Page 28 of Addiction

Her expression turned serious. “And then?”

“And then I bring heaven to you,da?”

Even though her heart was bursting like a firecracker, she found herself laughing, enjoying the moment with him. The lights turned off, signalling the start of the show and putting an abrupt halt to his flirting. The sound of water flowing, birds chirping, and bells tinkling echoed in the vast hall. Lights lit up the mirrored ramp. A mix of Indian and African beats played, and the first model appeared at the end of the ramp. Navya watched in rapt attention as, one by one, the models sashayed down the ramp, dressed in exotic gowns, pantsuits, and dresses. Each creation they adorned was better than the previous one. Her mind was busy imagining dressing her clients in these fabulous clothes being paraded in front of her. Given the theme, all the outfits were in shades of burgundy, pink, and green. It all tied together so prettily. She clapped along with the rest of the crowd.

“This is amazing.” She looked to the side and found Armaan watching her and not the show. She frowned. “Look at the stage.”

“Why should I look elsewhere when the most beautiful woman in the room is sitting right beside me?” he said, his tone serious. “Watching your pretty face glow in happiness is so much more delightful. I like seeing you happy.”

Warmth slid into her veins. Had he been watching her all this while? She stared at him. His gaze lowered to her mouth. Her throat dried. The very air around her felt charged. Heat coiled inside her, tighter, faster, deeper. She bit her lower lip.

Armaan stared at her mouth for a second more before he freed her lip with his finger. He remained like that for a moment, watching her, his finger on her lower lip. Her breath stilled. Suddenly, it felt like he was too close. Had he shifted, or was she the one tilting toward him?

From the corner of her eye, someone was glaring at her. When she looked up, Rehana was walking down the ramp withan icy glare on her face. Navya moved away from Armaan and settled back in her seat.

“Rehana looks like she wants to stab me with her claw-like nails,” Navya murmured. “Does she have a thing for you?”

Armaan made a face. “Irrelevant, becausesheis a mistake I never intend to make.”

Navya chuckled as he repeated her words. “Why?”

“I’m not interested in her. Never have and never will be.” He gave Navya a wicked smile. “I’m only interested in you, my tigress.”

Navya ignored the way her stomach swooped at his words.

“There goes a potential client then,” she said instead.

Armaan turned to her. “You want Rehana as a client?”

She shrugged. “Wouldn’t hurt my credentials. She is the reigning queen of the ramp on this side of the world. Other models emulate everything she does. But seeing how she looks like she wants to murder me just because I’m sitting with you, I doubt that will ever happen.”

“Hmm, interesting.”

Rehana walked back down the ramp, and this time, she returned with the designer and their host for the night, Jacques Namura. The crowd gave him a standing ovation.

The man turned to Armaan and gave a bow and a wink before returning down the ramp.

“You know Jacques Namura?” Navya gasped, as Armaan took her elbow and guided her back to the main section of the hall where the party had now resumed.

“Yes, he is a friend.”

“Oh my God.” She paused, finally noticing that he, too, was wearing the designer’s colors. His shirt was dark burgundy, and his pocket square was light pink. Immediately, she put two and two together. “I got the invite because of you.”

And here she thought she had accomplished enough, and that’s why she’d been sent this prestigious invite. Her heart sank from the disappointment.

“I did recommend your name to Jacques and asked if he could consider adding you to the guest list for tonight. However, the only reason you’re here is because he found you talented enough to attend his show. Not even I have that much influence over him to get him to invite someone unworthy.”

Her distress must have showed on her face because he immediately said, “Don’t, not even for a second, doubt yourself. You are very talented. I’ve been following your work, Navya.”

Her eyes rounded. “You’ve been following my work.”

“I told you I was curious about you.”

“Why me?” she whispered, asking him the one question for which she still didn’t have a clear answer.

“Honestly, I’m not entirely sure,” he said. “But I’m willing to take time to find out. Are you ready to do the same?”

She stared at him, unable to come to terms with the fact that this gorgeous man was going out of his way to woo her.

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