Playing With Fire

Chapter 7 - You like him

"Deal."

"Can you tell me what you want to do?"

Kajol mused for a moment. She didn't know exactly what she wanted to do but had a basic idea. "I want to help people in some way. I've also done some event planning, which I love too."

Shahru crossed one ankle over another and crossed his arms on his chest. When he did, the hard, thick muscles in his arms constricted and tightened. "I can see that. You'd be good at it."

Her heart sped in excitement. Not just because of the utterly masculine man sitting in front of her, but because of his words. Besides Pri, no one supported her need to be herself, her love of people and life. Not that her father didn't help people. Even Amir helped people, for that matter, but what they did didn't come from the heart. It came from their need of money and power, two things she couldn't care less about. "Thanks. Not sure exactly how to go about it, but I'll figure it out one way or another."

"I'm sure you will." His eyes left hers, grazing the room. "So what are the plans for the apartment? I take it you're used to much bigger accommodations. Not sure the stuff in all these boxes is going to fit in this place once you add your furniture." His husky voice held a playful edge.

"Actually I'm donating a bunch of it. I just have to find a way to get it down there."

"Looks like I'm coming to the rescue again."

"You have a truck? I'd love the help, but if you're too busy I understand."

"If I was too busy, I wouldn't have offered."

"Thanks. Just let me know when you have time." Kajol smiled at him, genuinely appreciative of his help. For a couple of seconds they didn't speak. She just looked at him, smiled. His eyes took her in, held her. Then he closed them. He held something back.

Shahru pushed to his feet, then held his hand out to help her up. She grabbed it. His rough workingman's hands gripped hers tightly, and with one swift tug she was on her feet.

"I better let you get back to work. I have a quick job I have to do in the morning. When I'm done, I'll come over and get you."

Kajol followed him to the door. "Thanks for dinner ... and tomorrow. You've been really helpful, Shahru."

Without another word he walked away.

---

Kajol opened the living room window. A cool gust of wind rushed over her, leaving a trail of goose bumps in its wake. The sun shone brightly, tickling her skin with the warmth of its glow. Yeah, it sounded corny, but even the sun felt a little better on her skin lately. Had to do with her newfound freedom, she knew, but still felt a little foolish thinking about it that way. Backing away from the beautiful weather that would soon turn colder – as cold as it got in delhi, she looked at her somewhat cleared-out room of boxes. First things first, she started to move everything she and Shahru would take to the charity center today over by the front door.

As she pushed the first box, she couldn't help but wonder when she'd see him today. He'd surprised her last night. He'd been friendly the day she came to check out the apartment, but nothing like last night. The dinner, the laughs, the offer to help today were more than any of her other friends offered to do for her. Besides Pri, of course. They would always be there for each other, but none of her other friends, the people she worked with, or even her parents had supported her, much less offered to help her in any way.

Grabbing another box, she pushed it across the beige carpet toward the door.

Shahru was different than any man she'd ever known. Way different from her father or Amir. He was so laid-back, so down to earth, so ... carefree. Almost as if nothing bad had ever happened to him. He smiled and laughed with no remorse and made her do the same thing. But those eyes told a different story. She wasn't sure what it was about them, but their black depths made her wonder if he had an even darker past. One he'd gotten past, but tried to hide from the world.