She bit her lip, weighing her options. Declining his offer seemed practical, safe even. But there was a pull, a strange curiosity about him.
Finally, she met his gaze, her voice steady but laced with hesitation. "Alright."
Dev gave a small nod, no trace of arrogance or smugness. Just an understanding look, as if he knew she was weighing the gravity of being near him, and was patient enough to let her decide.
The rain fell harder as Riya slid into Dev's car, the downpour soaking her thoroughly despite her best efforts to shield herself. It wasn't until the door closed behind her that she became aware of how much water she had brought with her. She grimaced as the plush leather seat absorbed the dampness from her clothes, and her fingers instinctively brushed at the water pooling around her feet. Her eyes flickered around the interior, taking in the elegance and expense that defined everything Dev owned. This wasn't just a car—it was a statement. And here she was, dripping water all over it.
Guilt twisted inside her, and she bit her lip, sneaking a glance at Dev, who sat next to her, surprisingly calm.
Still, Riya felt compelled to speak, her voice quiet but filled with remorse. "I'm sorry... Your car— it's wet because of me."
Dev's head turned slightly, and his gaze met hers, an amused glint appearing in his eyes. His lips curved into the faintest of smiles, and he said, with that smooth, confident tone of his, "At least you noticed the car."
Riya blinked, confused for a second, before her gaze fell on him again. He was just as drenched, his dark hair damp and strands of it sticking to his forehead. His shirt, once crisp and white, was now plastered to his body, emphasizing the strength beneath. She hadn't even realized how soaked he was—her own embarrassment had consumed her entirely.
"Oh…" she murmured, the embarrassment deepening. Her cheeks flushed, and she quickly averted her eyes, staring intently at her own lap as if that would somehow make her disappear. "I… didn't even notice."
Dev's smirk lingered, his gaze still fixed on her with an intensity that made her skin prickle. "Clearly."
The weight of his attention made her shift uncomfortably, and she focused instead on the rain pattering against the window, the streets blurred by the water trickling down the glass. She didn't understand what it was about him that made her feel so disarmed, so unsure of herself. She was an accountant, laser-focused on her career, always calculating her next step. And yet, here she was, feeling like a nervous schoolgirl just because Dev was looking at her.
The air around him seemed heavier, charged with a magnetic energy that made her want to lean in, even when her instincts screamed to keep her distance.
She cleared her throat, desperate to steer the conversation in a safer direction, anything to break the tension. "So… Ganesh Chaturthi. What's the plan?" Her voice sounded smaller than she had intended, as if the very question was a weak attempt to regain some footing.
Dev leaned back in his seat, stretching his long legs as he turned his head to look at her more fully. His posture, even in a drenched suit, was effortless—calm, collected. "We'll be staying at my place," he said smoothly, as though that was the most natural thing in the world. "Everything's been arranged. You don't need to worry about anything."
Riya nodded slowly, trying to absorb the information, but her mind was only half-paying attention.
Dev's eyes slowly traveled down her face, lingering for a heartbeat too long on her lips.
Riya's stomach flipped, her lips quivering lightly. His eyes were so dark, so intense that she felt like she could drown in them if she wasn't careful. His gaze slid lower, and she became painfully aware of how her drenched clothes clung to her body. She shifted uncomfortably, feeling exposed under his scrutiny.
His voice broke the silence, low and unhurried. "Do you want to change?"
The question was simple, but the way he asked it—his tone, his eyes—made it feel loaded with something else. Something heavier.
Riya swallowed hard, shaking her head. "No… I'm fine. You can just take me home."
Dev didn't press her further, but there was a subtle tension in the air between them that hadn't been there before. The traffic seemed endless, the rain continuing to fall in steady sheets. Riya crossed her arms, trying to will herself into some semblance of calm, but it was no use. She was too aware of him, of the way his presence seemed to fill the car entirely, leaving no room for her to breathe.
Suddenly, Dev leaned forward, instructing the driver, "Pull over at the next store."
Riya's brows furrowed in confusion. "Why are we stopping?"
His gaze remained fixed ahead as he replied, "We're getting you something dry to wear."
Before she could protest, he continued, his voice firm but not unkind. "If you go home like this, your parents will worry."
Riya opened her mouth to argue, but the logic in his words silenced her. Of course her parents would worry if they saw her like this—drenched, shivering, and a mess. And besides, the idea of slipping into dry clothes sounded more appealing than she wanted to admit.
When the car pulled up to the curb, Dev stepped out first, the rain still coming down in torrents. He opened her door before she had a chance to move, and she stepped out, hurrying with him under the awning of a nearby store.
The moment they walked inside, Riya realized this wasn't just any store—it was a designer boutique, the kind that catered to the elite. The air was warm and scented with something expensive, and the mannequins in the windows were dressed in outfits that looked like they belonged on a runway. She instantly felt out of place, her drenched, simple outfit clashing with the luxury around her.
Dev, on the other hand, looked entirely at home. He strode through the store with his usual commanding presence, and the staff immediately flocked to him, offering help and stealing glances at Riya as if trying to figure out what she was doing there. She felt their eyes on her, and the insecurity she had been pushing down began to creep back up. This world—his world—wasn't hers. It never had been.
The sales assistants brought over several dresses, each one more extravagant than the last. Riya's gaze darted between them, overwhelmed by the array of fabrics, beads, and embroidery. They were beautiful, yes, but none of them felt like *her*.
Dev, sensing her discomfort, stepped forward. His eyes scanned the racks with practiced ease until they landed on a simple, elegant dress. Without a word, he picked it up and handed it to her, their fingers brushing briefly.
"Try this," he said, his voice low but authoritative.
She stared at the dress in her hands, surprised that he had chosen something so perfect for her—something simple, understated, but still beautiful. Nodding, she took it and headed to the fitting room, her pulse still erratic from his touch.
When she emerged, she found Dev waiting outside, his gaze sweeping over her in a way that made her feel both flattered and embarrassed.
The dress fit perfectly, hugging her curves in all the right places without being too revealing. She shifted uncomfortably under his intense scrutiny, feeling her cheeks heat up once again. "Is it okay?" she asked, her voice a bit shaky.
Riya's heart pounded in her chest as he closed the distance between them. She could feel the heat radiating from him, his presence overwhelming. He was so tall—towering over her small frame—and for the first time, she felt truly dwarfed by his height. He was six foot one, and she barely reached five feet. The difference between them was striking, and it made her feel… vulnerable.
Dev stopped just inches away from her, his eyes never leaving hers. Slowly, almost as if testing the waters, he raised his hand, and for a moment, Riya thought he was going to cup her face. Her breath hitched, her pulse racing. She could feel the warmth of his body so close to hers, and his scent—cologne mixed with rain—was intoxicating.
But instead of touching her face, he gently tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear, his fingers brushing against her skin. The simple touch sent shivers down her spine, and her heart pounded so loudly that she was sure he could hear it.
"You look amazing," he whispered, his voice dark and honeyed.
His gaze settled back to hers.