Chapter 3

"We're all alone, you know," he said softly. "The night cleaning crew hasn't even arrived. Except for

Security down on the first floor, there's only you and me."

"That's exactly what's worrying me," she retorted, giving him an impudent frown. "You do have a reputation, you know."

She wasn't trying to say anything at all. She was still too busy trying to recover from the stunning effect his laugh had on her nervous system. He was just too sexy for his own good…well, for her good, at any rate. She could see why her sister had been tempted into having an affair with the man. But that very fact made it doubly imperative that she not do the same.

"Well, don't worry, my fastidious little burglar," he said, his laughter dying away. "I'm not attempting a seduction. I'm only considering a little blackmail."

That startled her. "Blackmail?"

"Yes." His hand slid down to catch hold of her fingers. "Here's how it works. Do what I want you to do — or go to jail."

She scoffed at him. "No one is going to throw me in jail for visiting your office uninvited," she told him, tugging to get her hand free but having no success.

"You think not? Even though the local authorities happen to owe me a favor?"

Her shoulders sagged. She knew very well he came from a wealthy and influential family and she had no doubt what he said was true. If he wanted her inconvenienced for a while, she would be inconvenienced.

"What do you want me to do?" she asked, glaring at him.

"Nothing very terrible," he said soothingly. "All I need is that you come with me to a party I have to attend tonight."

She searched his eyes, looking for the catch. "That's it?"

His slow smile reappeared. "No. There's one more thing." He raised her fingers to his lips. "You have to pretend to be in love with me," he said, just before he kissed them.

"You're crazy," Khushi said breathlessly. She could still feel the kiss on her skin and the area tingled.

"I…I can't do that."

"Then you'll go to jail."

Arnav finally let go of her fingers and she backed a step away. "Why?" she asked simply. "Why do you want me to do this?"

"Because I'm about to walk into the lion's den," he told her smoothly. "And it occurs to me I could use a shield."

She shook her head. "I'm afraid I'm not very good at deciphering riddles. Why don't you just tell me?"

"You'll figure it out soon enough. But first things first," he added, looking her up and down. "You'll need to change."

"Sorry," she quipped, tossing her head. "I kind of like me the way I am."

"Your clothes," he explained patiently. "The party is at the Taj. Your skirt and sweater aren't dressy enough." Reaching into a closet at the back of his office, he pulled out a dress and held it up for her to see. "What do you think of this? I'll bet it will fit."

She gasped softly. The most beautiful dress she had ever seen was staring at her in his hands. Pink silk as soft as gossamer floated over a pearl white sheath with a snug, beaded bodice. Involuntarily, she reached out to touch it.

"Oh," she said softly.

"Here. Put it on."

She looked up into his eyes and then her chin lifted rebelliously as she backed away. "I haven't said I would do it yet," she reminded him.

He sighed. "You'll look fantastic in this thing and you know it. Certainly it will look better than prison stripes. Come on, Khushi." His mouth twisted cynically. "Be my love."