Page 29 of Since You Stole My Heart

She lurched forward, stopped by the seatbelt. ‘What the hell?’ she snapped, turning to find him grinning.

Kashvi smacked his arm until he caught both her hands, laughing. ‘You said you needed to wake up.’

Her heart was still racing. ‘That doesn’t mean you should scare me half to death.’

‘Yet you found it funny when I did this to Luv on our last trip,’ he reminded her.

Kashvi shook her head, a reluctant giggle slipping through. ‘I was just as horrified then as I am now.’

‘I’ve been dying to hear your laughter again,’ Swayam said softly.

Her pulse stumbled, but Kashvi tried not to show it. ‘You survived.’

‘Barely,’ he murmured, holding her gaze a second longer before releasing her hands and shifting the car back into drive.

They entered a long tunnel, yellow lights flickering across the windshield. Kashvi was grateful for the darkness because it hid the heat rising to her cheeks. ‘I wasn’t gone that long.’

‘It was long enough for Luv to discover your premium coffee stash.’

Kashvi turned to him sharply, already fearing the worst. ‘Oh no. Please tell me you’re joking.’

‘I wish I was.’

‘Don’t tell me he drank all of it.’

Swayam shook his head. ‘Luv took the packet home.’

Her shoulders slumped. ‘I’m not even surprised.’

‘Why do you need coffee so badly?’

Kashvi sighed. ‘I signed the final inheritance forms tonight. Tomorrow I have to go through all the asset consolidation paperwork. Too much to do.’

Swayam tapped the wheel thoughtfully. ‘I know a cafe that stays open late. In the mood for a detour?’

Her mind drifted back to what he had said earlier. In a few days, he might meet someone new, someone who would laugh at his dry humour, share little routines of his day, and go on late-night drives and coffee runs with him.

One day, this wouldn’t be hers anymore, so Kashvi chose to cherish whatever time she had with him.

‘Let’s do it,’ she said.

Swayam flashed her a grin as he took the next turn. A few minutes later, he parked at the end of a quiet street and switched off the engine.

Kashvi stepped out and tucked her hands into her pockets. A chill lingered in the air as they walked in silence. ‘It’s pretty late, and the forecast says it might rain. Are you sure it’s open?’

‘I’m sure. I’ve been here plenty of times at this hour.’ There was a twinkle in his eyes as he added, ‘Besides, you havenothing to worry about. I have officially assigned myself as your bodyguard.’

‘My bodyguard?’

‘You’re about to become a millionaire. Someone has to protect you from the evils of the world,’ he said with a wink.

Kashvi laughed softly. ‘It’ll all be gone in a few days.’

‘A few days?’

‘Maybe a week, if things move slowly.’

‘What do you mean?’