“The guy you’re dating. Seriously, you could do better than him.”
I frown at the conversation taking an unexpected turn, my hackles instantly rising. “Well, I could say the same for you.”
“What do you mean by that?” His tone sounds about as defensive as mine.
“Kat Whisker. I mean, really?” I have to resist the urge to roll my eyes. “You can do better than her, Leandro.”
Where did that come from? I really shouldn’t have said that.
“Is this you speaking as my therapist?” His tone is suddenly so even that I can’t get a read on it.
Am I speaking as his therapist?
I already know the answer to this, and it’s making my skin prickle with unease. No matter what I say now, I’ll be shooting myself in the foot.
I take a deep breath and put my professional head on. “I shouldn’t have said that. I spoke out of turn.”
“Why do you do that?” he growls, forcing my eyes to his.
“Do what?”
“Put on the professional shit when faced with a question you’re afraid to answer.”
“I’m not afraid to answer,” I bite.
“So, answer truthfully then.” He challenges me with his tone and his eyes. “What you said about Kat—was that said as my therapist or my friend?”
I chew my lip, delaying my answer. Then, through gritted teeth, I mutter, “As your friend…I guess.”
I try to ignore the smile of satisfaction on his face, but it bugs me, which is why I can’t stop myself from saying, “And what about what you said about Dan not being good enough for me? Were you saying that as my friend?”
He stares at me for a long moment. “No, India, I definitely wasn’t saying that as your friend.”
“NO, INDIA, I DEFINITELY WASN’T SAYING THAT AS YOUR FRIEND.”
Smart move, Silva. Why didn’t I just tell her that I want to strip her naked and fuck her until neither of us can walk?
God, I am a total fucking idiot.
She didn’t say much after that, and I was relieved when Jett and Carter reappeared a few minutes later.
India is all about professionalism. If me telling her that I didn’t think her boyfriend was good enough for her didn’t spell out that I wanted her, then my awesome line did.
Even though I’m fairly sure that India wants me, too, she’s gun-shy. She’s afraid to cross that arbitrary line.
I need to be careful how I approach this. I don’t want to push her away by being too forward because I could end up losing her if I do.
And I really don’t want to lose her from my life.
The race is over. I’ve presented the trophy to the winner. Both Jett and India seem like they’ve had a good day. Well, I know Jett has. The kid is full of enthusiasm. Can’t stop talking about the karting as we walk back to the car.
“And Carter said I could come down anytime, Mum. Isn’t that awesome?”
“It’s great, sweetheart.”
“So, when can I come?”
“Well, we can sort something out between your Uncle Kit and me and arrange a day to come down.”
“Cool. I’m hungry. Can we grab something to eat?”
“You’re always hungry,” India teases him.
“I’m a growing man.”
“Boy…you’re still a boy. And you’ll always be a baby to me.” She wraps her arms around him, planting a kiss on his cheek.
“Mum! You’re ruining my street cred.”
“Sorry.” She grins, ruffling his hair.
“We can grab dinner on the way back, if you would like?” I’m expecting a look of horror from India, knowing that I am crossing that line of hers again, considering how much I have pushed things already today.
So, I’m totally taken by surprise when she says, “Sure. That’d be great.”
“Cool. I know this nice place I can take us.”
We climb back into the car.
Taking the front seat, Jett immediately takes control of the stereo.
I’ve never really spent time around kids, but I like Jett. He’s a cool kid.
And he likes racing, which makes conversations easy with him.
I’ve just clipped my seat belt in when India leans close and says, “You looked surprised when I said yes to dinner.”
She’s so close that I can smell the intoxicating scent of her perfume.
“I was surprised. I thought I might have been crossing your ethical line.” Lips pressed together, I lift my shoulder in a half shrug.
A light smile on her lips, she shifts back to her side of the car. “I’ve already crossed the line today. What’s a little further going to hurt?”
I’ll cross any line she wants me to. Cross it so far that the fucking line she adheres to will be invisible to her.