Playing With Fire

Chapter 15 - New bestfriend

Kajol dropped her forehead so it rested on her knees, which were now tucked against her chest. "Ugh! I had a feeling you knew about that."

"Your mum set off an atomic bomb on me when I told her our relationship wasn't her business, and I wouldn't break it off with you." Shahru held back his snicker when her head snapped sharply up to look at him. "Yeah, I went along with your story."

"I'm so sorry I got you involved in all this. Don't worry, though, I'll clear it all up tomorrow. The last thing you deserve is to be thrown into my mess."

Shahru walked over to the couch and joined her again. "Why'd you lie to her?"

"I didn't plan it. She started pushing me about Amir. Then she threw you into the mix, making accusations and assumptions, and I kind of ... well, I guess you can say I snapped. Amir hurt me, and It's like they don't care. He can do no wrong, yet she takes one look at you and—"

She cut off as if she'd realized what she said, as if she might hurt his feelings if he knew what her mother thought of him. Like he didn't know. Even if she hadn't said a word, even if he hadn't run into her outside the building tonight, he would have known what the woman thought of him. And he couldn't care less. "You don't have to worry about me, Angel. I know how the world works."

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be. It was kind of fun getting her all riled up outside."

She stood, her curvy backside eye level to him. Damn, she was sexy. All woman, all lush, soft and sweet. He wouldn't ... couldn't have her, but that didn't keep him from wanting her. When she turned to face him, he saw sorrow in her eyes.

"Was she terrible to you?"

"Pfft. It takes more than her to get to me. Like I said, I enjoyed the little game. You
should have seen her. It kills her that I'm dirtying her daughter's perfect little world."

"Ouch."

"It's true."

She didn't argue with him. "I shouldn't have dragged you into this. Tomorrow after my interview I'll straighten this out, Shahru. I promise. I'd hate to think what my mother might do next. If I can nip this in the bud before Daddy finds out, I think we'll be okay."

"It's for the best." He'd be okay no matter what. It was her he worried about. She might be trying to find herself right now, but in the end, she might decide to go back to the life she led before. Why wouldn't she? Keeping him involved would make that transition harder for her. Part of him wanted to keep the charade going. He hadn't been lying when he'd said he enjoyed pissing her mum off, even though, honestly, she was right about him. He couldn't be more wrong for her. But he didn't want to worry about that now. At this moment all he wanted to do was enjoy her company, to get back to the ease that had existed between them. To get back to the breath of fresh air she breathed into his life. "When are you planning to get your apartment together in the midst of all your job hunting and storytelling?" That quickly they were off the serious shit that plagued his mind and back to the comfortable friendship they had with one another.

She plopped back down on the couch. "I don't know! It's killing me. I just need to pick up paint and find time to get it done."

"We can do it tomorrow. I don't have anything going on tomorrow evening. We can get the first coat on after you take care of your interview and let your parents know you broke up with me." He winked at her.

"I'm not breaking up with you."

"Don't feel bad. I'm sure I deserve it."

She offered him one of her pink-lipped smiles. "You keep alluding to this bad boy side of you, but I haven't seen any proof yet."

"I'm worse than a bad boy, Angel." He changed the subject. Talking about his past was the last thing he wanted to do. "Do we have a deal, though? I'll pick up the paint and meet you at home around four or four thirty?" He didn't only offer for her benefit, but for him as well. He liked spending time with her, liked keeping busy in the evening hours, so it worked. He could only do so much woodwork before he needed to take a break, so he might as well throw a couple coats of paint on her apartment.

"I can't keep letting you do me all these favours when I'm not giving you anything in return."

"You are. You're cooking me dinner, remember?"

"That's for today's help. What about for tomorrow?"

"Cook me dinner the next night too." Shit, what the hell are you saying, Shahru? You're supposed to be pulling yourself out of her life, not inviting yourself in.

She laughed softly. The only person he craved right now was the one he couldn't let himself have. Her laugh hit his soul and it made it harder for him to stand being near her.

"I think we're going a little overboard with the cooking. I hate to break it to you, Shahru, but I'm not a chef."

"What? The cooks and maids did all that for you back home?" he kidded with her.
She gave him a shy glance that told him his words were dead-on. "Jesus, woman. You know how to break a man's heart. I was looking forward to a couple of home-cooked meals."

"You don't cook?"

Frozen meals count?"

"What's that?" she asked.

Shahru ran a hand through his hair. "You're kidding me, right?"

"Actually I am. I have been down the frozen food aisle in the grocery store before."

They laughed together. "You don't have to pay me back at all, Angel. Really, I'm just doing my job."

A yawn escaped her mouth. Her full breasts rose and fell with her heavy breath. "I'm too tired to argue tonight. Let me run next door and get you some money for the paint."

"I'll get it. You can pay me back tomorrow."

"Well, you'll need the paint sample, won't you? I can just get the money at the same time."

Shahru stood and held his hand out for her. Her small, feminine one fit inside his and he pulled her up. He stroked her soft skin with the pad of his thumb before pulling his hand away to tap his forehead with a finger. "You showed me this afternoon. Paint colors I can remember. That's part of what I do."

"If you're sure."

"Need me to make you a fire over there or what?" Shahru led her to the door and opened it.

"That's okay. I'll use the heater for now." Kajol stepped out of his door before turning to face him again. "Thanks, Shahru. For everything. You don't even know me, yet you've been the best friend I have right now."