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“Haven’t you eaten today?” Rajiv asked.
“I missed lunch.” She clutched her purse tightly as more hunger pangs attacked her, reminding her that she hadn’t consumed a morsel since breakfast.
“Why?”
“Because…” She stopped herself from saying more. How could she explain to him that she’d just been about to leave for lunch when she’d heard the conversation between those two girls and then seen his reaction to it? How could she tell him that she’d been so confused and disturbed by the whole thing that she had skipped lunch altogether?
“Well…I just didn’t.”
His amber eyes warmed to a darker hue. He nodded, and she knew he understood her reasons without her spelling them out.
“Alright then, I’m taking you out for an early dinner.”
“What?” She shook her head. It was a bad idea. “You don’t need to. Just drop me home, and I’ll order something in.”
He ignored her. The traffic in front of them began to move, and he checked the rear-view mirror before switching lanes and taking an exit.
“Rajiv…” she began. “Really, it’s not a big deal. You don’t have to do this.”
“It’s just dinner, Sheena.”
Her lips parted in an exhale as she stared at him, her heart galloping away.
He arched a brow. “What have I done, now?”
“You know this is the first time you’ve said my name.”
His brows creased as if he, too, was just about coming to that realization.
“You have a pretty name,” he began. “ButPrincesssuits you better.”
She made a face. “Why? Because you think I’m spoilt, rude, stubborn, and have an air about myself?”
“Those arenotthe adjectives or words I have in mind for you.”
Now, he’d piqued her curiosity. “Then what are?”
“Beautiful, smart, sexy, determined, brave, and fearless. Besides, you have this whole regal vibe. I quite like it. That’s why, Princess, it is.”
Her jaw dropped. Her chest felt like it was bursting. No man had ever complimented her like that. She’d not allowed any man to be close enough to even speak his mind to her. And he…he…God, she didn’t know what to make of him at all.
“Though you can be a bit rude, no?” He smirked. “Or is that attitude you throw off in waves only reserved for me?” His eyes twinkled. “Hmm. Perhaps I am special, that’s why.”
She punched his arm. “You are awful, I swear. Stop teasing.”
He laughed, and she found herself laughing with him. All too soon, he parked in front of a restaurant. The Strawberry Café, she read. She gulped. Why did it feel that going inside with him was like erasing an invisible line? That once done, she could never draw that line between them again.
“Come on,” he pressed. “Unless you don’t want to go inside because you’re scared to spend time with me.”
She raised her chin. “Scared. Why would I be scared?”
“Please. Have you met me?” He shadowed a hand from his head and down his torso. “No woman can resist me for too long. Perhaps, you’re scared of that. Of being unable to resist me.”
“There comes that incorrigible arrogance.”
“Alright, then come have dinner with me and prove that you can resist me,” he challenged.
“God. You’re too much. Fine,” she relented. “It’s just dinner.”
