Page 86 of The Ex Factor

I closed the file and placed it on the seat beside me. “Hopefully someday.”

“That day is today, Boss,” the sly rascal said as he parked the car under Aarti’s building and then came around to hold the door open for me.

I rode up the elevator and waited for Aarti to answer the door.

Lord have mercy!That was the first thought that hit me when I saw her in the sultry, smooth red gown. I looked at her from top to bottom with complete reverence for her beauty.

“Don’t forget to breathe,” she teased as she turned inside.

I caught a quick breath and followed her, gazing at her glossy, deep brown hair cascading over a delectably open back. Her perfect curves swayed gracefully with her every step.

“Just need to put my earrings on,” she said, grabbing one from the coffee table.

Unable to take my eyes off her, I watched her put the stud in her ear. She laughed with her beautiful red lips as a light from the chandelier caught the stunning solitaire. She grabbed the other stud from the table. The gold setting of the earrings matched the muted gold in her neckline, her proud breasts pouring out generously.

She blinked at me with her long lashes underneath a delicate eye makeup. I noticed she had not used false lashes today, and it did nothing to diminish the beauty of those eyes.

A side slit rode up to her right thigh, drawing attention to her silky, toned long legs. I let my gaze linger and wasn’t ashamed of it, for no one else I knew could walk that elegantly in those tall heels like she did. She glided. Her perfume was some sort of magical mix of everything the heavens had to offer. I was certain if goddesses had a scent, they would smell exactly like this.

A goddess, that’s who she was. Gorgeous, powerful, brilliant.

Amid my admiration and reverence, I forgot that I had brought along a gift for her.

“Is that for me?” she asked, her eyes darting to the box in my hand.

Shaken out of my trance, I said, “Ah, yes.”

When I handed her the box, she opened it and saw the diamond necklace I’d had custom-designed. I couldn’t describe what cut it was or how many carats the diamonds were. All I could say for certain was that it was beautiful, and it was created especially for her.

The look in her eyes confirmed it for me. “This is beautiful, Sujit! But you shouldn’t have…I mean, there was no need…”

“This isn’t from me. This is on behalf of Ms. Dina,” I said as I lifted the necklace out of the box and offered to help her put it on.

She pulled her hair to one shoulder as I tried to lock it at her nape. Her scent enveloped me, and I was transposed to an imaginary world where I could take her in my arms and kiss her till our lips were sore.

“Ms. Dina, huh?” she said as I came back around to face her. “So, what didyouget me?”

I grinned and pulled out a single red rose out of my jacket and held it out for her. “This is from me.”

She threw her head back in a heartfelt laugh, showing me all of her teeth, and her nose scrunched up in delight. It was then that I noticed she had not covered up her beauty mark. It wasn’t a noticeably prominent size, but there it was, visible under her makeup.

I stepped closer and touched it. “I love it,” I whispered against her cheek and placed a gentle kiss on it.

“Don’t,” she said softly. “This will make it all the more difficult when I have to leave.”

This time, I didn’t hesitate. “Then don’t leave.”

SUJIT

From the moment she stepped out of the car, Aarti commanded the attention of every camera around us. People whispered, trying to figure out if she was an actress. Cameras flashed all around us, and the crowds behind the ropes screamed at celebrities to get their attention. Aarti remained unperturbed by any of it. She was used to this. She didn’t smile or pose for the cameras. Holding her cool composure, she walked indoors, making sure to maintain a few inches of distance between us.

A host escorted us to our assigned table. When we had settled, I excused myself to get drinks. I waited while the bartender poured a drink for a guest standing nearby. The guy grabbed a bourbon on the rocks and turned to me.

“So you’re her latest toy?” he said.

With a quick glance around to ensure he was addressing me, I said, “Excuse me?”

“Aarti Bhatia,” he said, taking what he assumed was a cool sip of his drink. “Are you herdatetonight?”

---