r rooms after dinner, and Christian descended the stairs to fetch

sipping his coffee as he perch

ven't received a single text from you. Are you already b

tian teased, rai

She's just a temporary arrangement. I'

o well? I practised overnight and still can't pron

just received a message from your irritating lawyer friend, Danny. Now you simply hav

ishka entering the kitchen. She smiled as she passed him and moved t

quickly, hanging up before she could reply.

Christian whispe

lves face to face, so close that her w

she said, placing a

nted to ask if you needed anything," Christian stamme

ome water, but I can't see any glasses,

Wait, let me check," Christian said, opening t

know where the glasses are kept? I'

alues Grandpa was talking about?" Christian arched an eyebrow as he op

," he said, ha

e smiled and took a slow sip. After finishing the water, she rinsed the glass prop

turned to leave when

h-k

me is Mishka, not Mahik

y did you stop

ristian began, and Mishka suddenly grew

, but all of this is entirely new to

tomorrow evening and try to get to know each oth

date, Mr Knight?" Mishka ask

know each other better. But if you'd prefer to call i

ave a relationship formally announced, and w

slightly as she tu

t tomorrow is your grandfather's birthday. There's a party at your far

a hand over his face. 'How the devil did I forget Gr

tched off. "He's probably off with some g

He knew how dangerous it would be for their plan if someone caught

hen an idea struck him. He stepped do

r door, but ther

aint voice answered before Mishka o

lp you?" she asked, lean

hour, but I was thinking..." he began, scra

ying presents, and if I turn up empty-handed, he'll take great p

pecial. You want to avoid being embarrassed?" Mishka ra

friends is available at this hour, and you're his favourite, so you probably know better than anyone what he'd like. W

. Let's go." She stepped out

that," Christian said, gesturing towa

with what I'm wea

I have a reputation to maintain, and the whole of London knows our family. I'd suggest you change into

nutes," she said,

*

tapping his fingers impatient

glanced up - then momentarily

ns, a black crop top, and a brown leather j

nfidently against the pavement as she wa

traightened

t what he h

tically self-assured about he

simplicity of black made her pr

rying to impress. She looked l

ger door and slid int

about to start the engine when he no

sked politely

ches from hers, and once again her wildflower scent enveloped him. Their eyes met while he w

the window, quietl

wear Western clothes?

ually. They're more

... traditional," he said lightly as he pulled

her notice, and she let

about India and Indian women," she replied coolly. "

car, shutting the door

n exhale

to be simple at all - and for the first time,