Page 88 of The Ex Factor

That amused her, but she tempered her laugh.

“I’m sorry you had to hear that,” I added.

She returned a small shrug. “I’ve heard worse, unfortunately.” Then, moving closer to my cheek, said, “Did you threaten him with just your name?”

“And his. There are some benefits to being known in the industry. And to being friends with influential people.”

At that moment, a buzz from my jacket pocket surprised us both. I retrieved the phone she had handed me before we stepped out of the car.

“It’s my family,” she said, taking a look at the screen. “Probably worried that I’m sad and distraught, eating ice cream in my bed. I’ll call them later.” She pressed decline and handed the phone back to me.

I slipped it into the inside pocket of my tux. “You didn’t tell them about tonight.”

But before she could respond, someone opened the door, and we heard music drifting to us.

“Are you ready to dance?” I asked, stepping away from her.

She smoothed her gown and held out her hand for me. “I am.”

The tempo was slow, and the crowd was still warming up to the music. There were only a handful of couples on the floor, and more joining in with the gradual swelling of the music.

“You lead,” I whispered to Aarti as she gracefully began the Waltz.

I had claimed I could dance, but I wasn’t nearly as blithe or elegant as her. She had received formal training, and it showed. Tapping into my memory, I tried to recollect the correct sequence. But Aarti led us beautifully. With every turn, her gown flew out, revealing her seductive legs, and I didn’t miss the looks she got.

“You’re a sight, Aarti. Everyone’s looking at you,” I said as we drifted to my right.

“There’s only one person I care about impressing tonight,” she said.

I grinned. “Oh yeah, that handsome hunk’s got his eyes glued to you as well,” I teased her, and she narrowed her eyes at me.

With a light laugh, I swung her, and she dipped with the elegance of a true dancer. The spotlight had caught us and now followed us as we swirled around the dance floor. I’d been in the limelight several times before, but it had never felt this good. When the song ended, Aarti was treated to a heartfelt round of applause, and she took a gentle bow.

We returned to our table with the promised drinks. Two songs later, the Tango music began gently fading in. She got a happy glint in her eye. “Tango?”

“I’m not terribly good at it,” I said, returning my scotch to the table.

“You’ll be fine,” she said and grabbed my hand.

We began, rather clumsily, on my account, but she leaned in closer and whispered, “The eight-step.”

I recollected the classes I had taken and attempted again. This time, I didn’t fail completely. I grabbed her in my sturdy arms and danced.

“Goodness, you are a sight to behold tonight, Sujit,” she cried breathlessly during one of the pauses.

“Just tonight?” I smirked, and she laughed against my cheek.

As the music swelled, she took charge, and I was ready to melt into her arms. Her smile, her laughter, the giggles and tears that no one else got to see, I wanted it all. Her divine fragrance seeped into every pore of my body and I could lie to myself no longer.

I was in love with Aarti.

The music gave way to a resounding round of claps and polite cheers, but I refused to come down from the high of being in her arms.

As I dropped her back and escorted her to her apartment, she said, “Oh, I completely forgot to tell you. I think I have found the perfect space for Creators’ Studio. I will call you this week with an appointment to see the building.”

“Sounds good. Thank you, Aarti.”

She blinked with her soft eyes that were drunk on happiness from the dancing. “Thank you for tonight. You were right. This was good. Just what I needed. I will call my family now. They must be worried and waiting for me to call back.”

---