Page 31 of The Desert Prince's Jewel
“Partners?” I say, sighing as miniature fireworks explode throughout my body, like there’s magic in the air again, explosive, yet somehow also sweet and soft. “More like partners in crime.”
He grins, dimples puckering both cheeks, and my cheeks heat up despite my reluctance to show how much he has a devastating effect on me, especially that killer smile.
“It’s not a crime to take back what was stolen in the first place,” he says, and I can’t argue with that.
“So, what else was taken? I doubt you ran away from home over a ten-year-old painting heist?” I say, and he nods.
“A jewel,” he says simply, refusing to elaborate. Somehow, I can just tell.
Knock. Knock.
We both jump. I jump into his strong arms, and Ranbir spins with me in said strong arms to protect me from whoever is coming through the door. My fear morphs into confusion when I hear a man laughing his ass off, murmuring something close to, “So this is why he wanted to be alone on the mission.”
As the tension coiling in our bodies slowly unravels, mounting mortification takes over at the realization that someone heard us in here as Ranbir was blowing my back out!
“Um, my prince? Are you, erm, decent? Rohan has acquired another pair of shoes and some clothing. We figured… Ah, seeing as you were busy, we figured you may have shed your human skin and torn them,” I assume Ranbir’s friend says through the door because his whole body sags with relief.
“Come in, Kunal. Thank you,” Ranbir says.
He puts me down and opens the door like he’s not naked! A tall man with long hair and curious green eyes that remind me of…somebodyemerges. Behind him is a red-eyed mountain of a naga man, his shifter features more visible.
“Like…” I murmur, as Kunal offers Ranbir new clothing, eyes gleaming with respect and then nothing short of reverence when he glances at me.
I look away, my mind reeling. For one, these strangers heard us fucking. But worse, I can’t remember that guy’s name all of a sudden. Dimitri’s friend. The green-eyed naga. The snobby bastard whose touch burned like fire. It’s like it went poof! His damn name just vanished without a trace.
I’m lost in thought as Ranbir laces his hand in mine. He’s now dressed in a blue shirt and white pants version of his previous outfit, still looking like a full-course meal.
“Allow me to drop you off at home,” he offers, something like hope sparking in his steady gaze..
“I have to pick up my car first. Can you drop me off at Bonnie Appétit?” I whisper, trying not to bite through my bottom lip from the stress of it all.
“Why don’t I drive you home and we pick it up in the morning?” he asks.
I take a deep breath, hoping everything doesn’t fall apart when I show him the truth, which I thought I’d be showing Cy, not Ranbir, tonight, before I speak, “You’ll know why we need to get my car pretty soon. Look, I don’t want to crash out before we even get there, so let’s just go and you’ll see.”
***
When we pull into Bonnie’s parking lot and locate my car, everything does indeed fall apart. Ranbir stands beside me, staring at my barista apron hanging in the back seat. And there are other things too that should be there, like shoes, my dead laptop, and cookware for when I’m near a park. His face contorts, and I tense, ready for the verbal tongue lashing he’s about to release as he surveys all the items I own in the back of my beater. And here I was, acting all high and mighty with a fucking Prince.
“You have no home,” he says, putting two and two together.
“You’re looking at it,” I respond, looking everywhere but at Ranbir.
His face softens, and for the first time, I feel so pathetic and insignificant in his presence that I want to curl up inside and die.
“I’m an exile. But I have means and connections. You can stay with us until we right this injustice. It’s the least I can do to atone.”
I blink hard, not only to stem the stinging in my eyes from blooming tears. I’m also blinking away the remnants of sleep. For surely this is all just a dream.
“I’m not stupid enough to reject an offer like that.”
I can’t afford a night at an extended stay motel. I could never imagine being able to afford a night at Hotel Renversé.
“Okay, partner,” I say, thankful beyond words. “Being frenemies with benefits ain’t too bad.”
He flashes me a roguish smile that makes my stomach flip, though curiously, his eyes look sad. Damn, he may have drilled a hole into me for real because my stomach’s flipping, twirling, and doing the splits every time Ranbir and I exchange a glance.
“Ranbir is just fine. Or you may call me your prince again. I liked that.”
