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Crossing a line into uncharted waters.

At least this way, boundaries are set and I’ll only remember him as a handsome stranger I once met.

Besides, the last thing I want to hear is my best friend’s name from his mouth. Every time he says it in his rich and deep voice, it’ll be the equivalent of a dagger to the heart. On the other hand, a sharp reminder of my goal.

Before I can form a comeback, we’re interrupted again.

This time by the pretty hostess. “Your table is ready, Mr. Kashyap.”

CHAPTER – 4

Twinkle

“Pull yourself together, Twinkle,” I say to my reflection in the bathroom mirror above the marble sink. Slapping my forehead, I remind myself, “Not Twinkle, Tina.”

Keenly aware I needed to get my bearings together, I had excused myself to the restroom before we could sit at our table. Which, unfortunately, had the perfect aesthetic for a simple and cozy date.

He’s not here for you. It’s with Tina that he feels a connection.

I’m going to go out there and accomplish what I promised my best friend. To send the guy running for the hills, far away from our lives.

By any psycho means necessary.

Except it ain’t happening unless I stop drooling like a schoolgirl over every mundane thing he does.

Most importantly, no getting distracted by his smirking lips, mischievous eyes, and smooth tongue. And absolutely notouching his body made for sin or daydreaming what he looks like stripped naked. Certainly not imagining him doing all sorts of dirty, nasty, and twisted deeds between the sheets.

“Stop it.” I shake my head while fanning my hot cheeks. “You’re here for one reason and one reason only: to get him off Tina’s back.”

Checking my hair and makeup in the mirror once more, I walk out with my chin held high.

Time to let the inner bitch out.

I ignore the shiver that runs across my spine as our eyes connect as soon as I enter the room. His hot gaze dips to my upper thighs, where the short skirt of my dress sways with every step. He doesn’t even hide that he’s checking me out.

However, I don’t let my mind drift to naughty thoughts and keep my expression schooled.

Unbothered, his lips quirk on one side in a sly smirk.

I can’t seem to ruffle his feathers.

He stands when I reach the table and like a true gentleman, slides my chair out and helps me sit. If I had a penny for how many times I’ve cursed my bad luck in the last half hour, I’d be rich as hell.

I suck in a sharp breath when his fingers ghost over my neck. Rounding the table to his side, he settles in his spot, his muscles flexing and shifting gracefully.

Before either of us can say a word, the waiter materializes out of thin air and professionally asks, “Would you both like to order?”

“Yes,” I answer before picking up my menu. Julian does the same after I purposely ignore him without waiting to see if he is ready or not. Skimming the contents, I close it as I place my order. “I’d like the sushi, please.”

“Make that two, thanks.”

With a nod, the waiter skitters away through the bustling room and heads toward the kitchen in the back. My heart does a cartwheel inside my chest when it’s just us secluded in the corner. The palpable sexual tension floating between us could be cut with a knife.

He silently and unnervingly watches me, secretly enjoying making me squirm and my brain scramble with sinful thoughts.

Focus, Twinkle. Focus.

“Your biodata didn’t say you had tattoos,” I say the first thing that pops into my head. Knowing Tina’s family, they wouldn’t approve of them. That’s why I’m surprised he got past her mother, who must have seen pictures other than the useless passport-sized one.