Edited by: @RomanticZiggy

Radhika looked at her parents as she fought him perched on top of his shoulder, "Mum, dad."

"Yes, Radhika," her mother lifted her eyes from her poinsettias to answer her call of distress.

"Do something? Call the police, anything," Radhika screeched, "Say something."

Her father looked up from admiring her mother's gardening skills, "Well, have fun."

"And Radhika behave yourself and please don't break anything," her mother added as she bent down to tend to her plants.

Radhika watched them astonished, "Impossible."

She definitely would not pay heed to her mother’s advice. She wanted to break something, alright. Preferably hit him with that something.

Conceding she was out gunned, she closed her eyes, reigning in her anger.

Arjun strode towards the room assigned for him with only one objective in his mind. He was going to make her his, no matter what.

Enough was enough.

He entered the room, without ceremony dumped her on the bed and walked back to lock the door.

Radhika simmered with rage, she sat up and pushed her hair aside,"How dare you treat me like this?"

Arjun turned and smirked," I apologize." Not looking sorry at all.

"Don't be cheeky," Radhika fumed from the bed.

Arjun took a step towards her,"Well, I can't help it. It just comes naturally."

"I am glad to bring out that in you," Radhika rolled her eyes as she stood up.

Arjun looked at her and suppressed a smile, she was beautiful; enraged, ruffled; so very beautiful, “You give yourself too much credit," he murmured.

Radhika fisted her hands," I am going to kill you."

She took a step forward.

"Radhika, stop where you are. Else," Arjun began but was interrupted by Radhika.

"Else what... huh...else what?" She screamed.

"Else I won't be held responsible for my actions," Arjun spoke as desire glinted in his eyes and he gestured towards the bed,"That there doesn't help a bit."

Radhika could feel color warm her cheeks as she berated herself for control. She wouldn't lose herself in his wilderness, not yet," As if I would let you."

"Don't challenge me, Radhika," Arjun groaned as he felt his arousal throb in his slacks.

'When would his body stop reacting in this disgraceful manner to her very presence.', he thought.

Maybe. Never.

He didn't want it to stop ever. He loved the fact that he wanted her even when she undeniably tested his thinly laid out patience.

Radhika did not want his hands on her, she knew she wouldn't be able to resist and would crumble in them, "Fine. Get to talking then. You must give me a good reason as to why you should be allowed to live."

Arjun realized this was the moment. This moment would define his fate. He had considered every possible manouvre from begging, discussion and finally only....abduction had worked in his favor.

He would make her understand what he felt whether by hook or crook. It was his chance. Only chance to open his heart to her. He had lived once without her, what he could now term as the dark phase of his life. Now, no more.

He looked at her, smiled and confessed," I love you, Radhika. Be mine?"

Radhika stood stunned. She had heard him say that during the conference but somehow had thought he might have changed his mind. After all, men were fickle creatures and were known to do that now and then.

He did love her.

But, how could she explain him her nervousness, her worries. If she let destiny set its course, she could have him. Have his love. But, again there was a ‘but’, without clarification, without re- assurance could she make him her life. What was commitment without giving yourself completely. It meant nothing. Nothing at all. If she dived, she would dive completely. She never did anything in half.

She pulled herself together and looked at him," You say you love me, if I accept that for a moment."

"But Radhika, I do," Arjun tried to speak but was once again stopped by Radhika.

"Let me finish," she crossed her arms, "Why did you hide Ethan's true identity, hell," she paced the room, stopped, turned towards him, "You hid the real reason for the mission, from me, from the woman you apparently love."

Arjun tilted his head, how would he explain his need to protect her, how would he make her understand what she meant to him.

"Radhika, how do I explain you?"

"You could talk it out," she nodded, “that's the way I give and take my explanations.”

She wanted to touch his face, hold him but she restraint herself, keeping her hands on her sides.

He gave her a quick, dry laugh, ”Would you believe if I said, I was jealous and scared.”

“Scared and jealous?”

“Yes. Jealous you would fall for someone else. I was scared you dammit, you would try to nail that weasel of a man, Charles Marthy on your own."

What the hell, did he think she was made of glass? She knew how to protect herself, she was capable, she had proved that and more. "How dare..."

Arjun raised his hand and mimicked her," Let me finish, I admire your guts, okay. I know you're not scared of anything but I was scared dammit."

"About what," she shouted.

Arjun looked at her and whispered, "Losing you."

She jerked her shoulder in response," You lost me once remember, eight years back. Eight years, Arjun. It took you eight years to come back?"

Enraged, he walked towards her, grabbed her arm and yanked her against him, 'what was with this woman', he had thought of pleading but she made him so very angry. He love her, he couldn't lose her now, “How could I come back before establishing myself. You think I left you alone, I knew exactly when you joined UN, when you went out on those dates, when you went on a mission."

She shot back, limp in his arms, “So, you had me stalked."

Ah, she made him so angry. So unreasonable. Before he could stop himself, he found his mouth on hers. His lips tasting her. He was scared. Petrified of losing her. She wasn't understanding his need, his love. He couldn't lose her. No. Arjun tightened his hold on her as her lips furiously moved on his making him want her all the more.

He released her as if sudden realization dawned on him.

Lust! It could not justify love. Never had. Never would. It wasn't a substitute but a complement.

He dragged his fingers in his hair in frustration," Stalked you, I loved you, dammit, I love you. I couldn't bear to be apart from you. I can't bear to be apart from you."

Radhika swallowed and asked him, “Did you ever consider telling me the truth?"

She closed her eyes and wondered it was simply astounding how much pain words, mere words could bring.

He wanted to grab her again, hold onto her to make sure she never left him again.

"I have told you now," he fought against waves of guilt and need.

What could he say? He had nothing except for his heart for her. She could break it into pieces or treasure it. But, it was hers to keep or destroy.

Fury burnt her again," And that's supposed to make everything better?"

Arjun swirled, matched her tone," What could I do? I love you. I can't, I won't," he shook his head,"lose you again." He walked towards the window, stared, “I lost you once, Radhika because of my stupidity, my anger, I couldn't bear to lose you again. I love you."

"Do you even trust me, Arjun?"

"I realized my mistake Radhika. I won't make the same mistakes again. I can't promise perfection but what I can promise is my love, my loyalty, my trust and my life. I can't bring back the past but I can promise you the future. I love you."

"Arjun."

He turned to look at her," No, Radhika. I might not have all the answers, I might not be able to give you correct explanations but what I can offer you is my heart. It's your choice now."

"Arjun, I..." Radhika trailed off, she was convinced. What more could a woman ask for but how did one confess her love. It was so fulfilling yet terrifying.

"No, you don't have to say anything. I can see it in your eyes, you don't want me, I will save you from the embarrassment." Arjun proceeded to take a step towards the door, his heart crushed, wounded beyond repair.

Before anyone could utter another word, Radhika was at the door, she leaned against it and shook her head," we are not done." As Arjun tried to open his mouth, she shook her head again," Shut up, will you."

For a second, a nano second she was scared, he would toss her aside and leave the room.

Arjun stood staring at her, then pushed his hands in his front pockets and gestured for her to say her side.

"Arjun, I...I....I understand you," Radhika muttered. What? Wasn't she supposed to confess her love to him? Oh god, what a mess!

Arjun wanted to strangle that chit of a girl. ‘I understand you!’ That's it. Stupid female. But he loved her, his voice reasoned.

Then his eyes locked onto her fingers, they were trembling, she was nervous. He realized, he liked it. He wanted to throw back his head and laugh. How stupid of him to think of leaving the battleground when he was so very close to winning.

He smiled invariably.

"So, you understand me," he cocked his eyebrow.

Radhika watched with anger and unheeded anxiety, “Yes and."

He took a step towards her," and?"

"And..and..." Her eyes were locked onto his.

"And," Arjun repeated as he grazed his thumb on her cheek.

"I understand why you did what you did. It was both our faults, even I could have come to you with my explanation then but I didn't. I guess, my ego didn't allow me. But you, if you try to protect me again, I will." Radhika stopped her babbling, her fingers were shaking. Arjun was tracing her lips with his tongue.

"You will," he asked as he continued to lick her senseless.

"I will...," Radhika moaned,"I will."

Arjun stopped his ministrations as he looked at her, “say it Radhika. Say it."

Radhika closed her eyes, took a deep breath, opened her eyes and took a deep breath again," I love you, Arjun."

Arjun burst into laughter. He twirled with her in the room. When he stopped and placed her down gently, Radhika narrowed her eyes," It seems you find my declaration funny."

Arjun circled her waist with his arms," You should have seen yourself. It seemed as if you were preparing for a war." He couldn't help but chuckle.

Arjun was relieved. He had everything he ever wanted. His Radhika, now was his. Only his.

Radhika pulled herself out of his embrace and whirled towards thr door, insulted. She just declared her love and what did he do. He laughed at her. Laughed at her. Unbelievable. She had to go and fall in love with him.

That Idiot!

The rest of her thoughts were cut out as she found herself in his arms. He carried her in his arms and dumped her once again on the bed.

This time climbing in on top of her.

"How dare you.."

Her words were cut off as his lips descended on hers, created havoc with her senses.

She met his need with her own. Harnessing her energy, pouring her love in the kiss.

He pushed himself reluctantly off her and propped himself on his elbow as he unbuttoned the top button of her blouse, “You were saying something?"

"Huh?" Radhika looked at him befuddled as he continued to work his way through her buttons, he grazed his lips over her collarbone. Licked his way towards her alluring cleavage.

"You were going to confess your love to me again?" He spoke as he opened her blouse and spread it open. Tracing her bra with his fingers.

"No, I wasn't." Her skin trembled where he touched as desire flared in her eyes.

"Yes, you were," Arjun let his palms slid towards her hips, his tongue licked his way through her stomach, belly button, over her bra as his palms cupped her waist.

"I...I don't remember, plus it's your turn to confess," Radhika wanted him. She wanted him to kiss her.

"Really," Arjun unhooked her bra expertly and nipped, kissed, licked her breasts making her arch her back.

Radhika dug her fingers into his shoulders as her breathing labored, “yes, really."

"Hmmm, so, what am I supposed to say?" He asked as he turned his attention to her other breast while holding her down by her shoulders.

Radhika moaned but she quickly rolled on top of him, straddling him.

Arjun sighed; she looked like an exotic fantasy. Wearing nothing but her jeans.

She leaned down and pulled his shirt up, licking her way across his gorgeous chest," You're smart but not that smart."

Arjun groaned in pleasure as he moved his hands across her jean clad thighs.

He moved intending to kiss her but rolled, holding her beneath him once again.

"Let me tell you," he kissed her lips," I take pride over my intelligence."

Moving his hands he pulled off her jeans and touched her through her cotton briefs.

Radhika cried out, need slamming into her with a vigorous force, she was breathless," Th-at is an un- un- fair tactic."

Arjun smiled as he traced her inner thighs and moved over her breasts, licking through her cleavage to her belly button to press a kiss on her treasure through the cotton. She was wet, moist and ready.

Before either could react he covered her body with his, his chest brushing hers, pressed together as one.

He looked into her eyes and kissed her eyes and forehead," A smart man, knows when to retreat."

"Yeah."

He kissed her nose, her cheeks, "Radhika, I am not a conventional man, so I am going to say it as simply and clearly."

"What?" Radhika licked his jaw.

Arjun kissed her lips and when he was sure her attention was on him, he smiled and said," Radhika, marry me?"