Page 16 of Control

“Relax, mama bear. Everyone knows that baby cub is the real boss of your house.” Nat chuckled.

“It’ll serve her well later in life,” Shyam’s deep voice sounded. He didn’t seem much like a talker but when he spoke everyone paid attention.

“She’s a wonderful student,” I defended Amelia. “She’s strong-willed and outspoken, which reflects in the way she dances. She holds her head up high, never dropping her eyes to the ground, even when she’s unsure of herself. It’s the mark of a true dancer.”

Amelia bounced in her seat, unable to contain her glee from my evaluation.

“You have to say that. Her parents pay you,” Nat joked.

“Nat. Shut up!” Amelia looked mortified. Her forehead creased as she looked at me apologetically, as if I were offended by her friend’s remarks.

I chuckled. “Yeah, and I’d like to keep my job, so I’m sticking to my assessment,” I teased Nat.

She pointed at me. “I like you, lady.”

“I second that,” Jai’s voice hummed next to me.

I peeked at him from my periphery to find him still staring at me intently, like he was about to undress me. Swallowing the lump in my throat, I turned away. “Lana is in fashion school,” I blurted out awkwardly.Someone! Change the topic!

“Oh shit. No way!” Nat turned toward Lana. “So, you can hook me up with free outfits?”

“I’m only a second year, but I pretty much make all of my own clothes.” Lana raked her hands through the ends of her hair.

“She made her dress!” Amelia shouted over the booming base from the dance floor below us.

“Fuck, that dress is hot. Can you make me one?” Nat propped her chin on her interlaced fingers.

“Are you serious? Of course!” Lana was elated that she had found two new fans of her work. I always supported my friend’s ventures, but her style was definitely not my thing, and I wasn’t the type to gush over color-coordinated fabrics and shiny buttons.

“Sweet!” Nat pumped her fist in the air.

“So, what do you do, Nat?” I asked, trying to ignore the intoxicating cologne enveloping me. I felt my inhibitions lower, growing drunk off the smell of cinnamon and scotch.

She raised her hand in the air. “Tech nerd.”

“She works with me at Sethi Tech,” Amelia elaborated. “She used to work for another company, but I persuaded her to join me when I stole Jai’s job.” She smirked, eyeing him mischievously.

Instinctively, I turned to address him directly, catching him off guard. “You don’t work at Sethi Tech?”

He paused to study me before answering. “I used to, but I left the company to pursue other…more personal interests.” His expression remained straight and unforthcoming, unwilling to go into detail.

My eyebrow hitched up with interest. “Mysterious.”

“Private,” he corrected.

I pressed my lips together, biting back a smile. It was nice to see him irritated for a change.

Amelia interrupted my fun. “We build software to help locate missing women and children.”

“That’s fascinating. It must be such a rewarding experience,” I replied. I’d had no idea she was so brilliant.

“It is. But it’s a lot of work, hence all the overtime I’m doing lately and the need for private lessons for Meena.”

Shyam wrapped his arm around her. “She’s a hard worker and that’s the only reason the software is as successful as it is.” His eyes glowed with pride as he watched his wife. Amelia locked eyes with him, blocking out the rest of us at the table. It was as if they were in their own world. He pressed his lips to hers, marking her as his, indifferent to the audience around them.

I felt Jai’s gaze on my lips. They tingled from his attention, parting wide enough to allow a rush of air to escape. I caught myself before I gave into my body any further, biting my lip to keep myself from panting.

“That’s doing the opposite of repelling me,” he whispered so only I could hear.

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