When Life Gives You Lemons (Sun Tower, #1)

by Noor Sasha

“Fuck, Alina jaan,” he groans. God, his groan sends a delicious shiver through me. “You are so responsive to me, sweetheart. Every time I touch you, you become so wet, so ready for me.”

“I’ll be so good to you, sweetheart,”

🫠🛐

“Really?” he whispers, cupping my cheeks in his large, warm hands. “Can I kiss you?” The tenderness in his voice catches me off guard, and I nod wordlessly, permitting him. “Kiss me, Azeer. Kiss me so that my lips hold the key to yours, and anywhere, everywhere, no matter who’s watching or who isn’t, they welcome me wholeheartedly.”

“What if the sensation was so euphoric that it made you forget everything else?” “As if I could ever forget the touch of a woman’s fingers around my cock,”

“Tell me, Alina jaan. What other dirty thoughts have you had about me?” “We could be here all night.” “I’ll take my chances.”

“What the fuck have you done to me, Nuisance?” “Ditto, Asseer.”

“I’m so close, meri jaan,” I mumble, our lips locked in a violent kiss. He grunts in response, tearing his mouth away. “Say it again.” “Say what?” “Meri jaan.” My lips perk. Adorable. “Meri jaan, Azeer jaan.” I physically feel him shudder. “You have ruined me, sweetheart.”

“I want your pretty pussy to memorize my touch, Alina jaan.”

“That was . . .” The words trail off into oblivion, along with my sanity. “That was . . . Yeah.” I give him a knowing smile, patting his chest. “You’re definitely something else.” “Yeah?” Azeer raises an eyebrow in approval. “Oh, yeah.”

“You were fucking fantastic. I’m so proud of you.” His shy smile at the floor causes a fierce possessiveness to surge through me. “Fuck. Come here, handsome.” Drawing him closer by his nape, I kiss him with all the passion we just shared. My trembling fingers curl in his hair, and his wet ones grip my hips. “Let’s take a shower.” “You sure?” he asks between our frantic kisses. “It’s late”—kiss—“at night.” More sloppy kisses. “You usually shower in the morning.” I pull his swollen lower lip with my teeth and kiss it better as the finishing touch. “Let’s shower together, meri jaan.” He sighs into a charming grin. “As you wish.”

“Carry me to the bath—” “Do it yourself.” He throws the towel at my head. “Jesus, Azeer!” I hop off the wet counter to kick his ass. “Woah!” My legs give out in a second, and then I’m swept up in his arms. “That’s quite flattering,” he comments with a victorious smile. I push his face away, feeling my cheeks heat up. “On second thought, let’s just take a bath.” “Good call,” he agrees, kissing my cheek before leading me out of the closet.

HES BACK 🥹🥹🥹🥹

Her fingers tighten around the microphone, and immediately, I sense the surge of fear running through her body as if it were my own. Go on, sweetheart.

Alina speaks into the microphone with a soft but firm voice. “I am loved.” The children and the audience follow her lead and chant, “I am loved!” “I am accepted.” “I am accepted!” She beams with joy. “And lastly, I am lucky.” “I am lucky!” Alina’s eyes sparkle as she nods, a lopsided grin on her mouth. “Yes, you are,” she affirms, her gaze sweeping across the cheering crowd. Yes, you are, Alina jaan.

Zoha jumps off my lap and races up to Alina. I follow closely behind, helping my wife descend the stage. As she scoops up our daughter, she twines her fingers with mine, forming a sense of comfort that radiates throughout my body. It’s the greatest feeling I’ve ever undergone.

“Sentiments don’t suit you, Nuisance,” I tease with a smile, brushing my thumb over her damp cheeks. She lets out a soft chuckle and presses her lips to my palm. “But for being so brave, I owe you a trip to the aquarium. I heard they have a touch pool filled with squids—” “I was fifteen!” Alina pushes me away with an adorable little huff. I chuckle and make my way over to our table, leaning down to kiss her cheek softly. With my arm wrapped around her waist, I eagerly count down the hours until we’re home.

“Was it you?” “Was it?” “Was it you?” “I’d like a bit of context, sweetheart.” “Did you or did you not donate ten million dollars to the Epilepsy Foundation, Azeer Khan?” she asks, her tone serious. My lips shrug down in response to Alina’s questioning. “What a remarkable philanthropist.” She takes my hand and says my name with a hint of reproach. “Azeer.” “Alina,” I respond in the same tone, and she melts into a smile. “Why didn’t you discuss it with me?” “Because it’s my inheritance money.” Her jaw drops in surprise, and then she grips my hands tightly. “Your inheritance money? You donated your inheritance to the foundation?” “Precisely.” “Azeer— That— Why?” “I didn’t question it.” My lips meet hers in a one-sided kiss. “And neither should you.”

MY HEARTTTTT

“I didn’t just give it away, Alina jaan. I donated it to a cause that’s important to me.”

“What is it?” “Nothing.” He brushes my hair away from my face. “I just called your name three times. You didn’t answer, so I got worried.” “I’m sorry.” I spin him around and grip his perfect, firm ass. “I got distracted by this masterpiece!” And that’s the holy truth. “Come here, Nuisance!” He swings his arm around my neck, pulling me into a gentle chokehold. “Déjà vu, sweetheart?”

“Are you just saying that to get your dick wet?” “I have your hands and mouth for that, but I wouldn’t mind other channels, yes.”

“It’s us, Alina. It was— It was you!” She’s comatose. “That’s me.” “That’s you.” “That’s me?” “That’s you!” I gently cup her cheeks, trying to shake her out of her state. “It’s you, Alina. It’s always been you, and it will always be you,” I say with conviction before kissing her. I shift my attention to our daughter. “Look, Zoha! It’s your mother and me!” “Whoa!” Zoha exclaims in surprise. “You went to school together?” “MIT,” I whisper. “Sloan— God, I knew Dr. Khan sounded familiar coming from you.”

OHMYGOD 🫠🫠🫠🫠🫠

My wife was my first kiss. And when I gaze at her, I see the delight and astonishment in her sparkling brown eyes. It’s unreal. It’s fucking unreal.

Our journey as a married couple, as a family, has just begun, and we’ll remember every moment, down to the fine details.

“You were so chubby!” she exclaims with a playful giggle, planting kisses all over my images. “I would have loved you even if you still looked like this.” “Yeah, right.” I roll my eyes with a grin, scratching underneath Lemon’s chin before he pads off to cuddle with Zoha. They’re both watching Animal Planet on the television from the foot of our bed. Alina shoots me a mischievous grin. “Seriously though, your money makes you attractive in my eyes.”

HAH 😭😭😭😭❤️‍🩹

“Why don’t you remember those days, sweetheart?” She gives a small shrug. “I don’t remember much from my childhood. Maybe it’s my epilepsy, or the bad memories outweigh the good.” “That’s my line,” I say, adjusting my arm beneath her head. She frowns. “I know, handsome.” Her fingers pinch my chin while she runs her thumb over my stubble. “I’m sorry for being a little mastermind and using you as my lab rat for three months straight.”

As I caress her thigh, I let my thoughts drift. “You know, I’m grateful that I donated the money my grandfather left me. Even though he may be cursing me from his grave for doing so, I feel like I’ve made a difference in the world, and you’re more important to me than any inheritance.” Her lips brush against my jawline. “That’s so sexy of you.” She lowers her leg so that her knee rubs over my friend, waking him up from sleep. “Easy now,” I warn her, pulling her leg back up. As much as I crave the idea bubbling in her brain, I’m also mindful of our children five inches away from us. “You’re no fun.” Then she embraces me and covers my face with lively kisses, making a sound with every peck. “Mwah, mwah, mwah!”

A sane man would question the overwhelming display of affection, but who am I fooling? I hold my wife close, smug in the knowledge that she needs me and only me.

“Let me look at you.” I cup her jaw, gazing at the happiness painted on her soft, round features. If the word “exquisite” had a face, it would be my wife’s. Just drowning in those deep-brow...

In reality, my wife isn’t just my luck. Alina is the burst of colours in my otherwise monochrome personality. She is the major chord that brings harmony to my minor scale, the lighthouse that guides me out of the darkness. She’s the one who laughs at my jokes when everyone else is too busy to notice and listens to me when the rest of the world is too noisy to hear. She’s the one who stands up for me and defends me when others try to bring m...

Alina taps my mouth. “Talk to me, meri—” “I love you, Alina jaan.”

love you, Alina jaan. He said it. He finally said it. I feel stupidly proud of my husband, knowing that he has been practicing his confession to me for days. I heard him rehearsing in the closet, in the pantry, and even in the shower. It was cute how nervous he was about it. Initially, I planned to surprise him with my confession by jumping on his back and yelling, “I love you, Azeer Khan!”

HE. WAS. PRACTICING. FUCKEKWKSKSEK 🧍‍♀️🚂

“Azeer?” As he stirs awake and turns, his voice becomes groggy and disoriented. “What’s wrong?” He checks the time, and when he sees that I’m wide awake and smiling, he groans and falls back onto his pillows. “Why aren’t you sleeping, Nuisance?” “Because I wanted to talk to you, Asseer,” I say, keeping my voice low as I flip onto my stomach and situate my face in my palms. Azeer sighs and gazes at me, folding his arm under his head. “Speak,” he says. “Do you actually love me?” “I knew your ass was going to pester me about this.” “It’s just a question.” He closes his eyes in response to my curiosity. I know I might be bugging him, but I need reassurance. “Yes, Alina. I love you. Always have, always will.” He looks at me with a half-lidded gaze, then adds, “Now, can I please go back to sleep so I can love you in my dreams, too?”

“Do you love me even in your nightmares?” “You are my nightmare, Alina,” Azeer teases back with a sluggish smirk on his lips.

He presses his thumb on my mouth. “Speak, Nuisance.” I gently take his hand and lift it to my lips, kissing the heel of his soft palm. With a deep breath, I let out the words I have longed to say for so long. “I love you, too, Azeer. I love, love, love you. I love you so much that words can hardly do justice to the depth of my feelings.” My head dips and crowns Zoha with a kiss. “I love you for bringing this bundle of happiness into my life. I love you for allowing me to call her my daughter. For letting her call me Mama. I love you for making my dreams of becoming a mother come true.”

CRYING CRYING CRYING CRYING FICKKELDMENENDNENES

“It’s hard to put into words, but I think I’ve loved you in my own strange way for a long time. When I tease you or argue with you, it’s only because I care about you so much. Because you are the only one who truly understands me and my peculiarities.” I reach out and caress his cheek, loving the prickles of his stubble under my fingertips. “And I’m sorry for hurting you in the past.” “No, Alina. Please. Don’t apologize—” “Let me finish.” I thread my fingers through his dark, dense hair. “I’m sorry for hurting you in the past, but I am unapologetic for the bullying in our present.” He huffs out a chuckle, pinching my right dimple. I kiss his right eye. “But I promise to show you how much I love you every day, in every way possible.”

He cups my jaw, his lips pressing against my temple as he whispers those three words repeatedly like a broken record. “I love you, I love you, I love you.” It’s a sound I could listen to forever. Finally, he draws back, his affectionate expression still lingering. “Question.” “Yes?” He narrows his eyes. “Do you love me more than the men in your books?” I snort. “Let’s not get too ahead of ourselves.” He uses his finger on my forehead to push me back onto my side. “The women in your books are quite attractive, too.” “If you’re trying to make me jealous, I suggest you give up now. Most of my personality comes from those women. My kindheartedness is like Sara’s, my clothing is straight from Cecilia’s closet. God, I love Cecilia. Did you know her man is the don—not even a capo, but the don—of the Cosa Nostra? He killed anyone who breathed in her direction.” A mischievous grin spreads across Azeer’s face. “If we were characters in your disturbing books, I’d kill you first.” “You really want to kiss me, don’t you?” Azeer sniffs sharply, playing coy. “Well, yeah. After your sentimental confession, I want to do more than just kiss you.”

“Don’t be mean,” I whisper. “None of this is his fault.” “Whoever makes you cry, directly or indirectly, is at fault.” He kisses away my tears, fixing his blazer over my shoulders. “I really wish I was one of the men in your books.” My chin quivers. “You’d kill for me?” “Well, killing is a stretch. Maybe a fistfight? A little stabbing to non-vital organs?” I shove his shoulder. Despite lacking a funny bone, he sure knows how to tickle mine. “You don’t have to wish for that, Azeer. You’re the only knight in shining armour in my book.” “As long as you’re the dragon,” he says. I kiss his cheek, then pinch it until he’s ow-ow-ow-ing.

“This is the exact level of terrible as when I couldn’t secure tickets to the Reputation tour. Just picture my agony of not hearing “Don’t Blame Me” live.” “Your ability to find a sliver of humour in any grave situation is one that I envy, sweetheart,” he says, gently kneading his fingers into the back of my scalp. “What’s the Reputation tour?” “Azeer,” I groan, lifting my head to find his naïve, puzzled eyes awaiting a response. He’s serious? My heavy heart wavers like the erratic movements of a polygraph stylus when someone is caught in a lie. “God, you’re so adorable.”

so adorable 🥹 teach him now 🔫😍

“Where are we going?” “The Presidential Suite, Alina jaan.” Alina jaan. I hug him tighter.

“Is this where you conducted your research, Dr. Khan?” “This, Alina jaan, is my gift to you.” My jaw drops to the Earth’s core. “You’re gifting me a library full of classics and romance novels?” He shrugs nonchalantly. Flashes me a lopsided grin. “The best for my blessing.” I cover my mouth, scanning the room again, pinching my cheek to confirm I’m still grounded in reality. Oh, it’s real, Lina. My husband has surprised me with a library, a cornucopia filled with all my favourite books. “Azeer, I’m going to cry again!” “Please, don’t—” Too late.

I CANT STOP CRYING

“I can’t believe that the same man who smeared lemon cake on my face is the one who built me a library.” “Shut it, Nuisance.”

“It’s not your fault.” I brush my mouth against his jawline. “We didn’t predict something this devastating would ever happen to Little Stars. So, don’t apologize. Got it?” Azeer’s lips quirk into a sheepish smile as he places me on my feet. He takes a deep breath before continuing, his gaze intense as he locks eyes with me. “I’m sorry—” “Azeer Khan.” “Let me finish, sweetheart.” He cushions my face in his warm, soft palms, melting my insides. “For everything that’s happened, I’m so sorry, Alina. With the daycare and lack of security to take care of it. I should’ve taken extra caution. Maybe then it . . .” I lift his head gently, preventing him from sinking into self-pity. “It’s not your fault, meri jaan. We both did what we thought was best and sometimes, things don’t go as planned. But we can handle it together,” I say, offering a small kiss on the corner of his frown. “We have Nina’s team to help us fix the daycare. And who knows, maybe you can put your month off to good use and build a couple more bookshelves? For the kids?” I add playfully, hoping to lift his spirits. Azeer’s lips curve upward. “Anything for you, Alina jaan.” He pulls me closer by the waist and ends with a long, lingering kiss. “I love kissing you,” he murmurs softly. I wrap my arms back around his neck. “You are deserving of all my kisses, meri jaan.” I lean in to peck the tip of his nose, both his flushed cheeks and down to his perfectly sculpted mouth. “Do you want to read a romance book with me for...

My alarm blares but is snoozed as I peel my eyes and find Alina standing at my bedside, braiding her hair. She places my phone back on the nightstand and graces me with her heart-melting dimples. “You have alarms for my medication time?” “Only because I know your empty head would forget.” I wrap my hand around her thigh, feeling the softness of her skin under my touch. “You know, you look incredibly sexy in my shirt, right?” “Never say the word ‘sexy’ again. It sounds stupid when it comes from your mouth.” “Sexy, sexy, sexy—” “I hate you,” Alina says, leaning down to kiss me, then heading toward her purse to scavenge for her medication.

🥹🥹❤️‍🩹

“What? Are you serious?” “Look, do you trust me?” I ask, holding her jaw gently. She nods. “Yes, Azeer. I trust, trust, trust you.” “Good.”

If you want to throw in some insults, I’ll have your back.” “I love you.” “Love you, too.” I tap my knuckles on the door.

“Alina jaan,” he whispers. “Can you hear me?” I scrunch my eyes in pain. “Okay, sweetheart. Okay. I’m here. I’m right here.” With unwavering patience, Azeer waits by my side as I struggle to stop the seizure. I think he starts mumbling the exact words Mama does—a prayer. I don’t know. I can’t comprehend anything. Gently, he wraps his hand around my left ankle, his thumb caressing it tenderly. I suck in a deep breath.

☹️❤️‍🩹

His gaze lingers on my curves and lines as he takes in every inch of me with quiet reverence. A ghost of a smile tugs at the corners of his lips. “You are heart-stopping, Alina jaan.”

join you?” My heart skips a beat. “Yes, please,” I rasp out. “Never plead with me, sweetheart.”

You could have any woman—” “Don’t finish that goddamn sentence, Alina.” Azeer turns me by the shoulders so we sit face to face. He cups my jaw from below and looks past the mirrors of my soul. “You are more than enough for me. You are everything I’ve ever wanted and more.” “Azeer—” “You. Are. Everything.”

“Really?” I whisper, the self-conscious side of me unsure whether to believe him. He leans in closer, gazing into my misty eyes with ferocity. “I’m not a poet, Alina jaan, but I believe the universe conspired to bring us together. To be with you this close, to hold you and kiss you and tell you how grateful I am for a woman like you. There isn’t a limit to how much I love you. Your black-and-white hair, your soft, soft skin, your double-jointed elbows, your gorgeous ass—I especially love your ass in those black Levi’s you wear.” I punch his shoulder playfully. “And you, sweetheart. I love you. I don’t need you to be good enough for me. I only need you to be.” I sigh at his heartfelt words and rest my forehead on his shoulder. “I love talking to you, Azeer Khan.” “And I love listening to you, Alina Khan.” He tips up my chin. “Don’t ever keep your pretty voice and nonsensical thoughts to yourself. We clear?” “As crystal.”

“Would you choose me again?” “Gross, no.” But then she smiles and cuts off my riposte with her soft, plush lips. “In every universe, I’d choose you, Asseer.”