22
Rihaan
“IF THIS WAS A true date with the Rihaan Patel,” Maeve started, the night air hit us at once, cool against skin that had warmed inside the venue. “Then I’m partial to hating the experience.”
“Why?” I laughed, guiding her slowly as she swayed in what I was sure a mix of both tequila and the celebrity overload she’d experienced. “And it’s not over yet.”
She looked at me warmly, her eyes hooded. “Because this seriously can’t be the standard I have for any future dates. It would ruin the experience.”
I hummed softly, instantly not a fan of her future dates.
“I think I often forget that you come from a well off family,” She hiccuped.
“You and me both,” I added softly.
“I mean your brother owns Singhania Diamond.”
I paused. “How did you—in my research.”
“Well, yes and no. I never actually dug deep into them to know what they did. I only knew that from Samyra.”
I blinked as she turned in my hold. “Who’s Samyra?”
“She’s my best friend, and also,” Her hand moved until it cupped my face. It was cute. She was almost 5’5, but in her boots, she came closer to my height. “She’s the one I was with that night.”
“The brunette,” I replied, attempting to nod.
“Yes. Her.” She said, and paused before dropping her hold on me. “She knew who you were before I did. She still likes you though.”
“Hey, maybe I can take her out.”
“That’s a very rude thing to say on a date.”
“Are you jealous?”
“No. I don’t date Cricketers.”
“So you’ve said, after you’ve called it a date.”
“Whatever. She already has someone, any way. I like him much more than I would you.”
“Don’t bother being nice on my account,” I quipped, earning a smack on my chest.
“For her.”
“And for you?” I asked, hating how hopeful my voice sounded.
Her eyes narrowed. “Are you asking for yourself?”
I raised a brow.
“Do you like me?” It was easy to read her fear in her words.
“Does it matter?” I finally replied.
She gave me a long look then. “I suppose it doesn’t.”
“There you go,” I muttered, finally reaching the main road. “Let me call a cab.”
She frowned. “I thought this date wasn’t over.”
I sighed. “Between you mentioning your future dates, and lack of interest in cricketers, let’s make sure it is.”
She pressed her lips together, the spark in her eyes dimmed and I couldn’t help but hate myself a little for it.
Auckland at night felt alive around us. Cars moved through the streets, groups of people spilled out of bars and restaurants, and somewhere in the distance music still thudded from the venue.
“Actually, if this is really over, then I’m gonna go that way,” Maeve pointed to the opposite side from where the exit was. My gaze shifted from her face to her phone.
“Maeve.”
“What? I’m hungry, and according to the strict hotel menu that was left in the rooms, the room service will be closed by the team we reach.”
I watched her silently, before shaking my head. “Fine. Let’s go.”
“No. You’re not coming.”
“Yeah, that would’ve been a lot more convincing if the nerve in your forehead wasn’t about to pop. Don’t be mad I called it quits.”
“I’m not mad,” She quipped. “Surprised? Yes. I thought you only ever quit when it was too late.”
I raised a brow. “Maybe I should relish in the fact that you’re just as butt hurt as me after you’ve mentioned you don’t date cricketers every chance you’ve had tonight.”
She gave me a frustrated look. “Which is why I’m not mad. You should go back.”
“Hey, I don’t mind the chase if I know I stand a chance.”
Maeve blinked. “Great. Go back.”
Without waiting for my reply this time, she turned on her heels and before I could blink she was making her way through the crowd.
Fuck.
I jogged behind her, waving my way through the crowd until I was next to her.
“I thought you didn’t chase where you didn’t have a chance.”
“I don’t,” I replied. “I’m suddenly famished, so thought might as well.”
“Liar.”
“Trouble.”
Her head snapped in my direction like I’d ruined a sacred word. And because I was me, I couldn’t help it. “I think I get why your dad likes calling you so much.”
“What is that supposed to mean?”
“You love trouble too much.”
“I do not.”
“So you aren’t leaving to get food at midnight, after convincing the guy you hate to show you want a date with him looks like?”
“Haven’t you ever heard of a midnight snack?”
“Sure. I’m a big fan of those—when they come from the pantry of my house, or maybe even the treats my sister makes. Not when I’m in a strange city, alone, and at an absurd time of night.”
“That just means you have no sense of fun.”
“Well, that can’t be true. I am walking next to you.”
Her lips tugged up then. “You make my head spin.”
“I think that may be the tequila,” I offered. “And, the amount of times you got starstruck.”
“It wasn’t that many times.”
“Seven. I counted.”
“There were only six other celebs in the tent with us,” She frowned.
“Oh, I’m counting the moment you bumped into me.”
“I was not starstruck when I saw you. I’ve seen you almost everyday for the last month and a half.”
“And still, the moment you bumped into me, those blue eyes widened like you’d imagined me in front of you,” I gave her bow a tug. “Felt pretty similar to the reactions you have those actors and singers. Well, maybe not you smacking my arm when someone new entered, but pretty much.”
“Oh my god, you’re insufferable.”
She huffed, but I could see the grin she was holding back as she stopped in front of a fast food chain.
Placing a hand on the door around her, I gave her a look. “Aren’t you supposed to be a health freak or something?”
“No?”
“Huh.”
I pushed the door in for her, and she raised a brow. “You just wanted to open the door for me.”
“Well, I am a gentleman.”
Maeve snorted. “Is that what you tell yourself?”
“Maybe. But my other dates have always seemed to agree with me, so it’s not without proof.”
I watched as a spark lit behind her eyes before she walked inside the store. Standing behind her as she pressed some things on the kiosk, she barely acknowledged my presence. Only when she’d selected her items, she gave me a side eye. “What do you want?”
Moving my arms around her, I caged her as I pressed the screen for my order.
“Is someone jealous?”
“Of your dates?”
I shrugged, “Just giving you a taste of your own medicine.”
She sighed, her eyes flicking up to the crowd that started filling around us. With her attention already away, I swiped my phone and placed our order.
“Hey, I was going to pay for my own—Rihaan.” There was a slight panic to her voice as she interrupted herself, but it had been more than enough to instantly make my guard rise. “Don’t look, but I think your disguise might not be working as well as it had in the stadium.”
Resisting the urge to ask if it would be that bad, I lowered my voice. “Okay. Do you want to wait outside? I can grab the food and meet you there. If they see it’s me, you won’t get any attention.”
“Yes. Thank you.” Maeve replied in a haste, before escaping my hold like there was a fire lit under her arse. Collecting the receipt, I watched her rush her way out the place, as I felt multiple pair of eyes directed towards me.
Reaching into my pocket, I pulled out my sunglasses and moved to the collection area.
Ten minutes, and a herd of disappointed fans later, I was finally outside the store, searching for what I assumed would be a very upset Maeve.
When I failed, I reached for my phone and gave her a call.
She picked up on the second ring.
“Where are you?” I asked without even giving her a second to say something.
“Look to the far right.”
I followed her instructions with ease, only to find her standing by a very big PRIVATE PROPERTY. NO TRESPASSING SIGN.
“Maeve.”
“I got the permission from the guy, don’t worry.”
I sighed already walking towards her, before picking up the pace as she hung up without giving me a chance to say anything more.
“Why are we going into a private property?”
“To avoid running into your fans again. Why are you wearing sunglasses?”
“Helped ensure the glares weren’t that visible to my fans.”
“I have a good reason to be upset. Your fans made that two minute visit into ten. My fries and soft serve are probably ruined.”
“I paid them to make fresh ones as I clicked some pictures with the fans, so they’re fine.”
Surprise flickered her expressions before she led me to what looked like a private area of the port.
“Are you sure you asked for permission?”
She nodded. “Well, I slipped the security guy fifty dollars. So we’re fine.”
“What?”
“It’s okay. I had already set that aside for a possible midnight snack, and cab fare. I also had some for my drinks too. But considering you got all my drinks at the concert, and my food. Even if I pay for my own fare, I’ll save money.”
“That’s not how that works.”
“Sure it does. It’s called girl math.”
I shook my head, before grunting. “You’re not paying for your own cab fare.”
“Still getting a full on experience, huh?”
“Just eat your snack.” I said, settling down next to her on the stony beach as the ocean air kissed our skin. I watched amused as she ripped the paper bag and pulled out the fries and sundae together, before dipping the fry into it.
A satisfied moan left her, her eyes closing as she savoured the moment.
Leaving her be, I opened my own bag and for the next few minutes, we both sat in silence, enjoying our food as the sound of waves crashing filled the air. No uncomfortable silence, just moments of our own peace.
Slowly, Maeve’s head fell onto my shoulder, making my head turn. Her eyes were closed, a small smile settled on her lips. Blonde stray hair flew with the ocean hair, framing her face beautifully. “Maeve?”
Her eyes opened, and like she had expected it—or maybe she just didn’t mind the proximity, she watched me softly, without moving. “Yeah?”
“You ready to head back?”
“I like it here. It’s quiet.”
I raised a brow. “I thought you enjoyed the chaos.”
“Sometimes, well, most times,” Her gaze flicked to the ocean. “But I love the quiet. Where I’m not expected to be anything. You know?”
“Yeah, I know.” I said softly.
Her eyes met mine again. “It’s why when I learned about why you had lied that night made me realise I’d made a mistake.”
Understanding filtered through me. “It’s why you released the statement.”
“Yeah,” She replied. “When Samyra had told me who you were that night, I thought you knew who I was. And you wanted to get closer to my father or something.”
I frowned. “Has that happened before?”
“You’d be surprised.”
Reaching out behind her, I gave her bow a tug. “I noticed you because of this. And, well, your laugh.”
“My laugh?”
“I overheard it over the crowd and the music. I thought it was better than anything I’d ever heard.”
“You’re lying.”
I shook my head. “I’ve never been this honest in my life before.”
Maeve blinked softly, my words sinking in her with a sincerity I knew she could hear. Because the next second, she closed the gap between us, and placed her lips on mine.
Fireworks burst through me as her hair moved up into my hair, tugging ever so gently as my one hand cupped her face, before the free one moved behind her waist and pulled her into me.
Our bodies sighed into each other, like the last two years apart had been a crime committed by us for separating us for this long.
The ocean air picked up as I pulled her further until she was settled in my lap, and Maeve deepened our kiss.
My every nerve was lit on fire as our tongues danced together in sync.
And for one perfect minute, we both forgot every reason she’d made clear we shouldn’t do this.
She pulled back just enough to breathe.
Her forehead rested against mine.
I couldn’t bring myself to open my eyes, too afraid I’d see the regret splashed across her face.
I smiled as she made no attempts to move. Well, not until my phone vibrated in my pocket anyway.
“You have got to be kidding me.”
She laughed softly as she slid off of my lap.
Pulling my phone out, I rolled my eyes as I saw the name.
OLIVER KING CALLING…
“What?”
“Where the hell are you?”
I looked at Maeve. Her cheeks were flushed, her hair was being pulled around by the wind. She looked almost as stunned as I felt.
“I’m still out.”
“Yeah, I gathered. It's nearly midnight.”
“Is something wrong? Is Raina—”
“She’s okay. Just worried about her dick of a brother who told her he’d be back by midnight.”
“I’m fine. I’ll be back soon.”
He sighed. “Just…text us when you get back to the hotel safely—whatever time it is. Don’t make more anxious than she already is.”
“Yes, Dad.”
“Don’t mock. This was the exact reason I told you to not promise her you’ll be back straight after the concert.”
I paused. He had warned me. “Okay. I’m sorry. I just ran into—”
Maeve’s eyes widened. “some fans, and I just started talking to them.”
Maeve relaxed at my lie.
“For an hour?” He asked.
“I found one particularly interesting.”
“Great. Make sure you use protection, and get back safe. Whenever that is.”
He hung up before I could reply.
One look had been enough to tell that the conversation had been enough to sober up Maeve.
I lowered the phone, opening the app to call us a cab.
After a few minutes, I finally spoke. “C’mon. Our cab is here.”
I stood up, before offering her a hand. When she looked at me then, the regret was clear in her eyes.
“Rihaan.”
I waved my hand, before she gave in. Pulling her up, I could help myself when my eyes fell back to her mouth.
“We can’t.”
I could only give her a nod.
But it wasn’t until we were settled inside the back of the car, when she finally whispered the words. The ones I was sure she hadn’t realised that she’d spoken out loud that had truly hit the nail in my heart.
“This was such a mistake.”