Today is about adventure. Just me, the ocean, and a jet ski. No distractions.

Wedding drama? Forget it, not my problem. Last night's elevator tension? Didn't happen. I adjusted my sunglasses, tied my hair into a messy bun, and pulled on my oversized white shirt over black shorts. The vibe was simple-beach-ready and unbothered.

"You're here for fun"

I repeated this to myself at least three times, but my brain? It had other plans.

The sun was bright, the ocean waves were calling, and I was finally ready to leave all unnecessary thoughts behind. I walked towards the jet ski rental area, feeling the excitement rush through me. Today is about speed, water, and freedom-nothing else.

But then... I saw him. Reyansh Khurana. Already there. Already seated on a jet ski.

Meri chalti hawa ruk gayi. Why? Out of all the places in the world, why did he have to be here? On my adventure day?

I was already seated on a jet ski, one hand lazily gripping the handle, the other resting casually on his thigh. And his eyes? Oh, they were already locked on me.

I took a deep breath, squared my shoulders, and acted like I hadn't just lost my balance for a second. Straight to the instructor-focused, determined. Before the poor guy could even respond, Reyansh's voice cut in, smooth as hell- "Akele?" [Alone]

I froze. Oh, for god's sake.

I turned, slowly, meeting his ridiculously intense gaze. "Ji?" [ Yes?]

He smirked. "Jet ski ride. Alone? It could be risky."

I gave him a saccharine smile. "You think I can't handle it?"

His eyes darkened slightly, as if he found the challenge far too entertaining.

"Don't know. We'll have to see."

Tara, you wanted adventure. You signed up for this. You can handle this. I sat on the jet ski, gripping the handlebars-or at least, trying to. I took a deep breath and tightened my hold, only to realize my hands were slightly shaking.

Oh, this is embarrassing. "Focus"

But before I could compose myself, a low chuckle came from beside me. "Nervous?"

Of course, it had to be him. Reyansh, still seated on his own jet ski, watching me like he had nothing better to do in life.

I straightened my shoulders. "Nope"

He raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed with my lie. Then, before I could protest, he got up from his jet ski, walked over, and crouched beside mine. Close. Too close. "Hold it like this," he murmured, his hands casually covering mine over the handlebars.

His grip was firm, his fingers warm against mine, guiding them into position. "Relax," he said, his voice lower now. "It's not that hard."

He didn't move away immediately. Instead, he stayed there, gaze flickering to my face. "Got it?"

I swallowed, nodding quickly. "Okay... got it."

He smirked, way too satisfied before finally pulling back. "Good. Try not to fall."

Okay, so maybe this was harder than it looked

" I can do this," I muttered under my breath, gripping the handlebars tightly. I twisted the throttle just a little- and it felt like a mini earthquake went off beneath me.

Aur obviously, Mr. Six-Foot-Tall-Distraction was still watching, arms folded, amusement clear on his stupidly perfect face.

He sighed dramatically before shaking his head. "You're going to tip over."

I shot him a glare. "I can manage."

His smirk deepened. "Of course."

And before I could process anything, he was moving again. He stepped onto my jet ski, settling behind me like it was the most natural thing to do

"W-what are you doing?" I stammered, my back suddenly very aware of his presence.

He leaned in slightly, his breath warm against my shoulder. "Helping."

I felt every nerve in my body go on high alert. His hands came forward, gripping the handlebars over mine.

"Relax," he murmured, voice way too deep, way too close.

"See? Easy," he said, his lips almost brushing my ear.

His grip on the handlebars tightened slightly as the jet ski picked up speed, cutting through the water so smoothly, it felt unreal. I should've been focusing on the ride, on the adrenaline rush, on the damn ocean breeze hitting my face.

We went faster, the thrill finally kicking in as I let myself enjoy the ride. The jet ski cut through the waves effortlessly, the water splashing against us, the wind tangling my hair. And for a second-I forgot about everything.

"Are you okay?" His voice was lower, rougher now, and God, that concerned expression on his face-like he actually cared-was not helping.

"I-I'm fine!"

His chest pressed against my back. "Hold tight, Tara," he warned.

And before I could process it, he accelerated.

The jet ski lunged forward, cutting through the water with reckless speed. The wind whipped against my face, my body jerking slightly-but Reyansh's grip was there, steady, unshaken.

One hand on the handle, one settling lightly on my waist.

Not tight. But enough. Enough to make me feel every damn inch of space between us-or the lack of it.

"Faster?" His voice rumbled against my skin.

"Are you trying to kill me?" I shot back.

His chuckled darkly . The jet ski slowed just a fraction, not enough to break the thrill-just enough for him to lower his head beside mine. His voice brushed my neck like a touch.

"You're trembling."

"I am not," I snapped, which would've sounded more convincing if my voice didn't wobble. "Hmm."

That quiet sound-amused, knowing-flew straight to my stomach.

His hand at my waist tightened just a little, fingers slipping over the fabric like he wanted to memorize the shape of me.

I could feel him smiling against my shoulder, the arrogant, unfair kind of smile that made my heart behave like it paid rent in my throat. The jet ski finally slowed, the salty breeze ruffling my hair as I pulled us towards the shore. I could feel the tension in my body from the ride-both the exhilaration of the water and something... else.

We walked to a small café nearby, tucked between colorful beachside stalls. The place smelled like freshly ground coffee, mixed with the earthy scent of Goa's sea breeze.

Reyansh pushed open the door and waved the barista over. "Two of your best, Goa-special coffee. She's gonna need it."

"Why me?" I asked, eyes narrowing playfully. "I can handle my caffeine."

His lips curved in a small, confident smile. "I think you're gonna need more than caffeine to keep up with me."

I rolled my eyes, trying to mask the flutter.

The coffee arrived-thick, dark, and impossibly rich. I took a sip, letting the bitter warmth spread through me. "Not bad," I muttered, trying to maintain my composure.

"Not bad?" he repeated with a playful smirk. "This is Goa's finest. You just can't appreciate quality."

I set my cup down with a soft clink, lifting my chin. "Oh, please. I appreciate quality just fine."

His gaze flicked to me

"Really?" he murmured. "Show me."

My breath caught. "Show you... what?"

"That you recognize quality when it's right in front of you."

My mind blanked. He didn't break eye contact, not even for a heartbeat. The café noise faded, the chatter, the clatter everything blurred except the way his fingers tapped once against his cup, waiting.

I leaned back, lifting a brow. "You're very sure of yourself."

"Shouldn't I be?" he asked softly. "You haven't walked away once."

I swallowed around the warmth rising in my chest. "Maybe I stayed for the coffee."

He chuckled again.

My brain was still buffering. Reyansh Khurana's wedding.

Here.

In THIS hotel?!

I glanced around again, my inner architect screaming at the sheer lack of aesthetics. This was NOT a wedding venue. This was a place where corporate leaders gathered to discuss stock market crashes and quarterly reports. And Reyansh Khurana, the billionaire CEO, the epitome of class and luxury, chose THIS?

Something wasn't adding up.

And then, as if my overactive imagination needed more fuel, my brain started writing its own tragic screenplay. A grand wedding mandap, right in the middle of this soulless conference hall. His wife-polite, poised, perfect. The type to call him "Reyansh ji" in that soft, submissive voice.

She would probably be on magazine covers too. "Power Couple of the Year."

No. No. I needed to escape these thoughts before my sanity self-destructed. But just as I was about to mentally reboot-

His phone rang. Then he picked up.

"Haan, Mom? I have already decided "

My curiosity kicked into overdrive.

"Yeah, I'm serious. No, there isn't any other reason..."

I turned to him, my inner detective fully activated. And then, in the most casual, world-shattering voice, he dropped the bomb-

"Mom, I cancelled the wedding. Please try to understand."

WHAT. THE. ACTUAL. HELL.?