Chapter Nine
She had almost kissed him. What the hell was the matter with her? She had actually wanted to kiss Dave. She would have if Vishal hadn’t shown up.
Maybe that was for the best. She didn’t need to be kissing anyone right now.
She had no job, her sister was pissed, her dad was sick.
Kissing would lead to sex, which could lead to a relationship, and she didn’t want that.
Roshan had everything together, despite having basically raised himself. The two of them would never mix.
Though sex might be nice. And she had to admit she had been fighting her attraction to Dave this whole time.
It got harder the better she got to know him.
What were the chances they shared a taste in books—or that he was even a reader?
Maybe she didn’t have to fight it. Maybe they could just have sex. No strings attached.
It wouldn’t be the first time she’d had a fling. What was the big deal? The fact that she had known him in high school? That should really not be relevant.
Vishal was jabbering on about something, but her attention was focused directly behind her, where she knew Roshan was walking. She was fully aware of his agitation at being interrupted. She had to admit, she shared it, too.
They made their way to the hotel restaurant patio, open late to accommodate the resort guests. Nimita noted that her ankle felt better. Maybe she could leave the wrap off.
She sat down. Roshan was right there to take her crutches. He sat down and glared at a completely oblivious Vishal. In the light, Nimita didn’t think Vishal looked all that well.
Vishal had soup. Nimita and Roshan both ordered sushi. It was always fun to have second dinner, and Roshan ordered a bottle of wine for the table. For the two of them, anyway. It wouldn’t help Vishal to drink any wine.
The table was quiet for a bit. “Wow,” Vishal said finally. “Are you two still pissed at each other?”
“No,” Roshan said as he sipped his wine, openly looking at Nimita.
Heat rushed up her to her face. “Maybe.”
“Yeah?” asked Vishal. “Maybe you want to talk it out?”
“Great idea,” Roshan said, still watching her.
“You’re welcome.” Vishal finished his soup.
“You done eating?” Roshan turned to his friend.
“Yeah.”
“Great. Go to bed,” Roshan said.
She flushed. Roshan’s eyes never left her face. His tone was less than friendly. Nimita was certain that if Vishal had been feeling better, he would have caught on early.
Vishal got up. “I’ll take some of this to Karan. So you two can talk.”
“Great idea.” Roshan wasn’t even trying to have a conversation with his friend.
Once Vishal was out of sight, Nimita found her wineglass full. They were seated outside, the crescent moon still visible over the water, the light from the restaurant dim. She sipped her wine and looked at Dave.
Why had she started calling him Dave? It was a silly name, it literally came from roll call, when a substitute teacher had read it as Dave, not Duv-ay.
Dave switched his focus to the ocean, his profile to her. Damn but the man was attractive. Chiseled jaw, slight scruff, thick hair mussed from the day.
His phone lit up, a mystical-sounding melody playing out. He grinned at her, and though she couldn’t really see his flush, she heard it in his voice. “That’s my sister. She keeps changing the ringtone for her in my phone.”
“I like her already.” Nimita froze. “Not that I needed to like her… I mean she seems cool…like…” She pressed her lips together. “Take your phone call while I sit here and not talk.”
Roshan stood, and now in the light she had a full view of his smirk as well as the amusement in his eyes. Her heart thudded. He tapped his phone and raised it to his ear as he brushed past her. He drew his finger along her shoulder as he walked, sending a current through her body.
She chugged her wine. She turned to look at him. He was far enough away that she couldn’t hear him, but she definitely noticed how his body relaxed and his face lit up as he talked to his sister.
She was glad she’d finally learned the truth. Finally forgiven him. Maybe…just maybe she had judged him too harshly.
* * *
“Hey, little sister.” Roshan couldn’t fight the grin on his face. He had just had the best day with, of all people, Nimita Chaudhary.
“What are you smiling about?” Malini’s glee could be heard through the phone.
“How do you know I’m smiling?”
“Bhaiya. I can tell. Did you meet a girl?”
Kind of. Not really. “I just had a great day—with the guys. You know I never have enough time with them.” The lie rolled off his tongue.
It wasn’t the first time he’d had to lie to her.
No, giving marrow is not painful. No, I don’t need to be present to accept my award, let’s play cards in the hospital.
Besides, just because he had one good day with a woman didn’t mean anything.
Except that it hadn’t been a good day, it had been a fabulous day.
“I finished reading the book,” he singsonged into the phone.
“What? You have never finished this fast.” The shock in her voice was worth it.
“It was engaging, and I couldn’t put it down. Did you finish?”
“Duh.” He could envision her eye roll.
They discussed the book for a few minutes.
“What’s the next book?” he asked.
She named another romantasy title. “But technically, it’s your turn—”
“No. That’s okay. I’ll just have to get it at home—”
“No. It’s really popular. The hotel should have it.”
Would they have two copies? The thought popped into his head. Oh no. This was dangerous.
Malini was talking. “Okay, Bhaiya?”
“Um…what?”
“Are you listening to me? You seem off. I think you met a girl.”
“How are Mom and Dad?”
“How would I know?” Malini squeaked. She only squeaked when she was defensive.
“Because they call you all the time, and they’re actually leaving me be on vacation for once.” He allowed the big brother into his voice.
“Right. They’re still on vacation in Europe. I told them to stop calling me till they’re back home.”
“Bet they didn’t like that.”
“Ugh! I am a grown woman, and you and I share a townhome,” she snapped.
“Yes. But you’re there. Alone.” Panic flooded through him as any number of disastrous outcomes flashed through his brain.
“Roshan Dave. I am twenty-six years old, I have a job and friends. I can stay home alone for a week,” she lectured him.
“All I’m saying is that things can happen.”
“And all I’m saying is that while things might happen, I am going to live my life anyway.”
Roshan closed his eyes. His sister simply refused to understand that she was still sick. He had been calm; now he was unsettled. She just did not take her health as seriously as he did. She had no idea what it had been like when she was a child, how his parents worried about her.
“I’m fine,” she snapped at him. “Maybe if you’d let me keep—”
“Nope.”
She sighed. “Go hang with your girl, Bhaiya.”
“There is no girl.”
“Well, there should be.” She paused. “Love you even though you’re a pain.”
“Love you, too,” he said softly. Whatever their arguments, he loved her fiercely. He ended the call and stood alone for a moment to gather himself.
He turned back and found Nimita still at the table, sipping a glass of wine and staring up into the night sky. He had thought she might take off for bed.
She was lit by the candle on the table and the moon. She had taken her hair down from the ponytail she’d had it tied in all day, and it lay silhouetted in dark waves down her back. She was…stunning.
He had always been taken by her intellect, but clearly, he had not been paying enough attention to her in high school.
Chalk it up to the many mistakes he’d made growing up.
Butterflies entered his stomach, completely unbidden.
Now? He was nervous now? He had spent the past few days with her, and now he was unsure of himself?
That was new.
He walked toward her and placed his phone on the table. “My sister has a new book for us.” He sat down across from her. Their knees touched. He liked it. Honestly, it was like he was twelve years old, reacting to a girl like this. Knees!
“I thought you took turns picking.”
“We do, but…anyway, it’s a popular romantasy and should be at the hotel gift shop. The Court of Ember and Starlight.”
Her eyes lit up. “There’s a bookstore down the road,” she offered.
“It’s a date.” Her gaze flicked to his at the word. But he wasn’t taking it back. “We can see how you’re healing and walk over in the morning, if you’re up for it. If not, I’ll run down and get us two copies.”
“What makes you think I want to read it?”
He narrowed his eyes at her. “Your eyes lit up like a child at an amusement park when I said the title.”
She sagged a bit in her chair but rolled her eyes as a smile forced its way onto her face. “Fine. Yes.”
“Then it’s a date. We can get breakfast after.”
“What about the guys?”
“They are still sick and might be contagious. I am confining them to their room.”
“Vishal seemed better.”
“Not better enough.”
“So I have to share a room with you again?” Her voice was low and soft, and she met his eyes this time. There was mischief in those brown eyes. Something new…suggestive.
“Looks that way.” He met her gaze and stood, holding his hand out to her.
She took his hand to stand, her eyes never leaving his.
She used her crutches while he carried their things to up to the room.
They walked in charged silence. Nimita was hardly limping now.
She unlocked their door, and he followed her into the room.
Then he took the crutches from her and rested his hand on her waist.
She did not remove it.
He leaned closer to her to whisper in her ear, “I wanted to kiss you on the beach.”
She tilted her head to him, pressing her cheek against his. “Don’t let the lack of sand and ocean stop you.”
This woman.