A breath of laughter escaped my nose, completely breaking my grumpy facade. I caught her slender wrists in my large hands, gently pulling her palms away from my face so I could speak properly, though I kept her hands securely locked in my grip right against my bare chest.

"Janna, if anyone from the global business boards or the Eternity corporate offices heard you calling a world tycoon a 'baby' in that voice, my reputation would be entirely ruined by afternoon," I rumbled, a slow, devastatingly handsome smirk replacing my pout as I pulled her flush against my chest.

"Oh, please! The 'cold-hearted, ruthless Prince' persona doesn't work on me anymore, *husband-ji*," she teased, dropping the baby voice but keeping that beautiful, radiant smile as she looked up into my eyes. "You might be the King of Rajasthan to the rest of the world, but in this room, you are just my stubborn, possessive Ru."

"Only yours," I muttered, my voice dropping an octave into a deep, raw growl as I leaned down, pressing a firm, lingering kiss directly onto her lips to silence her teasing. "Now go before I change my mind, lock this bedroom door, and make you miss the family gathering entirely."

"Going, going!" she giggled breathlessly, breaking the kiss and turning toward the bedroom door, her heavy silver payal chiming a sweet melody with every step. "Don't forget my suitcases, baby!"