Page 6 of Journey to You

She’d rather walk the plank.

Two

“What the hell are you doing here?”

Ethan grinned at Tamara’s shell-shocked expression as he strolled towards her on the platform at Safdarjung Station.

“You mean here as in New Delhi or here as in this station?”

Her eyes narrowed, spitting emerald fire. “Don’t be a smart-ass. Why are you here?”

“Business. I told you I’m a workaholic.” He shrugged. “The Delhi chef wasn’t interested in my job offer, so there’s a chef in Udaipur I’d like to lure toAmbrosia. Rather than commute by boring planes, I thought I’d take the scenic route, so here I am.”

By her folded arms, compressed lips, and frown, his glib response didn’t impress her.

“And your business happened to coincide with my trip.” Her eyes narrowed. “How convenient.”

“Pure coincidence.” He couldn’t keep the grin off his face, which only served to rile her further. “If it makes you feel any better, it’s a big train and the trip only lasts a week.”

“It doesn’t make me feel better.”

If everyday Tamara was beautiful, furious Tamara was stunning, and vindicated why he booked this trip in the first place.

It was time.

He was done waiting.

“Why don’t we stop quibbling and enjoy the fanfare?” He gestured at the commotion on the platform, mustering his best persuasive smile.

Her lips remained in a thin, unimpressed line and he thought she’d never relent, but after shooting him another exasperated glare, she turned towards their welcoming committee.

“Pretty impressive, huh?” He asked.

She nodded, her continued silence disconcerting. He preferred her annoyed and fiery than quiet and brooding.

Only one way to get her out of this huff. Turn up the charm.

“Just think, all this for you. Talented musicians playing tabla as you board the train, young Indian girls placing flower garlands around your neck, being greeted by your own personal bearer for your carriage. Nothing like a proper welcome.”

The beginnings of a smile softened her lips as one of the bearers placed a fancy red turban on his head as a gift.

“Looks like I’m not the only one getting welcomed.”

The turban wobbled as he did a precarious balancing act and she finally laughed.

“Okay, you can stay.”

He executed a fancy little bow and she held up a hand.

“But remember, I like being on my own.”

He didn’t. Being alone was highly over-rated and something he’d been compensating for since he earned his first pay-cheque.

He liked being surrounded by people, liked the bustle of the business world, liked dating beautiful women.

Most of all, he liked being in control, and finally, he was in control of the situation with Tamara.

He’d kept his distance while Richard was alive, had respected his friend’s marriage. But Rich was gone and Ethan’s attraction to this incredible, vibrant woman was stronger than ever.

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