Can't Stay Away ✔️

36. A Dangerous Game

It is quite a long chapter. I'd appreciate if you guys could vote and comment.

A R J U N

I'm sitting in my office, but my mind is miles away. It's been a rough few days—hell, rough doesn't even begin to cover it. My mother's words still linger, cutting deeper than I'd like to admit, but that's not the worst of it. The worst part is how Ayesha looked after that evening at my penthouse, like she'd been gutted. It's one thing to see her hurt by a stranger, but to know my family, my own mother, did that to her? It makes me feel... helpless. And I fucking hate feeling helpless.

But I won't let that happen again. I don't care what it takes, I'll protect her. I'll protect what we have, and if anyone dares to hurt her—whether it's my family or some twisted psycho—I'll make them regret it.

Ayesha, however not once made me feel guilty about whatever happened. She has not even mentioned what my mother said to her again. We even went to her best friend, Isha and Raghav's engagement party last night. It was heartwarming to see her enjoying her heart out with her friends. That woman has nothing but love and care to give to everyone close to her without a trace of malice in her. It makes me want to chain her to me and protect her from this fucked up world.

And about that psychopath stalker who is after her. He sent a very disgusting package a few days back to her office. Every time I think about those damn photos, a fresh wave of rage courses through me. It's been days since that sick package arrived—full of pictures of Ayesha in her most intimate moments, along with disgusting items that made my blood boil. How long has this bastard been watching her? The thought of someone seeing Ayesha, my Ayesha, in ways only I should see, makes me want to tear something apart.

He's been out there, lurking in the shadows, watching her every move, watching us. And I wasn't there to protect her. But that ends now.

I was in the middle of signing off on some paperwork when I felt her presence before I saw her. Ayesha, standing in the doorway of my office, looking like the best thing that had happened to me all day. God, she is beautiful. The tension in my shoulders eased a little just at the sight of her.

The sight of her instantly shifts my mood. She's wearing this playful smile, the one that always melts away the stress of the day. She moves with a grace that's all her own, yet there's an edge to it, like she's up to something.

"Hey stranger," she says softly, closing the door behind her.

I lean back in my chair, unable to hide the grin that spreads across my face. "What are you doing here, love?"

"I got free early and thought to brighten up your boring-ass day," she smiles mischievously.

Ayesha rounds my desk, her fingers trailing along the polished wood. She stops in front of me, tilting her head slightly. "You look tense. Anything you want to talk about?"

I shrug, trying to play it off, but Ayesha isn't fooled. She circles around my desk, coming to stand behind me, her hands slipping onto my shoulders. Her touch is gentle but firm, her thumbs kneading into the knots of tension that have settled there.

"You're working too hard," she murmurs, leaning down to press a soft kiss to the side of my neck. "You need a break."

I close my eyes, letting out a slow sigh. "A break sounds good."

Ayesha moves around to the front of my desk, her eyes locked on mine as she slowly sinks to her knees. My pulse quickens, realizing what she's about to do. "Ayesha..."

But she doesn't stop. Instead, she smirks up at me as her hands work on my belt, her fingers deftly undoing it before moving to the button and zipper of my pants. She's determined, playful, and fuck, I'm already losing control.