The Softer Devraj

Chapter 11: No Strings, Just Heat

"Maybe I already am."

Arnav's mouth curved into that lazy, devastating smirk that always made her pulse quicken.

"Babe, I'm a gentleman in public," he murmured, voice dropping low, 

"but I don't always play gentle when the lights go out."

Ruhi raised an eyebrow, unfazed but clearly intrigued.

"All words, Mr. Devraj?" she challenged, her tone sharp and mocking. "You talk like you could handle me."

He leaned closer, eyes dark with a quiet dare.

"Handle you?" his voice was almost a whisper now, rich and dangerous. 

"I think you'd be the one begging me to slow down."

Ruhi laughed softly, tilting her chin up. "Big claims. Let's see if you can live up to them."

The air between them grew thick, their gazes locked a silent promise, a collision waiting to happen.

Arnav's hand gripped the steering wheel tighter, his knuckles flexing, but his gaze stayed locked on her.

Ruhi had that look again the one that said she knew exactly how much control she held over him.

"You really think I'd beg?" she asked, voice smooth as silk, her tone both mocking and magnetic.

He turned toward her slowly, the corner of his mouth lifting in that dangerously calm smile.

"Not yet," he said softly, "but I'll get you there."

Her heart skipped not out of fear, but the kind of thrill that only came from being caught in his gravity.

Ruhi crossed her arms, leaning back in her seat like she wasn't affected at all.

"You talk too confidently for someone who hasn't proved a thing."

Arnav chuckled, low and deep, leaning just enough for his breath to brush her cheek.

"And you tease too much for someone whose pulse is giving her away."

Her composure cracked for a second just enough for his eyes to catch the flicker of heat she tried to hide.

"You're full of yourself, Devraj."

"No," he whispered, voice a shade darker,

  "I'm just full of you — every thought, every minute you spend pretending you don't want this."

Her smile faded, replaced by something else tension, want, and that dangerous pull she hated to admit.

She turned her head slightly, her lips almost brushing his.

"Careful, Arnav... you're starting to sound like you care."

His eyes flickered with amusement, but his tone stayed steady, confident.

"Oh, I don't. I just enjoy the chase."

She gave a quiet laugh, pushing him back lightly with her hand.

Before Ruhi could even form a thought, his hand was on her jaw, fingers tracing the edge of her cheek like he was trying to memorize every inch of her.

"Tell me to stop."

His voice wasn't a warning. It was a dare low, rough, threaded with restraint he was seconds away from losing.