Page 56 of You’re So Vein

So why does it matter?

Why does the harsh slant of Augustin’s lips and the rage flaring at the corners of his eyes make my stomach churn?

“So what if I am?” I snap at Augustin. How dare he make me feel like this? All turned about. He annoys me just by breathing. Mamma starts shoving the aunties away, and I realise I’m shouting. But now that I’m on a roll, I can’t stop. “I’m allowed to marry whoever I like. It’s no business of yours if I’m horny for twitchers. At least they’re warm, sun-tolerant, and can appreciate a great pair of tits. I’m not ashamed that ornithological enthusiasm is my kink!”

“Komal!” Mamma gasps.

“That’ll make a great quote!” The reporter scribbles away.

Augustin’s face remains impassive, but his posture shifts, like a wolf catching the scent of a rival. He straightens to his full height, shoulders pulling back, fingers tightening on my hip. His expression smooths over as he looks over at Harish, and the way he pulls me closer against him screams mine, even though he has no right to the word.

“Now we’re talking!” The camera crew snaps frame after frame. Every atom of my body has bounced out of alignment, and they’re all falling towards the tips of his fingers and the two inches that separate my nose from his.

“Am I interrupting something?” Harish asks from across the room.

“No,” I say.

Look at Harish. Look at Harish.

But I can’t.

“Yes.” Augustin’s voice is silk-wrapped steel. His lips curl back, giving me – and only me – a glimpse of long, sharp fangs. The sight of it makes helicopter blades turn in my chest.

How are fangs so insanely hot? If it wasn’t Augustin, I’d think I was attracted to him.

I try to wriggle away, but Augustin cages me in, his other hand circling my wrist, cool skin lighting tiny fires wherever he touches. I can’t stop looking at those fangs.

“Careful,” he murmurs, his cool breath raising goosebumps over my skin. “You’ll crease your lovely dress if you struggle. Let us finish this show for your mother.”

“Mamma has had a Broadway musical, a Bollywood dance number and a West End revival from us already. I’m not giving her more.”

I move the only limb that can currently think for itself.

I stomp on his foot.

Augustin doesn’t move, doesn’t flinch. Damn vampires.

The barest flicker of emotion passes across his features before smoothing away. His gaze lingers on me before flicking to Harish. He’s not openly hostile – Augustin would never be that obvious – but his jaw tightens, and the predatory calm in his eyes makes the helicopter blades in my chest spin faster.

If I didn’t know better, I’d say he’s jealous.

The fire in Augustin’s amber eyes makes me crazy. It makes me think that I want him to be jealous.

That I like it.

Why, why, why must this man complicate everything?

“Er, maybe I’ll come back later…” Harish’s voice grows fainter as he backs away. I’m dimly aware of my mother attempting to smooth things over with him. I should probably go after him and apologise, but I can’t tear my gaze away from Augustin’s tight features.

“Don’t bother,” he murmurs. “Councillor Ahuja does not want your company. Or your children.”

What did he just say?

My stomach is doing aerobatics. I don’t know what to do with that. I need to take control back. I need to fix this. I grasp for the one, sure truth I hold dear – that Augustin Durant is my enemy, my rival, and he must be crushed.

“Look what you’ve done!” I yell right in his face. “You’ve scared away my future husband. At least birdwatchers only drain camera batteries. You drain my will to live! Is there any person on this earth whose life you don’t make worse with your presence?”

The raw pain that flashes in Augustin’s eyes tells me I’ve gone too far.