The Boy Toy - Nicola Marsh Page 0,34

term of endearment.”

“His name’s Rory, and if you want me to keep you posted on proceedings, you better start using it.” Samira feigned nonchalance designed to distract. “Besides, there’s nothing to tell.”

Samira picked up her chai and took a sip when Pia said, “I saw you two last night.”

The chai caught in her throat, and she coughed several times while Pia smirked.

“Where?” she finally managed to get out.

“Leaving the center together, and from your haste and your horny expressions, it looked like you couldn’t wait to find somewhere more private.”

Samira bit back a grin. “There’s no such thing as a horny expression.”

“Sure there is, and you two could’ve been poster models for it.” Pia crooked her finger and leaned over. “Quick, tell me everything before the busybodies return.”

Samira could fob off her cousin’s curiosity, but it was nice having someone to confide in, considering she was in the midst of her first full-blown crush in forever.

“He came back to my apartment, we had amazing sex again, we made Punjabi eggs together, he stayed the night, and I took him for Indian brunch not far from here, then we strolled around Dandenong for a bit.”

By the time she’d finished, Pia’s eyes were wide and her mouth hung open a tad.

“Wow. Are you two dating?”

The million-dollar question, because in what warped universe did a one-night stand with a decade-younger guy turn into any kind of relationship?

“Sort of.”

Pia’s eyebrows shot up. “What does that mean?”

Before she could formulate a response, Kushi and Sindhu bustled out of the kitchen carrying a platter each and bearing down on them.

“This conversation isn’t over,” Pia hissed under her breath. “But for what it’s worth, I’m proud of you, Cuz. He’s hot.”

A blush heated Samira’s cheeks as she remembered exactly how accurate that description of Rory was. Hot and then some.

But as she nibbled on a vegetable samosa and listened to her mom and aunt swap gossip about the latest scandal in the local Indian community, she couldn’t help but wonder if she was reading too much into this thing with Rory. They may have spent two nights together and had a first date this morning, but they could never have anything more than a fling. And while some lighthearted hookups were exactly what she needed, for the first time in a long time she wondered if her mom had the right idea . . . What would it be like to have more?

Sixteen

The train and tram trip from Dandenong to Carlton took about an hour, giving Rory plenty of time to think. If last night with Samira and the way she’d opened up had been a surprise, this morning had blown him away. She’d come alive as they’d strolled the streets where she’d grown up, her enthusiasm rubbing off on him in a way he hadn’t expected. He didn’t get excited about much these days, beyond a sexy brunette who’d got under his skin.

He couldn’t believe she was thirty-seven. Not that it mattered. He’d been out with women older and younger, and while he’d technically never dated anyone beyond a night or two, he knew none of them came close to Samira.

It irked that they hadn’t arranged to meet up again when they parted. He’d hoped she’d say something, because he sure as hell wouldn’t. Not that he didn’t want to, but he’d become particularly tongue-tied at the station, wanting to articulate how much fun he’d had hanging out with her but lacking the words. But then she’d called, and everything had been okay. They’d both been flippant and teasing, but he knew she wouldn’t have called so soon if she didn’t feel the same buzz he did.

Spending the night with her had been rare enough for him; hanging out for the entire “morning after” never happened. It had been the best date he’d ever had. It felt so natural, so easy, but that should make him extra wary. The more comfortable he felt with her, the higher chance he’d become a stuttering mess.

Though he wasn’t a complete fool. If they continued to hang out like he wanted, he would slip up, and she’d learn his secret. If it happened after he nailed the Renegades audition, he’d feel better somehow, like he was more her equal. Because right now, with her job and her lifestyle and her age, she had it all over him, and he felt like he didn’t quite match up.

And he hated feeling not quite good enough. He’d had enough of that shit from