Page 17 of Addiction

“You are right. I realized a long time ago that I didn’t handle the situation very well with you—that I could have been better, less brash, and less arrogant. But I have changed since then.”

“And you expect me to believe that?” Disbelief and disdain poured out of her.

But what he said was the truth. He had behaved terribly with her that night. He’d seen her, and he’d wanted her. A strange compulsion had come over his mind that night, and he’d been so damn reluctant to let her go. But there was no changing the past; only the way ahead could be forged in a better way.

“Yes, I have changed. However, I am relentless in what I want. And what I want happens to be you. And contrary to what is coming out of your mouth,youare attracted tome,too. If that weren’t the case, I’d have left you alone all those years ago aswell. You and I have something between us. I’m just bold enough to accept it and voice it out loud that I want to explore what it is that flares between us when we’re close. I want to understand why my skin burns when you touch me. Only whenyoutouch me.”

Her pupils flared, and her cheeks reddened prettily. Her lower lip trembled, and she bit on it to stop it. He truly was enjoying how she reacted to him, and he loved getting these reactions out of her. Riling her up was so easy and so entertaining. But everything he’d told her was the truth. He was inexplicably drawn to her. Something about her tugged at the core of him and he definitely wanted to explore and understand why it was so.

She clucked her tongue. “Let’s end this debate. I’m telling you loudly and clearly that I’m not attracted to you in the least. Therefore, you can leave me alone and go on with your life, and I can go on with mine.”

He scratched his jaw, studying her. She lifted her jaw, her face defiant.

“Fine, I’ll leave you alone,” he told her. “I will never step into your path again ifyouprove to me that you are indeed not attracted to me.”

“Wait, what? You want me to prove…” She blinked several times, looking like a little lost lamb. “How the hell am I do that?”

How very interesting! Oh, he knew several women who were very aware of how to prove to a man that they were or weren’t attracted to him. However, Navya’s inexperience on the matter was written on her face. Was she an innocent? And why the hell did that thought please him so much?

“Since you clearly are clueless in matters of seduction, allow me to prove you wrong,” he said.

“This is stupid and dumb,” she grumbled. “But since you need proof, go ahead and touch me. See if I react.”

He lifted a hand to her cheek, hovering it over her face, not making contact. Oh, he was certain what she was going to do. It showed in the way she held herself perfectly still, the way her hands were clenched at her sides, and the way she’d tightly pressed her lips together. This woman was like an open book to him. So easily he could read her intentions.

She wanted him to make his move, to touch her cheek or caress it or whatever. She’d force herself to stay still, to not show any reaction to him, and this whole ordeal would be done for her. Hence, he did the complete opposite.

He moved his hand back. “Nope. Not now.”

“Huh?” Her brows shot up. “What do you mean not now?”

“It means that I don’t want to do this right now when you’ve anticipated my every move and have convinced yourself to thwart me. Nope. I’ll prove it to you when you least expect it.”

She glowered at him. “This is ridiculous and getting us nowhere.”

“Actually, what’s ridiculous is that you and I are standing here arguing when we should be having a good time outside at my party. Come, let’s go.”

“Why are you insisting on this?”

“Because once you spend time with me, you may realize that I’m not a bad person, and you may just like me. The rest will follow from thereon.”

“Fine, I’ll attend the party with you,” she accepted.

His gaze narrowed. “That was too easy,moya tigritsa. What have you got up your sleeve?”

She gave him a sugary smile. “Why don’t we step outside, and you find out for yourself?”

He chuckled. “This is what I like about you. You tend to keep me guessing as to what you’ll say or do next.”

“Yeah, sure. That’s the main aim of my life—to keep you entertained.”

He laughed. She gave him a dirty look and walked outside. This woman was a challenge, and he loved the game she was playing.

5

It was cold outside. The temperature had definitely dropped a few degrees since she’d last been out. Despite her layers, Navya shivered. The only reason she’d readily agreed to leave with him was because she needed to distance herself from him. Even now, thinking of his provocative words from earlier was making her head spin. When he’d lifted his hand to her face, the urge to move closer and allow him to touch her had slammed into her out of nowhere. Thank God, he’d moved his hand when he had.

Leaving his house also meant a way out and possibly a means of escape at some point. Besides, it had been a while since she’d been stuck indoors with him. By now, Reina would definitely be anxious about her. Navya worried that her fiery sister may even create a scene to get to her. Doing that would shift the focus from Navya to her, and that was the last thing Navya wanted.

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