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“What happened?” she asked. “You’ve gone too quiet.”
“I’m fine,” he replied, looking ahead.
She clasped his cheek and turned him to face her. “What did Dev tell you?”
God! Why did she have to be so intuitive?
“Nothing.”
The light on the signal changed and he surged the car forward.
She heaved out a breath. “Anyway, what I wanted to say before was that what if we…um... What if we try and make this work?”
He peeked at her. “This?”
“I mean, you and I, when we’re together, it just feels right, doesn’t it? It’s like…like… How do I explain it? We fit...”
His hands on the steering tightened. Fuck! This was going to be harder than he’d thought.
“Do we?” he asked keeping his tone casual.
“Why are you suddenly behaving so strange?” she queried.
“Am I?”
“Yeah. You’re behaving distant and cold.”
“I’m not.”
“Yes, you are.”
“What do you want me to say?” he replied. “I don’t want to hurt your feelings, Tiya. Whatever is between us is not real. We don’tfit. We’re just a means to a predefined end.”
“Is that what you think?” she shot back. “So, you feel nothing when I’m in your arms?”
“Of course, I like you in my arms. Which man wouldn’t?” he said, forcing himself to be cold to her. “It doesn’t mean more.”
“Really? I don’t remember you being so cool and unaffected whenever your hands and mouth are on my skin. It sure seems more then.”
Images of them entangled together flashed in his brain, heating his body. But he had to get over it. He couldn’t lose control with her again. They weren’t real and he needed her to understand that clearly. Now, more than ever, he needed to keep her at a distance. He had to win that bet with Dev at all costs, even if it meant losing her in the process. Even if it meant hurting her feelings. Better he hurt now, so when the time came to publicly end their relationship, she wouldn’t be hurt more. His heart ached at all that he was thinking and planning, but it had to be done. There was no other way.
Forbidden fruit. Tiya was forbidden fruit. He could desire her all he wanted, but he couldn’t have her. He could never have her.
“That was a momentary loss of control, that’s it,” Vihaan said. “Besides, you’re the one who wanted the rules in the first place. I’m just giving you what you want.”
“So, we’re back to the rules now? How convenient!” She stared at him for a long moment. “Fine, we’ll follow the rules diligently henceforth, in private and public.”
“Suits me just fine,” he snapped.
Minutes later, they reachedPoseidon’s parking lot. He quickly dialed for a cab. Luckily, it was close by and soon they were outside her house.
Tiya climbed out of the cab.
“My mom’s invited you for dinner tomorrow,” she said. “But if you can’t make it, I’ll make an excuse. In fact, better don’t come.”
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world. I do need to talk to your dad, as you know.”
“Yeah, right,” her lips thinned, “It’s all about his business. I need to remember why you’re in this with me.”
