Page 98 of Reckless Dare

Her heart started to race when her tormentor took the opportunity to be near her. She nearly gasped when something rough brushed over her nearly bare back.

Oh God! What is he doing!

It was her tormentor’s slightly roughened calloused fingertips. As the photographers continued to instruct, the rough pad of her tormentor’s fingers moved over her exposed skin in between the strings at the back of her dress.

She bit her lip to stop herself from reacting. But he continued to drive her crazy by drawing patterns over her bare skin and leaving goosebumps. Her cheeks were heated and her stomach quivered in arousal. Unable to stand it, she threw him a glare.

He was looking towards the camera, but she could see his mouth twisted into a small wicked smile while his fingers played havoc on her exposed back.

“Madam, please look towards the camera and not to your side. And please stop fidgeting.”

With her face on fire, she quickly looked away from her tormentor and faced the camera. She felt her tormentor’s silent shake of laughter and vowed to get back at him.

*****

She didn’t get the chance until much later. Until the rings were exchanged, she remained with the rest of the girls group close to Nitya. But once the official ceremony was done, the group spread and began to socialize.

As usual her tormentor was surrounded by a big group of pretty girls wanting to get close to him. Along with the Simha University girls, there were several of Nitya’s pretty cousins and family friends who joined the Abhiram Simha fan club.

A flash of annoyance passed through her, but she refused to acknowledge it.

She stayed at a distance trying to ignore him while one of the guests began to speak with her.

“It’s awesome that you got into the Vaishnavi program at Simha Medical School. I remember it was quite tough to get it.”

Ava smiled at the guy in front of her. At first, she thought of having a brief polite conversation before excusing herself and going somewhere else. But when she found out that he was a doctor and one of Nitya’s cousins who had also gone to Simha University, she continued talking to him. He was friendly and quite helpful. And he was also handsome, which she knew she could use to get back at her tormentor.

She already felt the heat of a burning gaze on her back which she knew was her tormentor. But she deliberately didn’t turn and continued talking to the guy in front of her.

“Yes, I feel quite lucky,” she replied. “I’m hoping I get the residency option at one of the Simha hospitals, too.”

The guy nodded. “You’ll have to apply early on since the waiting list is really long. And Simha hospitals are very particular about rewarding only merit and not recommendations.”

Ava smiled. “Yes, I know.”

The guy looked at her with interest and admiration. “Your family is in San Francisco and your parents have a hospital there. Do you intend to return after graduating?”

She knew it was an obvious question. It was something that her parents also wanted to know. Even though she knew she couldn’t work for her parents after graduating, she hadn’t made up her mind about where she would live and work.

Until now.

Somehow it felt right for her to find a job in India. She didn’t know how much of it was driven by her feelings towards her tormentor.

“I’m not sure,” she replied with a smile. “I guess I’ll get to it once I graduate.”

The guy smiled. “I guess you have a few more years to decide. I’m twenty-five and still figuring out whether to work for a hospital or start my own practice… or maybe settle in an outside country.”

Once again she saw admiration and interest in his eyes. The last part surprised her. She knew many doctors tried to find partners who were also doctors. Although there was nothing wrong in that thinking, she didn’t want the guy in front of her to think of her as an option.

Not wanting to deliberately lead him on, she excused herself.

“Excuse me. Let me check if Nitya needs anything.”

There were several people who could help Nitya, but Ava hoped the guy would buy the excuse while she stepped away.

She was going towards the drinks area to grab a bottle of water when her phone vibrated. Knowing who it was, she smiled, pulling it out of the small shiny green pouch she wore at her waist. A message flashed on the top.

Tormentor: Come to the music room.

---