Page 10 of Strictly Solo

Before Naina could respond, Ruhaan ended the call, leaving her staring at the phone in disbelief. She couldn’t believe the nerve of this man, using her own kid as a bargaining chip to get what he wanted.

She turned to Suman and Rohit, who had been hearing the exchange with amused expressions. “Can you believe him?” she asked.

Suman chuckled, shaking her head. “Ruhaan still likes you, Naina. Why else would he go to such lengths to get your attention?”

Naina scoffed, not wanting to entertain the thought. “He’s just trying to get under my skin. And now I have to make him coffee, or who knows when he’ll bring the kids back.”

Rohit grinned, enjoying the drama. “Well, you better get started on that coffee. Because Ruhaan isn’t a man who likes to be kept waiting.”

Naina rolled her eyes unwilling to comply with Ruhaan’s demands. This was not how she envisioned her time in Delhi to go, but there was no turning back now.

Chapter 3

Naina watched with frustration as Ruhaan’s car pulled into the driveway. The moment he stepped out, the kids tumbled out of the vehicle, their faces beaming with joy and ice cream stains adorning their clothes.

Neil rushed towards her, clutching an ice cream cone in his hand, still relishing it. Naina pulled him close, her eyes narrowing as she took in the sight of the half-eaten treat. She turned her gaze towards Ruhaan, her lips pressed into a thin line.

“How many ice creams did you let Neil have?”

Ruhaan flashed her a nonchalant grin. “We all had two each. What’s the big deal?”

Naina felt her anger rising. “The big deal?” she huffed. “You know kids can’t handle that much sugar at once. They could get sick.”

Ruhaan shrugged, unfazed by her concern. “Naina, you worry too much. Didn’t you ever have two ice creams at a time when you were a kid?”

“That was different,” Naina argued, but Ruhaan cut her off.

“Nothing’s different,” he countered. “Back then, you were a kid, and now Neil is. He wanted two, so I gave him two. Stop worrying so much; he’s a strong boy. Nothing’s going to happen. Think positive, Naina.”

“Yes, Mom, you worry unnecessarily,” Neil chimed in, his mouth smeared with ice cream. “Ruhaan is right. Nothing will happen.”

Naina felt her anger rising again as her own son took Ruhaan’s side. Before she could respond, Neil scampered off with the other kids, leaving her alone with the infuriating man.

She pointed an accusatory finger at Ruhaan. “Next time, don’t do anything for Neil without my permission.”

Ruhaan crossed his arms defiantly; his eyebrow arched in challenge. “Why?”

“What do you mean, ‘why’?” Naina retorted. “I’mhis mother.”

“EvenImean something to his mother, right?” Ruhaan countered. “So, that obviously gives me some right over Neil too.”

Naina felt her face flush with heat. “You mean nothing to me, Ruhaan, other than my brother-in-law’s friend and business partner. Don’t think your flirtatious behavior is going to let me melt down this time. I’m not the Naina you could charm seven years ago.”

Before she could react, Ruhaan slid his arm around her waist, pulling her flush against him. Her breath caught in her throat as his closeness overwhelmed her senses.

He leaned in, his lips curled into a teasing grin. “So, I had really charmed you in the past? Didn’t I?”

She swallowed hard, her gaze falling upon Ruhaan’s parted lips. Memories of their past encounter flooded her mind, the rawness of his kiss then…that burning desire still left her breathless.

Snapping out of her reverie, she placed her palms against his chest and pushed him away. “Stay in your limits, Ruhaan,” she warned.

He sighed, raising his hands in mock surrender. “Fine, I’ll stay in my limits if that’s what you want. But if you cross the line someday, all bets are off.”

She frowned, unable to fathom the possibility of such a scenario. But before she could respond, Ruhaan shot her another mischievous grin. “Is my coffee ready?”

She rolled her eyes. “Go make yourself one.” With that, she turned on her heel and stormed off, her cheeks still flushed with anger.

Ruhaan chuckled to himself, thoroughly amused by Naina’s flustered state. Having her around again, with Neil in the mix, doubled the fun. He couldn’t wait to see how they would tackle each other over the next two weeks.