Ajay ushered her forward with a firm hand on her back as he led her in the direction of his car. “We have to get to the Bharat compound in New Jersey. This news is better in person.”

Raj dug in her heels until Ajay stopped and faced her. “I am not going to your family compound.” A flutter of nerves and panic swarmed her belly. His parents lived there. Specifically, his mother.

“Roshan called you. You’ve been involved from the beginning. Also, I could use your insight. Come on.”

“Ajay, wait,” she said before he could start walking. She motioned to her cropped jeans, her sandals, and her halter blouse. “It’s not Punjabi-parent appropriate.”

She could see the distraction in his eyes and that he didn’t even bother assessing her clothes. “What, do you think my parents care if you show up in jeans? They’re not going to expect you to wear a damn Patiala salwar with a bindi and paranda in your hair.”

She crossed her arms.

“Raj, tusi mainu marana ja rahe ho. Fine. We have to get going now, then. Your place is out of the way, and I have to let Hem and Zail know we’re having a family meeting.”

“I don’t have to be at a family meeting,” she said, the panic in her stomach growing stronger. “Just drop me off. Call me if you need me.”

Ajay pressed a hard, firm kiss against her mouth. “I think we both are going to come to the same conclusion sooner or later.”

“What conclusion?”

“I’m going to always need you. Now come on. We’ll talk on the way.”

Chapter Thirteen
Ajay

This was not how he’d planned on spending his weekend, Ajay thought.

He’d just had a life-altering experience, watching Raj hold a puppy, his heart clenching at the pure joy on her face. He’d been sucker punched with the realization that he was in grave danger of feeling more than attraction and lust for this woman.

This was uncharted territory and his red-alert button was beeping uncontrollably in his head every time he looked at her.

And dammit, instead of focusing on Raj, he had to work. For the first time in his adult life, he wasn’t prioritizing his father’s company. He wanted to be with a woman instead.

If that didn’t make his red-alert button blare an even more deafening alarm, he didn’t know what would. It was vital now for Ajay to get his feelings under control. There was too much at stake for him to fall in love with a woman just because she looked like a goddess holding a puppy.

He brooded as they went back to Raj’s brownstone for her to change, and then back to his penthouse where he dropped off his car. His driver picked them up shortly after and started the trek to New Jersey.