FF: U R My Sunshine: Updt Ch 20, pg 118

UR Back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 🥳


Now i'm dancing.....big hug to u!!!!!

Chapter 1

Jai Walia was a man who didn't appreciate surprises.

He believed in rules. Being the oldest of four boys, he'd learned early in life that rules created control from chaos. Being the principal of Sacred Heart High School, he knew control meant the difference between order and anarchy.

So when he opened his door on Sunday morning to find Bani Dixit, the new school nurse, standing on the front deck of his mountain home with a baby in her arms, he saw trouble in tight jeans.

"Good morning, Jai" said Bani as she graced him with an over bright smile.

"Hello, Bani" he greeted the leggy brunette, fighting to control the quick surge of wanting that hit every time he looked into her big lively eyes.

Jai had a strict personal policy against dating colleagues, a policy Bani happened to challenge twice a week.

Technically, she didn't work for him, but as the district nurse, she spent two days a week at his high school, which in his mind put her off-limits. How he hated that.

And if that wasn't enough to put a damper on his desire, the chubby-cheeked kid Bani held so lovingly in her arms would definitely work as a damper, in fact more than a damper.

With some regret Jai pulled his customary defenses in place and lifted his glance from the sweet curve of her hips up over a pale pink sweater cropped at the waist to her anxious coal black gaze. Then, almost objectively, he studied the brown-haired, brown-eyed baby in her arms, wondering what brought the pair to his home on a cold January morning.

"Jai, I need to talk to you" said Bani. Her nerves wore at the edges of her smile. She cleared her throat and asked "May we come in, it is pretty cold out here?"

"Oh…….sure" replied Jai.

He glanced down at his white Nike t-shirt and black shorts still damp from his morning run. Hardly ideal for entertaining. Sundays were his day of relaxation. He slept an extra hour, ran an extra mile and drank an extra cup of coffee or two while reading the paper. Sunday night meant dinner at Masi's. Between the paper and dinner he occupied himself with everything and nothing, actually whatever struck his fancy.

If he was occasionally lonely, most of the time he appreciated the peace and quiet of his life.

Bani's expression warned him that his peace was about to be destroyed.

"Come on in" said Jai and he stepped aside. He'd seen Bani with the boy, who couldn't be more than a year old, around town, but Jai always managed to keep his distance.

"Is this your son?" he questioned Bani.

As she entered Bani turned to face him, her arms tightening around the little boy until he wiggled in her grasp.

"No, he is not my son……..He's yours, Jai" she said to him in a rush.

Disbelief rooted him in place. Bani couldn't mean that the way it sounded…could she? At a loss, Jai looked from her to the baby, then back at her, "Mine…how?" he asked her.

Bani blinked as if surprised by his question, but she quickly recovered. "Yours, as in you fathered him" she replied.

"That's not possible" shouted Jai. Denial came first, sharp and sure. He always, always protected himself. "I only met you four months ago……..and I have not even touched you" blurted Jai.

"I'm not his mother Jai, but you are definitely his father" said Bani. Her voice was quietly earnest, compassion lit her direct gaze. "I know this must come as a surprise" she was quick to add.

"Try shock or calamity" replied Jai rudely.

Bani was serious. This wasn't some kind of joke. Sudden panic sent adrenaline coursing through his blood. His head went up, his shoulders went back and he stood braced to fight. Jai felt as if his whole life was being threatened, it was at stake.

Bani reacted to his aggressive stance by taking a large step back and eyeing him with caution.

Seeing he'd frightened her, Jai fought for control. Determined to rule his emotions, he wiped the frown from his face and waved her into the living room.

After a brief hesitation, Bani led the way into the next room then perched on the edge of his black leather couch and settled the baby on her lap. She swept an affectionate hand over downy-soft brown hair. The baby turned to grin at her then stuffed two fingers in his mouth.

Jai chose to sit on the matching chair several feet away. In the four months that he'd known Bani, he'd found her to be intelligent, dedicated and friendly with most people, but a little distant with him. He figured her reserve came from the same belief he held that you shouldn't mix business with pleasure.

Eyeing the little guy in the red T-shirt, miniature overalls and baby Reeboks, Jai didn't know what to think.

"There is no conversation more boring than the one where everybody agrees."

Chapter 2

After a brief hesitation, Bani led the way into the next room then perched on the edge of his black leather couch and settled the baby on her lap. She swept an affectionate hand over downy-soft brown hair. The baby turned to grin at her then stuffed two fingers in his mouth.

Flames shot up in the huge stone fireplace as she settled into the sofa and watched Jai as he chose to sit on the matching chair opposite her, but several feet away. He leaned back like a king on his throne, and looked across at her, the austerity of his angular features increased by a trick of the firelight. Bani felt like the logs in the fire……..burning with a mixture of sensations.

His buccaneering good looks and formidable presence always made a powerful impression on Bani, but instinct warned her to keep her distance. The first time she'd met those enigmatic brown eyes, she'd known she'd be no match for him. And he'd treated her with a kind of avuncular friendliness that made Bani feel very young and raw and totally lacking in sex appeal.

Sedately she said "Thank you for letting us in."

"Can I offer you something" Jai asked as politely as he possibly could.

"Just a glass of water, if it is not too much of a problem" replied Bani.

Jai watched Bani sip the water, and that disturbing, rash attraction geared up another notch.

In the four months that he'd known Bani, he'd found her to be intelligent, dedicated and friendly with most people, but a little distant with him. He figured her reserve came from the same belief he held that you shouldn't mix business with pleasure.

Eyeing the little guy in the red T-shirt, miniature overalls and baby Reeboks, Jai didn't know what to think.

All he saw when he looked into those baby-brown eyes was years of responsibility. As the oldest, Jai had done his baby duty and helped with his three younger brothers when he'd still been a child himself. He'd been only fourteen when his parents died in an earthquake in South America, making him the man of the house. His parents were supposed to have been on a buying trip for the family jewellery store, but they'd gone on an archeological excavation instead. They'd paid the price for playing with nature when they should have been working. But Jai and his brothers were the ones who actually suffered the aftermath of their irresponsibility.

To this day he felt sorrow at their loss mixed with feelings of resentment.

Thank God for Masi, she took them in, provided a home and worked overtime to hold the business together. Jai did his best to hold the family together, hold his brothers from falling apart.

Make no mistake, Jai loved his brothers. He also loved kids, as principal of the high school, he had to, but the thought of going home to one after spending eight hours with four-hundred teenagers, some of whom drove him up the wall, blew his mind.

Not that he believed for a millisecond that the little boy sitting in front of him now was his.

"Who's the kid, Bani?" he asked her, or rather demanded. Again. Hoping for a different explanation this time, one that made sense and did not involve him.

Another long, considering stare from him sent prickles across her skin.

"Kabir is eleven months old," said Bani as she licked her bottom lip, the gesture revealing an underlying uncertainty. One she tried to hide by lifting her chin and meeting his gaze straight on. His hooded gaze sends an odd tingle through her.

"He's my nephew" she muttered. She then tensed as if bracing herself. "And he is your son."

Jai pushed to his feet. He wished Bani would stop saying that.

"I don't have any children. By choice" Jai screamed back. And by God's will, he thought to himself.

With a pang, he pushed that thought away.

Jai saw he'd startled Bani, but she quickly recovered.

She stared at him while he was lost in his own thoughts. His hair was a pelt of thick, crisp strands and was glossy black. His nose proclaimed as if his ancestors had once ruled the known world. His brows were bold, straight, dark and not even the sensual curve of his lower lip could override the impression that he was more used to giving than taking orders.

A devil in disguise she thought to herself. All he lacked was a pair of little horns, although hair that thick could hide a lot.

His eyes, the color of warm hot chocolate, might have softened the image, but they were regarding her with a long, critical look that took in her hair—she could feel her own hair springing free of pins and curling just like her stomach did at the moment.

"You may not have meant to have any kids Jai, but you did and you do. According to my sister's letter, you met at a Caribbean resort the summer before last" replied Bani in a shaky voice, trying very hard to control her emotions, because Kabir kept looking at her face and wondering what was wrong.

Bani named the resort on St. Thomas where he'd vacationed nearly two years ago. A quiver of dread ran down his spine. So……Bani had the time and place right, but that didn't mean the boy was his.

"What's you sister's name? Why didn't she tell me herself?" demanded Jai angrily.

"Her name was Pia Desai. We were half sisters. She died in an automobile accident six months ago" divulged Bani.

His tough, arrogantly featured face didn't alter, but Bani recognized the change in his amazing eyes the moment he recognized her sister.

Pia. He had the impression of flashing black eyes, short sassy curls and a wanton wildness in bed. She'd been just what Jai needed to take his mind off one of the darkest moments of his life.

"I remember your sister. I'm sorry to hear of her death. But you're mistaken about Kabir. He's not my son" said Jai decisively.

"Duck" babbled Kabir as he pointed a chubby finger toward a marble statue of birds in flight. "Duck, Duck" he jumped excitedly,

"Pretty birdies" said Bani as she pulled the baby's hand to her mouth and pretended to bite his finger first, and then kissed the mock injury. Kabir gurgled and laughed and stuck his finger in her mouth again. Bani repeated the game then turned her attention back to Jai. Her love for the little boy showed in her tender handling of him even as she pursued the serious conversation.

"My sister was a bit of a free spirit, but she didn't lie. In fact, she refused to reveal who you were while she was alive. It wasn't until after she passed away that I found a letter in her safe-deposit box naming you as Kabir's father" disclosed Bani.

"No disrespect to the dead, but your sister was wrong……at least this time she definitely was" revoked Jai. He paced the room, his agitation requiring a release.

"We only spent two nights together and I used protection. I always use protection" claimed Jai.

Bani lifted a darkened brow. "You're the principal of a high school, you know as well as I do that the only one-hundred-percent effective birth control is abstinence. Condoms can break or fail" reasoned Bani. The spark in her big black eyes warned Jai she wouldn't listen to any criticism of her dead sister. She cleared her throat, then allowed irony to tinge her smile as she continued. "You are Kabir's father and the sooner you accept that, the better."

Jai rubbed at the ache building in his left temple. He wasn't convinced, but Bani obviously believed what she told him. Which brought him to his next burning question.

In a voice textured with sardonic inflection, he enquired "You've been in Sacred Heart for four months, right. Why are you just telling me now? Come to that, why didn't your sister tell me when she found out she was pregnant, was I being kept as a stand-by or something?" he asked Bani clearly showing his displeasure.

Pink bloomed in her cheeks, and Bani busied herself with Kabir's clothes, straightening the overall straps over the red shirt and refolding the cuffs of his socks. Kabir put up with the fussing for about twenty seconds before bucking his small body, demanding to be put down. In his struggle, his hand got caught in the neck of Bani's sweater dragging it down.

Jai's breath hitched at the sight of cream lace cupping creamier flesh. Bani quickly put her sweater right, flashing Jai a self-conscious look. No need. He'd already noticed her trim little figure, and she had nothing to be embarrassed about. He kept gazing at her from head to toe. A slow throb of sensation reverberated through him like the roll of distant drums.

"It's ok, I didn't see anything" said Jai with a smirk.

Seductive sarcasm, Bani noted. She looked at him scrutinizing her. Color burned along her cheekbones and the color of her tawny eyes darkened. A hot satisfaction took Jai by surprise as he watched the muscles in her slender throat quiver.

Every time Jai looked at her with those half-closed chocolate eyes and an enigmatic smile, Bani's mind shut down. She tried to calm Kabir, but he bucked harder and squealed, fighting her efforts.

For a moment, Jai's and Bani's gaze connected with the child's brown eyes. Walia brown? His will, arrogance and determination clearly matched that of any Walia.

Maybe that was because he bore more than a passing resemblance to the devil himself, after all he was his flesh and blood.

Chapter 3

For a moment, Jai's and Bani's gaze connected with the child's brown eyes. Walia brown? His will, arrogance and determination clearly matched that of any Walia.

"Let him down" urged Jai.

Bani sent a doubtful look around the room……..at the glass-and-chrome tables, a high-tech entertainment center and the book-lined floor-to-ceiling shelves.

"I don't think that a good idea" she retorted.

"Can he walk?" asked Jai.

"Not yet, but he's getting braver every day" replied Bani.

"Let him down then. I'm sure we can catch him before he does damage to himself or anything in the room" suggested Jai. He then resumed his seat, leaving the space open for the kid to play around.

Setting Kabir on his butt in the middle of the floor, Bani pulled a whiffle ball from her purse for him to play with. She gathered the scattered magazines and videos on the coffee table into a stack and pushed it in the middle, then resumed her seat on the edge of the couch. After a moment, she slid Alex a sidelong look before finally answering his question.

"You have to understand, ours isn't the most impressive family tree" she said with a total lack of emotion that spoke volumes. "My father died when I was four, my mother when I was nineteen. Pia's father left seven months before she was born. My mother wasn't a woman who found it easy to be alone. Men came into our lives, but they didn't stay.

"Pia was twelve years old when mom died, leaving her in my care. I did the best I could, but between college and work I couldn't give Pia all the attention she needed. By the time she met you, Pia desperately needed to be needed. And she'd decided a baby would fulfill that need………why, I till date fail to understand."

Jai didn't know how to respond to Bani's revealing confession, because regardless of the sad circumstances of her life…..Pia's life……he hadn't heard an acceptable reason for not telling him he'd fathered a child.

Bani's expression apologetic, she explained "I'm sorry, but Pia never intended to tell you. She went to the island with the intention of getting pregnant." She stopped, cleared her throat. Then she set her chin as if coming to a decision. "In the letter she left, she said you told her you didn't want children, so she felt no need to tell you."

Shock froze Jai in place. Fury pumped blood through his veins so fast rational thought became impossible. Not again. Damn it, no, not again.

He felt as if an essential part of him had been ripped out, stolen, used.

When he didn't speak, Bani answered the second part of his question. "Per haps I should have told you sooner. But it took a while to get settled and for Kabir and me to develop a routine. And I needed to get to know you first."

Already angry, Jai resented the implied insult. He narrowed his eyes and pinned Bani with a cold glare. "Are you saying I had to pass some kind of test before you decided I was fit enough to be approached, and for what, to shatter my life with your ridiculous claims?" blurted Jai who was now full of contempt.

Bani shrugged but made no apology. "From the moment I found out she was pregnant, I urged Pia to notify the baby's father. She resisted until the end. When Kabir suddenly came into my care and the decision became mine, I felt I had to honor my first instinct to contact you and let you know."

"But?" asked Jai.

"But," her tone became defensive, "now he's my responsibility and his welfare is my first concern. I can't let Kabir suffer for Pia's immaturity and your lack of commitment."

"Meaning?" questioned Jai, as he consciously relaxed his clenched jaw. How crazy was it to be angry that she hadn't told him sooner about the child he denied was his?

"Meaning, I believe having no father is better than having an abusive father" retorted Bani.

Jai leaned forward in his chair. "It happens I agree with you Ms. Dixit. What bothers me is it took you four months to decide I don't hurt little kids, it's not my style Bani."

"Of course it didn't take four months……Kabir, no" cried Bani.

The baby had crawled to the coffee table, hoisted himself up and was hitting the glass ducks and trying to pull it down.

"He's getting antsy, I'd better go" said Bani.

Jai watched in disbelief as Bani rose, picked up Kabir and headed for the door.

"Wait" called out Jai. He followed hot on her heels.

"Why did you come here today? What do you want? You mistake this for some kind of park, where you just walk in and walk out as and when it pleases your fancy. You come to my home………..you came here, I didn't call you……….then you ruin my Sunday by bombarding me with this horrendous piece of information and next thing I know, you want to leave, just who the hell do you think you are" screamed Jai.

Bani stopped in the open door, her expression angry and eyes welled up with tears. Kabir clutching to her in fright on hearing Jai's raised voice. Seeing that made Jai feel like a real jerk. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean it that way, I really am sorry, please……." said Jai.

Bani's expression was no longer angry and anxious, but relieved. "I came to tell you about your son. I hope you'll want to be a part of his life. I can't and will not force you. I felt obligated to let you know, but what happens next is entirely up to you………and whatever your decision is, I'll accept and understand" explained Bani.

When Jai had no answer to that, Bani turned away saying "Goodbye Jai."

He continued to watch her walk away, stunned into speechlessness.

The boy had the last word. He looked at Jai over his aunt's shoulder with solemn brown eyes much like Jai's own and said, "B…b…bye."

*********************************

"Well that didn't go as badly as I'd feared" said Bani to Kabir. She snuggled him against her chest and kissed his dark curls as she descended the deck steps. "Dis-belief and shock were expected. A little bit of screaming and him acting hysterical too. But he didn't deny knowing your mom and he didn't throw us out. That's good isn't it Kabir."

"Mama." Kabir grinned and patted Bani's cheek.

Mama. Bani's heart twisted every time Kabir used the word. She felt like a fake, as if she were stealing her sister's place in the world. Everyday she did her best to keep Pia alive for Kabir. But because it was easiest for him, Bani answered to him calling her mama.

"I probably should have told him about you sooner, but we needed the time together, didn't we, sweetheart. We had to get to know each other first, get comfortable with each other." Digging into her purse, Bani pulled out her keys and hit the unlock button her alarm pad.

"In you go." She opened the back door of her Taurus and fit Kabir into his car seat. After strapping him in and handing him his toy giraffe, she crouched in the open door.

"We'll give your father some time and see what happens. He's a decent guy, a little……..actually no……..quite hot headed, but lovable guy. I know he cares about his family and his students; I have been doing my homework on him for the past four months, so I would know. And how can he resist you, you are a gorgeous little bundle of joy?" Kabir giggled when Bani nuzzled his nose. "We did what we came to do. The rest is up to the angry young man now. Raising your mother alone was the hardest thing I've ever done. And I'm not to proud to say I need help……if I get it, good, if not, I've managed before, and I can do the same now too."

"Man?" Kabir yawned.

"Right." Bani smiled and tickled him under the chin. "Your dad's the man all right. I hope he comes through because, from what I remember, having a daddy was one of the best things in the world" she said to Kabir.

Bani's biggest regret was not remembering her father better. Mustache kisses, unconditional love and being safe, that's what she remembered. No wonder her mom had missed him so much.

"Man?" Kabir gurgled again.

"Yes sweetheart, Daddy is one hell of a man, I know……..believe me I really do" she muttered, horrified to find that her voice slurred the words as though she were drunk.

Kabir smiled and patted her cheek again.

"All right, so he's one hot gorgeous looking man, do you realize how lucky you are; someday you will grow up into an equally handsome hunk yourself. Let's just hope he is man enough to understand and accept his responsibility towards you" said Bani.

"Bani" called out a familiar voice from behind her.

Startled Bani stood up and spun around to find Jai standing next to her. He appeared larger than life with his broad shoulders silhouetted against the gray morning sky. His features were shadowed, hiding his expression, but his dark hair showed signs of his frustration, actually standing on end.

It came as a shock to her when she felt a silkily sensuous shudder tighten her skin when his hand tapped her shoulder while calling out to her and she had swung around to look into his intoxicating eyes.

She felt herself go pale as she worried, had Jai heard her talking to Kabir?

"Howwwww long have you been standing here, did you hear anything I was babbling" asked Bani completely embarrassed.

"I believe Kabir was trying to warn you I was here………….and yes, the babbling, pretty interesting choice of words I would say, thank you…" said Jai, an undercurrent of amusement in his tone chipping away even more of Bani's poise.

Bani's face flushed, she did not know what to say or where to look. "I better get going, it's Kabir's feed time…….." she said automatically, before escaping into the car, huddled in the tattered remains of her poise. She'd parried his coolly satirical observations with a few inconsequential words and kept her eyes averted from his speculative brown gaze.

Thrusting his hands in his pockets, Jai said "I want a DNA test Bani. I'll pick you and Kabir up tomorrow at four."

"Thanks Jai, I'm glad you are taking this so well" said Bani. She met his eyes head on, and offered her hand for a hand shake, in the manner of a woman whom, despite appearances to the contrary, knew what she was doing.

Jai did not take it.

"I'm only doing what is right.......I need to protect myself from being hurt and misused" he replied softly.

Bani, entranced by the soft, seductive, fall-into-bed husky voice that matched the hunk like nose and looks, was, for a moment, oblivious.

Then what he'd actually said sank in.

Jai Walia had only to look at her in the eyes to crack her normally self-sufficient and confident mask. Still, Bani wasn't going to let him insinuate that she and Pia were up to something and he wouldn't let them carry out their plans.

Bani disliked and despised his autocratic tone, but she didn't protest, she was still to embarrassed to say anything. On top of that, his asking for the test showed his willingness to believe, which was a good sign. Okay, it could also be considered an opportunity to disprove her claim and brand her and Pia as liars, but Bani preferred to think positively.

Truthfully, it was more than she'd hoped for…….and that too, so soon. So let him be demanding. Kabir and she had nothing to lose and everything to gain.

"We'll be ready" replied Bani and drove away.

Chapter 4

Jai Walia had only to look at her in the eyes to crack her normally self-sufficient and confident mask. Still, Bani wasn't going to let him insinuate that she and Pia were up to something and he wouldn't let them carry out their plans.

Bani disliked and despised his autocratic tone, but she didn't protest, she was still too embarrassed to say anything. On top of that, his asking for the test showed his willingness to believe, which was a good sign. Okay, it could also be considered an opportunity to disprove her claim and brand her and Pia as liars, but Bani preferred to think positively.

Truthfully, it was more than she'd hoped for…….and that too, so soon. So let him be demanding. Kabir and she had nothing to lose and everything to gain.

"We'll be ready" she replied and drove away.

*****************************************

Bani eyed Jai who brooded in the corner of the examination room. He stood, arms crossed, shoulder propped against the wall, trying to appear relaxed, but failing miserably. His pale complexion, long face and tapping foot betrayed his unease. And in a heartbeat, Bani found herself wanting to reach out, touch his hand. Invite his confidence.

Like father, like son. Kabir's inability to sit still in her lap showed his tension as they all waited for the doctor.

"Are you okay?" Bani asked Jai, knowing many people had an aversion to visiting the doctor.

He arched an eyebrow with forced nonchalance and replied "I'm fine."

"We don't have to do this you know. You could take my word that Kabir is your son" remarked Bani.

Jai's tough arrogantly featured face didn't alter, but Bani registered that he actually hesitated before shaking his head. "I think it's best we know for certain."

"Mama." Kabir fussed. He twisted in Bani's arms turning to face her, but when she gathered him close, he pushed against her in a bid to get down.

"No, Kabir, you have to stay with me. It shouldn't be long before the doctor is here" she tried to console him.

The apprehension in the room getting to her, she glanced at Jai standing in his corner and asked him, just for reassurance "Will it?"

"He will be here soon" Jai mumbled.

So he'd said twenty minutes ago, thought Bani. If Jai had allowed the nurse to gather the DNA sample, they'd have been done and gone by now. Heck, she could have done the job herself with him as a witness. But no, Mr. High and Mighty had to have his doctor friend do the deed. He didn't trust anyone else.

Fine. With Kabir's future at stake, Bani accepted the need for precautions and exactness.

Still, Bani gritted her teeth, seeking patience. Even understanding the need to know, it was hard to stay calm when Kabir's wiggling and whining made every minute seem like ten.

"Look at the boat, Kabir" said Bani. Hoping to distract the baby, she pointed to the large framed photograph of a sailboat on the wall. "See the boat."

Kabir stilled. He looked from her face to the picture and muttered "Bo."

"Yes. Boat." Thrilled at his new word, Bani kissed him. "Good boy. Soon we'll go to the beach like I promised, and I'll show you the real boats on the water, you would like that wouldn't you?"

"Bo….Bo……" jumped Kabir excitedly.

"I have a boat." The low words came from Jai's corner.

Bani sent him a surprised look. Was he just making conversation to distract himself, or was he issuing an invitation? Khadoos, she said to herself.

Seeing the blank look Jai aimed at the test kit which the nurse was getting ready, Bani had her answer. Neither she nor Kabir would be zipping across the waves anytime soon. Which in no way detracted from Kabir's triumph.

"Boat is a new word for him," Bani boasted.

"Bo?" That meant Boat?" she tried to explain enthusiastically.

"Ah, good, you know everything about the kid, don't you" replied Jai, showing no enthusiasm at all.

The practiced compliment chafed Bani's pride. Appalled, she realized she wanted much more from Jai than meaningless flattery. She didn't want courtesy from him, she wanted fire and passion and flash and thunder………..oh why not aim for the moon? She had a better chance of getting that, she said to herself.

She grinned with a twinge of anger and frustration showing. "Sometimes you have to use a little imagination" she said "can't afford to act stuck up all the time….." she continued muttering.

"What was that…..you said something" asked Jai.

"Nothing, why would I waste my energy" she snubbed back.

But before Jai could retort, the door opened and the doctor walked in. Tall, with slightly blondish brown hair, cut short and wide shoulders…….he reminded Bani of Mr. Clean in a lab coat. Jai introduced his friend as Dr. McDreamy. The doctor apologized for keeping them waiting, and Jai thanked him for helping them out on such short notice.

Pleasantries aside, Dr. McDreamy went right to work. Bani held Kabir, who cried and refused to open his mouth for the swab.

"Gunda……….Gunda………Bad" the poor baby howled, big tears flowing easily from his eyes which were making Jai very uncomfortable. Why, he couldn't understand.

"Na Kabir, you shouldn't say that" said Bani, trying to control his movements.

Luckily the doctor knew his business and was quick. He praised Kabir and covered a freckle on this arm with a Superman Band-Aid.

While the baby inspected his badge of courage, Dr. McDreamy labeled the samples. Then he gestured for Jai to take a seat.

"I guess I don't have to ask if you are nervous. The salad I had for lunch had more color than you" he teased Jai.

"Ha ha…….very funny. I thought this was done with a blood test" replied Jai and sent his friend a killer look. McDreamy knew how Jai hated visits to the doctor. Jai figured the hang-up came from having to drag his brothers to their appointments and watching them whine and howl, when he didn't like going any better than they did. The possible outcome of the test results didn't help settle his nerves, either.

"Didn't I tell you? DNA tests are done with swabs these days. No needles today, especially since old men like you are terrified of them" teased McDreamy as he winked at Bani while saying that……….a totally uncalled-for gesture in Jai's opinion. But seeing Bani giggle and respond openly to the doctor got him even angrier.

"How dare she……….and he, he called me old man……" Jai growled to himself.

Jai frowned. "Let's just get this over with, don't you have other patients to attend to………or should I say flirt with….." replied Jai with a twinge of anger and jealousy in his tone.

"My my, grouchy are we………" McDreamy said, enjoying seeing Jai's plight.

"What's new……." added Bani, and both burst out laughing, only to be rewarded by a "you will pay for this dearly" look by Jai.

Conscious of her eyes on him, Jai got a little flustered and uncomfortable when McDreamy demanded Jai say ahhh. He didn't look that excited at the prospect of having to do that.

"Jai…….I'm waiting, look I'll give you a superman band-aid too, now ahhhh please….." nudged the doctor.

To which both father and son complied by saying ahhhhhhh together………Jai did it because the doctor wanted to take a swab from inside his mouth, Kabir did it, because he was beginning to think it was a game……..which resulted in Bani and McDreamy laughing out aloud.

"Are you sure you even want to take this test……I mean look at you two, you even say Ahhhhhh in the same manner" asked McDreamy.

Jai just shot an AK47 look at this friend, and he in turn swabbed the inside of Jai's cheek twice, while trying to control his grin as much as he could. McDreamy then labeled two plastic vials and placed one of the swabs in each of the envelopes holding Kabir's samples.

Two envelopes, one McDreamy would send to the lab, the other for Bani to have tested through her own sources. There would be no room for doubt about the results then.

Finally, the ordeal was almost over.

Jai thanked the Lord, only to have Bani drop twenty pounds of baby flesh in his lap.

"Watch Kabir for a minute, will you? I have to use the rest room." Bani zipped out the door, not even giving him a chance to react.

"Wait" Jai protested uselessly. He held Kabir by the waist with his feet dangling below him. "Couldn't she hold it for sometime?" he asked Kabir. To which Kabir grinned and started kicking his legs around.

McDreamy grinned from where he stood completing his instructions for the lab. "If you've got to go, you've got to go, isn't it so Kabir."

"Go……..go……" repeated Kabir.

Jai glared at this friend yet again. "You're just a laugh a minute today, aren't you?"

"I call 'em as I see 'em" McDreamy replied as he pulled up a stool and sat down across Jai.

"Cute kid. Looks a lot like you. He has your eyes and your chin" remarked McDreamy.

Jai turned Kabir this way and that, studying him. The baby liked this new game, laughing and kicking his feet in excitement at the sudden twists and turns. He reached out and grabbed Jai by the hair, shrieking with glee, "Man."

"I don't see the resemblance" replied Jai as he carefully worked at getting his hair free. Kabir giggled and kicked harder. "So he has brown eyes. All babies have brown eyes" remarked Jai.

"Not this kind of brown and not by this age." The doctor denied Jai's statement.

"Well it's common, as is brown hair, lots of men have that coloring," Jai said suppressing a smile at Kabir's antics.

"He has his mother's nose" McDreamy remarked.

Jai arched a brow. "Bani is not his mother, she is his aunt."

"I know, you told me," McDreamy said. "He still has her nose, which means he got it from his mother. Genetics work that way."

"You're not helping." Jai advised his grinning friend. He had to admit, though, that Kabir's button nose reminded him of Bani's.

"Bani is a beautiful woman, there is something very refreshing about her," McDreamy commented with a little more interest in his tone than Jai cared for.

Jai sent the other man a warning glare. "Forget it."

All innocence, McDreamy crossed his arms over his chest and asked "Why, because you saw her first?"

"Yes" blurted Jai, only to correct himself once he realized the boo boo he had committed.

"Actually that is not what…….." he tried to tell his friend.

"It's okay buddy, I know what you wanted to say" replied McDreamy with that naughty smile on his face.

Jai thought about his reply…..not that he intended doing anything about his attraction, he convinced himself, but the situation was way too complicated to add anyone else to the equation.

Jai lowered Kabir until the little boy's feet rested on Jai's thighs. Now instead of kicking, the baby bounced.

"He's a strong little guy" Jai remarked.

"He appears happy. And healthy, which is good. She has really done a great job with him" the doctor observed, reaching out to pat the kid on the head.

Kabir turned to see who was patting his head and seeing the doctor, his face scrunched up and he shied back against Jai.

"No," Kabir said loud and clear. "Bad man…..ahhhh."

Jai laughed along with McDreamy.

"He doesn't like you" Jai said as he ran a soothing hand over Kabir's back. "I don't blame you kiddo. He's the man who pokes and prods, and flirts with mama, huh?"

Jai could definitely relate. But when Kabir hugged Jai tightly and laid his head gently on Jai's shoulder and Jai could feel his warm breath and little heart beats, he felt a sinking feeling in his gut.

Better his gut than his heart, he thought to himself. He didn't want to have anything in common with the baby. Not brown eyes, brown hair or a fear of doctors.

"Stop fighting it buddy" McDreamy said, but Jai wasn't listening.

The point of this visit, these tests, was to disprove Jai's paternity. Then he'd have no more to do with Kabir. Or his pretty aunt Bani.

Life would return to the peace and orderliness Jai craved for, and he would put this disturbing event behind him.

And hope for no more surprises and complications.

Peace. That's what Jai wanted. Wasn't it?

Chapter 5

On her return from the rest room, Bani found that Jai and Kabir were no longer in the doctor's office; only McDreamy was there busy writing something while speaking to someone over the telephone.

Once he was through, he noticed her presence and walked towards her. "Don't look so worried, Jai has not abducted the kid, he has just taken him out for a walk, so relax, they will be back" teased McDreamy.

"I'm not worried…….why would I be?" asked Bani in return.

Both started talking, discussing things in general, McDreamy indirectly trying to reassure Bani that Jai was a good man at heart, a little tough on the exterior, but a thorough gentleman all the same. He would never shy away from his responsibilities.

They continued talking and soon found a lot in common, easing the tension and restlessness that Bani was feeling in the beginning. How could she not relax, the dazzling smile that this dreamy looking doctor flashed at her all the time, helped calm her. His friendly nature made it easy to talk. By the time Jai and Kabir had come back from their stroll, McDreamy had invited Bani to have coffee with him at one of the coffee shops just outside the clinic.

Bani's first instinct was to refuse, but why not? Defiance might not be a pretty emotion, but it was better than a nagging sense of humiliation. She was getting tired of her constant fixation on Jai. This cheerful, noisy, happy and extremely hot looking doctor would definitely help her keep the useless memories at bay at least for an hour or so, if not forever.

So she said, "That sounds lovely…..thank you very much", only to hear the door to McDreamy's office shut with a bang, which startled her completely.

"Mama…" called out Kabir. Brows rising and a delicious smile fading from her sensuous mouth, Bani turned around and saw her nightmare standing there with Kabir in his arms. She transferred her smoky gaze from Jai's impassive face to Kabir, who was desperately trying to get free from Jai's hold so that he could jump into her arms.

Jai was just standing there, his face remote and controlled, and his voice level and ironic "Ready to go……." he asked Bani.

Struggling out of the frozen wasteland of her thoughts and emotions, Bani responded as calmly as she possibly could "It's okay, you can carry on, Kabir and myself will be staying a little while longer…..err….weeee……are having coffee with Dr. McDreamy." She tried hard not to look at his face.

"Coffee…..yes, but of course, great…so I'll just get going" Jai said between his teeth, in a goaded, furious voice, his eyes not leaving that exquisite face that never failed to torture him and then he glared at his so called friend, who couldn't wait to hit on his patient's aunt.

"Of course you won't" McDreamy said, with a purposeful lovely smile on his face "You can join us too………that is if you don't have anything better to do."

"I wouldn't want to intrude this get together between friends. I am sure Bani could definitely use some McDreamy style cheering up" Jai spat back.

"It's all right," Bani responded calmly. She knew just how she was going to play this. She smiled, trying to make it reach her eyes. "That's what friends are for, after all…….but you need to be one to understand the concept."

McDreamy was enjoying this…….."Oh boy this is gonna be fun" he thought to himself. "So, friends, shall we………" he gestured towards the door.

Coffee was good; Bani and McDreamy continued talking totally ignoring Jai and the scalding looks and barbed comments he passed from time to time. Kabir was enjoying his hot chocolate and was happy, sweetly nodding at all the passerby's and by the end of his drink, he was ready for the siesta that so clearly showed on his angelic face.

"Perhaps you would like to have dinner with me also?" McDreamy suggested to Bani, examining her with such open interest and pleasure that a tinge of heat colored her cheeks and Jai's, only difference being, Bani felt a little shy and Jai.......oh dear, Jai was but obviously angry.

Bani was opening her mouth to refuse tactfully when a voice from beside her said, "I'm afraid that won't be possible. Kabir looks extremely tired and I think he needs to be taken home and put to bed. And besides, she is having dinner with me." The deep, even tone displayed no emotion whatsoever, but each word was buttressed by steel. Heart jumping, Bani turned to meet eyes green with envy and cold as glacier ice.

"He didn't like it……." said Bani to herself, and a wave of pure happiness overwhelmed her.

Dr. McDreamy looked from Bani's face to Jai's; with a wry smile he said courteously, "But of course. It has been a pleasure meeting you, Bani."

And symbolically relinquishing any claim to her, McDreamy gave a slight bow and stood up to leave, not before bending towards Jai and whispering in his ears "Thanks, Buddy, no hard feelings I hope." Then, he added "You better keep an eye on this girl" and he turned away, but not before commending himself on his brilliant plan "Mission accomplished…well almost" he smiled to himself, and walked back towards the clinic.

"Keep an eye on this girl" repeated Jai to himself, as he saw McDreamy walking away. That wasn't a problem at all, thought Jai. It was looking away from her that he was finding difficult.

Struggling to control her wayward heartbeat, Bani asked crisply, "You had no right to refuse an invitation for me."

Jai lifted an arrogant eyebrow. "Then go after him."

"I will not" she returned, furious yet wondering whether Jai was jealous. Or overly possessive. "I was about to refuse him myself. And this is the second time you have gone over my head."

Silence burned between them, taut and filled with un-spoken emotions. All Bani could think of was that if only she'd known he wanted to have dinner with her, she'd have worn clothes that suited the occasion. Festival gear, she thought with a touch of hysteria, because skyrockets were exploding in the pit of her stomach and she was sure she could hear fairy music…..dangerous, seductive, wildly irresistible……in her ears.

Jai didn't pretend not to understand what Bani was referring to, "I had decided to take you for dinner anyway, because I thought that was the least I could do after putting you and Kabir through all this today," he said coolly. "As for now, you are perfectly correct, I had no right to answer for you. I'm sorry."

"I should think so." Bani angled her chin at him. "Not that it is any of your business who I dine with or have coffee with. Besides, what are you doing here, you should have left from the clinic itself?"

This time both straight brows went up. In a voice that held more than a little impatience Jai said, "I came here because you're here and so is Kabir. Why the devil did you agree to have coffee with the doctor?"

A car started up with a series of minor explosions that effectively killed the fairy music. Woodenly Bani said, "I told you I had taken the day off and didn't have anything to do, and besides he's a nice guy, funny, friendly…..so…"

"Well save me the details will you…………." snapped Jai, not happy at all about the way Bani was describing his friend.

"I told you I'd try and get out of my meetings," Jai frowned down at her. "Why couldn't you just wait till after the appointment to find out what we were going to do?"

"You didn't ask me to, which was another assumption," Bani said, much more calmly than she felt. Anticipation pierced her, and an exhilarating pleasure seeped into her being, she liked the way Jai was reacting.

Narrow-eyed he said harshly, "If you hadn't accepted the first offer for coffee that came your way, I would have asked you. Don't blame me for your over enthusiasm towards the doctor."

"I didn't think you would be keen to have dinner with me?" said Bani.

"Actually, I didn't know you had that human streak in you to even consider something like that…." she shot back.

"You should have known........it was understood" Jai said as he gave a short, mirthless laugh.

"No." Bani drew in a sharp breath, wondering why it was important to convince Jai of that. "No," she repeated, "I didn't expect that from you."

Did he believe her? Or did he think she was the kind that accepted any or every man's offer, or did he think she'd wanted him to run after her as some kind of sick, thoughtless ploy to keep him interested? It was impossible to tell from his expression; he was an expert at hiding his thoughts and his emotions.

And what, she wondered feverishly, did he want from her? She didn't even know how to ask. If only she had some idea of how this game between the sexes was played.

"So, what do you think, is having dinner with me up to your expectations?" asked Jai.

"It's sounds great" Bani replied. She sent him a sideways glance and finished demurely.

Jai wondered if Bani had any idea just how provocative he found those occasional slanting glances, the flash of those sparkling eyes between the thick lashes, and the tiny smile that accompanied each one.

He didn't think she did, and he wasn't going to tell her. It had taken all of his self-control to tamp down the swift anger that had roared out of nowhere when he'd seen her smile at his good-looking friend. He'd wanted to grab McDreamy, shake the greedy grin off his handsome face and hurl him out of sight, a reaction that had startled and appalled Jai.

Jai saw, behind Bani's sparky, couldn't-care-less in-your-face attitude, a loss of hope that tugged at something deep inside him. Something that he couldn't bring himself to crush. Watching her might be wrecking his nerves, but Bani had a way about her, a warmth that people responded to. A smile that could melt permafrost.

Always totally in control of both his body and his emotions, it pricked his pride that somehow this woman had the power to shake his armored self-sufficiency. Before when she was talking to his friend, she seemed self-confident, poised, completely assured. But with him on the scene, she'd been endearingly reserved almost to the point of shyness, although Jai had seen no sign of that when she'd been chatting to the doctor.

Was she playing a game with him? He could read most women, but this one, in spite of her seeming openness, was intriguingly enigmatic.

As they were getting ready to leave, Bani saw another couple sitting on the table besides them, it seemed the man was showering love on his lady friend by presenting her with a cute pink teddy holding a heart to it's chest.

"Oh, so romantic," Bani jibed.

Jai smiled to devastating effect. "I'm not romantic," he said, his tone indicating clearly that he was making a point.

"Neither am I," Bani shot back, keeping her eyes on the couple.

To her intense and furious disappointment a young woman walked past them. Small and slender, she was everything, Bani realized glumly, that she wasn't……beautiful, graceful and superbly dressed in white linen trousers and a striped little blue-and-white shirt that gave her nautical air and dipped invitingly over high breasts.

And it didn't help that her eyes passed over Bani with dismissive speed before settling on Jai. Whoever the unknown woman was, she made her interest obvious with one sultry glance and a swift, provocative smiled that showed off lusciously colored lips.

"Good evening," the newcomer said in a huskily sensuous tone as she went by, hips swaying, elegant back somehow sinuously inviting, her reddish cascade of hair swinging.

Blank-faced, Bani forced down an alarming envy and glanced at Jai. As always, his face gave nothing away.

"Too many people here," he said coolly, "Come on, let's go."

"Go? Where to?" asked Bani.

"My house of course, we are having dinner together aren't we, and Kabir needs a place to take his nap? He indicated towards the door.

Another assumption. "Are you asking me now?" Bani said crisply.

Jai lifted a quizzical brow, "Yes, mother, I'm asking you" he retorted with a naughty smile on his face.

"What did you call me?" snapped Bani.

"Well, you are behaving like one, what else did you expect……..Mommy" he teased.

"Stop it, stop calling me that, I'm not your Mommy" glared Bani.

"No, you are not…….at least not my Mommy" he replied huskily "Now, shall we?"

Bani knew she should say no, but she nodded and got out of the coffee shop and into his car, her thoughts torn between sheer, primitive delight because he was here, and a bleak conviction that she was reading this whole situation wrong.

Jai Walia could have any woman in the world, so why on earth would he choose someone without an ounce of style when magnificent sirens like the woman on the pavement, ogled at him?

Jai startled her by saying, "What are your plans for this interlude?"

Surely he didn't mean……..no, of course he wasn't asking what she wanted from their time together. Bani took in a tight breath and said in her most prosaic tone, "I'm just hungry and so will Kabir be when he get's up, just dinner would be great."

Jai turned the car towards a drive that led upto his house. Bani fell silent, wondering what on earth she was doing here.

And why had he asked her to come?

The butterflies in her stomach had increased to thousands by the time the vehicle drew up in a paved courtyard. Jai parked the car in the garage and got out, opened her side of the door and then proceeded to pick up Kabir who was fast asleep in his seat behind.

"Coffee?" he asked as they walked inside.

Seeing the teasing smile on his face, Bani shook her head. "No, thank you, I already had that, but a glass of water would be wonderful."

"I think I can do a bit better than that, why don't you go put Kabir down where you think he would be comfortable" he said dryly, opening a door into a huge, light-filled room. "I'll get you some juice."

Bani placed Kabir down on a couch and surrounded him with pillows, he looked peaceful and very comfortable. She then generally started looking around the house. Face alight, Bani turned, some atavistic inner sense warning her that Jai was walking silently through the doors. "You have a beautiful house" she breathed.

Jai handed her a glass of lime juice and held her gaze with his. Embarrassed by his scrutiny, Bani fumbled for some sophisticated conversation. Jai pointed towards the couch and went and parked himself on one of the single seaters, he then leaned back, like a lion in his den, and continued to examine her face with cool, half-closed eyes.

The setting sun shone down on his black head, though the windows, lighting up the strong framework of his face with loving intensity. Fingers curling, Bani tried to figure out what the texture of the skin over his jaw, would be like……..it would definitely feel sexy due to the soft friction of his stub. Her heart skipped a beat at the sensuous thought, and her glance lingered on his mouth, its sculpted contours redeemed from pretty-boy perfection by more than a hint of ruthlessness.

Deep within, some previously inviolable refuge melted in a sweet ache of desire that made Bani dizzy. She set her teeth and fought it back, her mouth tightening into severity.

Putting things in the most basic way, she lusted after him.

Yes she was wary, but she had few and very frail defenses against Jai's brand of potent sex appeal. If he turned up the heat, she suspected she'd melt into his arms, wary or not.

"If you'd like, we'll have dinner here. If not, there are plenty of excellent restaurants" said Jai breaking Bani's chain of thought. He waited for two beats of her heart before adding, "That's if you still want to have dinner with me."

His lazy smile reminded Bani of her demand that he stop making assumptions about her.

Resolutely reining in a leap of anticipation, Bani stole a look at him from beneath her lashes. As usual, she couldn't tell what he was thinking, although she noticed a glint of amusement in his eyes. Did he really want to have dinner with her and Kabir, or was he just putting the best face on the situation since he had foiled her plans with McDreamy, as well as got told by her that she wasn't going to be a pawn in an unknown game?

Did it matter? Bani hesitated, torn by conflicting desires. Lust she could deal with; love was a much more dangerous emotion, one she didn't dare leave herself open to. Then a surge or rebellious challenge made up her mind. Of course she could have dinner with him without losing her heart.

"Here would be just fine, especially since Kabir is asleep. The lime juice was lovely too, thank you. And this place is beautiful" she said steadily and rose to her feet.

Jai straightened up. "I'm glad you liked it all so much, especially since you thanked me twice."

Bani flushed, because she realized that spoken out loud and the way she had put it, did sound ridiculous.

While Jai went about arranging the dinner, Bani relaxed, feeling oddly in tune with him. Too relaxed, perhaps, because as she walked back into the house from the porch, she managed to catch the toe of her sandal on the step and trip.

Before, she hit the floor, Jai grabbed her, hauling her upright. "Are you alright?" he demanded, turning her so that he could scan her face.

"Yes……sorry, I'm such a klutz," she babbled, mortified. "I forgot there was a step there."

She stuttered into silence, tension spiraling between them when she watched Jai's eyes light with smoldering fire in the suddenly more prominent framework of his face. They just kept looking at each other.

Compelling, purposeful, his gaze fell on her mouth, and Bani was consumed by craving, a need so intense and desperate that every thought fled her brain.

Slowly, perhaps giving her time to object, Jai pulled her close. Bani couldn't think, didn't want to think. She lifted her face in innocent supplication and tried to smile. His arms tightened around her, she almost lifted her arms when at that very moment, Kabir woke up and seeing himself in unfamiliar surroundings, he started crying out "Mama…..maa…." Bani ran towards him, picked him up and hugged him "It's ok sweetie, Mama's here, it's ok……..had a nice nap, didn't you" she cajoled him and silently couldn't help but thank him enough for stopping her from committing one of the biggest mistakes of her life.

Jai's first response to what was just going to happen, had been nothing short of astonishment…………first the kid, now the aunt. What was he thinking? He wanted peace, he wanted his original life back which was less complicated and more easy to live.

His second response had been to send her and Kabir home right that very moment, forget the damn dinner.

His third………His third had been purely physical as he watched how she smiled and played with Kabir………..the real smile, not the one calculated to turn him into her slave—eclipsing the late September sun, heating him down to the bone. It was a raw, totally male reaction.

God…………this woman was pure Trouble, spelt with a capital T.

Chapter 6

Bani's rubber soles made soft swishing sounds against the tile floor of the deserted high-school corridor. Jai had sent a note asking to see her after school let out.

Not, she suspected, as principal to school nurse, but as Kabir's father to Kabir's aunt.

Butterflies beat a wild tattoo in her stomach, a sign of her heightened anxiety. In the two weeks since she told Jai about Kabir, they hadn't been on the friendliest of terms. Things had become ever more weird and unsettling after their so-called dinner date, which ended up with Bani using the first excuse that could come to her mind to get away without having dinner, and Jai being only too happy to oblige…………….both couldn't help thinking what a close call that was………phew, thank goodness nothing happened.

Maybe safety was overrated, but fighting the attraction Bani felt for Jai seemed like her best option, she could not handle anymore complications. To top it all, waiting for the test results made them both tense. The suspense was killing them.

Perhaps she should have told Jai about Kabir sooner.

In her defense, parenting didn't come easily. Whoever said it did, lied. It certainly hadn't the first time when she'd gained custody of Pia. So far, this time was no different. Except she was older, and twenty-six instead of eighteen.

And this time she hoped not to do it alone. Hoped, being the key word.

Pressing a hand against her stomach to tamp down the havoc caused by anticipation and nervousness, Bani tapped on Jai's office door.

"Come in," he called in his deep velvet voice, the voice that made Bani's hormones sit up and take notice.

Bani stepped inside and closed the door, bracing herself, because every time their eyes met a zing of awareness curled all the way down to her toes.

Jai sat behind a large desk, his dark head bent over a stack of papers. George Washington stared down from the wall. The American flag stood in the corner of the room and a small Indian flag adorned his table. Jai's sleeves were rolled up and his tie loosened. The breadth of his shoulders filled the executive chair he sat in and his hair-dusted forearms bracketed the document he studied.

Even disheveled, he had a crazy effect on her. All Bani could hear at the back of her mind was the song "You take my breath away....."

Which made his in-attention aggravating. Jai had asked for this meeting, the least he could do was attend it mentally too.

In an all's-right-with-my-world glow in spite of the fact that we didn't kiss, Bani tried to let Jai know that she was waiting and she did not like it one bit.

"Jai," Bani prompted as she took a seat in one of the hardwood chairs facing him. "You wanted to see me, I am busy too, so if we would just………?"

"Yes, I'm sorry, I just want to finish this first…." He signed his name at the bottom of the paper then set it aside and looked up.

And zing, her toes curled in her white, rubber-soled shoes. She knew he felt the attraction too, after the last time they were together, nothing was concealed anymore. Desire blazed in his brown, chocolaty brown eyes and a flash of hunger quickly gripped her.

Unfortunately, knowing changed nothing. Because acting on the attraction would be downright insane.

Darn it.

'Did Bani only have to be his aunt, couldn't somebody else do the honors" Jai thought to himself. Scowling, Jai blinked away all the signs of passion, then ran a hand over the back of his neck. The weariness in his gesture distracted Bani. He usually seemed to vital, so in control.

Seeing him at less than his normal hundred-and-ten percent made her want to tend to him. Fighting the urge, Bani linked her fingers together. Best she keep her hands and nurturing instincts to herself, this baby was too big and…and….and, lethal, yeah, that's the right word she thought, too big and lethal for her to handle.

Without meaning to, Bani heard herself ask, "Tough day?" Immediately, she bit her tongue, 'what's wrong with you lady, control yourself, you are not his mother……" she chided herself.

Jai shrugged, a frown drawing his eyebrows together. "No worse than usual" he replied as he tossed his pen on the desk and leaned back in this chair. "Speculation about Kabir is starting to get around. I got a call from a member of the school board."

"Oh." Guilt assailed Bani. What could she say? "Do you feel Kabir's illegitimacy will reflect badly on you?" she asked him.

She really hoped Jai would say no. But even with San Diego only thirty miles down the highway, this was a small town, with small-town values and small-town ethics. As principal, and the highest adult influence on their children, the citizens could be disturbed to learn Jai had an illegitimate child…………they would wonder what kind of message he was sending out to the children under his care.

For the first time since Bani entered his office, Jai smiled. "This town isn't that provincial." His expression turned rueful. "At least I don't think it is." He stood and came around the desk. "We'll know soon enough. That's why I call you in here to tell you I received the results of the DNA tests."

Bani caught her breath. "Really? My lab said four to six weeks for the results." Mixed feelings make her heart pound. She believed her sister believed Jai was the father of her child. Heck, Bani had based major decisions on that belief, but the test results were official.

"So?" she asked hesitantly.

"Kabir is my son" Jai replied.

Bani's breath escaped in a rush of relief. Finally. Now they could move forward. Bani tried to gauge Jai's reaction, but his matter-of-fact manner gave her no clue to his true feelings.

Keeping his serious gaze on hers, Jai clasped his hands in front of him and leaned back against his desk. "You need to know, Bani, that I've hired an attorney. I'm petitioning for custody."

Chapter 7

"Kabir is my son" Jai replied.

Bani's breath escaped in a rush of relief. Finally. Now they could move forward. Bani tried to gauge Jai's reaction, but his matter-of-fact manner gave her no clue to his true feelings.

Keeping his serious gaze on hers, Jai clasped his hands in front of him and leaned back against his desk. "You need to know, Bani, that I've hired an attorney. I'm petitioning for custody."

Shock rocked Bani. She stared, trying to wrap her mind around what she had just heard. Jai couldn't have said what he did; he surely did not mean to take Kabir away from her.

"No," Bani protested, denying her worst fears. "You can't have Kabir." Needing to hold on to something solid, Bani clutched the wooden arms of her chair. "Kabir belongs with me, so what if I did not give birth to him, he is still my blood, I have given up my life for that child, and you can't take that away from me" she cried.

"You're upset, I can understand" said Jai as he reached for Bani's hand, but she pulled it away from him.

She laughed harshly, while tears streamed down her face. "Of course you insensitive fool, I am upset. Did you expect me to be happy and jump with joy on hearing that you want to steal Kabir from me?"

Jai arched a dark eyebrow in a silent reminder that his claim to Kabir was stronger that hers, at least in the eyes of the law. "I expect you to want what's best for him" he said.

"I do" replied Bani. She congratulated herself on the restraint that kept her from slapping the arrogant look from his face. "I don't believe taking him from the only family he's ever known constitutes what's best" she further added.

"I am not taking him from you," Jai denied in exasperation.

"No?" Bani mocked him. "You're seeking custody. What would you call it?"

Jai shifted his position against the desk, crossed his ankles and leaned back. "Kabir is my son, my responsibility" he tried to reason.

"I commend you on your sense of duty" she snapped back. With her heart being torn in two, Bani couldn't prevent the sarcasm. She crossed her arms over her breasts, more to contain the fresh wave of pain than out of defiance.

"But you need more than duty to raise a baby. You need love and patience and understanding" she said to Jai.

Jai glanced around his office then back at Bani. "I am aware of what it takes to raise a child" he said to her.

"There is more to raising a child than just education" replied Bani.

Feeling cornered, Bani stood and hugged herself as she paced Jai's office. "Why didn't you tell me about this sooner?" she asked Jai.

"I didn't have the test results. My attorney only filed the petition today" replied Jai.

"But you knew what you were planning, right?" Bani accused, remembering with a sense of betrayal how pleased she had been at his willingness to have the DNA tests done. Little had she known he'd use the results to undermine her position as Kabir's guardian.

Bani's heart rose to her throat as she realized she had no legal claim to Kabir. His care had passed from her sister Pia to Bani by right of family taking care of family. Nobody had questioned her custody. Until now, when it might be too late to protect Kabir's interests.

"You are right" Jai replied, as he looked her straight in the eye, challenging her. "I should have told you of my intentions sooner. Just as you should have told me Kabir was my son earlier."

Oh no, no way, Jai wasn't going to make her feel guilty.

Bani turned her life upside down to bring his son to him. Maybe Jai was right. Maybe the decision to wait hadn't been fair. But Bani needed to know in her heart that introducing Kabir to Jai was not only right, but safe and a long term solution.

This wasn't supposed to happen. She'd never dreamed he would try to take Kabir from her. In her experience, most men didn't stay around to raise their own children. And she'd learned the hard way…….when her fianc left her rather than help her with Pia when their mother passed away……that they didn't care to take on the raising of other men's kids, either.

Heaven knew Bani had hoped Jai would take an interest in Kabir, but deep down she hadn't really believed he would.

"You didn't believe me when I did tell you." She voiced her outrage. "You have no right to blame me for trying to protect Kabir. I gave up a great job I'd had for five years, gave up my life and moved him to a new state so that he could meet his father. Don't tell me I haven't done my part. I could have turned my back on him and gone on with my life, but I didn't, and this is how you repay me. It takes time to……"

Jai help up a hand. "All right. Calm down will you."

"Don't you dare patronize me Jai Walia" spat Bani, seething with temper, her breasts heaving with the force of restraining her anger, Bani informed him, "I won't let you take him from me."

"It's done. The papers have been filed" replied Jai coolly.

Bani clenched her teeth, bracing herself against the anxiety his words instilled. "I'll fight you. My sister made it clear she wanted him raised by her family."

Jai's eyebrows lowered. "Your sister's wishes don't concern me. She had no right to use me for stud services then hide my son from me. I believe the courts will agree."

"So that's why you are doing this," Bani responded to his bitter claim. "To get back at my sister? And I suppose it doesn't matter that Kabir will be hurt by your actions?"

"Kabir is my main concern. He needs a stable home" replied Jai.

"He has a stable home….I sacrificed my life to make sure that is the one thing I could provide him with." Agitated, Bani paced to the bookcase then back. "He's a good baby, but taking him from the family he's become accustomed to will only upset and confuse him. Even traumatize him, he's too small to understand Jai, don't you see, you will be killing him as well as me in the bargain."

"I'm his father, I am his family," Jai said, trying not to sound too unkind. "He's young, with the right structure and guidance he'll adjust, he'll learn to……"

Bani cringed, his words pierced like a dagger through her heart. "I love him," she challenged Jai. "Can you say the same and mean it too?"

Silently Jai stared at her……….no he couldn't, because loving was not an option, there was no place in his heart for love of any kind.

"That," Jai replied, unmoved, "is beside the point."

The shrill ring of the phone broke the tense moment. Jai frowned at the interruption. Bani watched his internal struggle, but in the end duty won. Jai rounded the desk and snatched up the receiver, "Jai Walia here."

Bani headed for the door. Wanting to escape, to rethink and regroup. And to plan what to do next. Let him take his call. She was out of there.

"Bani."

The authority in Jai's voice stopped her. Reluctantly, Bani half-turned, looking at him over her shoulder.

Jai stood with his hand over the mouthpiece, his expression resolute. "I haven't been given the opportunity to love him. Isn't that why you brought Kabir to me?" he asked her.

Stricken, Bani turned away. That's exactly why she'd brought Kabir to Jai.

In the hall, Bani slumped against the wall, her heart in shreds as she thought of the ruthless…..no strike that……heartless man on the other side of the door. Jai had just threatened to take away from her all the family she had left.

Kabir had someone fighting for him; she was definitely not going to bow down. But Bani feared and was sure she would be the one to lose in the end……….that was her fate, once a loner, always a loner.

**************************************

The clock kept ticking in the background and slowly but steadily Bani felt her grip on Kabir loosening. It had only been three days since Jai had informed Bani of his decision to take Kabir's custody, but Bani began having nightmares about it already, restless days, sleepless nights which were beginning to show on her face. She had nobody to share her sorrow with, no one to hug her except Kabir, and he too was going be taken away from her very soon, so Bani just cried her heart out every night after putting Kabir to sleep.

Dr. McDreamy had been a thorough gentleman during this week, once the DNA results had been disclosed to Jai, he had got in touch with Bani and tried to offer solace, it helped in a way, because he understood what she was going through, he was proving to be a real good friend actually. He tried to balance the scale between Bani and Jai, tried to make Bani see reason, even though he agreed that he too did not approve of Jai's stand. But he offered to help in any which way he could.

He would drop in to check on her and Kabir everyday, before he reported to the clinic for duty. He had even taken them out to dinner the previous night, and in spite of all the strong will, Bani had finally broken down in front of him when he had broached the subject of the custody hearing taking place soon.

Today he had arrived in the morning itself with freshly baked chocolate croissants and caf lattes for Bani and himself, and a strawberry milkshake for Kabir. His intention was to cheer Bani up, tell her crying was futile and that what had to happen will indeed happen, whether she likes it or not.

****************************************

Noticing Bani's absence in school for the past three days, on Friday morning, Jai finally found himself standing at the gate leading to Bani's house, watching the door, wondering whether he should really go in or not. He did not like the way things had turned out a few days back, and he was keen to come earlier, but he just could not get himself to do it. Fighting all his inner demons, he had mustered up enough courage to do so today, he just wanted to make sure if Kabir was alright………….come on Jai, who are you kidding, he thought to himself, he was here because of her………….the woman who spelt nothing but Trouble for him.

The warmth of the sun was on his face, the light sea breeze tickled his collar. He registered the physical sensations, but that was all.

Jai didn't feel anything else. Not excitement, not the fervent hope of yesterday. Not even the impatient anticipation he'd expected before the results were declared.

His emotions had shut down.

Or was he lying to himself? Pretending he didn't feel anything so he wouldn't have to face the yawning chasm of fear that might suck him down if he let it? Fear that after all there was more behind his move to get custody of Kabir than what he was making it out to be.

"I am just here to check on my son" he told himself. Simple, uncomplicated reason. A father's duty. But that did not prevent the sizzle of anticipation he experienced as he remembered Bani's warm gaze meshing with his. The subtle temptation of her body when she stood close.

Jai slid on his sunglasses, took a deep breath and swallowed down hard on the lump that rose in his throat as he walked towards the door. Strange that the car parked in front of the house was not Bani's, it looked familiar though. In fact Jai knew whose car it was.

Bani's voice coming from the garage alerted him first. Automatically Jai's steps quickened as he walked in that direction. Sure enough, there she was, deep in conversation with his best friend McDreamy. The pair had their heads together over a map spread on the bonnet of the car. McDreamy was tracing a finger along some route, all the while leaning closer than necessary thought Jai, towards the woman at his side.

But Bani didn't mind. She was laughing, flicking her hair back over her shoulders in a gesture obviously designed to encourage his friend's attention thought Jai.

Dj vu.

It slammed into Jai with nauseating brutality.

In the shadows of the garage, it could have been his ex-wife standing there, flirting. That siren's smile, the provocative angle of her head, the ripple of laughter. The two women looked so alike in that moment.

His ex-wife Roshni had never done more than flirt with anyone else after their marriage, he'd made sure of that. But when the mood was upon her she'd found a perverse delight in flaunting herself with other men, teasing Jai with the sight of her sharing an emotional intimacy she denied him.

The sun seemed to have finally set and Jai registered a sudden chill in the sea breeze.

McDreamy said something and Bani leaned forward, peering over the map. The movement stretched her jeans taut, emphasizing feminine curves in a way that made the muscles in Jai's belly spasm tight and his throat dry. His hands itched to reach for her.

Silently he cursed himself for his inevitable reaction. And for being so disappointed in her. Hadn't he told himself, he didn't need another woman in his life, they were all the same, and Bani was no different, from what he could see?

"Looks like I seem to be interrupting another friendly get-together?" Jai's tone was carefully even, revealing none of his simmering anger.

McDreamy seemed a little taken aback, and Bani jumped, clear evidence of a guilty conscience thought Jai, and he watched how they put a decent distance between themselves.

Bani swung around, a tentative smile on her lips. The look of welcome on her face made it seem as if she'd been filling in time, waiting for Jai to come visit her. Unbidden, answering warmth flared in his belly.

But he wasn't going to get fooled by her.

"No work today McDreamy, running out of patients are we? Jai gestured curtly. "Patients in the clinic don't need you" he said over his shoulders to McDreamy.

"I am here to see a patient only" replied McDreamy with a smile.

"You don't look like a doctor without your kit McDreamy" retorted Jai.

"Medicine is not the only cure Jai, sometimes a little cheer and happiness can work miracles too" replied McDreamy.

"I don't see a patient here, and she definitely does not look like she needs medical attention" snapped Jai as he pointed towards Bani.

"Sometimes wounds are internal Jai, they are not visible to the naked eye, Bani may not be flaunting scars and bruises all over, but that does not mean she doesn't need attention, whether medical or personal, because she is hurting all the same" answered McDreamy.

"And from when did you start making house calls" snubbed Jai.

"You don't need to answer that Derek, because it is none of his business, you are here to see me, and if I don't have a problem with that, I don't see why anybody else should" spat Bani.

"Wow, that good a friendship ahhhhhh, we seem to have reached first name basis now" growled Jai.

"Yes Jai, that good a friendship……..funny na, how a stranger became my friend and how a so-called friend has turned into an enemy, and enemies are not welcome in my home" replied Bani, in a sarcastic tone which took Jai by complete surprise.

"I'm here to see my son Kabir, I don't care who you flaunt yourself with" roared Jai, unable to contain his jealousy anymore.

McDreamy smiled "Oh really that's odd to believe Jai, because ever since your arrival you have not once asked for Kabir, let alone that, I haven't even see you glance around for him, you seem to be more interested in what is happening between Bani and me."

Before Jai could reply, Bani added "Ahhhh…ha….Jai, don't bother coming up with excuses, let me make it easy for you, Kabir…….oh sorry, your son is asleep as of now, he won't be up for a while."

"I'll wait then, there is a lot we need to discuss too, if only we could get some privacy" replied Jai trying to contain his growing anger.

Abruptly Bani turned away. Perhaps if she stared at the map spread out before her, she could imagine herself to be thriving in some other city. Anything to take her mind of Jai and this see-saw of emotions. Unfortunately, no matter how hard she tried, nothing was nearly as fascinating as the man standing behind her.

"So, Derek, do you think Bani and I could have some privacy" Jai asked so suddenly that Bani jumped. She felt her eyes widen as she swung round to meet his gaze.

"I'll take your leave now Bani, we will catch up later on" suggested McDreamy.

Bani shot Jai a glance under her lashes and found him watching her intently. There it was again. That sense of compelling force, drawing her towards him, as if she had no will of her own when he was around. It scared the living day lights out of her, this awareness, and this attraction. And she wasn't ready to cope with it.

"No………I want you to stay Derek, there is no reason why you should leave. I have nothing to say to this man, so I suggest you leave Jai as I don't want to be made uncomfortable in my own home. And anyway, this is not your school Mr. Principal, where you just walk in as per your fancy" replied Bani.

"And he can stay, while I have to leave, you surely do seem to change your interests pretty quickly?" challenged Jai, his frown deepening and his voice sounding a bit hurt.

"He is not snatching Kabir away from me Jai, you are…….Derek is just being a good friend, something which you never got around to being, you prefer taking me to court instead, that's what enemies do, not friends, nor family………and enemies are not welcome here" said Bani, she refused to show any sympathy for this man.

"So you're not willing to let the feud go?" asked Jai.

"It was you who started this feud, not me!" Bani felt the familiar, instant surge of hot fury. "It was up to you to solve it in an amicable manner, not selfishly." Her chest rose and fell with her angry breathing. "And I did the best I could from my end, and this is the response I get from you."

Bani read sympathy in Jai's expression and something else. Something that made the hairs rise on her nape. "What do you want from me Jai, you just expect me to give up my whole life to you, because that is exactly what Kabir is to me………my life."

"I just want what's best for him and that would not be possible if Kabir is with you" replied Jai.

"What do you mean?" asked Bani.

"I mean Kabir is my son and who better to know what's best for him, but his own father" answered Jai.

A jolt of something………Shock? Disbelief? Slammed into Bani.

"You mean to say that I don't want the best for him, I have done nothing for his welfare all this time……." screamed Bani. So now Jai had changed his tune, he was telling her that she was not capable of doing any good for Kabir.

McDreamy's expression grew severe, so far he just stood silently and watched as well as heard the heated argument between his two friends, but now that Bani had broken down again, he did not want to be a silent spectator anymore.

"I think you should leave now Jai, you have said enough" snapped McDreamy.

"And who gave you the right to decide that Derek" growled Jai.

"I never knew you to be such an unfeeling ba*tard Jai, what has happened to you, I don't recognize you anymore" McDreamy murmured, his heart clenching at the sight of Bani sitting on the floor and crying her heart out. He walked up to her to pick her up and take her indoors.

Minutes later Jai was heading along the cost road, staring ahead blankly at the local highlights that passed by. That should have distracted him from the unreasoning disappointment that had taken hold when he'd seen Bani amusing herself with McDreamy.

Jai was disappointed………….he'd really wanted to set Bani off-balance. Her veil of unattainability was getting to him. Was she as cool as she acted toward him?

He hoped not. Because he felt anything but cool toward her.

Why was he surprised about her behavior though? It must be second nature for her to seek male attention. Look how quickly she had shifted gears between him and McDreamy. Hadn't today been enough evidence of where here priorities lay. The knowledge should make it easier for him to resist the temptation she represented. After all, he had discriminating tastes. He didn't share his women. Yet still he burned for her, and that made him furious.

Trouble Jai, this woman is nothing but T R O U B L E. He suddenly decided, he needed to get away, do something to fill the next few hours while he cooled down. This was turning into an ugly battle and he was not ready for it.

Chatper 8

The next day, Jai paced the front porch of Bani's house, flicking another impatient glare at his watch. Where the hell was she? The sun was already riding low in the west and still she hadn't returned.

Bani and Kabir had been out since early morning. Surely she should be back by now? This was the fourth time he had driven by to check on them.

He paused in front of the picture window, scowling as he stared out at the silver-grey olive grove and the glitter of the sea.

She'd sneaked out of the house before breakfast, he knew because he had made sure he got there early in the morning with the intention of taking them both to breakfast first and then report back to school along with her, only to find them gone. She hadn't even told him that she would be out for the day. She knew that he would come by, especially after what happened yesterday……another assumption Jai……..he said to himself, there you go again…….but she should have known, if I was so upset with the way things had turned out yesterday, she should have been upset too, but it doesn't look that way.

And to top it all she'd gone with McDreamy………he had called Derek to make peace with him………actually no, he had called Derek to try and find out indirectly as to what, if anything at all, had happened after he had left, anything as in anything between him and Bani, but all he got was Derek's answering machine. On arriving at Bani's place he had once again found Derek's car parked in the front yard, but Bani's car was missing………which definitely meant that she had taken him along with her, not Jai, but McDreamy. Jai didn't know whether to be glad that Bani wasn't alone or furious with jealousy.

It was no good. He had so little control where Bani was concerned. She intruded on his thoughts all the time. She was there in his mind when he drove around aimlessly last night. And there as he'd tucked himself in for a nap, fielding his interminable, sulky questions to himself about where Bani was, what was she doing, was she still upset?

He'd known the answer to that. And his flesh crawled as he thought of it now.

Bani was avoiding him. It was a wonder she hadn't disappeared completely, not just escaped for the day. Not after what he'd done and said to her. Instead of coming to school, she had decided to take another day off.

He spun on his foot and strode the length of the porch, along the corridor and back. He stood on the steps in the warmth of the late sun, breathing hard as if he'd just sprinted a couple of kilometers. He scrubbed his hand over his face and up to the tunnel through his hair.

But he couldn't hide from it. The guilt that dogged him since last night. Since he'd told Bani about the petition.

Hell! Even now he could see the distress in her eyes. The horrified recoil as he'd told her exactly what he wanted to do about Kabir, how he thought she was not capable of raising him. At every deliberately brutal, cruel word she'd winced, her pupils dilating with pain. He'd taken her charity and thrust it back at her, making it a tainted thing. As tainted as his own lust for her.

No matter that his body had been rock hard with wanting her. And with the effort of control needed to prevent himself from taking her then and there, without preliminaries. No matter that his soul ached for the comfort he knew she alone could give him, for the touch of her soft hands against his flesh. He'd known that touch intimately every night in his turbulent dreams, he had tasted it when both of them had almost given in to their desires the other night, if not for Kabir waking up, he wondered what would have happened. Jai craved the reality of it as the parched earth craved soft, sweet rain at the end of the long summer drought.

Jai couldn't get over how Bani responded to him so completely, so ferociously that his soul cried out in wonder and delight.

His woman. Those were the crazy, impossible words that had pounded through his numbed, awed brain as he drank in the memory of her, imprinted her soft curves against his rampant body. That was the knowledge that had throbbed through his pulse and made his hand quiver every time they touched.

His.

Even now the primitive, potent need to possess Bani lay barely suppressed. Especially since he saw his friend lurking around her all the time. Jai just wanted to reach out and take her. Hold her fast. Claim her for his own. It was a certainty that defied logic, but resided bone-deep in his body, soul-deep in his psyche.

Jai strove for cool logic. The tang of salt from the sea nearby was on his lips. The sound of waves rolling in was heavy and more regular than his own heartbeat. The fire in his blood, the proprietorial instinct…..they'd clouded his brain. It was simply a volatile surge of lust he experienced.

Bani was no more his woman than he was the man of her dreams.

Jai owed all this allegiance to his son Kabir. He had no time for anyone else in his life. Much less a girl with her own life and living it on her own terms. A girl grieving for her sister, wounded by the memories of family conflict and rejected lovers.

A girl so passionate and independent that Jai felt more alive just talking with her, arguing and debating and finally finding common ground, than he had in a long time.

Jai shook his head. He was deluding himself. They were strangers brought together by circumstance. That was all.

Yet he couldn't stifle his restless unease. Her absence was even worse than the torment of having her close at hand. His body hardened at the memory of her against him. He should be grateful that Bani had shown the will-power he lacked and removed herself from his vicinity time and again.

******************************************

"Not far now," McDreamy said with a quick smile.

The words were like a douche of chill water to Bani's spirits. Soon they'd be back home and she was hoping Jai wouldn't be there, just the thought of facing him again dampened her spirits.

Bani chewed on her lip, wondering how she was going to brazen it out. How could she see him again after what had happened last evening?

"Bani? Are you alright?" asked McDreamy.

Bani turned to him, noting the genuine concern in his flashing eyes. He'd been a pleasant companion all day, made sure Kabir and she had a great time, even though she hadn't been able to convince him to stay out longer. His friend wouldn't like it, he said. And that settled the matter, of course. The friend obviously got whatever he wanted.

Except her.

"I'm OK," said Bani, dredging up a smile. "Maybe just a little tired, and look at Kabir, he is fast asleep."

McDreamy grinned then, flicking her a mischievous glance. "I don't see how that could be. After all it was only the markets you visited. And the museum, and the park, and ………"

"You've made your point," Bani said, and this time her smile was real. "It's been a wonderful day. Thank you."

"It was my pleasure. Any time. You just ask and I'll drive you wherever you want to go" offered McDreamy.

Bani watched as he concentrated on a tight curve in the road. He really was remarkably good-looking. Gorgeous even, with those large, laughing eyes. And he was close enough to her own age for her to relax in his company and enjoy his jokes.

So why didn't she feel even a spark of attraction to him?

Why did his handsome face leave her unmoved, when just the memory of Jai's hard, passionate features and dark, probing eyes made her feel as if something had unraveled in the pit of her stomach?

And why did eagerness mix with her trepidation at the prospect of seeing him again?

Fortunately, McDreamy chose that moment to regale her with some more of his stories, distracting her from thoughts she'd rather avoid. And soon she was laughing so much that she didn't even notice that they'd reached home.

And that Jai was waiting for them.

He stood, arms akimbo, at the head of the steps. A forbidding figure that dominated the scene.

Bani's grin morphed into a rictus stretch of taut lips, all laughter fled. Would she ever see the man and not experience that desperate, melting awareness deep inside?

He was down the steps and opening the passenger door even as the car drew to a gentle halt.

"Where have you been?" His hand fastened on her elbow, drawing her from her seat as soon as she'd released her seat belt.

"Sightseeing," Bani said, raising her eyes to his. They were unreadable. Pure, impenetrable black. But the scowl on his face needed no interpretation. He was furious. His brows tilted down at a ferocious angle and the grip on her elbow was more than supportive. It was like a vice, clamped hard round her arm.

Bani shrugged but Jai didn't break his hold. Instead he bent low to the open car door and snapped a barrage of words at his friend McDreamy. It was too rapid and soft for Bani to understand, but she could tell by the suddenly somber look on McDreamy's face that it was far from pleasant.

What was Jai's problem?

"I'm sorry," Bani interrupted, "I didn't know you wanted to meet your son today."

Jai straightened to stare down at her. A flash of dark emotion in his eyes made her shiver. The controlled energy he projected made her hackles rise. She sensed he was waiting for the right moment to pounce.

"I didn't," he cut in succinctly. "You were supposed to be in school today, you are even wearing the uniform but yet again, you were missing. I would have appreciated knowing where you were……with my son of course. I expected you back hours ago."

What? He'd been worried about her? Surely not. Not when he glared at her so disapprovingly.

"I didn't know I had to report my movements to you, I don't work for you" snapped Bani.

She was damned if she'd apologize to him. Was he worried his precious son might disappear off the island if he didn't keep tabs on her?

"Why did you switch the cell phone off? What were you up to all that time?" Jai thrust his head close to hers. Bani could see the tic of a rapid pulse at the base of his clenched jaw; smell the natural, masculine scent of him in her nostrils.

And feel the traitorous weakness of her reaction to him. The recognition of it was like a betrayal. How could she?

"We went into the mountains this afternoon Jai" McDreamy said from inside the car. "We lost the signal".

"And you could always have left a message," Bani interrupted, "if it was anything important."

Jai flicked her a momentary glance then said something curtly to McDreamy and slammed the car door shut, before taking a sleeping Kabir in his arms. He still held Bani's arm in a tight grip as the engine purred into life and the car headed round the corner of the house towards the garage.

"If you had no intention to coming to school today, why are you wearing the uniform?" asked Jai.

"I wanted to, but just couldn't get myself to do it…….and then Derek came by and I decided to go off with him, I needed to get away" she snapped back.

"Did you know that McDreamy is engaged to be married?" Jai said in a lethally quiet voice.

Bani frowned. What had that to do with anything?

"Perhaps I should tell you that his fiance Pooja Walia is a very possessive, very jealous young woman" replied Jai.

"Just like you….." retorted Bani.

"Don't try to be funny………did you know?" His fingers bit into her flesh and she winced. Immediately Jai loosened his grip. But he didn't release her.

"Yes, I did, in fact I even met Poo today and they both make a great pair" replied Bani. She glared up at him, wondering what the hell was going on.

"And yet you……." whispered Jai.

For a couple of seconds Bani stared at Jai, her jaw sagging as the implications of his words permeated her brain. He was warning her off? What did he think she was, some sort of seductress who'd gone straight from the principal to the doctor?

Nausea churned her stomach, welled in her throat. His tone was icy as his eyes were hot, and Bani felt as if he'd just slapped her, hard.

In that instant Bani realized just what sort of woman Jai thought she was.

"Get your hands off me!" Bani hissed.

Surprisingly, this time Jai complied, leaving her free to escape up the stairs, almost stumbling in her haste to seek sanctuary.

Well done, Jai. He watched her scramble inside the house as if a hound of wolves were after her.

Brilliant! He couldn't have done worse if he'd tried!

Jai planted his feet wide, refusing to given in to the instinct that told him to race after Bani and gather her close. The last thing she needed was him invading her space. Not when he'd hurt her again, insulted her out of sheer, bloody, dog-in-the-manger jealousy.

It had taken just one glance at her smiling face, the carefree laughter in her eyes as she responded to McDreamy, and the look on his friend's face as he watched her, and Jai had lost it.

Jealous of his best friend!

Bani was so beautiful when she smiled like that, all vestige of strain disappearing from her face, that it had struck him like a blow, deep and devastating in his chest. It hurt, knowing she'd never look at him in that way, smile so freely and approvingly. He'd sacrificed that when he'd behaved like a thug who decided to rob Kabir from her.

But no man could fail to recognize the male appreciation in McDreamy's eyes as he turned on the charm for her. More than appreciation, there had been speculation. And it was that look that had drawn Jai's simmering anger to the surface, making him lash out indiscriminately.

Jai shook his head. He should have saved his anger for McDreamy. Hell, the guy was a practiced womanizer with a reputation envied by half the local men. Maybe Bani was innocent after all.

Jai would have a few choice words with Derek soon. And in future, he, Jai, would drive Bani to wherever she wanted to go.

Jai straightened his shoulders and started up the steps. He had an apology to make.

He went and put Kabir in his bed and eventually located Bani, emerging from the powder room. Her shoulders were hunched and her eyes skittered from his. Her mouth was a taut line of pain in her overly pale face.

He'd done that. Damn his possessive masculine ego!

"Bani…." Jai reached for her hand but she jerked away, retreating a step till she'd backed up to a wall.

Sick to the stomach, Jai let his hand drop to his side.

"What?" Bani demanded. Then, when he didn't answer, "Don't tell me, you want me to return this uniform to you?"

Jai swallowed, fighting the image of Bani peeling the uniform off, piece by piece and dropping it at his feet.

"Stop staring at me. What do you want Jai? Haven't you had your fill as yet, something more to add?" asked Bani. Her tone was weary. She stared at a point somewhere near his chin.

"I need to apologize." The words were rough, dragged from him by the sight of her hurt.

Fleetingly Bani's eyes met his and her lips curved in a surprised circle that tightened the curl of need deep in the pit of his stomach. He drew a long breath.

"I was annoyed with McDreamy, not you" Jai said. "He should have known to keep in contact and not just take off with you like that. In future you have only to ask and I'll take you wherever you wish to go."

Silence.

"I'm sorry you thought I was implying…….." said Jai.

"What? That I was a tramp?" spat Bani.

She met his eyes now and the turbulent mix of emotions he saw there, the anguish and the shocked fury, seared his conscience.

Bani hurried on before Jai could formulate a response. "That because I'd decided not to spend time with you yesterday, I must be eager for a little fun and games with someone else?" Her voice was a searing agonized whisper. "What do you think I am? A bi*ch on heat?"

"Bani, I….."

"Keep away from me Jai." She slapped away the hand he hadn't even noticed he'd held out to her.

There were tears in her eyes and her lower lip trembled. She turned her back on him. Pain twisted deep inside him as he watched her obvious distress. He'd done that to her, damn his black soul. He wanted nothing more than to kiss her hurt away.

"Just leave Jai, please what you said, why you said it, what you have done, what you are going to do, is too much for me to handle as it is, I can't do this now, please, I beg you, leave me alone, just go, please…………" begged Bani.

The silence was so loud, it pulsed between them. But Bani didn't dare turn round. She knew her anguish would be obvious in her face.

And then she heard it………..the sound she'd been praying for. And dreading. The sound of his measured pace crossing the room. The quiet, definite click of the door behind him.

Jai Walia had done what she asked and walked out of her house……..not today, she had told him……..but then there was always tomorrow.