Page 11 of The Desert Prince's Jewel
I stay behind to do some extra cleaning and clear my mind. My heart flutters as I do so, thinking about Ranbir’s tired face and the big ass tip burning a hole in my pocket. Shallow ass instalove shit is saved for the depths of my digital romance library, not real life. I’m in lust, which is the worst kind of trashy connection. I dislike Ranbir as much as I fantasize about what I’ve learned about nagas, okay! But this… It just doesn’t make any sense. It doesn’t feel right, like a bribe.
But why?
As the night shift starts to file in, I’m more than ready to go. I need to prep for my second job and do some snooping at this dinner party I’m catering tonight. I don’t have time to wonder about Ranbir’s motivations. As I change into my catering clothes and my hoodie, my face crumbles as the number one lovely dovey couple comes in. Layla raises a knowing eyebrow, and Sheena sighs hard.
But I dodge their silent questions and concerns, tighten my hood, and bolt out the door. As much as I love them, they’re my bosses. Well, my boss and her wife, but they both hold the titlebecause Layla runs the hotel across from the cafe. At the end of the day, we’re not actually friends.
I don’t owe them more insight into my fucked up life than I’ve already divulged. If I have a stroke on the job or a heart attack, at least I have an excuse not to see Ranbir again. But as I storm across the plaza, ready to finally get into some mischief, a strong hand shoots out and stops me from entering my parked car.
“Come out, psycho. Just knife me now and get it over with,” I demand.
“Where are you going?” he asks, like he has the right to know.
I want to shout none of your fucking business, but get tongue-tied when he steps out. Okay, alright, maybe the uniform isn’t giving mall cop. It’s givingcop,cop in a new light, the moon shining bright.
My eyes linger on the form-fitting black pants, hugging his hips and strong calves as tightly as he’s gripping my hand. My eyes flick up to Ranbir’s chest, the white uniform top trimmed in gold equally struggling to contain his massive chest and muscular arms. He’s also shaved the sides of his head, geling his curly hair into a sleek fohawk. I reach up with my free hand and absently twirl strands of my hair, my undercut in desperate need of a buzz.
A radio buzzes on his hip, dragging my attention to it, and when I finally make eye contact, I try to focus on the clear earpiece in his ear, not the way Ranbir’s eyes dilate and radiate warmth. To my utter shock and awe, his full lips aren’t pulled into a sneer. No, he’s frowning, his expression painfully soft.
“You’re not my father, so you don’t need to know,” I counter and jump away when he reaches for me with his other hand. We do an awkward dance until I’m crushed against my car door, breathing hard.
I don’t want to feel his claws digging into my chest again. Into my hair, for a god-tier scalp scrape? Hell yeah, if I didn’t think he’d slit my throat afterward.
“Let go!” I beg, and yes, I beg instead of demand because we’re way too close.
I can feel not one but two hard somethings I won’t name pressing against my hip. To my surprise, Ranbir lets go with a shocked expression, as if suddenly released from a trance. Ranbir stares at his suspended hand, curling his long fingers into a fist, before letting it drop to his hip.
“That man is wanted for assault, theft, and conspiracy to murder a rival in the industry,” he states matter-of-factly as if he were explaining the weather and why I needed to carry an umbrella with me. “Layla informed me you are catering Dimitri’s dinner tonight, which was against my will, may I add. And if you intend to do anything, little thief, he is not to be trifled with.”
“Um, assault? Like…” I’m too dumbfounded to fully make sense of his warning or words.
“Don’t go playing detective,Mateo,” he orders, again, as if he has the right to order me around. “Do your job, keep a low profile, and don’t piss that criminal off.”
My name rolling from his lips feels like a bolt of lightning. Worse is the surge of energy from the protective tone, hesitant and faint as it is. Instead of addressing any of that emotional mess, I yank the bills out of my back pocket, force them into Ranbir’s hand, and shake my head.
“Leave me alone! What did I ever do to you, man, for you to be on my ass like this?” I shout.
“Nothing! That’sss the problem,” he slurs.
My mouth twitches, trying not to laugh at his… Is it a lisp? A typical speech quirk of a naga? I feel like a jerk either way.
“I…” he falters, searching for words, searching my face. I try to keep neutral despite the swirl of conflicting emotions in my head, mirroring his vexed expression.
“I made…” he heaves a heavy sigh before grinding out, “Whatever my reasons, does it matter if it keeps you out of the hands of a real psychopath? Not the man you imagine me to be?”
That is… hard logic to argue against or with.
“Okay, Mr. Cop. I’ll be a good boy and avoid the nasty criminal I’m contracted to serve dinner to tonight,” I relent.
“I’ll burn this uniform the second I can! I vow this to the Gods,” he grumbles, and I can’t stop my chuckle then.
His eyes twinkle as he leans down to whisper in my ear, “And for your information, milk, heavy cream, and sugar. That’s how I like it. So make my coffee correctly starting tomorrow morning, Mateo. And get home safe.”
Stunned, I lean against my car, hands still raised to push his chest away that’s no longer there. He disappears in the direction of the hotel as I gawk after him, lightning fast. It’s only when I finally reach for my keys that I feel the cash.
Somehow, Ranbir slipped the bills back into my pocket without me even knowing. I gnaw on my lips, defeated, happy I can find somewhere that isn’t my backseat to lay my head tonight, wondering how quickly I can repay the favor. My need for basic shit like a hot shower and a warm bed outweighs the guilt from not splitting the tip.
I don’t want to owe Ranbir anything, least of all something as crucial as keeping me safe. But for now, begrudgingly, I thank the bastard for helping me find a hotel to rest. As well as warning me about the threat I’m about to face.
