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It was no big deal, she reminded herself. They were not friends. She didn’t even like him most of the time. One measly dinner wouldn’t change her opinion of him, would it?
God, she hoped not.
11
Rajiv smiled as Sheena stole another piece of French fries off his plate. She dipped it in mayonnaise, then in tomato ketchup and popped it in her mouth.
“Damn, I love fries, and these truffle and cheese fries are so yum,” she crooned.
They both had ordered burgers, and she’d finished all her fries as soon as her plate had been put in front of her. Done eating her burger, she was stealing all his fries, one at a time.
He studied her quietly as she ate. Prior to right now, they had met only in tense circumstances. Thus, to see her now relaxed and carefree, showing him this warm and fun side of her…was an eye-opener. He liked her already, just the way she was…but seeing this side of her made him like her even more. Her eyes shining, she reached for another of his fries. He slapped her hand away.
“Will you stop that?” he complained. “I happen to like fries, too, and you’re not leaving any for me.”
She chuckled. “Sharing is caring, you know.”
“Shall I order you another plate?”
“Absolutely not.” She shook her head. “What will be the fun in that?”
She grabbed another piece from his plate, dipped it in both her sauces, and munched on it. Fuck. She was too cute. She’d chatted with him nonstop the second they’d taken their seats. She’d asked about his day, about his sisters and was curious to know more about Poseidon. They’d spoken amicably. Actually, he’d done the talking while she had asked and asked dozens of questions. And he had enjoyed every moment of it. This, being here with her, felt normal. Like he had done this a hundred times before. And that thought was frightening as hell.
Finally done eating his fries, she wiped her hands on a napkin. “This place is lovely, Rajiv. Thank you for bringing me here.”
“Two thank yous from you in one day,” he exclaimed. “I’m honored.”
She studied him carefully. “I don’t do this very often, you know.”
“What, say thank you?”
She rolled her eyes. “Oh God, you do know how to drive me up the wall.”
He ran a finger down her cheek. “I love the way your cheeks redden when you’re annoyed.”
She stilled at his touch. Fuck. What was he doing? Why the hell could he not stop touching her? He removed his hand and heard her harsh exhale. He knew she was attracted to him. It showed in every ragged breath that slipped out of her mouth when he was near her. He was so bloody attracted to her, too. He and her could so easily fall into this looming trap of seduction and attraction if he wasn’t careful.
Sitting close to her, first in the car and then here, he could see every tiny speckle of color in her expressive eyes. He could make out every twist of her lips. He could feel the heat from her skin. He could smell her alluring, mouth-watering scent. Being so close to her definitely tested the limits of his sanity and control. And once in a while, his control slipped when he touched her without thinking. This, between them, was pure hot, raging, unfiltered lust. He’d already recognized it for it was, and he had a feeling she was too smart not to know what she was feeling about him. That under all her irritation and annoyance with him, the desire she had for him reigned supreme, beating and subduing everything else.
But he wouldn’t allow anything to happen between them. Sheena Sehgal wasn’t someone he could toy with. He knew in his gut that she would seep under his skin if he dropped even a little of his guard around her, and the last thing he wanted was to show her a dream, if at all, and never be able to fulfil it. He didn’t want to hurt her. So, he’d continue keeping her at a distance.
She cleared her throat. “What I meant was that I don’t have many friends. Just a few. And sitting with you like…like this, I didn’t expect it to feel so regular.”
There were too many questions he could ask her. But not a single one came out. He was too busy processing the fact that she was mirroring exactly what he felt. That scared him a bit more. This girl was trouble. He’d known it from the first moment he’d met her. She was dangerous, and if he continued interacting with her, then he was certain she would change the very fiber of his being. He had far too many responsibilities to allow that to happen.
She flipped her hair from her forehead. “Aren’t you going to ask me why?”
“Only if you want me to.”
“You don’t ask a lot of questions.”
He chuckled. “And you ask too many.”
She arched a brow. “Are you complaining?”
“Not at all,” he clarified. “I’ve actually enjoyed myself a lot with you.”
Which was the plain Goddamned truth. He liked her…a lot. Just the way she was—sassy, naughty, and bold. So bloody bold. He needn’t have told her that he had enjoyed with her. However, seeing her face light up at his words dissolved all his regrets. Fuck. He was screwed.
