Page 83 of Reckless Dare

“Well,” said Rana. “I guess you do now.”

Ava fell silent. Ved and Rana left to join the practicing team. She could see Rana speaking with Abhiram. Her heart thudded when her tormentor looked towards her before coming to the stands.

Oh God. What should I say to him?

Her tormentor neared and then stopped right in front of her. Pushing back his dark, sweaty hair off his forehead, he watched her quietly as she fidgeted uncomfortably.

“I-I found out the truth about Neeraj,” she said.

He didn’t say anything.

Taking a deep breath, she apologized. “I shouldn’t have reacted without knowing the truth,” she said.

When he continued to remain quiet, her heart sank.

“I-I didn’t realize you were defending Neela madam. I’m sorry for slapping you.” When he remained quiet, she started to feel guilty. “Do you accept my apology?”

He finally spoke. “No,” he said.

Her heart sank. “I know slapping you was crossing a line. But I’m—”

“Come out with me,” he said.

She was shocked. “What?”

He watched her closely with a look that once again fluttered her stomach. “You asked me on a date on your first day here at Simha.”

Her cheeks heated recalling the party game where the new students had to ask one of the old students out on a date. She had picked him.

“It was just a silly game,” she whispered.

“Not for me, Harvard.”

“I-I…” Her heart thudded and it was with both nervousness and strange excitement.

She did owe him an apology but did she want to go on a date with him?

At one point, she would have jumped with excitement, but now she also felt nervous and conflicted.

He waited quietly, watching her as she bit her lip nervously. He didn’t push her or try to coerce her in any way. Somehow, she knew he wouldn’t. And that made her feel all the more drawn to him.

She continued to watch his darkly handsome face that featured in her fantasies as well as in her darkest nightmares. Although he had been her tormentor for long, the awareness between them had always been strong. And now, with no fear or anger or hatred impeding her, the awareness blazed out of control.

She knew if she went out with him, she might not be able to control or put a stop to their attraction. The thought terrified her, but it also made her heart pound with anticipation.

Taking a deep breath, she replied. “Yes, I will go out with you.”

As soon as he said those words, a thrill of anticipation burst inside her along with nervousness.

Oh God. What did I sign up for?

CHAPTER 25

I am going on a date with the devil.

Ava stared at herself in the mirror, wondering if she should run and hide somewhere after switching off her phone, so she couldn’t be found for the entire weekend.

She shook her head at the thoughts. Ever since she had agreed to go on a date with the devil, she could barely have a moment of mental peace. Each moment, she alternated between excited anticipation to terrifying nervousness.

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