Page 24 of My Sinner

He chuckled. “Since when do you like fruit? That too, melons and papaya. I thought you hated them.”

She grimaced. Damn him for remembering the tiniest details about her. She did, in fact, dislike melons and papayas.

She swallowed a bite from her plate. “Fruits are the quickest way for me to finish breakfast and get out of your company. Hence, they’ll do for now.”

A corner of his lips tipped up. The indent that she knew was there, finally showed. She had to pinch herself to stop staring at it.

“I won’t allow you to escape my company that easily,” Dev said. “I can and will drag our breakfast for a long time if you insist on rushing through your food.”

“Bloody tyrant,” she muttered.

Dev lifted a white napkin covering a basket. “It’s your choice to suffer through fruit you dislike or indulge in these hot, buttery croissants.”

The warm fragrance of the freshly baked goodies hit her nostrils and her mouth watered. Shoot, now she actually wanted the croissants. He held the basket aloft for her, but she dug her fork into a piece of musk melon and bit into it. The bland taste and netted skin made her want to gag. God! She disliked melons, and this one wasn’t even sweet.

Something must have crossed her face because Dev’s eyes lit up in amusement. He tipped his chin to the basket still in his hand.

“Oh, give me that.” She grabbed the basket from him and popped a croissant and a slice of cake onto a fresh plate. One bite and she was in pure heaven. Her stomach growled in appreciation. Relenting to her appetite, she forked some scrambled eggs onto her plate as well.

“I assume you still like tea,” he asked, lifting a pot. “Black with a dash of milk and one teaspoon of sugar?”

“You remember?”

Something swirled in his amber gaze as it met hers. “Yes. I told you; I remember everything about you.”

The intensity of his words struck her deep in the chest. Her breathing became labored as she watched him. The look in his eyes was feral, like he wanted to devour her whole. Even though he broke eye contact and looked away from her, her breathing remained ragged.

She accepted the cup from him and took a small sip to settle herself. The tea was perfect, exactly the way she liked it. She watched as he poured himself a cup of coffee. She remembered he had it dark, without milk and sugar. Dev used to have quite a fondness for this dark, bitter brew. Apparently, that hadn’t changed. Her brother, Aaryan, was the only other person she knew who had as bitter coffee as Dev did.

“What’s your plan for today?” Dev asked casually as if they were a normal couple out on a holiday.

They weren’t, and it annoyed her that he pretended as such.

“I’m going out,” she announced between mouthfuls. “Do I need to give you an update of where I am each second of the day?”

“No. Enjoy your day then.”

To say Avantika was shocked was an understatement. Was he really okay with this? And what about lunch? Why hadn’t he mentioned it? Was she getting a break from that mealtime with him as well?

She struggled to believe that he’d really allow her to move about as she liked. There was only one way to test it out, though. She finished her breakfast and went to her room. Fifteen minutes later, she was showered and ready. Wrapping the strap of her camera around her neck, she left her room. The suite was quiet. There was not even a peep from Dev’s room. Perhaps, he’d already left. Her heart rejoiced. She didn’t care where he went as long as she was free of him.

Heading outside, she pressed the elevator button to go down. She stepped out into the hotel lobby, and excitement buzzed in her veins. If she was going to be stuck with the devil for the next few days, then at least she’d make the most of her time away from him. For years, she’d dedicated herself to looking after Neil. He had always come first for her. She never had the luxury ofmetime.

Even when she was photographing weddings out of the country, she’d just finish her work and rush back home to her son. But now, for the first time, she had a bit of time for herself to do as she wished, and she’d make the most of it. The icing on the cake was that she could video call and chat with her son without the fear of his father ever learning about him. Her spirits soared.

For the first time, Avantika was truly hopeful that she could make it through these days.

7

“Are we taking a cab, or do you think the tube is a better option?” Dev asked from behind Avantika.

She spun around. Her eyes widened in shock, which quickly gave way to annoyance.

“We? What do you mean we?” She slammed her hands on her hips. “I thought I was free to do what I wanted. And go where I felt like.”

“Of course, you’re free to do exactly what you want.” He smiled. “I never said I wouldn’t tag along, though.”

Her nostrils flared. “Fuck! You’re such a liar. I should’ve never believed you.”

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