Page 87 of The Ex Factor

I knew men like him. That power move of taking a sip between sentences was so clichéd, it came across as rehearsed. I turned to the bartender. “Two sparkling whites.”

“Dude, I’m not the enemy here,” the bourbon guy said, and I suddenly remembered where I knew him from.

The opening at the art gallery. The vault where I had stored his information unfolded before my mind’s eye.

“Is that right?” I said, now curious about his angle.

“She’s a bitc?—”

“Watch it,” I warned with a stern look.

“Chill, dude. I’m in your corner. I don’t know if you’re aware, but she was dumped publicly and unceremoniously. Yet has the nerve to fuck around with men. That’s a metaphor, of course, she doesn’t really fuck. Just toys with them.”

I was about to respond when the bartender offered me the wine. With a nod, I signaled him to deposit the flutes on the counter and turned a menacing sneer at the bourbon sipper.

“And that’s what bothers you, isn’t it? You go on two dates with a woman, and you think she owes you her body.”

He smirked. “Hey, man, don’t get cocky. You might think you’re special, but she’s going to toss you away?—”

“Like she did you that night after the gallery opening?”

His expression turned quizzical as he tried to place me. I returned a menacing glare. “Ashutosh, Ash, is it? Still at Swinstz?” I said, pushing my left hand into the trousers pocket. “I’d beverycareful talking smack about her.”

Color left his face as he realized the threat in my words. He stumbled backward, fortunately finding the barstool behind him that helped him regain his balance. He gripped it with one hand, the fingers on his other clutching the bourbon tumbler so tight, his knuckles turned white.

“The name’s Sujit. Sujit Rao, and no one calls me dude,” I said and his eyes darted behind me. I turned around and saw Aarti standing a few feet away. She looked shaken, as if she’d heard it all.

Flashing her my best smile, I offered her my arm. “Shall we?”

Sharp that she was, she recovered swiftly and hooked her arm in mine with an elegant smile, completely ignoring the fool who stood dumbfounded, still gripping the bar stool.

Aarti squeezed my arm, and I squeezed her hand back. I heard her pull in a deep breath. “Did you just do the Bond thing?” she asked with a straight face.

“I did, and we’re never going to talk about it,” I answered in the same formal tone.

I escorted her to the expansive balcony overlooking the city. It was cold, but the strategically placed heaters made it bearable, enjoyable even. We walked over to the railing at the edge, where couples had lined up with drinks in their hands and lust in their eyes.

Aarti gripped the railing, watching the city lights, and I put my hand on hers. She reassured me with a nod, and I removed my hand. As I did, she spotted someone behind me.

“Is that who I think it is?” she exclaimed with a sparkle in her eye.

I gently crossed over to stand behind her with my hands reaching the railing so I could see the person. It was a famous movie star.

“Certainly looks like him,” I leaned in and whispered in her ear. “Unless he’s a body double, it’s definitely him.”

“He’s even more gorgeous in person,” she turned her neck to whisper in my ear.

I stole a quick glance at him. “Taller, for sure.”

She let out a soft giggle as the celebrity turned to her and flashed his trademark irresistible smile. Of course he did. She looked spectacular.

His gaze lingered on her, but she gave an elegant nod and stepped closer, her back flush against me. It was her way to indicate her unavailability, and my chest swelled with pride thatshe had chosen me to convey it. The warmth between our bodies traveled to my heart.

The movie star now noticed me and flashed a formal smile. I returned a short nod and leaned in toward Aarti’s ear. “Well, now here’s a really good-looking hunk for you. I hear he recently broke up with his girlfriend.”

“But as you also heard, I’ll just fuck with him and cast him aside,” she whispered bitterly.

“It would be a shame if you let him go before that anyway. He’s quite the stud, they say.”

---