“Stay, Meg,” Seth told her tipsily. “It’s my bachelor party.” He gave her sad, puppy-dog eyes, and she couldn’t help but laugh.
“It’s so late, Seth. The party’s over. They’re going to close the place soon.”
His mouth twisted into a sloppy frown, and she laughed again. She kissed him quickly on the cheek. “Drink lots of water, okay?” She turned to Eric. “Keep an eye on him?”
Eric winked and saluted. “Aye, aye, captain.”
She rolled her eyes. Even though Eric was goofy and a bit of a loose cannon, she trusted him and knew he would make sure the two of them got back safely.
She waved a final goodbye and left with Karthik, her good humor quickly fading once she took in the stony, expressionless look on his face. They went back to the hotel in silence, and she was both physically and emotionally exhausted by the time they entered their room. She grabbed her pajamas and changed in the bathroom, growing more and more agitated as she brushed her teeth and got ready for bed. Why had he apologized? He’d regretted the kiss that much? Had found it so distasteful that he never wanted to do it again? How could he be so warm and inviting and intoxicating in one moment and so harsh in the next?
When she came back into the room, she saw that he must have asked for an extra comforter because he had spread one out on the floor, forming a makeshift pallet to sleep on. He must have asked for extra pillows too because he had propped several between him and the wall and was leaning against them. He had a book open on his lap, andhis brows were furrowed in concentration. And to top it all off he was wearing thin, wire-framed glasses. Glasses. The sexiest accessory known to humankind. They made him look a thousand times hotter than normal, and Meghna couldn’t stand it. Her temper shot through the roof.
“What is your problem?”
Hisproblem?Karthik set his book down and removed his reading glasses so he could see Meghna more clearly.
“What do you mean?” he asked, puzzled at the anger on her face. Was she still mad about the kiss? If so, she had every right to be. They had a deal and he had pushed and pushed at the bounds of it. Inviting himself on the trip. Suggesting that they “practice.” And then kissing her thoroughly, even though she was only kissing him back out of obligation. To keep up appearances. To pretend. He had taken advantage of the situation. Shame and self-loathing washed over him. He deserved every ounce of her anger.
“I’m sorry,” he said sincerely. “I’m really sorry. I know I shouldn’t have kissed you like that.”
But instead of calming Meghna down, his words seemed to only increase her anger. “Are you…You think…you think that’s what this is about?” she sputtered. “That I’m upset because youkissed me?”
He had clearly miscalculated. “No?” he asked hesitantly.
She shook her head in frustration. “Forget it.” She climbed into bed and switched off the lights, sending the room into darkness. Heinwardly sighed and lay down. He tried to fall asleep, but his mind wouldn’t let him. It kept replaying their kiss. Over and over again. And it didn’t help that Meghna wasright there. In her pajamas. On that large, inviting king-sized bed. Not that she was in a particularly amorous mood. She was furious at him. He huffed out a breath. He had no one to blame for that but himself.
“Do you want the lights back on?” Meghna asked, her voice traveling through the pitch-black darkness. “I should have asked before. I know you were reading.”
“No. I’m ready to go to sleep,” he said from his spot on the floor.
They lay there in silence for a few moments.
“I really am sorry about what happened,” he said.
Meghna groaned. “Stop apologizing.”
“But I took advantage…”
“It was a good kiss, Karthik. I liked it.”
What?Warring sensations of pride and disbelief swelled in his chest.
“But I agree that it’s best we don’t do it again,” she continued. “We shouldn’t confuse this for something it isn’t.”
She was right, but he still felt a strange shot of disappointment at her words.
“We barely even get along,” she added.
“I think we get along fine,” he said stiffly.
Meghna scoffed. “Karthik, we’re completely different people. Besides, you never want to get married. And I…I want what my parents have. A partner and a friend and…”
“Love,” he said bitterly.
“Yes, love.”
“Not every marriage has love.”
