Page 70 of Reckless Dare

She could only feel his heated stare.

“Ava and Abhi, you are up first,” the director announced as soon as he entered the auditorium. “I can’t wait to see the new updated scene.”

God. I have to kiss him again.

She nodded, gathering herself as much as she could and handed the printed sheets in her hand to one of the cast members and took position on the stage. She hoped she gave herself enough pep talk about acting, so her body didn’t react or respond to his touch.

She stayed focused on the dialogues. And then, she was glad that her heart only leaped once when her tormentor laced his fingers with hers as a part of the scene.

But as they got closer to the end of the scene, her heart began thudding erratically.

It’s just acting. It means nothing.

She repeated the words once again in her mind. But when she went on her toes to brush her lips against her tormentor’s, heat sizzled once again and her body caught fire.

It was insane. And this time, her tormentor returned the kiss. She felt his lips move over hers and she even felt his tongue running over the seam of her lips. She shuddered hard before she finally drew back.

There was stunned silence followed by loud cheers and claps from the rest of the cast members. With her cheeks on fire, she turned towards the director who looked equally stunned as everyone around.

“Uh… that was an amazing scene, Ava,” the director said. “I guess you decided to improvise it with a proper kiss. I’m glad Abhi went along too.”

“What?” She was shocked by his words. “I-I thought I was supposed to kiss him at the end.”

The director nodded. “Yes, but as a peck on a cheek. But I like this one way better.”

She was stunned. With shaking fingers, she went to the place where she had left her script. Picking it up, she walked back to where the director stood and pointed to the line in hers.

It was the director’s turn to be surprised. “How did you get this version? This was an older one and I changed it after feedback from Abhi that you might not be comfortable with the kiss on the lips. But now that we know you are fine, I’m happy to have the original version, which makes the scene more impactful.”

She was stunned. And then, she was slowly furious.

How dare he!

She knew her tormentor had something to do with the change in her script. She wanted to call him out. But she had to hold back as she had no proof.

“I prefer the new version with a peck on the cheek,” she said.

The director’s face fell slightly. “Of course. Whatever you are comfortable with, Ava.”

“Thank you,” she told the director.

While the session continued with the rest of the cast practicing their lines, she glared at her tormentor. She was angry enough to want to rip that handsome face off. But along with that she also wanted to bite down on his lip until he bled.

As though reading her angry, violent thoughts, his mouth slowly twisted and he ran a thumb over his bottom lip, making her stomach quiver and heat pool between her legs.

What is wrong with me?

CHAPTER 21

It was election day and Ava continued to campaign for Neeraj.

Hundreds of students stood in line to cast their vote for the student body president. Ava had been working relentlessly with the Eagles team to spread the word and gain support for Neeraj. She wanted Neeraj to win, just so she could give her tormentor a smug look.

Even as Neeraj and team scrambled to hold meetings, post updates on the university newsletter, her tormentor was pretty chilled about the elections.

Over confidence.

Scoffing at him mentally, she stood next to Neeraj and the team.

---