Dating Dr. Dil (If Shakespeare was an Auntie #1)(69)

The fridge water dispenser sound was barely audible over the beat of her heart. She waited a moment longer for the light to go out before she was able to take a deep breath. Kareena crossed the deck and stepped onto the grass. Using the moonbeams as her guiding light, she cut across the yard dampened by midnight dew until she reached the shed platform.

Just as she got to the double doors, she saw a figure step out from the side of the shed.

She bit back a scream and was about to kick the intruder in the nuts, when shadows from the moonlight helped her identify Prem.

Kareena pressed a hand against her chest. “Holy Vishnu, you almost gave me a heart attack,” she hissed.

“It’s a good thing I’m a cardiologist then,” he said.

Kareena squinted until she could make out his form in the dark. “What are the black smudges under your eyes? Why are you wearing black? That’s not your normal look, Dr. Dil.”

“I’m on a mission,” he whispered back. “Now come on. We have to sneak around the side of the house before your grandmother decides to look out the window.”

He grabbed her hand, but Kareena dug in her heels. “Do you know how ridiculous this is?” she said in a hushed tone. “It’s a work night!”

“A work night? What are you, twelve? Do you have a curfew?”

“No, I’m a desi woman living at home, you idiot. Why couldn’t you have just texted me like a normal person?”

He stepped closer, and his familiar clean, earthy scent had her breathing in deep.

Wow. How long had it been? How long since she’d seen his beautiful face? The dangerous feelings were growing inside her, and she didn’t know how much longer she could hold off the avalanche.

“Rina,” he said, leaning in closer, the familiar lines of his jaw highlighted by night shadows. “You wouldn’t have answered my texts. We both know that. And if I had showed up at your house, your grandmother and father would start talking, and I know you aren’t ready for them to know about us—”

“Technically, there is no ‘us.’”

“And because you’re clearly the reason for me losing my mind, here I am wearing black, with gunk on my face so that no one can identify me because I can’t stop thinking about you.”

“You . . . you can’t?”

He leaned forward until his breath mixed with hers. “No,” he said again, and lightly brushed his lips against hers.

She returned the kiss, and followed his mouth when he began to pull back. Prem’s arms banded around her waist, and for the first time in way too long, she was able to relax in the pleasure of his closeness.

The flicker of the deck light turning on had both of them jumping apart, then scrambling around the side of the shed. Seconds later, the sliding door opened.

“Hello?” Dadi called out. “Is anyone out there?”

Neither of them answered. They stayed completely still, trying to control their breathing. Damn it, why were they breathing so loud?

A few seconds later, Kareena heard her grandmother grumble something. Then the screen door closed and the deck light flickered off.

“Hang on to your glasses, Rina, honey,” Prem whispered, then bent down, and lifted her off her feet, tossing her clear over his shoulder. She bit back her yelp and hung on to his shirt as she flopped like a fish against his back. He stayed in dark shadows along the fence until he reached the street in front of the house. Then, putting her down on her feet, he linked his fingers with hers and tugged her to the end of the block where his car was parked.

She should just go back home, back to her room, and get in her bed where she’d planned on spending the rest of her sleepless night dreaming about fictitious men.

But Prem was here, and he was real.

And that scared her the most.

She climbed into his passenger seat and waited for him to start the car.

“I’m taking you to my place,” he said.

“Okay.”





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Indians Abroad News Dear Readers, If your matches are eager to leave any sort of social gathering that you’ve designed for them without food and dressed as if they are in a hurry, then please note that they might be engaging in coitus. It’s important to encourage marriage right away.

Mrs. W. S. Gupta Columnist Avon, NJ





Chapter Twenty-Two

Prem




Prem hadn’t thought too far past the kidnapping. He wanted to see her, wanted to make his intentions clear, but then they’d kissed outside her shed, and he lost his ever-loving mind. He needed more time with her. He needed her in his car, in his bed, in his life.

They sat in silence for most of the drive, the awkwardness almost suffocating as they cruised down the Turnpike.

What were they supposed to talk about that wouldn’t start an argument?

Kareena seemed to be content with leaning back against the passenger seat, the window open to let the summer night air in. Her fingers cut through the wind as she made waves all the way down the turnpike.

Ten minutes from his apartment, her phone went off. She checked the name on the screen and let out a miserable groan. “I have to take this,” she said. “It’s Sonali Aunty.”

“Sure.”

She answered then closed her eyes and rested her head against the palm of her hand. “Hi, Sonali Aunty.”