Chapter 20

Twenty

E than groaned, sat back, and patted his stomach. “Okay, now I’m done, are you going to tell me what’s in that sorpotel ?”

The corners of Tam’s mouth twitched, the tiny movement slugging him as he recalled in vivid detail how those lips had explored his body last night. He’d dated extensively but never had he felt so connected with a woman during sex.

Though it was more than that and he knew it, knew it with every wary cell in his body. What he felt for Tam defied description and had him jumpier than a mongoose around a cobra.

He was out of control, wanting her more now than ever. It was akin to sampling the finest Shiraz Grenache: one taste was never enough.

“You sure you want to know?”

He pointed to the empty bowl where he’d mopped up every last bit of gravy with a paratha . “Considering I’ve just devoured the richest curry I’ve ever had without leaving a drop, I think I can handle it.”

“It’s made from pork, beef, and pig’s blood.”

Ignoring the smallest tumble of revolt his stomach gave, he reached for his coconut milk and raised it to her. “Nothing like those magic secret ingredients.”

She leaned across the table, giving him a delectable view of her cleavage, and to his credit he managed to keep his gaze on her face.

“You don’t have to pretend with me.”

His gut griped again but this time it had nothing to do with the thought of eating pig’s blood. He was pretending with her, living a fantasy, one he’d craved a long time. But fantasies didn’t mesh with reality and if there was one thing he’d come to respect, it was reality.

He lived the reality every day of trusting no one but himself, of staying on top in business, of never losing control.

Yet here, now, with Tam staring at him with a new sparkle in her eyes and a permanent smile on her face, he wasn’t in danger of losing control.

He was in danger of losing his mind.

Seeing curiosity creep into her gaze, he clanked his coconut against hers. “I couldn’t come to a Goan institution like Souza Lobo’s and not try the sorpotel . Whatever’s next, bring it on.”

Her eyes shone as she lowered her coconut. “Brave words from a guy who got obliterated during Holi.”

He shrugged, thankful they’d made it back to playful. “I wanted you to think you had the upper hand.”

“Didn’t I?”

“I’ll let you in on a little secret.” He crooked his finger at her, laughing when she twisted it. “I was lulling you into a false sense of security.”

Her amusement faded, replaced by a flicker of fear that had him cursing his poor choice of words. Of course she’d be insecure with how fast things had developed between them. He was her rebound guy, the first guy she’d allowed near her after the love of her life, and having her questioning whether it was the right thing to do was a dumb move, however inadvertently.

“Tam, I’m kidding.”

“I know.”

But he’d shattered the light-hearted mood, and considering he had no idea how to deal with emotion, was having a damn hard time back-pedalling.

He snapped his fingers. “Let’s go haggle for some of those hand-made Kashmiri scarves you were admiring on the way over here.”

Her mouth twisted in a wry grin. “That’s the second time this trip you’ve tried to distract me with the inducement of shopping.”

“Is it working?”

“I’ll let you know when you’ve bought me a scarf or two.”

Happy to have the smile back on her face, he held out his hand. “You want me to buy them for you? That’s a big step, you know.”

She rolled her eyes. “Don’t you tycoon’s like flashing cash around?”

“Only to impress.”

“I’m ready to be impressed. Lead the way.”

As she slipped her hand into his, it hit him how truly lucky he was. Despite her joking around, Tam wasn’t remotely interested in his money. He’d already told her how much that meant to him, but here, with the pungent aromas of frying spices and fresh seafood in the air, the hot sand squelching between his toes, and the relentless sun beating down, it added to the unreality of the situation.

He was in a tropical hotspot with a gorgeous woman, they’d become lovers, and grown closer than he’d dared imagine.

Was any of this real? Would it evaporate as quickly as the steam from flavoursome mulligatawny when they returned to Melbourne? Did he want it too?

He liked Tam, a lot. But did he like her enough to give up the habits of a lifetime and lose control of his tightly held emotions?

“Come on, I see a flea market over there with my name written all over a few dozen scarves.”

He groaned, delighting in her wide grin while trying to hide his inner turmoil.