She scribbled fast, her cursive a wild dance of ink—so messy that without a mental tally, even she'd lose track of her words. But this jaw-droppingly gorgeous guy nailed it in one go. How could she not be floored? If she weren't dead sure they'd never crossed paths, she'd swear he'd memorized her number and name ages ago. Even then, how the hell did he decode her chicken scratch?
"Hey, Aurora, can I cop a feel now?" Anirudh flashed a cocky grin. Photographic memory, razor-sharp recall, killer instincts—just a taste of his endless bag of tricks.
"With all these eyes around, you think I'd let you? How about we hit Chicago first, find a spot? You've got my digits..." Aurora tossed out, playing it cool. She'd been bored out of her skull, and this pretty boy caught her eye, so she figured she'd mess with him. His freak-show memory? That was a curveball she didn't see coming.
"Nope! What if we roll into Chicago and you ghost my calls? Now or never..." Anirudh shot back, not buying it. Chicago was a sprawl—if she ditched, he'd be hunting a needle in a haystack.
"But it's packed here..." Aurora fished for a dodge.
"Restroom's open..." Anirudh smirked, dropping the shy-kid act like a hot potato.
"What?!" Aurora's jaw hit the floor.
"Aurora, you're not chickening out, right?" Anirudh whined, pulling a wounded puppy face.
"Fine, you think I'd flake? Let's do it..." Aurora bit down hard. Just a touch, big deal. She hadn't had a man in forever, and this kid was hot—funny too. If the vibe was right, maybe she'd let it ride. She was headed to Iowa for a rush anyway—too bad the views there were killer, but the guys? Total duds.
"Hell yeah, let's move..." Anirudh's heart did a backflip as she caved. He bolted up and strutted to the restroom. Aurora smoothed her top and trailed him, all swagger.
The train buzzed as Anirudh reeled in this classy knockout like it was nothing. Her looks had every head turned, but her vibe screamed "don't even try." Some rich kid in designer threads, Anirudh's age, was kicking himself 'til he bruised.
Anirudh didn't spare the haters a glance, ducking into the restroom at the corridor's end. Aurora sauntered in behind, locking the door without a second thought. She lived by her own rules—screw the peanut gallery.
The train's john was a shoebox, and two bodies made it a sardine can. They were plastered together, her curves smashing into him 'til he could barely breathe.
His heart was a jackhammer ready to bust loose!
"Aurora..." His voice shook like a leaf. This high hit like a freight train—was he dreaming?
"What's up?" The tight quarters had her soaking in his warm breath. Even her cool-as-ice front cracked—pulse racing, skin burning.
Her husband ditched for Australia five years back, leaving her high and dry. No guy had gotten this close since. She'd toyed with chasing a thrill, but Chicago roots kept her tethered. Finally set on cutting loose in Iowa, she'd struck out on anyone worth a damn—until this stunner on the ride back lit her up. Five years of locked-down heat were about to blow.
"I... I'm freaking out..." His earlier swagger melted. He'd scoped out bathing babes plenty, but he was still green—hadn't even grazed a girl's hand, let alone her goods.
"Pfft..." Aurora's own nerves eased at his jitters. She flicked him a flirty wink and purred, "You're not a virgin, are ya?"
"What? How'd you clock that?" Anirudh blinked, caught off guard.
"No way, really?" Aurora's eyes popped—strike two on the shock-o-meter.
"Hell yeah! Pure, unopened merch!" Anirudh puffed up like a peacock.
"Let's see then... Oh, damn..." Aurora smirked, reaching out. Her hand hit paydirt, and she froze—strike three. One look at the mountain in his pants, and her jaw unhinged.
It was huge—way too huge...
The thought alone had her buzzing.
"Aurora, you've had your turn—my move?" Her grip sent Anirudh into a full-body quake. The jolt was pure lightning, frying his brain.
She didn't answer—just slammed him against the wall and laid one on him, hard and hungry.
That was it—five years of caged fire roared free. She went wild, lips smashing his, tongue diving in deep. Her chest crushed against him as she clawed at his belt, one hand slipping inside...
Her kiss blindsided him, that sweet tongue short-circuiting his brain. He blanked—who was he again? No clue how to kiss, but he rolled with it, matching her vibe, hooked on the electric buzz.
"Touch me, now, do it..." Aurora growled between gasps, raw and needy. She snatched his hand and slapped it on her chest.
That soft, heavy handful—even through her shirt—nearly blew his top. Plush, bouncy, pure sin... His nerves lit up like a live wire. No playbook needed—he grabbed on, kneading like a man possessed, then dove under her top to her silky skin. He was gone, lost in the haze.