Page 33 of Claiming His Bollywood Cinderella

“I didn’t realize it was mandatory,” she retorted, defensive rather than defiant.

His gaze roved over her. “Are you unwell?”

He knew she was not. Even with the busy workload, the island and the schedule had done wonders for her. For the first time in months, she didn’t feel weighed down by grief or fear. She’d never looked as good as she did now.

“Mrs. Sharma said you had a headache.”

“Oh, that. I made it up when it looked like she would stay back with me. She’s sweet but I didn’t feel like company.”

Naina watched in bewilderment as he pushed off from the wall, sauntered closer and picked up a sheet of paper at her feet. It must have come loose from Ajay’s sketch pad.

Shock rooted her as she looked at the sketch. She hadn’t realized Ajay had drawn her too. He had rendered it with his usual artistic brilliance, capturing such intimate details for a black-and-white sketch.

Her mouth was curved into a tentative smile, her hair its usual mess. But her eyes and mouth...he’d caught the wistfulness and the longing and the desperation with such crystal-clear clarity that she felt exposed, raw. As if things about herself even she didn’t fully understand had been captured on paper for all the world to see.

She reached out to grab it. Her hand landed on Vikram’s arm as he held the paper out of reach. Taut muscles clenched under her fingers, the side of him hard and warm against her front. Her breath became shallow as she realized how close they were standing. If she moved her head one inch, she could kiss his stubbled chin. If she leaned forward, her chest would graze his.

His harsh exhale was a warm stroke against her cheek. Her tummy began a slow roll as their gazes held, a million questions ping-ponging between them.

Naina knew in that moment what Ajay had seen with his artist’s eye even before she had.

She would do anything if it meant she could touch, hold, kiss this man with the sort of freedom she’d had that night at the ball. And the depth of her longing went beyond physical attraction, beyond the need to be the center of his attention. So much beyond the powerful prize he represented.

She pulled away, sudden fear making her jerky.

Vikram’s expression shuttered, the earlier tension swathing his frame again. “But Ajay was here with you. So it’s only certain company you wanted to avoid.”

Still too shaken, Naina couldn’t summon the energy to rise to the bait. She felt as if she’d simply unravel if he said one wrong word. “Mrs. Sharma chatters constantly. Ajay missed the dinner because he had a call with Virat. I jotted down notes for him. Virat was in one of his brilliant moods...” She rubbed her temple, feeling a real headache setting in. “I’m sorry I didn’t realize that the team dinner tonight was so important.”

He stepped back. Naina had a feeling he’d come to some sort of decision. About her?

When he spoke, he was all formality. “Zara’s flying in first thing tomorrow morning and seeing as she’s coming, I’ve asked her if she’ll do a photoshoot with me. She’ll join us all at the resort afterwards. Tell the team they’re free for a couple of days.”

“I didn’t know Ms. Khan was flying in. I’ll let Virat know he can do her screen test. He said he might be here—”

“This isn’t really a work trip for Zara,” Vikram said, cutting her off. “She’s mainly coming to see me. Virat and I haven’t yet reached a consensus on whether she’ll play the role of the prostitute spy yet.”

“But she’s perfect for the role. Virat doesn’t approve of Ms. Khan?” she asked to keep the conversation going more than anything.

Thoughts swirled through her head like a whirlpool, sucking her in.

Why was the actress coming if not to join the project? Had Vikram specifically invited her? How long was she going to stay? Were they going to re-ignite their well-publicized on/off affair?

She wanted to demand answers from him even knowing that the answers might not be bearable.

“Virat and Zara have never seen eye to eye,” he said, still staring at the sketch. “But I’ll get my way in the end. See to the arrangements for her stay, will you? Clear my calendar.”

“What about the call with—”

“Cancel everything for tomorrow and day after. You won’t be needed either. Feel free to explore the islands with...the rest of them.”

The command felt like a slap in the face. She couldn’t help feeling as if she’d somehow failed him. “Wait, Mr. Raawal,” she called out.

He turned, his expression even more closed off than usual. “Yes, Ms. Menon?”

“Did I do something wrong? Did I—”

“No. You’ve been your delightful self, as always,” he said with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes.

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