“That’s the point,” she said. “I won’t lie and admit that I’m glad it was you who removed it.” She stood, wobbling on her heels for a moment before her legs could support her.

“It goes over the head.”

He obliged and helped her tug it into place. Then, with a twinkle of wickedness in his eyes, he massaged her breasts underneath the thin covering. “I didn’t focus on these nearly enough. I have time left, don’t I?”

“I think I’m spent,” Raj said. She tilted her chin up, lips pursed, until he grinned and pressed a brief kiss to her mouth. She needed the kiss, the moment of affection from him—something she’d never needed from any of her other lovers. It was jarring, but she’d evaluate her feelings later.

“Does this mean I win?” he asked.

“Don’t be so smug about it.”

“I think I deserve a moment of smugness.” He wrapped his arms around her waist and cuddled her closer. Raj felt warm and frighteningly touched by the gesture.

“Now that you’ve won, what are your plans?”

“Well . . .” He motioned toward the glass where the couple had once been. “Coming back here with you would be nice. But for now, I’m thinking we should explore food together.”

“Food.”

“Yes. I’d like to take you on a date. For Indian food.”

“Tonight?”

Ajay shook his head. “Tomorrow is soon enough.”

She felt a conflicting mix of relief and disappointment. On the one hand, she wouldn’t have minded taking him into her bed, but on the other, she realized that her hormones were probably driving that emotion. She’d never had a man in her bed before. She preferred to keep them out of her personal space. She reached up and stroked his beard.

“Fine. Tomorrow. An Indian food date. It better be worth it, Ajay.”

He grinned, pulling her close. “Soni, basa tusi itaraza karo.”

Just you wait.

Chapter Eleven
Ajay

It had cost Ajay to be a gentleman, but he took Raj home, kissed her until his head spun, and returned to his penthouse alone. He hadn’t known Raj that long, but he could already tell that she was a cautious woman who would appreciate some time to process what’d happened between them. If he’d spent the night, there was a very good chance that she’d push him away again.

Fortunately, it was less than twenty-four hours before he headed toward her brownstone again. He cruised uptown in his Bugatti with the early-fall breeze filtering through his window and twilight sparkling over the city. He rarely drove, since he preferred working during his commute, but he hoped Raj would enjoy the privacy.