Playing With Fire

Chapter 16 - Trial period

Her eyes softened, staring at him in a way only a woman could. That one look told
him she wanted to take care of him, but wanted to be taken care of at the same time. She wanted to know about his past, probably thought she could fix him. He didn't fault her for it. She wasn't the first who'd thought it. But look what happened to her? Look what he'd done to her. No matter what, he wouldn't let that happen again. "Better not tell Preity that," he said with a wink. His attempt to lighten the mood worked when she looked at him and smiled.

"Well, no one could ever take Preity's place, but you're coming in a close second."

"Just doing my job," he reminded her.

"Maybe with some of it, but not the whole boyfriend thing. Thanks for understanding." She yawned again.

"No problem. You better head home and get some rest for your big day tomorrow.
You've got a job to land. I don't want to have to evict you because you're late on your rent."

She paused a minute, pink skating up the curves of her neck before settling in her
cheeks. The innocent smile she gave him made lust shoot through the length of his body.
"No one makes me laugh like you. Thanks, Shahru." Then she stood on the tips of her toes and quickly kissed his cheek with her soft lips. It took everything in him not to pull her against him and possess her mouth with a real kiss. Goddamn, he'd never wanted to bed a woman as much as he did right now. It had been a long time since he lost himself in the sweetness of a woman's eager body. Still, this was a little different. Shahru hated admitting it, but it was.
Shahru backed up. ".Night, Angel. See you tomorrow." He turned and walked back into his apartment.

* * **

Kajol 's heart jumped at the sound of Shahru's door slamming. She stood there in
her own doorway, frozen. Had she done something wrong? For the second time tonight his always dark but kind eyes had turned hard, guarded. His beautifully sculpted body had stiffened with tension. And this time, just like before, he'd escaped her. In his apartment he hadn't been able to go far. This time he'd slammed the door on the questions that bubbled just below the surface. She almost asked ... almost ... but then walked away.

Shaking her head, more at herself than anyone, Kajol stepped into her apartment, closing and locking the door behind her. Her eyes scanned her apartment. No wonder her mother hadn't been impressed. She'd lived here only two days, but had had possession of the apartment for a week, and still had no furniture except in her bedroom.
The walls were bare and her cupboards scarcely littered with food. Shahru's offer to help couldn't come at a better time. Even though she hadn't ever painted a wall in her life, she couldn't wait for tomorrow. This was her apartment, and she could do with it what she pleased.

Kajol grabbed her blanket, then went to the bathroom to wash her face. Funny
how her mind found a way back to Shahru within seconds of trying to change the subject away from him. After splashing water on her face, she dried it and went to her room.

She liked him. There were no two ways about it. Despite how ludicrous it was to like
someone she hardly knew so much, she did. If she'd had any doubts about his character before, which she hadn't, they would be all clear now. The way he understood her reasoning for lying about their relationship, even though it got him a mouthful from her mother, and then the way he'd agreed to help her again so soon after the predicament she put him in, told her all she needed to know about him.

Well, maybe not all but enough for now. Like him or not, she knew now wasn't the
time to try and get involved with anyone, much less a man who obviously had secrets he wanted to keep from her. Climbing into her down bed, her mind flashed with images of Shahru earlier this evening. On the surface he was so happy, so free, but a sadness lurked below the surface. He had something he needed to get past. Something that hurt him.
After the way he continued to be there for her, she wished he would trust her enough to let her be there for him too.