Page 15 of Unapologetic Love Story

He could see her eyes scanning the room, potentially looking for something or someone more interesting, and he became frustrated with himself. He was usually more charming than this.

Just not normally as distracted.

‘You smell incredible.’

He said the words without meaning to and his expression must have said so because Raina smiled gently. ‘Thank you.’

‘You’re welcome.’

‘So do you, by the way. Like neroli. It’s gorgeous.’

He wanted everyone else in the room to disappear. She was infuriatingly blasé, and something about her made his hackles rise, but she was also a little intoxicating. ‘Yeah?’

‘Yeah. Most people overdo it with the aftershave these days, but not you. You’re a perfect blend.’

He gently ran his knuckles along the small of her back. ‘No one would ever mistake me for perfection.’

‘And you’re a good dancer,’ she told him.

‘Nah, you’re just making me look it,’ he said matter-of-factly. ‘Amazing what a stunning woman can do.’

He wasn’t trying to be flirtatious – it was just a fact. But for the first time since their meeting, she looked appreciatively at him. It gave him a small burst of courage.

‘You’re bored stiff at this party, aren’t you?’ he asked quietly.

Her eyes widened but there was a hint of a devious smile. Like they were both sharing a secret. ‘No. Why would you think that?’

It didn’t sound convincing. ‘I don’t know. You just seem too smart and too switched-on to be entertained by all of this. The fake smiles, the small talk. I think you’re probably too good for all of it.’

She moved a little closer. ‘You’re surprising, you know.’

He brushed a small tendril of hair away from her eyes. ‘I am?’

‘I’ve always heard you’re really difficult. But you’re not, are you? You’re just unapologetic.’

Her specific use of the word made him stop dancing. ‘Unapologetic?’

‘I appreciate people like that,’ she went on. ‘People who believe what they believe. Who don’t care about sucking up to others. Who don’t care about being liked.’

He swallowed. ‘I care about you liking me, Raina.’

They stared at each other for a moment, something unnameable passing between the two of them until the song suddenly ended and Raina removed her hands from his shoulders to applaud the band. Tom felt her absence immediately. He clapped as well, never taking his eyes from her.

‘I’d love to know more about your work,’ he said, a little desperately. He wished he knew her better, wished that he knew how to keep her with him.

She threw him a slightly withering look. ‘You would?’

She clearly wasn’t fooled by his clumsy attempts at prolonging their conversation.

‘It’s just . . .’ Tom battled to find the right words. ‘I heard you suffer with a disability yourself.’

You dick, why did you say it like that?

He wanted to take the words back at once; they’d come out all wrong. He watched as her face contorted in utter distaste. ‘I don’t suffer from anything, Mr Branimir. Not until this moment, at least. If you’ll excuse me.’

He grabbed her hand, instantly full of remorse. ‘Wait, I’m sorry. Sorry! I said something wrong. Neurodivergent, right? That’s the term. It’s so interesting because you look—’

‘Oh, come on now,’ she said icily, trying to snatch back her hand. ‘Don’t say “normal”. You really don’t want to get a drink thrown on you, not if that’s the only nice suit you own.’