“Just breathing. Could you distract me please?”
“Nervous?”
My heart hammers when I look down and see our laced fingers. “A little.”
“Wanna hear more good things from D?”
It’s impossible not to chuckle at his unexpected offer. It feels like a different woman who once complained about all the terrible things starting from a D, right at this very bar.
I can hardly recognize the person I’ve become. While I don’t miss who I used to be, I’m thankful for her.
“Dazzle me,” I tease, causing Cal’s green eyes to twinkle happily. He slips an arm around my waist and draws me closer, one large palm cradling my face with a gentleness that never fails to make me swoon.
“D is for how desperately in love I am with you.”
I hum when he brushes a kiss between my brows, my anxiety draining in the comfort of being with him.
“D is for the dates I want to take you on before you leave for India.”
His nose bumps against mine, making me giggle.
“D,” he murmurs, his voice dropping an octave to a pitch that causes my nipples to harden instantly, “is for the devotion I plan on showing you in the bedroom tonight.”
His lips have barely caught my low moan when we hear a furious bark behind us.
“What the fuck!”
Gasping, we break apart and spin around, coming face-to-face with Rohan.
“Why the hell are you two kissing?”
I take a step toward him, one hand raised up imploringly. But he’s not looking at me. His gaze locks on Callum as he jabs a finger accusingly in the air.
“You fucked around with my little cousin? After I told you she was off-limits?”
“Little!” I snap in outrage.
Somewhere in the recesses of my brain, I note the entrance door opening and thudding shut. Theo’s concerned voice calls out our names, but I don’t dare to move my focus away. I’d rather not have an audience, but it’s unavoidable given Rohan’s looking like he’s three seconds from throwing himself at Callum.
“I’m not fucking around with her, Moore,” Cal snaps, his tone full of ice. “Hear us out.”
“What the hell is the matter with you?” Rohan shakes his head disappointedly. “Was it the challenge? Is it because I said you can’t?”
“You said what?” My screeched question is drowned out by Cal’s barked response.
“Have some respect when you speak about her. She’s not a challenge or a bet I’m chasing.”
“I’ve seen you with other womenthisseason,“ Rohan hisses, marching up to us.
“You’ve seen what I showed you,” he snaps, his voice taking on the timbre of an avalanche ready to crack. “I haven’t touched another woman since I met Alia.”
“Am I supposed to believe that?”
“I don’t give two shits what you believe as long as she does.”
“Stop it! The both of you!” I shout. I grab Rohan’s arm, forcing him to look at me. “Do you believe in me?” I ask, my heart in my throat. “Or do you think I’m such a mess I only make bad decisions that screw up my life?”
“Al—”