"Shivaay, stop it, we need to sleep!"

Giggling, Annika tried to pry Shivaay away from her, but to no avail. He just wouldn't stop peppering kisses all over her face, all the way from her forehead till her chin, while leaning above her on the bed. His stubble was making her skin burn as he nuzzled her soft cheeks, making her close her eyes at the ticklish yet delicious sensations. She pushed against his t-shirt clad chest but he didn't budge, and instead kept on laughing and running his nose against her jawline. For a change, he had discarded his usual night-wear of kurta-pajama and instead donned on a white tee shirt with black track pants, and Annika thought he looked effortlessly sexy. 

"I told you," Shivaay said as he stopped for a moment to stare down at her face; the room was dark but they had kept one window open, that let the moonbeam and street lights of Bali stream in and provide a soft glow; "I'm not letting you sleep at night."

Annika laughed. In all honesty, she would love that. Although she had been tired earlier, in the flight, it seemed that Bali had done something to her because she was all energetic now. In fact, Bali seemed to have done something to Shivaay too because he was being extremely touchy and romantic, more so than usual. After they had freshened up and gotten over their inital excitement of finally being in Bali, the hunger had struck in. Unlike the others, though, they hadn't ordered room service. After eating the bland food of the plane, Annika had wanted something tasteful for dinner, and nothing on the menu had been to her liking. Thankfully, their room had a built in kitchen- that Shivaay had had stocked prior to their arrival- and Annika had a man who happened to be an amazing cook. He had prepared pav bhaaji for the both of them, while Annika had helped. Well, her help had only consisted on commenting on whatever he did, such as urging him to put in more oil, but Shivaay didn't mind. Afterwards, Annika had taken a bath in their large, luxurious bathroom. It had taken her one good hour to come out, and then too she had hurried because Shivaay kept yelling that he wanted to take a shower, too. Changing into their night-clothes, they had finally gotten into bed, Annika all ready to sleep on the soft fluffy mattress that smelled of strongly of expensive detergent. Shivaay, however, had other plans. He had, at first leaned in to kiss her on the forehead, which Annika thought innocently of being a goodnight kiss, but then, he just wouldn't stop.

One couldn't blame Shivaay, though. Annika was dressed delectably, in a white tank top and pink shorts, and through the thin material of the top he could also make out her baby pink inner-wear, the straps of which were quite visible. This, combined with the knowledge that they were in a room that was no less than a honeymoon suite and where no one could disturb them, with the beach just below, visible from the balcony, the sea crashing loudly against the shore- it all intensified the romantic trait in Shivaay, even the impatient, desperate one. And as it was, he had decided that from now on, he would express his love to Annika and make her realize that he was insanely attracted to her, in as many ways as possible, so that when he finally did propose, she wouldn't be caught off-guard.

For the first time, Shivaay mustered the courage in him to wander off to unchartered territory. Slowly, he trailed his nose, down her chin, and onto the side of her neck. Annika stiffened slightly, before relaxing again. Shivaay looked up, not moving his face, to see that she had her eyes closed, teeth slightly biting down on her lower lip. As much as eliciting this reaction from her made him happy and proud, it aroused him, too. Focusing back on the new heaven he had found, he nuzzled deeper against the crook of her neck, inhaling the scent that had always drove him crazy and that was the most intense here. He stayed that way for a while, palms spread out on either side of her to hold him up, face buried into her throat. Her hair was still slightly damp from the bath, and the fragrance of her shampoo combined with her natural odour- a mixture of exotic fruits and berries with something spicy- was making him feel high. He could have stayed like this forever, and he probably would have, too, if Annika wouldn't have called out to him, her voice soft and slightly coarse.

"Shivaay?"

Reluctantly, Shivaay looked up. She had opened her eyes, and was looking at him earnestly. Before moving onto his back again, Shivaay placed a soft, lingering kiss on her neck, where he had previously nestled. He could practically feel goosebumps erupt at that sensitive part of her skin, and he smirked as he lay down beside her. 

"Are you sleepy?" He asked her, and she shook her head, turning to face him and keeping her head on his shoulder. He wrapped his arm around her, relieved that she hadn't been freaked out at his attempt of being more intimate, and was still okay with coming closer to him.

"What's the time?" She asked.

"Why, are you hungry again?" He joked, making her shove at his chest.

"It's almost 1," He replied, checking his phone. Annika groaned.

"We should sleep. I don't want to keep sleeping in the morning while everyone else goes to the beach without me!"

"Trust me," Shivaay rolled his eyes, "No one will go anywhere without their darling Annika."

Annika giggled at that, and pulled his cheeks.

"Aww, are you jealous?" She asked, and then gasped as he once again turned them over and bent over her, his breath fanning her face and his playful smirk making her swoon.

"Yes, I'm jealous," He said, tilting his head slightly to one side, "I'm jealous of everyone else with whom I have to share your attention."

Annika's eyes widened, and she flushed under his heated gaze that accompanied this confession. She held his upper arms, feeling his strong muscles underneath, and made him lie back on the bed again. 

"You're the one who has my attention all the time," She said, making herself comfortable on his chest.

"And that better hold true in Bali, alright?" He said sternly. "I want you to stay with me 24/7."

Annika, falling into sleep as the fatigue of the day finally started to kick in again, hummed in response.

"I'm all yours," She whispered, in her sleep-fazed state, making Shivaay's heart beat increase under her ear.

"Yes you are," He replied, kissing her hair and closing his eyes to drift into sleep too, a smile on his face at the prospect of what Bali would mean for their relationship.

**

When Shivaay woke up the next morning, he patted the space beside him before opening his eyes, missing the warmth of Annika, and was surprised when he couldn't find her. It seemed like she was excited enough to have gotten up on her own, and Shivaay didn't quite like that because he had this habit of staring at her angelic face the first thing in the morning, while she still slept on. Frowning, he opened his eyes, and just then she came out of their walk-in closet, wearing a navy-blue Adidas tee-shirt tucked into high-waist, white shorts, with white sneakers.

Shivaay ogled at her a while, loving the outift and how the shorts accentuated her wide-hipbones, but he would rather she wear more beach-type clothes. She had been very secretive about what she had brought here, and he was dying to know what had made her so.

"Are you going to the beach wearing this?" He asked in a slightly disappointed tone, sitting up on the bed and leaning back with his palms on the mattress. Annika, sitting in front of the mirror and wondering whether or now she should tie up her hair, shook her head.

"We're gonna have breakfast before going to the beach, right? So obviously I'm not gonna go for breakfast wearing a..."

"A what, bikini?" Shivaay asked excitedly, before biting his tongue. Annika glared at him.

"Such a cheapda you are," She muttered, deciding to leave her hair open. She got a text from Saumya then, saying that they were all heading down to the hall now, and stood up.

"I'm going downstairs, come quickly." Giving him a kiss on the cheek, Annika walked out, while Shivaay admired her figure from behind before she closed the door. Ruffling his own hair, a foolish smile on his face, he wondered  just how alluring she would look if she did wear a bikini. But then again, he thought with a frown, he wouldn't want anyone else, at all, to see her in a bikini. That was absolutely out of the question. Shaking his head at the rough spot this woman put him in, he flung away the duvet and got out of bed to change for breakfast.

**

In the breakfast hall, the entire family was assembled already when Shivaay entered, wearing a light blue t-shirt with khaki pants. Spotting the younger group eating and laughing at a table, he walked towards them. Annika had, much to his delight, saved a seat for him beside her.

"Why aren't you eating?" He asked, as he noticed her plate was still untouched.

"Was waiting for you," Annika replied. "Here, I got your breakfast ready." She passed a plate to him that was already laden with things he would eat- omlettes, baked beans and bread toast- and he smiled at her gratefully.

"Thank youu," He said, kissing her cheek. They ate their breakfast, chatting merily with everyone and also enduring a bit of teasing since the others were eager to know what the two of them had been up to, all night. Finally, when everyone was done, Shivaay requested that they all go and change to go to the beach. This was met with loud cheers, and even whistles from Annika and Rudra, who ignored the strange looks being given to them by other foreigners. As everyone piled out to go to their rooms, Annika held Shivaay back. She looked apprehensive.

"Shivaay, can you go and change in Om or Rudra's room? I'll meet you at the beach directly."

Shivaay was curious about this demand, but didn't ask for explanations. He nodded, and Annika smiled gave him a quick hug, before running off. Shivaay decided to go to the private gardens of the hotel, where workers were preparing for tomorrow's reception, and check if everything was going on in full swing. He didn't want to burden Annika with all these, letting her relax for once and enjoy this trip to Bali as a vacation instead of a work tour. His girl had worked tirelessly the past few days and it was time for him to step in and let her be carefree while having fun. After going there and being satisfied with how the work was proceeding, Shivaay went up to their floor, and after getting his clothes from his and Annika's room- which she thrust into his hands hurriedly before shutting the door again- he knocked on Om's door. He knew Rudra would only embarass him by saying that Annika had kicked him out, so he had chosen not to go there. Much to his dismay, though, Rudra was in Om's room itself. He should have known.

"OMG bhaiya, did Annika didi kick you out?!"

Sighing, Shivaay walked into the bathroom. The only thing that was keeping him sane was the eagerness to see how his girl would look in her beach wear, whatever she did end up wearing.

Or actually, that, was what was making him a bit insane. 

**

Apologies for the terrible picture quality of Annika's outfit- 
I literally couldn't find any other.

Quick question- Would it be too annoying if I uploaded pictures of whatever dress Annika wears? Do let me know I'm curiousss.