She smiled at the older man. “No. I’m just planning to take up a few more freelance writing jobs. So I’ll be busy for a few weeks.”
Although she trusted the lawyer she had known for nearly two decades, she didn’t want to take chances of him mentioning her job at Prism Corporation to her father.
“That’s great. All the best, Tanvi.”
Thanking the lawyer, she left the lawyer’s office and returned home.
It was late evening when delicious aromas once again filled the air outside her apartment.
It was too early for dinner, but she wanted to go and help her arrogant neighbor. Even though he was an ass, she couldn’t simply freeload off him.
She went into her apartment and took a quick shower before putting on her usual t-shirt and jeans. The weather was still warm and humid. Pulling her hair back, she tied it into a ponytail before stepping out of her apartment.
The opposite door was open as usual. She knocked on it loudly. “Hello?”
“Come in,” his deep voice ordered from somewhere inside.
Knowing he must be in the kitchen, she went there. She suppressed a grin recalling how he had to ‘slave away’ the last time a big group of girls turned up unexpectedly for dinner.
She saw him, and her stomach fluttered hard. He was facing the other way, and she could only see his back. He was wearing a sleeveless half-shirt that showed off his tanned skin and impressive muscles. He was chopping vegetables in a smooth motion, which he then put into a bubbling pot and stirred it.
She was fascinated to watch. She never thought of cooking as interesting. But looking at the handsome, arrogant man in front of her, she realized how hot and sexy it could look.
“Hello, princess. You are home early,” he remarked.
He was still facing the other way and hadn’t turned towards her.
“How did you know it was me?” she asked. It could have been Sameer too.
He turned to look at her, and she could see his dimple flashing. “Sandalwood soap,” he remarked.
Her heart jerked at his remark. Pushing away the awareness, she twisted her lips into a smirk.
“Do you make it a habit of sniffing your neighbors to recognize them by their scent?” she asked.
He laughed. “Just you, princess. It’s something I remember you by when we sat together in the taxi we shared.”
Her stomach fluttered. She remembered his subtle cologne too. If she placed her nose against his hard chest, she knew she would smell the musky, citrusy fragrance.
Oh God.
She was shocked by her wicked thought.
What is wrong with you! Stop thinking of sniffing him! You hate him, remember?
She tried to remind herself that she hated him.
Once again, there was a knowing smirk on his face, flashing his dimples. He was so damn hot and annoying. She was torn between wanting to sink her teeth into his dimples and also wanting to slap the arrogant smirk off his handsome face.
“I would love to know what you are thinking, princess,” he drawled.
“I was thinking about how my previous neighbor was so sweet and quiet and made me delicious food without being arrogant and annoying.”
He laughed. “I’m sorry that I’m not an old lady.”
She narrowed her eyes. “How do you know Mrs. Vasudev is an old lady?”
“Sweet and quiet without being arrogant and annoying sounds like an old lady.”