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Yet the fact that Meera was thriving in an overwhelmingly demanding industry, in a new city, amid strangers, was, he knew, in no small way thanks to Anya’s calming, serene influence. Not even ten days had passed since they’d met and already he could see her stable hand guiding Meera’s impulsive nature to make better choices.
And just like that, the real source of his unease became crystal clear. It had less to do with the fact that his life and Meera’s were in a flux right now and more to do with the woman who’d just walked into their lives like Mumbai’s monsoon season.
Even the smallest interaction with her began a clamoring in his gut for more...
His muscles tightened at the memory of Anya’s palm pressed against his abdomen not a few hours ago. The subtle jasmine scent of her as she’d bent her head and taunted him. The tease of her hair against his jaw, the naked desire she’d let him see in her eyes for a split second...
So you’re available for the quickie but not to talk...
The raw, wanton pleasure they’d shared that first evening together was never far from his mind. But when Anya stood close to him like that... Simon wanted far too much. Not just of her, but of himself, of his life. Desires and dreams he’d written off long ago reared up again now, slithering hungrily through him.
If he hadn’t spied Meera emerging from the bathroom, he didn’t know what he’d have done at Anya’s husky challenge.
No, who was he kidding?
He knew exactly what he’d have done.
He’d have pressed the saucy minx against the wall and captured those pretty lips with his. He’d have kissed the hell out of her right there, uncaring of who might walk in—her brothers, Meera, the entire damned world for all he cared. He’d have dragged her up to another one of those shadowy corners and proceeded with the quickie that they both so badly wanted. Then he’d have taken her to her bedroom and spent the whole night proving to her that this fire between them wouldn’t die with one orgasm or ten.
Clutching the metal sill of the balcony tight until his knuckles turned white, Simon willed his rising libido to calm down. There was no release for him coming anytime soon. Especially not with the one woman he wanted.
And he couldn’t even blame her because he was the one who’d brought up the idea of another round of sex in the first place. He’d wanted to shake her up. Wanted to have a little petty revenge at the fact that she’d dare think so little of him that he’d be unfaithful to anyone he cared for. So he’d tugged the one thread that seemed to bind them together. Just her and him. Selfishly, he’d wanted it to be the thread that had nothing to do with Meera or how desperately Anya wanted to be a part of his daughter’s life.
The look in her eyes when she’d asked if he’d made her a party to cheating, the way it took her so long to say the wordsex...it was a good reminder that Anya Raawal was the last woman he could have a temporary, secret affair with.
And that’s all he could offer her. Not counting the fact that between her brothers and his daughter, it wouldn’t remain a secret for too long.
She wanted to be part of Meera’s life, not his. She was far too young for him, and by her own admission, she’d barely dipped her toe into romantic relationships. “Made for love and marriage” might as well have been stamped on her forehead for how generous hearted she was, how achingly lovely she was.
Eventually, she’d want things he didn’t want to give, couldn’t give another woman. Like marriage and children and...love. Eventually, she’d look at him as Rani had looked at him at the end—with resentment and anger and bitterness. It had eaten away at them both like acid, killing any love they’d once felt for one another.
Even the thought of that bitterness in Anya’s eyes, hurt pinching that lush mouth...was unbearable.
He couldn’t afford for history to repeat itself. And this time with a woman who was even more fragile and innocent than Rani had ever been.
CHAPTER FIVE
ANYASTUDIEDTHEcarefully curated pictures on Leila Sampson’s social media feed, anxiety and something else rising up within her belly like an impending storm. In the last month, every fourth picture that had been posted was of her and Simon. In a variety of his hotel locations, the latest in Thailand and Seychelles.
While none of them were intimate poses—and a dark emotion that tasted very like jealousy gripped Any at the thought—it was clear that, whatever the nature of their relationship, Simon was spending every spare moment with the other woman.
The last few weeks had been bad enough in terms of how distracted she’d been at work. Predictably, Virat had torn her initial sketches into shreds—literally and figuratively. For the first time in her life, Anya wasn’t able to give her all to her work.
If it was only because she was spending more time with Meera, Anya could have made her peace with it. But she couldn’t ignore the fact that a large part of her brain was occupied with Simon and what was becoming increasingly obvious—whatever he’d claimed before, the man was now getting serious about Leila Sampson.
And ever since Leila had been caught coming out of a couture wedding gown designer’s studio after a personal consultation, Anya had had trouble sleeping. The gossip was all over social media.
Millionaire widower looking for love again?
Once the big love of our beloved star actress Rani Verma’s life, real estate magnate Simon De Acosta’s back in Mumbai to keep a close eye on his daughter Meera Verma’s acting debut with the prestigious Raawal House of Cinema!
As if that wasn’t exciting enough for us, Simon has a new lady love. When questioned about their plans, real estate heiress Ms. Leila Sampson revealed exclusively to us that things are moving fast between her and Simon. But what kind of woman would have the guts to fill the shoes of the brilliant, beautiful and beloved Rani Verma?
Despite all the stern lectures she’d given herself to stay out of Simon’s private life, Anya had to do something. The man had left her no choice at all.
If he was determined to marry a woman without considering Meera’s future happiness, then Anya would remind him that he’d gotten his priorities all wrong. And for Meera, who’d innocently told Anya where Simon would be, she would even venture out of her shell and accost the man at one of those parties that she usually avoided like the plague.
Desperate times called for desperate measures.
