Page 13 of Love Locked
She could have perceived his actions as a sign of his raging desire for her. But she didn’t…for she knew there was no chance of anything happening between them. He had made it abundantly clear more times than she could count, that his only interest in her was as a family friend.
But now he was holding her hand, pushing her in the car, behaving weirdly like he was possessive. She shook her head in denial, mentally scolding herself. She had no reason to think like that. He probably just thought she was stupid for dancing in the rain, and he’d be right. She was stupid.
“Kyra…” He got behind the wheel and exhaled heavily. His dark-coloured eyes centred right onto her. “Seat belt.”
Dropping her eyes, Kyra fumbled for the strap. After five seconds, his arm reached over her left shoulder—the palm of his hand gripping her in place for one brief moment—and grabbed the seat belt. And slowly, with the back of his fingers grazing the top of her shoulder, he clipped it in for her.
Kyra held her breath the entire time. She couldn’t help but glance at his face, feeling the electric heat from him sear every inch of her exposed skin. She smiled awkwardly. And just like many other occasions in the past few months, he didn’t smile back.
He started the engine without breaking eye contact, and the car flew forward in motion. Kyra couldn’t stop herself after a few unbearable minutes of silence.
“Are you okay, Kabir?”
Kabir was confused by his own behaviour. He didn’t want to feel anything for her, but there was a lot he was feeling.
His answer was cool and calm. “You’re asking me if I’m okay?”
She blinked. “Yeah.”
His attention was focused outside the windshield as he took one hand off the steering wheel and put it on the gear.
“You…” he tried to sound calm, “…were dancing in the rain, late in the night around strange men who were ogling you.”
“So?” She replied. Kyra realised, in hindsight, how stupid her answer sounded when it came to all the safety lessons her parents had taught her.
In an instant, Kabir slammed the brakes, making her fly forward. He shot his arm across her chest to prevent her from hitting her head on the dashboard.
“What the hell!” Kyra yelled.
“Really?” Kabir shot back.
The sudden impact caused her heart to race, but she somehow managed to speak, “What is wrong with you?”
“Kyra, what you did right now was the stupidest thing ever. Those guys…men were looking at you like you were a piece of fresh meat.”
“How dare you call me stupid...”
“I want to call you many things, and stupid is just one of them...”
“What the hell does that mean?”
“It means I’m in no mood to answer your questions.” He closed his eyes counting to 10.
“Has anyone ever told you that you’re an asshole?”
A moment later, he opened his eyes and started the engine. “I just didn’t want you to put on a show for a bunch of horny guys.”
“I wasn’t doing that.” She was offended he thought so low of her, “And I don’t think I need to explain myself to you.” She exploded and peered out the window.
Kabir drove the car and flexed his jaw the entire ride. As the air conditioner kicked in, he noticed her shivering and changed the mode to the heater. His brain wouldn’t turn off, not even after a few minutes of driving. He had argued with her nastily, but what was he trying to prove by that?
They reached the building, and for a moment, he thought about cancelling going to Adil’s place. He also had to walk Woofer down the street before going to bed. He had to get up early and go to work tomorrow, but he knew Mira and Ruhi would never let him live it down if he missed this dinner. Kabir waited for Kyra to exit the car.
Without glancing at him, she mumbled, “Thanks for the ride.” After getting out of the car, she threw his jacket on the seat and felt him hold her wrist.
“Keep the fucking jacket.” Kabir gritted his teeth.
“I don’t take orders from you.” She jerked her hand out of his grip with force.
