Page 39 of Right Where I Belong
“Long enough to need a glass of cold water and a fan,” Shauna teased, walking toward her. Dressed in tiny shorts and a silk camisole, her hair piled into a messy bun, Shauna looked like she hadn’t gotten out of bed the whole day.
The younger girl grinned. “You should’ve seen your face. And his. Whew. That man looked like he wanted to devour you. And you looked like you wouldn’t have minded it one bit.”
Sabrina raked a hand through her hair. “Oh God. We barely knew each other, and now…”
“And now you know him intimately, and he definitely doesn’t mind getting more intimate with you,” Shauna said with a wink.
Sabrina groaned. “What have I done?!”
“Look,” Shauna began, “that man showed up in the middle of the day, looking like a walking billboard for sin and practically begged you for a date. That doesn’t happen every day.”
Sabrina leaned back against the table, hugging herself. “I don’t know, Shauna. It’s complicated. There’s Rithwik and Aisha, and the rest of our friends, and?—”
Shauna held up a hand. “Pause. Just go on the date. Hear what he has to say. That’s all. You’re not committing to a second round of the best sex of your life—though, from the way you’re glowing, I’m guessing itwasthe best sex of your life. You’re just going out for one evening. After that, you can say no. And rest assured, I won’t tell anyone.”
Sabrina bit her lip.
“Come on, live a little!” Shauna said. “Be brave. No harm will come from one date.”
Her heart wanted to give in, to go on one date. To hear him out. But her head reminded her that it could be a mistake.
Shauna looked at her with a wicked grin. “Show me what you’re going to wear.”
“I haven’t agreed…” Sabrina said feebly.
“I know you’re tempted to. So, come on. Let’s go raid your wardrobe.”
“Why?”
“Whether you say yes or no later, you need to look hot tonight. As in jaw-dropping, regret-inducing, eat-your-heart-out hot. So that if you say no, he knows exactly what he’ll miss out on.”
Sabrina burst into laughter despite herself and her dilemma. “You’re evil.”
“Correct. Now come on, open that wardrobe. Let’s turn up the heat.”
Taking her hand, Shauna led her inside to the room. Her heart hammered as she watched Shauna reject outfit after outfit on the hangers with ruthless efficiency. Oh God, was she really doing this?
Finally, Shauna pulled out a sexy royal blue dress. “You’re going to look like the fantasy he never knew he needed.”
Sabrina’s pulse skittered. Shauna was right. What harm could one date really do? She’d go on the date and say no to him after. But what terrified her—what made her heart race—was the possibility that when the time came, she might not be able to say no.
Fuck, she was screwed.
12
Sabrina stood in front of the mirror, smoothing her hands over the blue strapless dress that hugged her curves and flowed down to her knees. She studied her reflection—soft waves framed her face, bold liner accentuated her eyes, a flush of color gave life to her cheeks, and a nude lipstick completed her look. She looked different.Beautiful. For the first time in a long while, she was liking what she saw in the mirror.
Her heart thudded with nerves and anticipation. Oh God, she was actually doing this. She was going on a date with… Aditya. Fuck. Never in her life had she even allowed herself to dream of this scenario. Never had she imagined going on a date with a man and dressing up for him.
Her phone buzzed with a message from him.
Aditya
I’m outside. Come down, beautiful.
Grabbing her purse, Sabrina stepped out of the room. Shauna was waiting in the hall.
Sabrina gave her a nervous smile. “He’s here. I have to go.”
