Page 132 of The Ex Factor

I collapsed on his chest, surrendering to the cool of his skin against my raging heat. I wiped the beads of sweat on my forehead with the back of my hand and panted into his shoulder.

He brought his arms around me and softly said, “You are so sexy, Aarti.”

“And you’re so freaking hot!” I moaned.

AARTI

I’m not certain what time we fell asleep, but I saw the dawn approaching through my window just before I slipped into a deep slumber. By the time my eyes opened on their own accord, a soft sun was showering happiness upon a cold winter day. Soon, the frosty clouds would swallow it up, but for now, it was shining grace upon us.

Sujit stirred and turned on his side to face me, the sunlight gleaming on his brilliant visage. I moved in and buried myself against his chest, breathing in the scent of his body. A smile appeared on his lips and he placed a kiss on my forehead.

“I’d say good morning, but I see it’s a great one already,” he said with his eyes still closed.

“Not yet,” I said, reaching for him and getting tingly instantly.

He flinched. “Easy! There’s a lot going on there right now.”

I laughed as he excused himself to use the bathroom. While he freshened up, I drew a sheer robe over my naked body and walked out of the room. After washing up in one of the spare bathrooms, I turned on the coffee machine. It dispensed two cups of espresso with the perfect coffee-to-crema ratio. Itwas Sujit’s favorite coffee machine for a reason. That man had impeccable taste. And nowthatman wasmyman.

My cheeks turned warm at the thought as I frothed the milk to make a latte for me and turned on a kettle to make an Americano for Sujit. It was wonderful to start a relationship where I already knew how he liked his coffee.

Sujit walked up to me in his boxer briefs just as I finished making the two cups.

“Thank you, sweet girl.” He took the cup I offered and placed a kiss on my cheek. “You didn’t need to. I could’ve made it.”

“No milk, no sugar, right?” I asked.

“That’s right.” He reached for my waist and pulled me closer. “Love the sheer clothing, although I would’ve enjoyed it more if you were completely naked.”

I raised a brow. “Says the man who walked up here in his boxers.” Balancing my cup in one hand, I reached over with my free hand and grabbed his ass.

He gripped my earlobe between his teeth, and I dug mine softly into his chest. He threw his head back, barely maintaining his grip on his mug.

“Careful, you better not spill coffee on my exquisite wooden floor.”

“All right,” he resigned, retracting his arm from around me. “Breakfast at Ms. Dina’s?”

“Sounds perfect,” I replied and sipped my latte. It tasted especially good this morning. “I can finally tell her I intend to keep her golden boy very happy.”

He beamed with his trademark deep dimples. “She’s going to dote on you for life.” Then softly added, “As am I.”

I gripped his arm. “Hey, you aren’t going to tell her about me buying her diner from Walter, right? I don’t want her feeling obligated.”

“No, sweetheart. It’s not my place to share that information.”

“Thank you,” I said.

As he leaned in for a kiss, the intercom rang with a call from the building desk. I answered it.

“Yes, please send him up,” I said and turned to Sujit. “It’s Imran.”

I rushed to the bedroom to put on my plush robe and dashed back out. Sujit had answered the door. Imran stood outside wearing a concerned look.

“Hello, Ms. Aarti,” he said with apologetic eyes.

I responded with a nod. The expression on his face said something was wrong. And that something was about me and Sujit.

“Sorry, Boss,” he said to Sujit. “I’ve been trying to call, but it’s going to voicemail. Everyone’s been trying to call.”

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