“I have been thinking,” he began.
She tilted her head, instantly alert. That tone always meant trouble. “That sounds dangerous.”
“It is necessary,” he replied, composed. “The honeymoon.”
She blinked and waited.
“I have reviewed options,” his tone carried the same control he used when companies bent to his decisions. “I have narrowed them down.”
“Of course you have.”
“Europe is obvious,” he shrugged. “Everyone goes to Europe. I have no interest in doing what everyone does.”
“Then where?”
“The Maldives remains under consideration.” He looked at the sky, thoughtful. “Very little to do. Nowhere to go. Complete isolation.”
Her eyes widened.
“Bali is another option. Cultural. Visually impressive. Private villas are available.” A glance at her. “With private pools.”
She turned her face away.
“Japan,” he continued, unfazed. “Excellent food. Interesting culture. However…” a slight pause as he selected his words, “…traditional inns have very thin walls. That may present… acoustic challenges.”
Her hands flew to her face.
“I keep returning to the Maldives,” he went on, as if closing a deal in his head. “Isolation is efficient. No external interruptions. No requirement to leave the villa.”
“Hukum,” her voice came out muffled through her fingers.
“I am being practical. This requires planning.”
She lowered her hands and looked at him.
His face remained composed. His eyes were not.
The laughter escaped before she could stop it. Bright. Sudden. Free. She clapped her hand over her mouth at once, glancing toward the courtyard walls as if they might report her.
He caught her mid-laugh, his hand sliding to the back of her head, drawing her close.
His mouth found hers, entirely pleased with himself.
She was still laughing, soft, breathless, against his lips.
He didn’t mind. Not even a little.
Chapter 28
That evening, Abhinav walked the corridor of the family wing, heading toward his office, his mind half on the work waiting for him.
Voices drifted from Naina’s room. His mother. Naina. Meera’s mother.
He would have passed.
Then one word reached him.
“Lehenga.”
