Someone called Kia’s name, and Raj turned to see three women weaving toward them.

“It looks like our five minutes is up,” Raj said. She pulled her clutch out from where she’d tucked it under her arm. “Good luck with your keynote tonight, darling.”

“Raj,” Kia said, resting a hand on her bare arm. “I’m not judging you. But because I know you’d do the same for me, I want you to know all the angles before making a decision.”

“Thanks, Kia,” Raj said, and kissed the woman’s cheek. “If you see your husband before I do, tell him to save me a dance tonight.”

Kia barely had a moment to say yes before she was swept away to the other end of the portico.

“You look like you need a drink.”

Raj spun on her heels to see a man holding two tumblers of whiskey. Not just any man, but one who immediately captured the interest of the devils on her shoulders.

Because his pictures didn’t do him justice, Raj was not prepared for Ajay Singh, the middle of three sons and future CEO of Bharat, Inc. His dark, close-cropped beard and the thick hair slicked back off his face made him look a little wicked, while his slate-gray-and-black tuxedo with an open collar fit snugly enough to make Raj wonder just how hard he was under all that fabric.

Her best friend’s boyfriend’s brother was delicious to look at, which surprised her since she’d never found Punjabi royalty to be interesting before.

Relax, Rajneet. He’s just a man. A gorgeous Punjabi man. You’ve sworn off those since you left India. Too many expectations, too many entanglements.

He handed her a tumbler and clinked his glass to hers.

“I didn’t expect the Singh brothers to be here,” she said as she looked up at his towering height and saluted him with her glass. “Usually your father does the publicity, right?”

His gaze narrowed and he stepped closer. “Do we know each other?”

“No, not really. But I know of you, your brothers, and your father, Ajay Singh.”

“Then I’m at a disadvantage.”

“Most men are when it comes to me.”

“Is that so? Then you must have experience at leading.”

Raj saw the shimmer of heat in his eyes. The way he looked at her had her pressing her thighs together.

“I never thought the future CEO of Bharat would let a woman lead anywhere,” she said. “It’s the Punjabi blood, no? You all prefer to be in charge.”

“I like to think I’ve evolved. Are you going to tell me who you are before you lead me somewhere interesting tonight?”

He reached out and twirled one of her curls around his finger before letting it fall against the swell of her breast.

Oh my. The surprises kept on coming. She’d never been propositioned by any man, so directly.