74. WHITE NIGHTS

AUTHOR’S POV

After many failed attempts, Shivnya finally stood up, leaving both Rexy and Leo behind. She quickly freshened up, and then the two of them sat for breakfast. But all throughout the meal, Shivnya’s eyes kept drifting back to the two little furballs. Every time she looked at them, memories of Amara and Eva flashed before her, making her heart ache. Abhimanyu, noticing her distraction, gently fed her morsels with his own hand.

When brunch was over, Abhimanyu said warmly, “Shivuu, go and get ready quickly—we’re going to a special place.”

Shivnya, who was still sitting on the floor playing with Rexy and Leo, hunched her shoulders like a child and whimpered, “Can’t we just stay home and play with them? I want to be near you and these cutie pies.”

Abhimanyu crouched beside her, cupping her cheek. “Baby, we came on a honeymoon, not a staycation, my love.”

She pouted, glaring at him, making him bite back a laugh. “Now will you get up? We’re already late, baby.”

Her lips curved into another small pout. “Can we take them with us?”

Abhimanyu blinked in disbelief. Sometimes she spoke before even thinking. “Baby, look here… tomorrow we’ll spend the whole day with them, I promise.”

Shivnya narrowed her eyes suspiciously. “Is that true?”

“Yes, baby. Now go—quickly!” he urged with a grin.

With reluctant steps, she finally went to get ready. She returned in a cozy white high-neck sweater paired with warm pants. Her hair flowed freely down her back, a pair of delicate blue ruby earrings gracing her ears, and her nuptial chain shining softly against her neck.

The moment Abhimanyu saw her, he frowned. “Why didn’t you wear a coat?”

Shivnya lifted her chin. “I don’t want to. I’m already warm in this—this is enough and—”

Before she could finish, Abhimanyu cut her off sharply, “Georgia, get her coat!”

Georgia rushed to fetch it while Shivnya rolled her eyes at him, muttering under her breath. She then bent down, whispered her goodbyes to Rexy and Leo, and finally went to stand beside Abhimanyu.

As they got into the car, her coat was already waiting. She sighed but slipped inside with him. Curiosity gleamed in her eyes as the car pulled away. “Where are we going?”

Abhimanyu only smiled mysteriously. “It’s a surprise, my love.”

The drive didn’t last long. Within minutes, they reached the airport. Shivnya’s eyes widened in confusion. “Are we going home?”

Abhimanyu laughed, shaking his head. “No, baby. We’re going somewhere else.”

Before she could ask further, they boarded, and soon the flight took off. An hour and a half later, the announcement rang: they had landed in St. Petersburg.

ABHIMANYU’S POV

As we came down, I took her hand in mine and we walked toward the car. The weather was perfect—crisp, cold, yet beautiful. I knew how sensitive my wife was to the chill, yet how much she secretly loved it. With a smile tugging at my lips, I unlocked the car and started driving. It was a convertible, the wind brushing against us.

Shivnya leaned back, her hands stretched in the air, her hair dancing wildly as she admired the countryside. Ufff, this girl will be the death of me someday with her beauty and joy.

“Abhiii, this weather… this country… it’s so beautiful,” she said, her eyes sparkling.

I glanced at her, smiling softly. She had no idea about the surprise I had planned for her… nor the fact that she could roam so freely only because my men were stationed at every corner of St. Petersburg, silently ensuring her safety.

After nearly an hour of driving, she suddenly said, “Abhi, I’m hungry.”

I nodded, parked near a cozy restaurant, and pulled out a chair for her like a gentleman. As she sat, I moved to my side, and we ordered food together. She was glowing, her laughter filling the air, and in the end, she even asked for a takeaway coffee.

As we stepped outside, coffee in her hand, I headed toward the car. But she tugged at my wrist, her voice soft.
“Let’s walk for some time.”

I intertwined my fingers with hers and nodded. While walking, she suddenly asked, “What time is it?”

“8:30 PM,” I replied.

Her eyes widened. “You’re lying! It looks exactly like 6:30 PM.”

I chuckled. “No, baby. That’s the uniqueness of this place. These are the White Nights. Night comes… but darkness doesn’t. The sky stays bright, painted with shades of pink and orange.”

Her face lit up with amazement. But in her excitement, she spilled hot coffee all over her sweater. Shocked, I quickly pulled out my handkerchief and gently dabbed at her chest. Luckily, the thick sweater had saved her from getting burned.

“Shivuu, where was your focus? You dropped it on your clothes! Now what will you wear? We still have to go on the boat for a date …” I started scolding softly.

Her upset little pout turned into wide-eyed excitement.
“Boat…?? are we going on a date?” she asked, her voice filled with happiness.

I froze, cursing myself in my head. Damn… I just ruined the surprise.

But the shine in her eyes was impossible to resist. I sighed, already defeated, and agreed, “Yes, we are going… but tell me, how will we go now? Your sweater is ruined. First, we need to shop.”

The happiness that lit up her face was enough to brighten an entire city. She instantly began scanning the market, and while my eyes landed on a store full of warm sweaters, her gaze found a boutique showcasing dresses.

Shivnya in her dresses and sarees… she always looks like a goddess. But in this freezing weather, sweaters made more sense. “Let’s go, Shivvu. We need to get you a sweater,” I said firmly.

Her pout was instant, and her doe eyes tried to melt me. “No. This is not happening in any chance,” I declared, crossing my arms.

And then… she spoke. That soft, baby-sweet voice of hers—ufff, like a hot pan, burning me alive. My heart melted like butter.
“Abhi… we’ll just go and see. We won’t buy anything.”

Lie. A trap. Boys, listen carefully—when your girlfriend, wife, or any woman says she’ll just see the clothes… it’s the biggest scam in this world. And what should I even say about others when my own wife is like this?

She dragged me inside anyway. I sat on the sofa like a helpless man while she explored every rack, and soon even the employees were helping her. My Shivnya was glowing, and then—her eyes found that dress.

A blood-red piece. A slit running high up her thigh. Backless, with only delicate strings holding it together. She was mesmerized. And when she tried it on… God help me.

She stepped out, her hair loose, cascading over one shoulder. My breath stopped. She looked like my death—beautiful, intoxicating, deadly. I swear on every saint in this world, when Shivnya wears such dresses, I feel like she’s the kind of death a man would beg for.

Her eyes met mine, and I couldn’t move. Couldn’t breathe. Couldn’t think. She shook my arm, snapping me back.
“Abhi, where have you lost? I’m asking—how do I look? Does this dress look good on me?”

I was still ogling, unable to look away, even catching forbidden glimpses of her soft boobs through the daring cut. She was blissfully unaware, and that made it worse for me.

“Abhi!” Her tone grew strict this time. “I’m asking since so long. Am I looking good?”

And finally, words slipped from my mouth, raw and unfiltered.
“You… you look like a goddess. Like purity itself bleeding out into beauty so dangerous… so divine… that it could kill me.”

She chuckled, shaking her head. “You are insane.”

I snapped my fingers, and instantly the staff vanished. My eyes stayed on her as I pulled her toward me, settling her onto my lap. My voice was low, teasing, laced with hunger.
“Do you want to test the things…?”

She gasped, eyes wide in shock. Yet instead of running, she stayed… choosing to sit in my lap. That was all the permission I needed.

My arm wrapped around her neck, possessive, pulling her closer. The other hand gripped her waist, locking her against me. And then I kissed her lips—no, devoured them. Argh, I wasn’t kissing, I was eating her alive.

She melted against me, her hands clutching me as I deepened the kiss. My palm slid under her bottom, pulling her flush against my crotch, and for a second my mind went dark—I almost pulled out my phone to message my men. I could buy this entire damn shop, right here, right now, just so I could fuck my wife in peace.

But then… she pulled away, lips swollen, eyes sparkling.
“No,” she whispered, breathless. “I don’t want to test the things. We can do all this at home. For now, I want to enjoy our honeymoon. Abhi… we have to go. The yacht is waiting.”

The shine in her eyes when she said yacht made me stop dead. What could I do in front of my wife’s wish? Nothing. She ruled me in ways she didn’t even realize , and moreover another surprise was waiting for her I could have ruined that surprise today but I had back up to give her tomorrow also but now I will give her today only.

I let her slip off my lap and called the staff back, billing the dress without hesitation. When she came out, wearing that dress , I noticed her shivering. Damn this weather.

“Baby,” I said gently, brushing a hand over her arm, “I know you love this dress, but it’s not appropriate for this cold. You’ll get sick.”

She pouted, her voice soft, stubborn. “But I want to wear this. It’ll look perfect on my first date…”

Her words hit me hard. Our first date. Our first, in this life, in this love. How could I deny her?

I swallowed back my protest and instead smiled. “Fine. Then let me buy a coat… for myself. I’ll feel cold otherwise.”

Before she could argue, I caught her hand and dragged her along with me—because if she was going to wear that sinful dress, I’d damn well make sure she didn’t freeze.

In the shop, I bought a warm black coat for myself—cough cough—actually for her. I knew the chill in the middle of the river would be harsher, and if she fell sick… no, I couldn’t risk that. I don’t take chances when it comes to my wife.

Once we stepped out, we headed straight to the yacht. Decorated with red roses, glowing softly under the evening sky—it was perfect. As soon as Shivnya saw it, her eyes widened in awe. Even though she had already knew the surprise, she still looked at it as if it was the first time. That’s the magic of my girl.

I held her hand firmly, helping her climb aboard. The moment her feet touched the deck, she was off—exploring like an excited child. I stayed back, standing at the yacht’s face, breathing it all in. Seven years. It had been seven long years since I stepped onto this boat. Back in my mafia days, I would come here almost every week to escape, to enjoy… to feel alive in between blood and chaos.

Her laughter pulled me out of my memories. She ran back to me, eyes shining.
“Abhi! This boat is so, so good! You know, it even has a small room and a kitchen—to rest and cook!”

She was describing my own yacht to me, like a tourist showing off a discovery. And I… I listened. Patiently. Lovingly. As though I was hearing it all for the first time.

The captain, an old man who had been with me since the beginning, walked over and chuckled. “Child, your husband is the owner himself.”

Shivnya’s smile faltered into a pout. She turned to me, almost sulking.
“If you already knew, then why were you listening to my blabbering?”

I reached for her hand, pulling her closer with a smile. “Who said you were blabbering? You were talking sense. Honestly, I had forgotten about half the features of this yacht. You reminded me.”

Her pout softened into a smile, the kind of smile that warms me more than any coat ever could.

The yacht began to sway gently across the sea. Instinctively, I took her hands, steadying her. Then I guided her to the head of the yacht, the wind wrapping around her hair. Carefully, I slipped off her heels.
“Don’t wear heels here, Shivvu. You’ll stumble. Be barefoot.”

She nodded immediately, obeying my words, and stood there with me—barefoot, free, and breathtaking—while the yacht carried us toward the heart of the night.

AUTHOR’S POV

As they enjoyed the gentle sway of the yacht, Abhimanyu came up behind her, holding a silk blindfold. He slipped it over Shivnya’s eyes, making her gasp.
“Abhi, what are you doing?” she asked breathlessly.

He smirked, pressing a kiss to her ear. “Just wait for it…” His arm slid around her waist as he guided her to sit at the head of the yacht. Then, leaving her in anticipation, he went inside to bring out a cake, a wine bottle, and a small velvet ring box.

When everything was set, he whispered, “Open your blindfold, Shivvu.”

Slowly, she removed it—and her eyes widened at the sight before her. Her husband, down on one knee, roses scattered around them, the river glowing under the White Night sky.

“Happy six months anniversary, wifey,” Abhimanyu said softly, holding up the ring.

For a moment Shivnya was stunned, and then her face broke into pure joy. She jumped with happiness as he gestured for her hand, sliding the ring onto her finger before standing. Overwhelmed, she threw herself into his arms, and he twirled her in delight.

“I love you, Abhi. I love you so much, my husband,” she whispered against him.

A rare, content smile touched his face. Just six months ago, she had tried to convince him to call off this marriage. And now… now she was clinging to him with love so pure it made his chest ache with something even he couldn’t define.

At exactly midnight, the sky above them erupted in fireworks—orange and pink bursts lighting the heavens. People all along the riverside stopped to watch, but only two souls knew the truth: these fireworks were for Shivnya.

“Thank you so much for doing all this,” she said, overwhelmed, eyes on the sky. “But I forgot… I didn’t plan anything for you.”

Abhimanyu wrapped his arms around her from behind, resting his chin on her shoulder. “You do, I do—it’s the same thing. It’s our anniversary, not just yours or mine. So enjoy, Mrs. Shivnya Abhimanyu Singh Rathore.”

She turned with a glowing smile, tiptoed, and tried to kiss him—but he was too tall. With a low chuckle, he bent down, grasped her chin, and captured her lips in a perfect kiss.

Shivnya clung to him, almost balancing on her toes, until he pulled her closer, her arms wrapping around his neck. He broke the kiss for a moment, eyes dark with lust. “I swear, Shivvu… if we weren’t on this boat right now, and if you didn’t want to enjoy the night… you’d already be begging me to bury my dick inside your sweet little body’s warm cunt .”

Shivnya blushed furiously, still shy at his sinful words, even after everything between them. He didn’t let her hide, kissing her harshly again until the fireworks ended.

Later, they cut the cake together, feeding each other in turns—until Shivnya smeared a bit on his nose and cheek. He smirked dangerously, catching her by the waist. “If I apply cake to your face, baby… then it won’t stop there. It’ll end in a bed-breaking celebration.”

Flustered, she quickly tried to change the subject. “I’ll go and see if there’s anything to eat—you must be hungry.” She rushed off with a nervous smile, while Abhimanyu leaned back, licking the cake from his fingers with a sinful grin.

She soon returned with pasta and bread. They sat on the head of the yacht, sharing food and sipping red wine. As the night deepened, Abhimanyu pulled her into his lap, covering her with his coat when he felt her shiver. She snuggled against his neck, her face hidden in his warmth. Talking softly, she drifted into sleep in his arms.

Under the pink and orange sky, with the river around them and his wife asleep in a red slit dress on his lap, Abhimanyu felt like the most blessed, most powerful man in the world.

He let her rest there all night. By morning, he carried her in his arms to the car. Even as he drove toward the airport with one hand, he kept her cradled against him. Stirring awake, she felt his coat wrapped around her and whispered groggily, “Where are we?”

“We’re going to the airport. It’s morning now,” he replied.

She blinked, guilt flashing across her face. “I didn’t even enjoy the sky properly…”

Abhimanyu chuckled, pressing a button. The car roof folded back, opening it into a convertible. The morning sky spread above them. He glanced at her with a smirk. “Now enjoy.”

And so she did—sitting in his lap, hair flying in the wind, the sky stretching forever above them. For a little while, far away from family, work, and crime, she felt nothing but peace… and him.

As soon as they reached the airport, Abhimanyu still refused to let Shivnya out of his arms. She wriggled a little, cheeks flushed.
“Abhi… I can walk,” she whispered shyly.

He looked down at her with that trademark smirk. “I know. But I like carrying my wife. Do you have any problem with that?”

Her chuckle was soft, and she shook her head, surrendering. He finally set her gently on a seat, his hand lingering on hers until boarding was announced.

Once the aircraft took off for Moscow, exhaustion finally caught up to both of them. Abhimanyu took Shivnya in the bedroom of the aircraft and with his arm around Shivnya, and within minutes their eyes grew heavy. Husband and wife drifted into sleep, their breaths syncing as the clouds carried them home.

When they landed, the sun was still young in the sky. Back at their mansion, neither of them had the strength to do more than collapse into bed again. Shivnya, however, had one thought in her heart—today she wanted to spend time with Rexy and Leo, the ones who had been missing her presence. For now, though, both husband and wife allowed themselves a little more rest, knowing that the day still held quiet joys waiting for them.

✧･ﾟ: ✧･ﾟ:
_________________________________________________________