Prisha grinned, displaying a row of perfectly white teeth. “Fantastic!”
Caleb took a step closer to her. He couldn't help it. His knuckles cracked when he clenched his fists tightly to stop himself from reaching out to touch her.
She blinked rapidly but she didn't back away from him. When she licked her lips, Caleb had to wrestle down a groan. Her soft, plump lips were so inviting, almost irresistible.
But resist her he would. He was a disciplined man, a gentleman.
He would not maul his sweet, new neighbor in the elevator.
They reached their floor, and Caleb took one last whiff of her delicious, intoxicating scent. She smelled of spices, food, warmth and sex.
Caleb jerked.
Sex?
What the…!
But the scent of unmistakable. He scented her arousal, her lush female desire.
“Prisha...” he said hoarsely.
“I...well, here we are,” she said, trying to sound chirpy as her eyes darted between their doors. Your place or mine?
Her breathing quickened and Caleb could see the confusion and desire mounting in her eyes.
She pressed a hand to her chest, which had the unfortunate effect of drawing his eyes to her heaving bosom.
“I'd better go in now,” Prisha wheezed, turning jerkily towards her door. “I have to go...shower, and go to bed...” Her face was becoming redder and her dark pupils were dilating as she backed away from him. The signs of her arousal and attraction to him were too obvious to ignore. She desired him as much as he wanted her.
Caleb made a strangled sound at the back of his throat.
Her words were putting all kinds of erotic images in his head. He could picture her hot, wet body under the shower, under the sheets, spread out beneath him…
He was rock hard, and from the way her eyes lingered below his belt, she had noticed. She swallowed repeatedly, her eyes glazed and frightened.
Caleb began to prowl towards her, pinning her to the spot with his intense, hungry gaze.
For a moment, Prisha stood frozen, her entire body trembling as she inched sideways.
“Caleb,” she panted as he neared her.
Finally, she managed to break eye contact with him. With a whimper, she spun round and fumbled at her lock.
Caleb stood a few feet away and watched her. He would let her escape, this time.
He wasn't sure if the squeak he heard came from the door or Prisha. The instant the door swung open, Prisha darted into her apartment and slammed the door in his face.
Caleb growled. The predator in him reared up at the challenge.
He stalked to her door, claws out, his bear roaring to be released. His bear wanted out. His delicious little prey was within reach. He could corner her, catch her and take her.
Caleb snarled.
By sheer willpower and iron control, Caleb overpowered his beast and sheathed his claws.
Prisha wasn't his prey. He would not corner her and crowd her.
Oh, but he did want to corner her, cage her in with his arms and back her against the wall. He had wanted to do that in the elevator and put his mouth and hands all over her.
Caleb swallowed hard and backed away slowly. What had gotten into him and his bear? He had never reacted so strongly to any female before.
His bear growled again, making its displeasure and hunger known. He eyed the door in anger and annoyance. His bear didn't like that door one bit. His female was behind that door. The great beast wanted to smash that pesky door down and get to her. His female.
Prisha was...his.
Caleb inhaled sharply.
This human was his mate.
Her body had reacted to him and instinctively recognized the need to mate with him, even if her mind didn't. She had wanted him, hungered for him, and her fierce, unrelenting desire had scared her.
A second later, Prisha's door opened a crack and her tremulous voice floated out. “I...I didn't mean to be so rude. It was really nice chatting with you, Caleb. If it wasn't so late, I'd invite you in for sex—I mean, coffee! Oh gawd, what am I saying? I need a cold shower now!” He heard her groan and mumble just before the door slammed in his face once more. It opened again almost immediately.
“Goodnight, Caleb,” she squeaked and this time the door closed softly. The lock clicked.
“Goodnight, Prisha,” he said and quietly turned back to his apartment.
CHAPTER FOUR
Prisha turned up the heat and cooked up a storm in the kitchen. The glorious aroma of curries and stewed meat and vegetables swirled around the kitchen, letting Prisha forget all about her hot, hunky neighbor for a moment. Just for a moment, then he came stealing back into her heart and mind again. Argh!
After that close encounter in the elevator with Caleb last evening, she had scooted into her apartment and slammed the door in his face. She had been so rude! It was unforgivable. She couldn't even explain her own bizarre behavior.
Why did she run from him?
She wasn't normally shy with strangers, and Caleb wasn't a stranger. That—was the trouble. He felt strangely, achingly familiar, like she had known him for the longest time. Talking to him felt so easy and warm and comfortable, and she just knew that snuggling up to him would feel just as good or even better.
Snuggle?
Prisha shook her head hard.
Caleb was a big, bad bear, not a fluffy teddy bear. There was nothing soft and fluffy about him at all. He was big and hard, all over. Especially…
Prisha almost dropped her ladle into the pot. Her thoughts were getting out of hand.
She'd had a long, cold shower last night after darting into her apartment. But even with the freezing water pelting her heated skin, her mind refused to give her body a break. All kinds of naughty images paraded through her mind. In those scenes, Caleb's magnificent naked body was all over hers. She'd blasted the water on her face, over her head, but still her thoughts strayed to Caleb. She just couldn't get him out of her mind, out of her system.
With just one look, one smile and a few words, he had crawled under her skin. Prisha was no innocent, inexperienced virgin, but no man had ever awakened such unrelenting want and desire in her before. Finally, she had just given up and broken out her trusty vibrator from the drawer. With her body buzzing and her mind roiling, she had flopped onto her bed without toweling off. She had screamed his name when she came, but even with that intense, explosive orgasm, her body still throbbed and ached.
She needed to get laid. She had been so busy with the restaurant, her work and her new life, she hadn't had the time or energy to think about anything else.
But now…she couldn't seem to stop thinking about him.
Caleb had ignited something in her. He had awakened her inner hussy, and now all she could think about was getting naked with him.
“Prisha! Stop!”
She jerked at Ali's shout, and sputtered, “W-what?”
“There's too much turmeric in the curry already! And you've been spooning heaps of turmeric power into the pot! What are you doing, Prisha?” Ali hurried over and steered her gently away from the stove. “You go sit down. I'll take over. You're probably exhausted.”
“I...”
“Go. Leave the kitchen. Pour yourself a nice, tall glass of lime juice and sit down for a while,” Ali ordered and shooed her away.
Prisha gave Ali a grateful, sheepish smile. She certainly wasn't herself today. She was distracted, out of sorts, and...in heat.
Prisha frowned and chewed her lower lip. She wasn't a shifter. How could she go into heat?
But that was exactly what she felt like. A female in heat.
Prisha removed her apron and strolled out into the restaurant. It was not even five o'clock, but the restaurant was already half full. When dinner time rolled around, they would be bursting at the seams. She gave herself a mental slap upside the head. Snap to, Prisha!
Jennifer and Nurin
were flitting from table to table, serving drinks, refilling glasses and taking orders. They chatted and joked with the customers, recommending and promoting their new dishes and desserts. They were hands down the best waitresses around, helpful, friendly and efficient.
The door opened and Prisha immediately went forward to greet the customer. A man in a black suit and black sunglasses stepped up to her.
Prisha's smile vanished when she saw what he was holding in his hand. A gun.
CHAPTER FIVE
Gun.
It took her a few seconds to process the reality that there was a gun pointing right at her.
The man pressed the barrel into Prisha's belly and said in a low voice, “Order everybody out and close the restaurant. The Boss is coming in.”
Prisha blinked at him. “What? Is this a robbery? We don't have...”
“This is not a robbery,” the man said in the same low, threatening voice. “The Boss wants to eat in your restaurant. Get everyone out now. We will settle their bills.”
“Ah...the Boss...” she stuttered.
“Mr Ray Shapez.”
Prisha sucked in a breath and gulped. She recognized that name. Everyone knew that name. Ray Shapez, the Boss of the largest, most powerful crime syndicate in the city. Some said he was even more powerful than the Mayor of the city.
The man waved the gun, indicating the other diners. “Do it. I'm sure you don't want any trouble. Neither do we.”
Prisha nodded shakily, not trusting her voice. The man pocketed the gun and stood at the door. She could feel his eyes watching her like a hawk behind those dark, opaque shades.
“Um, everyone, excuse me,” Prisha began and cleared her throat. “I...I'm sorry, but the restaurant is now closed.”
Jennifer and Nurin stared at her like she had just grown another head on her shoulders.
“Prisha...” Nurin came up to her and asked softly. “Is something wrong?”
“We have a situation. We have to close the restaurant,” she told Nurin stiffly, her eyes darting to the man at the door. She lowered her voice and added, “We need...to keep everyone safe,”
Nurin's eyes widened in comprehension. “Okay,” she breathed. Without further questions, Nurin and Jennifer began to usher the baffled customers systematically and efficiently towards the exit.
“Your bills have all been settled. We apologize for the inconvenience,” Prisha called out to the departing customers. Some complained loudly, but most of the customers took one look at the man at the door and exited the restaurant with minimum fuss.
Once the restaurant was cleared, the man jerked his head at Jennifer and Nurin. “They can leave as well.”
The two women flanked Prisha protectively and murmured, “We'll stay.”
The man pointed his gun at Prisha. “They stay, they die. We only need one person to serve the Boss.”
“Jennifer, Nurin,” Prisha said slowly, not taking her eyes off the man. “Get Ali from the kitchen, and leave. No, you listen to me. Leave quickly and quietly. I'll be okay. These gentlemen just want to have a nice, quiet dinner. I can manage on my own. Leave us. Now.”
Jennifer started to protest, but Nurin shushed her and pulled her away. “Okay, we'll do as you say.” Nurin squeezed Prisha's arm. “You be careful.”
As the two women shuffled away, the man jerked his head up and directed the chilling warning to their backs. “Call the cops, and she dies.”
Jennifer and Nurin gasped and shot Prisha frightened, worried glances.
“Don't worry about me,” Prisha said quickly over her shoulder. “You'll do as the man says, right? You won't tell a soul.”
Nurin hesitated then nodded. Prisha flashed her a quick, grim smile. Go. Everything will be okay.
Prisha turned back to face the man.
“Now, where would Mr Shapez like to be seated?” she asked coolly. “Would he prefer a corner table, or the long table in the middle of the restaurant?”
The man didn't answer. Instead, he swept his gaze over her little restaurant and nodded.
Prisha heard a step behind her. Another beefy man in a black suit minus the shades walked in from the back. “All clear. They've all left. The kitchen and toilets are empty.” The man came up to Prisha and stared at her with his disconcerting, mismatched eyes. One eye was blue while the other was green.
Prisha scowled at him as his words sank in.
They had been rooting around her premises, poking their heads and hands around the place without her permission. They had just waltzed in and searched every nook and cranny like they owned the goddamn place! Just who the hell did they think they were?
Ray Shapez probably thought he owned the whole damn city!
Prisha was just working herself into a righteous rage when the door opened and an entourage of suits slithered into her restaurant. The suits parted and a stocky mustachioed man in a gray blazer stepped out from their midst. His black hair was sleekly combed back, displaying a prominent widow's peak.
“Miss Singh,” Ray Shapez smiled. “A lovely place you have here.”
Prisha gulped, her throat feeling too tight and dry.
The Boss was in her restaurant.
She was harboring a cold-blooded murderer, a drug smuggler, a brutal crime lord in her restaurant.
Oh, Shamila would turn in her grave if she knew!
Ray Shapez went over to the long table and pulled out a chair. “I've been dying to try your famous Devil's Curry,” he said, still smiling and watching her with his glittering, beady eyes. “I've even brought a few of my friends here. So, let's have a pot each of your spiciest, choicest curries.”
He made an impatient sound as he slapped a thick wad of cash on the table. “I'm buying dinner tonight. Now, lock the door. Let's eat.”
CHAPTER SIX
Prisha carefully placed the large earthen pot of fish head curry on the table and went back to the kitchen. A black suit was standing near the back door. He was there to stop her from slipping out the back and making a run for it, as well as to keep an eye on the food. Serving the Boss poisoned curry? Well, she had to admit that the thought did cross her mind, but she would never do it. Curry Corner would never serve any customer bad curry!
Prisha spooned generous portions of rice onto the plates and laid them neatly on a large silver tray. She carried the tray out and walked towards the long table.
Ray was seated at the head of the table, eating with six other men. She didn't recognize any of the men, but they had to be the leaders of various underworld gangs. Ray Shapez wouldn't be dining with just anybody. There was a purpose to this dinner.
The men's bodyguards stood around the table, near their bosses. Ray Shapez's men stood further away, near the windows and exits.
Wincing, Prisha walked soundlessly to the table with her tray and placed a plate of fragrant rice in front of each of the men. They didn't even look at her. They were talking furiously among themselves while Ray Shapez pulled a huge leg of mutton onto his plate and bit heartily into it.
He tore off another large chunk of meat and raised a finger while he chewed. At once, the men around the table fell silent and turned to him.
Ray smiled and leaned back to pick his teeth with the long fingernail on his pinky. “So—all of you agree with the plan.”
“The Mayor has got to go,” a thin, balding man spoke up.
“Are you volunteering your men for the job, Alberto?” Ray asked, licking his fingers slowly.
Alberto coughed. “My bunch of goons aren't up for this. They'll screw up and drag us all down.”
There was awkward laughter round the table.
“We don't have much time. The Mayor is giving a speech at City Hall next week. That's when we'll take him out, send the message loud and clear.” Ray leaned forward and thumped his fist on the table. “No one takes us on, and lives.”
There were murmurs of assent. Alberto turned to Ray and asked, “Who's going to carr
y out the assassination?”
“That's what we're here to discuss,” Ray answered. He looked up and smiled benignly at Prisha as she served him his rice. “Thank you, darling. Your food is most delicious.”
“T-thank you,” she stammered and backed away quickly from the table. She hugged the silver tray to her chest, hoping to muffle the thunderous pounding of her heart.
What had she just heard?
The Mob was planning to assassinate the Mayor. They were going to do it next week.
Ray was speaking again, and Prisha slowed her steps as she approached the counter. “It seems that my men are the most qualified for the job. But the job doesn't come cheap. Hitmen need to be paid, and they need money to get away. So we'll share the cost. All of you will wire your share of the payment to the account by noon tomorrow. You will be receiving the account details tonight.”
The men began to whisper among themselves. Ray left them to it and began to smother his rice with thick curry gravy. He dug into his food with gusto, smacking his lips and giving a running commentary on the quality of the food.
Prisha stood rigidly beside the counter, willing herself to breathe and her body to move. With a painful, shuddering breath, she finally unlocked her limbs and started towards the kitchen.
“Tom.”
At Ray's command, the black suit with the mismatched blue-and-green eyes moved forward and barred her way.
She gasped. “Excuse me, but I need to...”
“Oh, Miss Singh.” Ray Shapez snapped his fingers. “I just want to let you know that your curries are splendid. We've had our fill and we won't be needing you anymore.”
Prisha gritted her teeth to stop them from chattering. Why was she so terrified? Her subconscious had heard the threat in Ray's words, but her mind refused to acknowledge her inescapable fate.
Ray dabbed his mouth with a napkin and gestured at the food on the table. “There's so much food left. Come, my dear. Pull up a chair and sit down. You've heard so much already. Might as well join us. Sit down, relax and enjoy your last meal.”
Bear's Kiss (Bear Heat Book 2) Page 2
