Page 38 of Right Where I Belong

“Friends?” His grin widened. “That’s adorable. Considering we already crossed that line last night, and trust me, sweetheart, wewillcross it again.”

Panic gripped her chest. “No.”

“Yes.”

“Why are you here?” She licked her dry lips. “What do you want from me?”

His gaze darkened. “More. I want more.”

She blinked.

“Last night… itwreckedsomething inside me, and I know it shook something inside you too.” His hand moved now, resting lightly on her hip, his thumb drawing a small circle there. “Last night wasn’t just sex, Sabrina. It was… the most touching, and overwhelming experience of my life.” His thumb pressed into her waist. “I had to come and see you…”

Taking her hand, he pressed it on his chest. His heartbeat thundered under her palm—loud, wild, erratic. Just like hers.

“I want to see where this goes,” he said. “Come with me on a date.”

She hesitated. Her heart was racing. Her body was aching for him. But?—

“No,” she said, voice low. God. Why did that hurt? But she had to protect herself first. She had too many responsibilities to simply jump into an affair with him.

“Don’t say no so quickly. Let’s go on a date and talk things out first. Then you can decide.”

She quickly shook her head. “I can’t.”

“Why?”

“Have you forgotten that I have a child and that I’m a widow?”

“So?”

She gaped at him. “What do you meanso?”

He pulled back just enough to look into her eyes. “So what if you have a child? That doesn’t make you any less desirable. And you being a widow only means you’re free to date whoever the hell you want to.”

God, this man. How did he know exactly what to say to cut through her doubts and fears, and make her feel seen?

However, she couldn’t just go on a date with him.

“You and I have known each other for too long,” she finally began. “We have too many friends in common, people who will be affected if they find out that you and I slept together. So, for everyone’s sake, let’s just forget last night happened.”

He frowned. “I don’t care if anyone finds out. Akash has already figured it out. And as for the others?—”

“Oh my God, Akash knows? Have you told anyone else? Will he tell anyone else?” Dread pooled inside her. She clutched his arm. “Did you tell Rithwik?”

“Come with me on a date, and I’ll answer that question,” he said softly.

Then, before she could stop him, he leaned in and brushed his lips against hers. Her whole body shuddered at the contact, and every cell came to life, welcoming him. Her lips clung to his as his arms wrapped around her. Her heart told her that this felt right. Perfect. Like she was exactly where she belonged.

Aditya stepped back, leaving her swaying where she stood. “Eight o’clock. I’ll pick you up.”

The oven dinged behind her. She spun toward the sound, her heart thundering, her senses rattled. By the time she turned back to argue with him and tell him no, he was already gone.

Sabrina stood still, her heart still pounding in her chest, her lips tingling from his kiss.

“Oh. My. God.” Shauna’s loud voice from the hallway broke the quiet Aditya had left behind. “That was so hot. I saw thewholething. He’s totally into you.”

Sabrina whirled. “How long have you been standing there?”