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"Last night shouldn't have happened. I am sorry. Vikram's quiet voice penetrated her shock. It was then that Rhea noticed the guilt, the self-disgust on Vikram's face. She knew Vikram too well and understood every expression that chased across his handsome face.

"Do you mean to say I was just a convenient female body? Rhea's voice was almost deadly quiet.

For a minute Vikram was tempted to say yes. Yes, she was just convenient. He was more than affected by her tousled hair, her smooth skin, and her swollen mouth. In the end, he simply opted for the truth. "I never saw you as a...woman I suppose. Vikram turned away, unwilling to let her see how much she affected him.

"So you see me now? As a woman? Your woman? Rhea literally wore her heart on her face at that moment. Her face mirrored her anxiety and hope. Immediately she felt Vikram withdraw. She mentally cursed herself for her non-existent brain-to-mouth filter.

"No! His voice was harsh. "You are most definitely NOT my woman. You may be here today, gone tomorrow. If I ever choose my woman she has to be trustworthy. Rhea sucked in a pain-filled breath. Her eyes turned glassy with tears.

Almost immediately Vikram stepped towards her. "Rhea..

"Don't! Don't you dare come near me. Rhea placed the cup beside her and stood up with the sheet. She went towards her bathroom in anger. "Just..just get lost! Finally, finally, she lost it and slammed the door close.

"Sorry! Vikram quietly ground out an apology to the empty room. He knew he had made a mistake by taking Rhea the way he did. He respected her and couldn't bear the thought of anyone compromising her, including himself. Yet he didn't want to confess his true feelings. He didn't understand this need to hurt her. With a shaky hand, Vikram ran a hand through his silky hair.

One part of him wanted to go towards her and do everything all over again. Almost immediately another part of him berated him for disrespecting the woman who meant more than anyone else in this world.