“I think you should control your anger; sometimes you just overreact, as you did today,” Priya suggested, drying her hair. She had taken a bath after the whole training, and it felt way better for her sore body.
“That’s because it’s you who thinks it. Better if you stop overthinking. Jackson talked to you with such disrespect; there’s no way I’m going to take it easily. Nothing is overreacting when it comes to you,” Priyank walked toward her and took the towel from her hands.
Priya looked at him in shock. “What are you doing? My hair is still wet,” giving him side-eyes, she put her hand forward, indicating she wanted the towel back, her wet hair dripping on the top she wore.
“I never knew you were this assertive, but I like it now. Tell me, what will you do if I don’t give in?” Priyank chuckled, wanting to know what she’d do.
He loves seeing her like this; it’s more fun when she doesn’t behave cautiously with him. Not to deny, when she crosses limits, he doesn’t quite like it, but in a subtle manner, anything is fine until it comes to her mouth.
It’s like when she speaks, he feels his heart gets a new reason to beat every time; her words work wonders.
“What am I going to do? I don’t think I’m interested in you finding out. I can take another towel, not a big deal at all,” she scoffed, not giving two cents to his provocative words and actions.
One thing for sure, if she speaks more, it will only tire her, which she has no energy for, her whole body exhausted with everything – so better she chug it down.
Though she doesn’t like staying silent on most things, somehow it’s better than just facing his wrath.
He was right too; Jackson was uptight, rude, maybe because he’s old and takes the training seriously, but whatever the reason, it was clearly downright mannerless. Without asking what the problem was, he was straightforwardly judging.
Then again, he apologised, so it’s not that bad. If she counts, it’s better; as soon as he figured out the issue, he didn’t behave like before and even had the guts to admit his mistake.
Priyank’s grip on the towel tightened as he watched her, a mix of amusement and something deeper in his eyes. “Another towel? Come on, Priya, we both know you want this one. Why not just ask nicely?”
She sighed, running her fingers through her damp hair. “Fine. Can I please have my towel back? My hair’s dripping all over.”
He stepped closer, his voice lowering. “That’s better. But I think I deserve a little more than just a please, don’t you?” His free hand traced her jawline, tilting her face up to his.
Priya’s breath caught in her throat. She hated how he could do this to her. “Priyank, I’m tired. Can we not do this now?”
“Do what?” he murmured, his thumb brushing her lower lip. “I’m just asking for a little appreciation. After all, I stood up for you today.”
She closed her eyes briefly, conflicted. He was right; he had defended her, even if his methods were a bit… extreme. “Thank you,” she whispered. “For having my back. Even if you went overboard.”
Priyank chuckled, finally handing her the towel. “There, was that so hard? And for the record, I’ll always go overboard for you. Get used to it.”
Priya snatched the towel, wrapping it around her hair. “Just because I appreciate it doesn’t mean I approve. There are better ways to handle things.”
“Maybe,” he shrugged, moving to sit on the edge of the bed. “But Jackson needed to know he can’t talk to you like that. No one can.”
She joined him, her shoulders sagging with exhaustion. “I get it. But Priyank, I can fight my own battles. I don’t need you charging in like some knight in shining armour every time someone’s rude.”
He turned to her, his expression serious. “I know you can. You’re the strongest person I know. But that doesn’t mean you have to, not when I’m around.”
Priya looked at him. “I know,” she said softly. “But this is not right.”
Priyank nodded, pulling her close. She rested her head on his shoulder. “Leave it, let me dry your hair for you. Why so angry?”
Priyank made her sit on the bed and again took the towel and started drying her beautiful wet red hair.
He had never dried any woman’s hair in his life, but now he was doing it for Priya. The sweet scent was really alluring, and he couldn’t deny it was bewitching too. He loved how her hair was just so soft and melting in his hands like butter – clearly making him happy.
“Your hair is so soft,” Priyank murmured, his fingers gently massaging her scalp through the towel. “I could do this all day.”
Priya leaned into his touch, her eyes drifting closed. “Mmm, that feels nice. I didn’t know you had it in you to be gentle.”
He chuckled, the sound rumbling through his chest. “There’s a lot you don’t know about me, Angel. I’m not all fire and fury.”
She turned slightly, peeking up at him. “Could’ve fooled me. Especially after today’s little display.”
Priyank’s hands stilled for a moment. “Hey, I said I was sorry. Well, not in those exact words, but you know what I mean.”
“I know,” Priya sighed, turning back around. “It’s just… I worry about you sometimes. That temper of yours, it’s going to land you in real trouble one day.”
He resumed drying her hair, his movements a bit slower, more thoughtful. “Maybe. But I can’t just sit back when someone disrespects you. It’s like… it burns me up inside, you know?”
Priya nodded, understanding despite herself. “I get it. But you have to trust me to handle some things on my own. I’m not made of glass, Priyank.”
“Trust me, I know that better than anyone,” he said, a smirk evident in his voice.
Priyank couldn’t deny that she might look small, but she was feisty. Even though she was scared of him, she never backed down from what she wanted to say. Her behavior showed she gave no fuck who it was; if she needed to throw hands, she would blindly just do that.