Free Priya in Heels (Entangled Embrace) by Ayesha Patel Page A

entire musical.”
    “What are you doing tomorrow?”
    “Nothing. Why?”
    Vicki raised her brows and grinned. “Get your sexiest trunks ready. This shiznit is about to get real.”
    I laughed. “Shiznit?”
    “Yes. Serious shiznit.”

Chapter Twelve
    Priya
    Vicki convinced me to join her poolside. “You need some fresh air, some relaxing, and for the love of God, you’re the palest Indian ever.”
    “Don’t expect me to get in the water,” I warned. “Our people don’t swim well.”
    “Yeah, yeah, irrational fear of the water.” Vicki twisted and turned in front of her full-length, closet mirror while I watched from the edge of her bed. She sported a one-piece, pink swimsuit with white dots, a stark contrast against her dark skin.
    “Who are you trying to impress?” I eyed her suspiciously.
    “My friend Raj is coming over.”
    “I see. Is he bringing friends?”
    “Do you want him to?”
    “No, just asking.”
    “Are you going to wear a swimsuit, or are you wearing gym shorts?”
    “Don’t hate on the gym shorts. They’re awesome and versatile.”
    Vicki gave me an annoyed look through the reflection in the mirror.
    “Fine. I’ll go shave.”
    The closest thing to a swimsuit in my dresser was a brown tank top with pink edges and a pair of brown and pink plaid board shorts.
    A handsome, young Indian man greeted me in the living room when I emerged. Dark-skinned, dark-haired, dark-eyed, and decently built, he wore red trunks.
    “This is Raj,” Vicki said. “And this is my roommate, Priya.”
    “Nice to meet you,” we said simultaneously and laughed.
    In one hand, Raj held up a six-pack of wine coolers and a six-pack of Dr Pepper in the other. I drooled when I saw the soda—clearly a bribe.
    “My new best friend!” I said.
    Vicki, being the gourmet chef, filled a picnic basket with rustic-bread sandwiches, pasta salad, and eating utensils. She brought the food, and I grabbed towels.
    A dozen people were scattered around the large pool. A few kids splashed in the kiddy pool at the end. With a brilliant sun, a cloudless sky, and no breeze, soaking my feet in cool water sounded welcoming.
    We claimed the first available table and lounge chairs we spotted. Raj and Vicki fell into a conversation about his new job. I looked over the neighbors, a few of whom I didn’t recognize and who probably didn’t even live here. My studious gaze stopped short when I saw the side of Ty’s half-immersed, totally ripped, and glistening body. Steve and Terrie splashed one another behind him. She squealed, wiped her face, and waved when she saw me. I waved back. Ty winked.
    Holy Mother of God .
    He swam to the edge, planted his hands flat on the cement border, and hauled himself out of the pool. Water streamed down lick-worthy, flexed muscles from a corded neck to sculpted pecs, a six-pack, and thick thighs. Even his calves were sexy. His calves! And his soaked blue trunks clung to the best parts of him, leaving little to the imagination.
    He walked toward me. I glanced at Vicki and Raj to see if they’d rescue me as my legs turned wobbly and my thoughts flailed. I expected to find them conversing, but instead they were watching me with stupid grins plastered across their faces. Everything felt like a setup, and the question to my sanity, to reality, faltered. Why was Vicki encouraging this?
    “What?” I asked her.
    Vicki greeted him first. “Hey, Tyler.”
    “Hey, girl. How’s it going?”
    “Great! This is my friend, Raj. Raj, this is our neighbor, Tyler.”
    They shook hands. “Heard a lot about you, man.”
    “Likewise.”
    Likewise? Had a cluster of my friends drifted off and connected to Ty in some abnormal, covert mass?
    “So how’s the job working out?” Ty spoke to Raj and ran a hand through soaked hair.
    “A little shaky at first, much better now that I’m settled.”
    Holy crap. They did know about one another!
    “I remember starting at NASA and being completely lost. So many people and