Chapter Ten #2
Ravi’s face turned red. “Oh no, I didn’t mean…I wasn’t implying…” He stumbled over his words, trying to fix the gaffe.
“No offense taken.” Ethan waved it off. “I’m staying at the coach house. Keeping a low profile for a bit.” He gave Ravi a look that made it clear he expected discretion.
“Absolutely, say no more!” Ravi said, his head bobbing. But Priya knew that Ravi was going to spill the beans, not only to his immediate family but to every branch, twig, and leaf of the family tree.
“Well, Ravi, thanks for these.” Ethan nodded toward the sweets in his hands. His tone was polite, but the message was obvious. Ravi’s exit was overdue.
“Yes, yes, of course.” Ravi nodded, the reality of his brother’s wedding cutting through his starstruck daze. “I should get going. It was such an honor meeting you.”
After offering Priya a quick goodbye, Ravi headed to his car, his mind clearly spinning from his celebrity encounter. As his car disappeared down the driveway, Priya’s parents emerged from the house, lugging the last of their luggage.
“Who was that?” Mumma asked, her eyes following the luxury car as it drove out of sight.
“Ravi Tiwari,” Priya replied.
Puppa’s eyes narrowed. “What did he want?”
“He brought sweets for his brother’s wedding.” Priya motioned toward the box Ethan held.
“Is that all?” Puppa asked, as if sensing there was more to the story.
“That and…well, he wanted my phone number,” Priya confessed.
Puppa’s gaze hardened. “You’re asking for trouble, Priya. Ravi’s family will never approve of you. You’ll be nothing more than a passing amusement.”
“Listen to your father,” Mumma said. “You’re already divorced. Do you really want to make another mistake?”
Their words hit Priya like a punch to the gut. And to have them say this in front of Ethan? She felt utterly humiliated. She stole a glance at Ethan and found him watching with a furrowed brow.
“Maybe we should cancel the trip, Rakesh,” Mumma said. “What if something happens while we’re gone?”
“What if what happens, Mumma?” Priya asked sharply, her temper flaring.
“Priya, if you’re really ready to meet someone, you just have to say,” her mother replied. “We’ll be happy to introduce you to someone more suitable. Maybe even someone who lives closer.”
Yeah, so you can keep an eye on me, right? Priya thought, but she held her tongue, mortified that this was playing out in front of Ethan.
Puppa cleared his throat and stepped in. “Maybe we should save this for another time, Seema,” he said, before turning to Ethan. “Mr. Ethan, please keep an eye on our Priya while we’re away.”
Priya’s jaw nearly hit the floor. Keep an eye on me? She whipped her head around to look at Ethan, who seemed at a loss for words.
Priya couldn’t believe it herself. Her parents were terrified she’d get tangled up with Ravi but thought nothing of leaving her alone with Ethan Knight.
In their minds, he was perched so high above her that they couldn’t fathom he’d even glance at her.
The idea that he could have any interest in Priya was absurd.
Laughable, even. And that was the only reason they were okay with leaving.
Because, as far as they were concerned, she wasn’t even remotely in his league.
Ethan’s eyes briefly flicked toward Priya. The glance was quick, almost imperceptible, but Priya caught something in his eyes. Irony? Understanding? Amusement?
“I don’t believe Priya needs looking after, Mr. Solanki,” he said. “But I appreciate your trust in me.”
“You’re a good man, Mr. Ethan.” Puppa gave Ethan a nod of approval and finished loading the rest of the luggage.
Mumma opened the car door and set the wicker basket on the floor of the front passenger seat, making sure that tea and snacks were within easy reach.
She turned to Ethan with a warm smile. “Goodbye, Mr. Ethan. In case Priya forgets, I’ve prepared all your dinners and extra snacks too.
We are just a call away, so please ring if you need anything.
Anything at all.” Shifting her attention to Priya, she rattled off a laundry list of instructions.
“Don’t forget to call. Lock the door. And don’t stay up late.
Oh, and remember to water the plants.” She kissed Priya on both cheeks before climbing into the car, shutting the door, and waving at her through the window.
Puppa made one last sweep around the car, checking the tires and mirrors with his usual care, then slid into the driver’s seat.
“We’ll call when we get there,” he said to Priya. “Look after Mr. Ethan.”
Priya nodded as he backed out, her gaze trailing the car until her parents disappeared.
“Well, that was an interesting turn of events,” Ethan commented.
“What do you mean?” Priya turned to face him.
“Let’s see,” he began. “Not only am I responsible for keeping you out of trouble, but I’ve also learned that your parents’ standards are so high that even someone from an upper caste doesn’t qualify.”
“Not that I’m interested, but yeah, if I ever did consider someone, he would have to tick all my parents’ boxes. Same caste, same background.” Priya rolled her eyes.
“So, I won’t cut it?” Ethan teased.
“You check all my boxes,” Priya shot back with a grin.
“We’re back to that, are we? Hot and cold, Priya. It’s like you can’t decide what you want.”
He wasn’t wrong. Priya had been all over the place. Her heart sank. Had she blown her chances with him?
“Fine,” she said. “I admit I overreacted the other night. I shouldn’t have jumped to conclusions about you and Sienna.
” Taking a deep breath, she continued, “The truth is I’ve had a crush on you for as long as I can remember.
Even Brooke doesn’t know that. But you figured it out, didn’t you?
So here’s the deal. No more pretending.” She looked him straight in the eye.
“A fling with you is exactly what I need to bounce back. So…” She leaned in closer, her heart racing. “What do you say, Heathen Knight?”
Ethan arched an eyebrow, his lips twitching as if he were fighting a smile. “Your dad practically made me your guardian just two minutes ago, and you’re tempting me to cross the line? Shame on you, Priya Solanki.”
He reached out, brushing a strand of hair from her face, his fingers sending a spark straight through her. Then, with an exaggerated sigh, he stepped back, raising his hands in mock surrender.
“Alright, Pri. You’ve got me,” he said. “But I’m not breaking your father’s trust, so here’s how it works.
If you want me, you’ll have to make the first move.
I need to know you’re all in. No more back and forth.
If it’s a fling you want, you’d better be damn sure you can handle it, Pri.
Because when I’m done, you’ll remember it for the rest of your life. ”
Priya’s pulse stumbled over itself and her legs felt shaky.
“Take your time. Think it over,” Ethan said with a provocative smile. “Fair warning, though—resisting me will take more willpower than you have, so if that’s what you choose to do, I suggest shackling yourself to the nearest permanent fixture until your parents get back.”
With a wink that could melt anyone’s resolve, he turned and walked back toward the coach house. Priya’s skin flushed as she watched him go, the electric charge of his words still crackling in the air.
How the hell am I supposed to think straight after that?
Ethan Knight wasn’t just a star. He was the kind of man who could unravel you with a single glance—make you forget the rules, forget the consequences. Priya was in trouble. But damn, she couldn’t wait to fall deeper into it.
If she was going to let herself have this, have him, she had to act fast—before her parents got back.
No overthinking, no attachments, and no regrets.
She’d survived Ethan leaving before, and now she was better prepared.
Older, wiser, and hungry for what he offered—something wild, fleeting, and entirely hers.
The thought sent a rush of molten heat through her veins, her heart pounding with anticipation for what was about to unfold.