Page 120 of No Boss
The world tilted.
Her arms flew out.
Balance gone.
Breath caught…
His hand caught her wrist.
The pull spun her back. Her dupatta whipped through the air, hair following. She collided with him, palms pressing against his chest, feeling the rhythm, the strength through the soaked shirt.
His arm came around her waist, keeping her upright.
“Careful,” his voice brushed past her ear.
Rain fell hard around them.
She looked up, breath uneven.
Water had pushed his hair back, exposing the sharp lines of his face, harsher now, more defined. It traced his brow, his nose, catching at his mouth before slipping away.
From this close, he looked less like a man holding control and more like a storm wrapped in it.
Her breath hitched.
She became aware, suddenly, completely aware of how close they were. Of how little space existed between them.
His shirt clung to him, outlining strength. Her own clothes did the same. She felt it now. The weight. The exposure. Heat rose to her face despite the cold rain.
She tried to look away.
Couldn’t.
His eyes stayed on her, intent, consuming, unraveling her. Her fingers curled further into his chest.
She should step back, speak, break this… she didn’t.
His hold tightened, closing the last inch between them.
A soft gasp left her.
His expression darkened.
He moved forward.
One step. Then another.
She stepped back, matching his steps until the wall met her back.
His hand stayed firm at her waist as he leaned closer, his breath brushing her forehead.
Her lips parted.
His other hand came up, resting beside her head against the wall.
He didn’t cage her. She could leave.
She didn’t.
