That evening, Evie found herself staring at her door, positively livid. Her keys were malfunctioning.
They refused to turn, no matter how much she jiggled, twisted, or silently begged. A frustrated groan escaped her lips as she yanked the key out, glaring at it like it had personally betrayed her.
She had no patience for this. Not after the day she'd had. The bookstore had taken a lot out of her physically. Rohmir had drained her mentally. And now, the universe was conspiring to steal what little peace she had left by locking her out of her own damn home.
Exhaling sharply, she rummaged through her phone for her landlord's number. The call went unanswered. Typical.
Her fingers curled into fists at her sides. Great. Just great.
Knocking on the door had proved that Rohmir was not in...maybe went to get takeout after nearly burning the kitchen down?
In frustration she scrolled down her contact list to get to the name of a locksmith she knew when she saw his name as a contact. Rohmir...he had a phone? More importantly did he take her phone to put his number on? Without her permission?
She dialed his number. He picked up on the second ring.
"Hello, beautiful." His voice slithered through the receiver, velvety and sultry, like he knew exactly what he was doing to her. Evie's stomach did an involuntary flip. She ignored it. "Where are you? Are you far from the house?"
"I'm cooking." Rohmir's tone was smooth, casual, but there was an unmistakable smirk in it. "I told you I would be."
Evie narrowed her eyes. "Then why haven't you opened the door? My keys aren't working."
"Oh yeah! About that," Rohmir drawled. "Even I couldn't get in. I told the landlord, and he said a locksmith will check it tomorrow."
Evie froze. "What?" There went her plans for a relaxing night. Down the drain. Straight into oblivion.
But—hold on— "Wait a damn minute," she said, suspicious. "Where are you cooking, Rohmir?"
"Oh… yeah." Rohmir chuckled, deep and sinful. "I'll send you the location. Dinner is nearly ready."
And just like that, he hung up.
Rude.
A few seconds later, a notification pinged. Evie sighed, shoulders slumping in defeat. She wanted to cry. Instead, she got in her car and drove to the address.
The building she pulled up to was in a much nicer part of town—modern, upscale, and ridiculously luxurious. She barely had time to gawk before a sharply dressed butler stepped forward. "Miss Evie." He bowed slightly as he opened the door for her. "Oh." Evie hesitated, awkwardly shifting on her feet. How did he know her name? Was she supposed to bow back?
"Please proceed to the reception area," the man said, gesturing inside. "They will assist you." Evie squinted at his name tag. "Thank you… Patrick." If only her building had this level of service.
Inside, the place was breathtaking. The kind of place she had always dreamed of living in.
The receptionist greeted her with a bright smile. "Hi, I'm Evie…"
"Yes, of course!" the woman beamed. "We've been expecting you!"
Evie's brow furrowed. "Expecting me?"
"Yes! Your fiancé has been gushing about you all day." Her what?
The woman handed her a black keycard. "He said to send you up immediately, not to bother you with, as he put it, mundane shit. Just scan this in the elevator, and everything else is sorted." she smiled brightly with a knowing smirk. "Girl don't be surprised, you did very good...he's dreamy." she giggled as the elevator door shut in front of her.
Evie just… stood there. Stunned. Speechless. Her brain took an extra few seconds to catch up. Finally she swiped the card on the door and the elevator moved.
FIANCÉ?!
The door chimed and Evie looked at the floor. P3.
The doors slid open and Evie stepped out.
Hardwood floors. An open-concept design. A sleek, modern aesthetic with minimalist decor. Floor-to-ceiling windows showcasing a dazzling city-scape. Evie was in awe. This—this was her dream home. This would be her next goal after she got done with the cafe.
Evie walked around in awe as she followed her nose to where she could hear movement.
Rohmir stood at the stove, shirtless, clad only in sweatpants. His toned muscles flexed with each movement, and his dark hair was slightly tousled, as if he had been running his fingers through it absentmindedly. He dipped his pinky into the sauce, tasted it, and nodded in approval before turning lazily — locking eyes with her.
His gaze slowly traveled from her head to toe, dark and unreadable. Then, like a predator, he prowled toward her with unhurried confidence.Her pulse stuttered.
He stopped just inches away, watching her.Then, without warning, he tilted her chin up and captured her lips in a searing kiss. Evie short-circuited. He tasted like the wine he had been drinking and sin.
A jolt of heat rushed through her. Electricity snapped between them. The bond crackled, alive, insistent, undeniable.Her fingers tangled in his hair before she even realized what she was doing. His lips were soft, unbearably warm, and when he deepened the kiss—when his tongue demanded entrance—
The world tilted. She lost herself.
Somewhere between his heated groans and the firm press of his hands on her waist, she melted.
And then, just as suddenly, he pulled away. "We need to feed you," he murmured, smirking as he turned back to the stove.
Evie gawked at him.
Oh, hell no.
"You don't get to just—" She gestured wildly. "Kiss me like that and walk away! Rohmir, what the hell is going on?"
He ignored her, carrying two plates to the dining table. "I made pasta. Even made the noodles from scratch."
Evie stared. Her heart did some funny things. He was one-upping her. She had cooked pasta for him first. This was his way of… competing? Morbid. And she loved it. With a dramatic sigh, she sat at the table.
Rohmir grinned, shirtless and smug. She refused to acknowledge how distracting that was. Instead, she crossed her arms. "Talk."
He tilted his head innocently. "Talk about what?" Evie shot him a glare.
"Okay, okay," he relented. "I'll tell you the things I know about ..like why I kissed you…but after you eat."
"No, I wouldn't want you to not allow me to swallow," Evie raised an eyebrow and he noted the double entendre, "my food, with whatever preposterous thing you're about to say."
Rohmir chuckled.
"Then you'll have to finish eating first. Then I'll tell you." And with that he started eating. "It's gonna get cold."
Her stomach betrayed her by growling.Rohmir chuckled.
Blushing, she picked up her fork.
One bite. Her eyes fluttered shut. "This is amazing." The moan slipped out before she could stop it.
Rohmir's smirk darkened. "If I knew that was the effect, I would've cooked for you sooner." Evie shot him a withering look but devoured the rest of her food in silence.
Then he brought out cheesecake. Her favorite. By the time she finished, she was full, content, and mildly horrified at how perfect he was being.
Rohmir stood, extending his hand. Evie eyed him warily.
"Come," he said, voice deep, commanding.
Shivers. She ignored his hand and stood up. "Talk. Now."
Rohmir smirked. "This place…" He stepped closer. "…is our home now."
She froze. He held up a document.
Her name was on it.
Rohmir leaned in, closing the last sliver of space between them when his free hand trapped her to the wall, his breath ghosting over her lips. His gaze flickered down, dark and intent, before locking onto hers. In a voice as rich as sin, he mind linked her: And for the record, pet, I'd never stop you from swallowing.