& Then They Wed (Ampersand Love #2)

9. Narwahl Attack

9

Narwahl Attack

Rian

F ar be it from him to judge anyone on their chosen attire, Rian thought, standing at the edge of his living room and staring at the young woman on his couch. When one spent as long as he had hobnobbing with the rich and famous, one got used to seeing outrageous clothing being passed off as fashionable. He had become proficient in not letting his real opinion reflect on his face. Today though, he was failing.

He thought he’d gotten used to Aditi in her cheeky, bright-coloured pyjamas that ranged from cute to funny to (and he would deny it until his last breath) sexy. Which is why, when he came home barely a minute ago and saw movement on the sofa, he knew it was her. He had not expected this avatar, however.

“What are you wearing?”

Her eyes swivelled towards him before zooming back to the TV screen, one end of her lip tugging up in the mischievous smile he’d come to associate with her .

“If you’re going to come on to me as soon as you step foot in the house, at least buy me dinner first.”

“Do you always like to talk nonsense?” His deadpan expression did not give away his inclination to laugh. Aditi’s quick wit never failed to amuse him.

“Yes, I find life is more fun that way.”

“Where’s Nanamma?”

“Out.”

“Weren’t you supposed to be on a date?” he asked, remembering clearly that he’d reserved her a table upon Nanamma’s insistence. The fact that his restaurants tended to be booked months in advance had not stopped Nanamma from demanding he clear up a spot for her precious Adi.

“Cancelled.”

With a nod, he checked the time, wondering if he could get a workout in before sleeping.

“It’s a narwhal,” he heard her say, just as he was turning away.

“What?”

Aditi glanced up at him and in a slick move, flipped the hood onto her head. She pointed to a little horn on the top, holding up a matching mug with a cartoon sea animal on it. “It’s a narwhal onesie. I’m a unicorn of the seas.”

The straight face with which she said this did not douse the teasing twinkle in her eyes.

“You’re. . .something,” he said wryly, chuckling when she threw a pillow at him in mock-outrage.

“Be nice!”

“Not tonight,” Rian snorted, tossing the pillow back onto the couch.

He headed in to change into his nightwear with every intention of going to bed, but he was distracted by an enthusiastic cheer. He strode back into his living room and all he could see was a shark thrashing about on the couch, fin waving in the air. Giggling .

Correction. It was a Narwhal. Narwhaling. If that was a word.

“What the hell, Doc? Are you having a seizure?”

Aditi’s red face emerged from the pillow behind which she’d been muffling her laughter. “It’s this movie. I can’t get over it,” she gushed, eyes bright. “Shahrukh puts everyone to shame.” She sat up, pointed at the screen and sighed. “I love him.”

Rian didn’t even realise when he sat down, but he found himself watching the hero fight off a horde of angry villains in an overly dramatic sequence.

“He can’t be the standard,” he said after a minute. “You need to watch Captain Jack Sparrow for a good fight scene.”

This was offensive enough for Aditi to pause the movie. She shuffled and turned towards him.

“Pirates of the Caribbean?”

“Do you know any other Jack Sparrow?” Rian asked dryly.

“Shahrukh fights all the bad guys. Even the big ones. Look at Tangaballi.” She waved, gesturing to the giant villain on screen.

“Captain Jack Sparrow fought entire leagues,” he argued immediately.

“Shahrukh saves the girl. Always.”

“Captain saved the Black Pearl.”

“I thought all he did was steal ships and search for treasure.”

“The term is commandeered ,” he corrected, looking so affronted that Aditi sniggered.

“Fine, stick with your Captain. I’m happy with Shahrukh.” She hit play, only to stop immediately with a gasp. “I just had an epiphany,” she began, almost vibrating with excitement.

“You look like you’re going to pass out if you keep it in. So spill.”

“I love Sharukh Khan. You love Jack Sparrow.” She held one hand up for each. “If you bring them together,” she drawled, her palms meeting with a loud smack, “what do you get? ”

Nose scrunched, he sat back, watching her bounce in place as a way to get him to hurry and answer. “Shahrukh Sparrow? Jack Khan?”

“No, Bugs!” She rolled her eyes. “Shahrukh Khan as Jack Sparrow! Ugh, you have no imagination.”

She huffed and plunked back into the cushions, snapping her hood to partly cover her face, obviously annoyed with him not being as excited as her about the possibility of her favourite actor playing his favourite character.

Rian hid his smile at her childishness. He liked teasing her. Their dynamics had developed naturally, and he had no intention of changing anything about it. It felt too good to mess up.

As Aditi guffawed and openly enjoyed the theatrics of the movie, Rian found himself watching her instead. He’d been in a terrible mood when he’d returned home today. His mother had unexpectedly shown up to the party he’d attended at the behest of one of his industry colleagues. He’d thought to expand his contacts as he gathered intel on those who might be interested in investing in his school.

Seeing Leela Shetty there however, had thrown his plans for a loop. She had inserted herself in every conversation, forcing introductions with wealthy families. Specifically, wealthy families with daughters of marriageable age.

She’d pushed him ahead as if he were a trophy that she could use to discuss a merger instead of a marriage, until finally, put off by her behaviour, Rian had abandoned the party and returned home.

Had he been alone, he would have stewed in annoyance or worked out in the gym to release his anger until he was tired. Not today.

A few minutes with Aditi had improved his mental state significantly. He was used to coming to an empty house but right now, his frustration dwindling steadily, he was glad she had been here to serve as a distraction .

He wondered if any of the girls his mother had so eagerly introduced to him would have been able to hold such a ridiculous conversation just for fun. Aditi was everything they were not. It wasn’t that she wasn’t sophisticated or beautiful. She was all that, and more.

There was something real and refreshingly honest about her. She was unabashedly silly when she was in the mood for it, inherently helpful and considering how often he found himself checking her out, definitely attractive.

The multitude of facets to her personality simply added to her physical appeal. The best part was that she didn’t seem to have a clue how intriguing he found her.

He sat up straight.

Aditi was everything the girls from the party were not. She was everything his mother wouldn’t want.

He picked up the remote and hit pause.

“Hey! We’re getting to the good part!” Aditi protested, reaching towards him, making grabby hands.

“I have something to ask you, Doc. Listen.” He held the remote out of reach. “I have an event to attend and I’m expected to bring a plus one. Will you go with me?”

She stopped, stunned.

“It's for one evening,” he explained. “Go with me and. . .pretend to be my girlfriend.”

She blinked, trying to absorb his request. She was embarrassed to admit how quickly she’d assumed he was asking her on a date.

“My mother has been taking every opportunity to introduce me to women she wants me to marry. I can't deal with it at this event, too. I need you to run interference.”

“You want to use me as a shield?” she asked, finally finding her voice again. “Why me?”

Rian shrugged. “You won’t try to turn it into a relationship. ”

He couldn’t have been clearer that he didn’t want more. Aditi tried to brush off the sinking feeling in her gut, knowing there was no reason to take personal offence to that comment. Despite that, the little pinch in her heart felt uncomfortably close to regret.

“Why do you need to go? Wouldn't it be easier to say you're busy than to bring along a fake girlfriend?”

“There will be people at this event who I need to meet. Investors.”

“Oh.” Aditi nodded understandingly. “Sounds important.”

“It is. The only other girl I would have trusted to go with me happens to not be in the country. And her husband is a possessive idiot.”

It was at the tip of Aditi’s tongue to ask who that was. None of your business , she reprimanded herself. “One night?” she confirmed, her mind running a furious pros and cons list when he nodded.

One night to pretend that she was in a relationship with this man who made her stomach churn and her libido come alive with a single look. One night of make believe where she could behave like she had the right to hold his hand, to hug him whenever she wanted, to kiss him if the opportunity presented itself. One night to look back on, to make memories that might cause her to wonder in the future—what if it had been more?

She glanced surreptitiously at him, searching for an appropriate response. It was clear that he had no idea the multitude of emotions she’d undergone in the last minute alone. He was oblivious to her feelings towards him. No wonder he’d asked her for this as a favour.

With how she’d been feeling lately and Nina’s suggestion ringing in her ear, just one night seemed like it would open doors to something more. Which did her no good if he remained unaware.

“Thanks for asking, Bugs.” She swallowed the bitter knot that had begun to form in her throat. “But, no.”

It was Rian’s turn to be surprised. “No?”

Lower lip trapped under her teeth, she shook her head apologetically before turning away .

For the next minute, Aditi tried hard to ignore the burning gaze of the man seated two feet away. She tried to focus on a sweaty Shahrukh climbing a million stairs while carrying the woman he loved, a scene she had watched and gushed over before.

“Doc?”

She sighed and paused the movie once more. She drew in a deep breath before turning towards him, meeting his gaze head on. “I don’t want it to be just one night.”

“What?”

“Date me,” she said, sounding calmer than she felt.

Rian let out a breathy laugh, waiting for the punchline, but turning wary when the silence stretched and her seriousness became evident.

Aditi watched Rian’s face transform, his disbelief almost comical. She knew well that he was firmly against a long-term alliance, but she had not felt this way about a man since her break up with Harish. Two years of being single and getting over what she’d assumed would be a life-long relationship had left her with shaky confidence and multiple regrets.

She didn’t want regrets with Rian. She didn’t want to live her life wondering what would have happened if she’d been brave enough to act on this attraction. Hence, despite believing that Nina’s suggestion of a casual fling was outrageous, she found that it was also the most logical course of action for her. Maybe once she’d indulged in this madness, she would stop comparing other men with Rian. Maybe once she’d satiated this lust he induced in her, she would find him less compelling.

“Well?” she prodded, trying to sound nonchalant when internally, her organs were twisting like spaghetti on a fork.

Rian had expected Aditi to yell ‘ April Fool’s! ’ It didn’t matter that April was long gone. But she said nothing, only watching him with that look on her face as if she was standing in front of a firing squad but too stubborn to move to safety .

His skin grew cold. “I can’t date you.” Rian thought he saw something akin to discomfort flicker in her eyes, the deep brown orbs holding his attention while he tried to get his bearings again.

“Then I can’t go as your fake girlfriend,” she firmly responded.

She had never indicated a romantic interest in him before. She’d been going on arranged dates the entire time he’d been back, for heaven’s sake. “You said you’ll help me,” he pushed, still not certain what she was after. “You said if I needed help, I could ask you.”

Caught, Aditi bit back an annoyed growl. “Fine. As a friend, I’ll do it. But I still want you to consider what I said about dating.”

“Doc,” he pleaded.

She combed a hand through her hair, flipping it over one shoulder. The action caught his eye, and despite himself, he couldn’t help but appreciate how effortlessly alluring she looked.

“I’m not asking for a relationship,” she clarified, trying to placate him. “I’m suggesting a casual. . .situationship.” She couldn’t hold back a grimace at her use of that word, but calling it anything else seemed too serious.

“A w-what?” Rian gulped, unable to believe his ears.

“You heard me.”

“Nothing more?”

“Of course not! I’m not an idiot. It’s like I’m at a pet store. I know what I’m there for: to pet the rabbit, not buy it.”

“A Bugs Bunny reference? Really?” Rian griped, trying to squash his irritation. Her vehement dismissal of wanting more than a fling should have made him feel safe. It didn’t. “Doc, be honest. Why are you asking for this?”

Aditi drew her feet up, wrapping her arms about her shins before resting her chin on her knee. Her usually friendly face was devoid of a smile, all traces of mischief gone.

“Have you been in a serious relationship with anyone?” she asked, her voice barely audible above the drumming in his ear.

Rian shook his head .

He saw her throat working hard, her shoulders stiff. She had never looked so uncomfortable before.

“I was in one a few years ago,” she said, looking down at her clasped hands. She hadn’t expected to discuss her past today, least of all with Rian. He’d asked her for honesty, and she would give him exactly that. “I thought all was good, until it came crashing down around my ears. I don’t have any experience outside of it and I haven’t felt comfortable with another man since then to attempt it again.”

She turned her head to find Rian watching her, his expression devoid of judgement or pity. This gave Aditi the courage to continue.

“The closer I am to getting married, the more I’m worried about what I don’t know. My dates haven’t been working in my favour and I doubt the next one will be any different. I might be on an unexpected break from meeting other men. I figured, I may as well find a different way to experience what I’ve missed out on.”

“So, this situationship you’re proposing is. . .what? A memorabilia of your unmarried days?”

“Yes!” Aditi exclaimed, almost relieved with his input. “That’s the perfect way to explain it. You are so good at figuring me out.”

Was he? Rian wondered if he looked as conflicted as he felt. He had no fucking clue why he wanted to run from her at the same time as run into her.

“See, I’m fairly confident about most things. But the intimacy stuff. . .I would like to be better at that.” Aditi tried not to let her embarrassment show. “I don’t want my inhibitions to affect whatever relationship I would have with my future husband. And I don’t want to go around kissing or hooking up with random guys. My schedule and own sense of safety wouldn’t allow it. But you’re here, I'm living in your house, I feel comfortable with you, and I know you won’t take advantage of me. It’s convenient. ”

Hearing himself get described as convenient did nothing for his ego. Or temper. What the fuck was wrong with him? Most men would kill for a no-strings-attached deal handed to them by a gorgeous woman like Aditi. And here he was, acting like a goddamn virgin who was complaining about commitment. Or lack thereof.

“And I’m not asking for exclusivity. I know you don’t want to get married.”

“You do?” he asked dubiously.

She nodded.

“How?”

“I may have heard what you said to Nanamma the night you returned from Singapore.”

“You eavesdropped?”

Her eyes grew round, her face taking on that innocent look she employed every time he caught her being mischievous. It was a look he had grown accustomed to seeing. She shot him a strained smile, scratching lightly behind her ear.

“In my defence, you weren’t very quiet. All I did was stand outside my room and I could hear you.”

At his frown, she folded, not bothering to justify her actions anymore.

“Okay fine,” she admitted. “I was standing outside your room. But I was curious. And I was also the topic of discussion.”

Rian sighed, rubbing his eyes, a sudden tiredness settling into his bones.

“You are absolutely free to continue dating whoever you fancy,” Aditi continued softly, watching this mammoth of a man slump back, his hands covering his face. “If you get serious with someone, we stop. If I get serious with someone, we stop. It’s that simple.”

“Do you realise how messed up this sounds?” he interjected.

Aditi watched him with a wry smile, waiting until his hands fell away and he was looking at her once more .

“Bugs, I have had time to think about this. I’ve never had a friend-with-benefits before. But I like you. I’ve been attracted to you for a while and this is just my way of experiencing something without committing to it.”

Honesty, Rian realised, had nothing on Aditi Krishnan. She had admitted to so many things in a single conversation that could overturn any male-female relationship. Somehow, despite this, she had made it sound enticingly straightforward.

“This won't work,” Rian whispered, the voice in his head warning him while the curious tug below his waist pushed him to take a chance that may never come again. Being with Aditi, without commitment.

He could never have imagined a time when the possibility of this existed. Yet, here he was, at the threshold of exactly such an opportunity, terrified of accepting it.

“It won’t work,” he said again, wondering who he was trying to convince because his brain was screaming something while his body and heart were clamouring for the exact opposite.

“Maybe,” she said, turning back to the TV screen and letting the movie resume. “But if you want to find out, you know where I live.”