His Reckless and Precious Heart

A simple mistake by a rental agency turns 20-year-old Anika's dream of studying in Italy into an unexpected adventure. Believing she was moving into a house with two female roommates, the pampered princess from Punjab is horrified to discover her new home is shared with four intimidating, older male students. The leader is -a man so strict and dominant, his very aura commands fear and respect across the entire campus. To Anika, with her love for bunking classes, short dresses, and a cursed vocabulary, he is an infuriating obstacle to her fun. To him, she is a beautiful, reckless brat whose safety and well-being instantly become his sole responsibility.

Glimpse:
Anika tiptoes behind Vikram as he stirs something in a pan, her bare feet silent on the cold tiles. She's wearing one of her ridiculous frocks again - all ruffles and rebellion - and her hair is a wild halo from the breeze she let in earlier.

She pokes his side.
Not hard. Just enough.

Anika (grinning):
"Chef Rathore, do you take bribes in kisses?"
He doesn't turn. Just pauses, lips twitching into that rare, reserved smile - the one no one else ever gets except her.

Vikram (softly):
"Only if they come with silence."
She gasps, mock-offended, and pokes him again. He catches her wrist this time, gently, and presses a kiss to her knuckles without looking.