Page 93 of The Ruin I Chose

Her light blue shirt was half-tucked into denim shorts that clung mid-thigh. Sleeves rolled, buttons parted, revealing a slight cleavage—just enough to tease.

Her skin glowed in the sun, and I wanted to bury my face in the curve of her neck and kiss her senseless. I shook the thought off before it could turn dangerous.

Vihaan walked in, looking at me, eyes narrowed like a blade. Jealousy dripped off him—sticky and loud—while I sat with his daughter playing.

Soon, we all settled for lunch. Kyra was still seated next to me. Roxanne came and sat beside Kyra. Vihaan sat opposite her, Mrs. Talati opposite me and Sahil in between them.

Lunch was simple—Parsi-style prawn curry rice with a tangy spicy salad of onions, tomatoes and coriander, which they called ‘kachumber’ with roasted potatoes and lemonade. I was glad I read up a little on the Parsi culture and cuisine on my flight here.

Vihaan took a sip from Roxanne’s glass.

“Always sweeter from yours,” he said, winking—aimed straight at me.

She rolled her eyes. I’m pretty sure he did that only to get under my skin. I felt like a raging bull—nose flared, breath heavy, ready to charge.

Roxanne turned her attention to Kyra, feeding her in between bites, stealing glances at me. It felt like time stood still watching her hair fly in the wind, tempting me to tuck that stray strand behind her ear. Watching how her lips parted with each bite, slow and deliberate. She licked them once, and I nearly lost my mind. I clenched my fork hard enough to bend the metal. I had to force myself to look away—had to stop the animal in my trousers from announcing itself.

“So, what time will you’ll arrive on Wednesday?” Sahil asked.

“We should reach by 12, I guess,” Vihaan answered.

“I’ll see you’ll on Thursday morning. Wednesday, the insurance guys are coming. Also, the office is still operational.”

“Why do you want to come by yourself?” Sahil asked.

“I’ll give her company. I have a meeting with a startup I’m investing in on Wednesday, so I can travel with her.” I interrupted.

“Wouldn’t you love that?” Vihaan muttered—just loud enough to be heard.

I scowled at him, and Roxanne kicked him from under the table. It was nice to see my girl taking my side.

“Fine then. You guys come on Wednesday. Roxy and Marcello, you’ll join the party on Thursday. And yeah, Marcello, get something Indian to wear for the wedding ceremony.” Sahil concluded.

“I’ll help with that.” Roxanne’s mum chimed in while clearing the table.

Roxanne hugged Sahil goodbye, and Vihaan went to see him off. Before I knew it, Kyra had fallen asleep on my lap. Roxanne moved to pick her up.

“I’ve got her,” I said.

I lifted her gently and followed Roxanne to the room Kyra was sharing with Mrs. Talati. We tucked her in together—me smoothing her hair, Roxanne adjusting the blanket and kissing her forehead.

I stood behind her. She straightened and bumped into me. I caught her waist, slowly pulled her close, burying my nose in the curve of her neck, breathing her in.

Electricity surged violently through me. God, I missed her. Her breath hitched, burning quick and shallow. I felt her body stiffen and heat up. Her fingers curled into my shirt like she didn’t know whether to push or hold.

I wanted that moment to last, to hold her, to kiss her. I leaned in, forehead to hers. Her sweet scent wrapped around me, utterly intoxicating and in that moment, for one impossible second, the world fell away.

She turned away. “I think we should let her sleep.”

Her voice came out almost as a gasp. I still affected her. If not her mind yet, at least her body responded to me. I adjusted myself and followed—didn’t need her mother cataloguing my erection like evidence. That would’ve been one awkward situation.

Vihaan returned and was standing on the terrace looking into the distance. I sat back on the bench at the table.

Vihaan turned towards me and spoke,

“So—where in Italy are you from?”

“Sicily,” I replied dryly.