Page 39 of Stumped

“Twelve.” I hesitate and take another swig of mine before adding, “Maybe fifteen.”

“What the hell?”

“Four orgasms the night we met. Six in Mumbai.Andhis bounce back rate is insane.”

Tamara groans. “Jealous! I haven’t had more than two orgasms at the hand of someone else in alongtime.”

I frown at her admission because she’s been with her boyfriend, Kabir, for alongtime. I don’t like him and think she deserves better, but Tam is stubborn.

“The thing is, I told him we could only be fuck buddies. I know he wants more. When I’m with him, I sometimes forget we’re meant to be onlyfriendstoo,” I tell her, aware she doesn’t want to talk about her boyfriend.

“Don’t overthink it. Have fun and see where it goes. Why do you have to curb yourself and your feelings when you’re having fun?”

“Because…”

“Ugh, don’t give that pathetic excuse of a man any credit.”

A laugh bursts out of me, because she’s right. Rakesh might have been my last serious relationship and the cause for my hesitance to accept more than sex. But he isn’t deserving of taking up any more room in my head. Neither is Ajay, the first man who broke my heart. Not that the women I dated between them were any better. The difference is things ended before I got too attached.

“Hewas an asshole. Doesn’t mean Elias is the same,” Tamara says, breaking me from my thoughts.

I know she’s right, but I remember the heartache. I’ve buried myself in work and one night stands because that’s easier than committing to someone. Everything is so different with Elias and I wish I knew how to handle it properly.

“Tell me you know Elias is nothing like him.”

I sigh. “I know they’re miles apart, but you understand why I don’t want a relationship yet.”

“If you want to disguise yourrelationshipby calling it fuck buddies, I won’t stop you. But don’t keep hiding behind that.”

With a loud grunt, I finish my wine and climb onto the sofa. Tamara joins me seconds later and holds out her phone. At first, I’m confused at the photograph—Elias with his arms wrapped around a dark haired woman in a crowded club, his face buried in her neck. I suck in a sharp breath when I scroll further and see him grinning at the same dark haired woman. That look on his face is one I’ve seen countless times and when I realise the pictures are from the night we met, I drop the phone like it burned me.

“Apparently his night out with you forced him to rejoin the team on the road.”

“I know about that, but why are you showing it to me?”

“In case you didn’t read his expression properly, he’s already halfway in love with you.”

“Tam,stop.”

My cousin rolls her eyes. “I’m just saying, you should have fun, but you should also consider he’s different. That he wants you.”

“He doesn’t even know me.”

“So let him get to know you, let him fall all the way in love with you.”

“You’re a pest,” I grumble and she laughs.

“You love me anyway. So, do I get to meet him?”

“He’s home in two days, so maybe…what?” She’s got this giddy smile lighting up her face.

“You said he’shomein two days. That’s fucking cute.”

“Fuck off.Chennaiis home for both of us, don’t read into it.”

“Too late.”

She starts singing ‘Vera and Elias sitting in a tree…’ and I shove her, both of us dissolving into wine-induced giggles.

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