Page 79 of Reckless Dare

No! How can you think of him?

She hated that her tormentor’s kiss haunted her and aroused her instantly. She should loathe his touch, not relive it.

Suddenly anger kicked in and she hoped that Neeraj’s kiss would wipe away her tormentor’s touch and the thoughts that came with it.

Controlling another flinch, she allowed Neeraj to hold her waist lightly. She saw him closing his eyes and lowering his head. She then braced herself for feeling Neeraj’s lips on top of hers, but just when their lips were an inch apart, she raised herself on her toes and kissed him on his cheek.

“Thanks again for tonight, Neeraj!” she heard herself mumble before she stepped back from him.

Neeraj opened his eyes and he once again looked upset. But he forced out a smile. “You are welcome, Ava. I should thank you for your support during elections.”

She nodded even as she felt bad for disappointing him.

The drive back to the housing unit was quiet. When she waved goodbye to Neeraj, his jaw was clenched even as he smiled.

Even as she entered her housing unit, her mind felt tormented.

What is wrong with me? Why can’t I enjoy a kiss from a sweet guy like Neeraj?

Why am I only drawn to Abhiram Simha?

She hated her tormentor. But there was no denying that she was wildly attracted to him.

CHAPTER 23

Ava could barely sleep a wink all night. She had been tossing and turning, recalling the moments of the previous evening. Instead of thinking of her date with Neeraj, all she could think about was her tormentor.

She was still angry that Abhiram Simha broke into her bedroom, warned her not to go on the date with Neeraj, and then kissed her passionately as though he had every right. He also more or less sabotaged her date with Neeraj by showing up to the same restaurant with his group.

I hate him.

Even as her mind worked up anger, she tried to control it as she entered the hospital. It was supposed to be her day off, but she was filling in for one of the interns who had requested her to take up the slot. The request was made at the last minute, but since Ava had nothing else planned for the morning, she wanted to help.

The hospital was quiet since it was the weekend. As she passed through the Vaishnavi wing, she once again got reminded of speaking to her father about whether or not he knew any of the Simhas.

“Ava!” a guy’s voice called her out.

Surprised that Neeraj woke up early on a weekend morning, Ava turned back to greet him with a smile. Her smile froze and she was shocked.

Neeraj was sporting a black eye along with bruises on his cheek and a cut lip.

“Oh my God, Neeraj. Are you okay?” she asked, hurrying towards him.

Neeraj’s eyes were bloodshot and he looked angry.

“What happened?” she asked.

Did he meet with an accident? As far as she knew Neeraj didn’t own a bike. He had a jeep. Did he crash the jeep?

“Simha did this to me.”

She was shocked. “What?”

Neeraj grit his teeth. “He saw us going on a date last night and he didn’t like it. So he and his hooligan cousins attacked me.”

Ava was shocked. And then, slowly her anger began to grow. She kept it from showing on her face.

“I’m sorry you got hurt because of me,” she said.

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