ArHi FF: Desert Heat #9 *Ch 16, pg 1; NEW THREAD LINK pg 129*

09/18/2013 Phew, made it finally. Hope you're all well in your corner of the world😊First, some awesome new banners! Full DH Banner Gallery Here

By SarunFanatic_Ji

By Anayah

By mastermagician

By Farwa Ibrahim

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Now on to this critical chapter. Deep breaths everyone, I'll see you in precap land (pg 20) with a short note.

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Passion swept them like wildfire, their cries merging as both found a bliss that knew no limits.

Khushi could only say his name again and again, her heart pounding as they collapsed on the sands.

He placed a lingering kiss on her lips and then drew her into his arms, too overpowered to speak.

Nothing mattered in this moment but the two of them.

That night they made love twice more, neither one able to stay away. It was as if there passion knew no bounds. The second time he took his time with her, not giving in till she was crying out, pleading with him to join them. And just before dawn, it was wild and explosive, as fiery and soul-shattering as the first time.

When the first rays of morning light fell on them, Khushi made a noise of displeasure, snuggling closer against his warmth. But that pesky light refused to leave.

She was smiling though as she peeked open one eye. Arnav was sound asleep, his head pillowed on her chest. Her smile widened as she gazed at him, spots of rosy color tingeing her cheeks as she recalled all they'd shared.

She'd never been happier. Never had she felt so complete. Simply put, she belonged with this man. He was her other half.

Kissing Arnav's mouth tenderly, she raised her hand to touch his ruffled hair.

The band on her ring finger caught her eye. As the sunlight stuck it, the emerald at its center glinted with accusation.

Desert Heat by TINA!

Chapter 16: Heart and Soul

It felt as though a bucket of ice-cold water had been hurled at her square in the face, the force of it as hard and numbing as any bodily slam.

Khushi paled as she sat up, staring down at the ring--the one a small, bony-chinned boy had placed there long ago.

She closed her eyes against the memories that naturally came, but there was no stopping it. The images unfurled like wildfire:

"There." Singh Uncle's voice was loud and booming. "The contract is complete. Your Khushi will one day be our daughter-in-law."

Her father smiled widely as he embraced him. "Ten years till the wedding, Sir."

Ten years..

Her eyes snapped open as she recalled the foggy details of that childhood betrothal. She still could not remember the exact names or faces, but she knew one thing: she was engaged. The ring was proof of it.

An urge to fling the emerald far into the dunes consumed her suddenly. More than a prized jewel, it felt like a shackle, tethering her to a past and an old promise she wanted no part of. Her opposite hand rose to pull it off.

Something stopped her though. Her heart.. her values.. her every last remaining memory of her dead parents would not allow her to remove it--no matter how much she wished for it to be gone.

How could she have thought that she could escape this bond?

A warm, calloused palm swept across the curve of her hip just then, gripping tightly. Khushi's breath caught as she turned to Arnav. He took up most of the room on the cloak beside her. He was still asleep, his expression utterly relaxed with just a hint of a smile peeking through.

A pain--deep and blinding--shot through her. It was second only to her love for him. He was all she wanted, all her heart had ever wished for. She hadn't come to Rajasthan looking for love. Rather, she'd had hardly any hope left, her every step one of duty, not desire. But when she'd least expected it, she'd found true love--the kind that promised a lifetime of togetherness.

If only she could give Arnav every happiness. If only she had the freedom to decide for herself.

But, reality was harsh and unforgiving. The emerald ring pulsed on her finger as if it breathed, reminding her that she had no such choice in the matter--she never had.

Swallowing back tears, Khushi reached for her lehenga, gingerly pulling on the voluminous skirt and matching blouse.

The telling sound of him stirring behind her sounded shortly thereafter. She didn't know what had alerted Arnav. She was being so very careful, barely moving as she struggled with the ties at her bare back. But for a man who slept so little, perhaps even a faint rustle was more than enough to shake him awake.

"Khushi?"

She'd been steeling herself against his pull. But nothing could have prepared her for his voice, soft and husky from sleep. Her body tensed. She was grateful that her back was to him and he didn't see the sudden sheen of tears in her eyes. Blinking them away, she bit down on her lip, her hands bent backward still.

Arnav yawned and stretched as he considered her, a grin lifting the corners of his mouth. Was his innocent angel back? She'd been nothing short of a bold vixen last night, holding nothing back, her passion and love flowing unchecked.

He'd held a remarkable woman in his arms all night long--a woman who was everything he'd ever wanted. A woman he needed and loved so fervently that it paled all else. To think that he hadn't realized his love until it had all but been thrown at him.

But now he knew. Knew that she was his heart and soul.

"Angel, are you okay?" His hand settled on her exposed waist with the easy familiarity that normally was found only between long-time lovers.

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