“You wish,” she shot back, but the words came out unsteady.
“If you’re really indifferent, then you’ll feel absolutely nothing when I do this.” His hand lifted, and with deliberate slowness, he traced a line down the side of her throat.
Priya felt the shiver but refused to give him the satisfaction of a reaction.
“Huh,” he said, pretending not to notice the goose bumps that betrayed her. “Let’s try this then?” He leaned in, his hand moving to her hair. His fingers ran through her damp hair, gliding from the roots down to the tips.
Priya’s scalp tingled. She clenched her fists, trying to keep it together.This is really happening. Ethan was touching her like he couldn’t get enough. This was what she had wanted, what she had planned, but it didn’t feel like she was in control at all.
Priya tried to say something snarky, but the words stuck in her throat. Ethan’s fingers slowly left her hair, and for a second she thought he might pull back. Instead, his hand found her cheek, brushing her skin with surprising tenderness.
“Still no reaction?” he murmured, his eyes holding hers like he knew exactly what he was doing to her.
“This isn’t fair,” she blurted, sinking back onto the couch.
Ethan leaned in, one hand braced beside her as he loomed overhead. “What’s not fair?” he asked, one brow lifting.
“You’re playing dirty,” she whispered hoarsely.
“Dirty? Oh, Priya, I haven’t even started playing with you yet.” His thumb glided over her wrist, sending a spark of sensation up her arm.
Priya’s eyelids fluttered, her body rising to meet his touch like the tide under the moon. He hovered above her, infuriatingly composed, as if he had all the time in the world to watch her come undone.
“Say it, Priya,” he whispered. “Say you want me.”
Priya reached out, her fingers grazing his shirt, but he pulled away before she could close the gap.
“You have to say it.” His expression softened as he cradled her face in his hands. “I need clear verbal consent.”
It hit Priya all at once. Of course he needed to protect himself. He wasn’t just Ethan. He wasEthan Knight, and all that fame came at a price. In his world, even a kiss wasn’t just a kiss. It could escalate into rumors and controversy.
Priya felt the weight of his caution, but beneath it, she felt the edges of his restraint fraying. This was her moment, her chance to take exactly what she wanted.
“I want you,” she said.
Ethan stilled, his eyes searching her expression. “And what exactly are you saying yes to, Priya? Because I remember a girl who believed that one kiss meant picking out a wedding dress.”
Priya let out a soft laugh. “Been there, done that. And look how it turned out. I’m not that girl anymore, Ethan. Remember—you’re dealing with Priya 2.0 now. No strings, no expectations. I’m saying yes to a good time, not a lifetime. Think you can handle that?”
Ethan tilted his head, studying her like he was trying to make sure she really meant it. “You really are full of surprises,” he murmured, his gaze dropping to her lips.
When he kissed her, it was like nothing Priya had prepared herself for. His lips were soft and unhurried, like he was giving her the chance to pull back. But Priya didn’t pull back. She kissed him harder, her fingers tangling into his shirt, holding on like she might float away.
The world faded into a distant haze. All Priya could feel was the heat of Ethan’s mouth, the weight of his body on hers, the way her heart thundered like it had been waiting for this moment her entire life. Ethan’s hands moved down her back, pulling her flush against him. The quiet, raspy sound he let out made herknees go weak. No daydream could have ever prepared her for this moment. It was alive, vivid, electric, like being caught in the swirling colors of Holi. When Ethan’s hand slid up her thigh, her breath hitched, heat curling deep inside her.
The phone rang again. Ethan didn’t seem to notice, his lips moving along her jaw, his stubble grazing her skin. But the nameBabydollflashed in Priya’s mind, and this time, she couldn’t push it aside. What if Ethan was lying to her?
Her hands pressed against his chest, pushing him back. “Ethan, stop.”
He froze, his lips lingering on her skin for just a beat before he pulled back. “What’s wrong?” he asked, his breath uneven.
“I changed my mind.” She tugged the T-shirt down over her thighs.
His brows furrowed, hands falling to his sides. “What’s going on?”
The phone buzzed again, loud and persistent.
“You should probably get that,” she said, glancing at it before getting up.
