chapter 5

Lexie exhaled deeply, trying to steady her breath.

She forced herself to stay calm, even as the memory of their kiss—the kiss with Ram—played over and over in her mind like a broken record.

“Okay, it was a good kiss, maybe even too good, but seriously… get a grip, Lexie,” she muttered to herself, glancing around at the mini bar.

"You alright?"

Lexie almost dropped the shot glass in her hand when Ram spoke up unexpectedly.

"Y-yeah, I’m good. Thanks," she replied, offering a tight smile.

"Actually, no, I’m not fine. How are you so calm after that kiss?" she blurted out, unable to hold it in anymore.

Ram chuckled, a mischievous glint in his eye. "Well, it’s not my first time kissing someone."

He said it so casually, his smile sweet and easy.

"Yeah, because you've had your fair share of women, right?" Lexie shot back with sarcasm, rolling her eyes.

"You nailed it. But seriously, stop thinking about that kiss. It shouldn’t have happened," Ram said, the tone in his voice shifting to something more serious.

"Hold up!" Lexie objected, her courage bubbling up. She locked eyes with him. "You were the one who kissed me first. And I’m not gonna lie—it was probably the best kiss I’ve ever had. And now you’re telling me it was a mistake?"

"I didn’t say it was a mistake. It was amazing, no doubt. You’re amazing. But I’m saying it shouldn’t happen again," Ram clarified.

Lexie went silent, narrowing her eyes at him.

"Not happening again?" she asked, her voice low.

"Nope. Not even a peck," Ram replied firmly.

"And that’s the rule now?" Lexie asked, crossing her arms.

Ram nodded, like it was the final word.

"Well, I object to that rule," she said boldly.

"I reject your objection," Ram said with a grin.

"Then I reject your rejection of my objection."

"Wait… hold on. These rejections are just gonna keep going, aren’t they?" Ram frowned.

"I can keep going," Lexie teased, flashing him a mischievous smile.

"You’re a kid."

"I’m not a kid. I’m an adult, and I can make my own decisions—like choosing to give myself to you. And you can’t say no to that," she stated matter-of-factly.

"That’s my new rule," she added with a defiant look.

Ram just stared at her, looking genuinely stunned.

"You are unbelievable," he muttered, shaking his head.

"I’m amazing. You said that just a couple of minutes ago," Lexie replied proudly, downing the last of her shot.

"So, tell me about your ex," Ram said, his voice taking on a more serious tone.

"Wait. Has this turned into an interview? Because I’m not prepared," Lexie joked, making Ram roll his eyes.

"This is to help me decide if you can be my ‘friend,’" he teased.

"Really? And you’ll tell me to my face that I can’t be your ‘friend’ after you find out how messed up I am?" Lexie shot back.

"I want to know you. What's your story, Lexie? I don’t even know your last name."

"Well, I know yours," she said with a faint smile. "Your ex. Go."

Lexie took a deep breath, then spoke.

"My ex cheated on me," she said flatly.

Ram frowned. "Your ex... what was he like?"

Lexie paused for a moment, sipping her drink before answering.

"He was handsome. Kind. Sweet. He cared—no, he cared about me. I can say he loved me, at least," she said, her voice tinged with bitterness.

"Huh. The way you talk about him makes me cringe. He cheated on you. Shouldn’t you be pissed?" Ram asked.

"I am pissed, Ram," Lexie replied, her voice shaking slightly.

"No, I was hoping you’d trash-talk your ex, ‘cause I think that’s what you need," Ram grinned.

Lexie let out a small laugh.

"I don’t need to badmouth him to prove I’m angry. And trust me—I don’t need to show you how mad I am. My ex... for six years, he was my world. I loved him," she said softly, her gaze distant, trying to hold back the tears.

"He cheated on you," Ram said quietly.

"Yeah. You know, I could pray all day, asking for time to rewind. I could beg for a miracle, but I know even if I pray until I can’t move, it won’t change the fact that he..." Lexie’s voice trailed off as tears began to form in her eyes.

"That your ex cheated on you," Ram finished for her, his voice gentle.

Lexie gave a small, bitter smile and nodded, wiping the tears away.

"You can’t ask for something that’s already happened to be undone," Ram said firmly.

"I know..."

"But you can ask for help with the pain," he added, his voice softer now.

Lexie looked up, meeting his gaze, and saw the warmth in his smile.

"Why do men cheat?" she asked, pushing her glass toward him for more.

"I’m not sure. I’ve never cheated on anyone," Ram said with a teasing smirk.

Lexie slapped his arm lightly.

"Ow! But I think people cheat because... well, it’s just what they do. It’s not fun, but sometimes people do things that aren’t fun," he said, his smirk fading into a more serious expression.

"So, are we gonna end this night full of drama? ‘Cause I’m out of advice, Lex," Ram said, still grinning.

"Well, you asked," Lexie said, rolling her eyes before taking another drink.

"Hey, do you want to forget about your ex?"

Lexie snapped her attention back to him.

"Hell yeah!" she said enthusiastically.

"Why, have you made up your mind and decided you're gonna sleep with me now?" she teased, her tone playful.

Ram raised an eyebrow, smirking. "Can you handle a sex-deprived man?"

Lexie shrugged, meeting his gaze. "Depends. I could definitely handle that, Ram. If you're willing to please me first."

"If I ask you for a mind-blowing orgasm, are you going to deliver, Lexie?"

"Only if you do the same," she shot back, a challenge in her voice.

They both paused, the silence between them thickening, before they burst into laughter.

"Oh, this is epic!" Lexie said, still laughing.

"I'm bad at this," she admitted, trying to stop herself from giggling.

"I know. I’ve figured it out. Lexie is awful at flirting. And now I can say it to your face," Ram teased.

"I’m not?"

"Nope."

"Don't judge my flirting, Ram. I can learn," Lexie laughed, shaking her head.

They spent hours talking and drinking, laughing about everything and nothing.

Eventually, Lexie learned that Ram was a multi-billionaire, owning businesses all over the world. In return, she shared little bits about herself—carefully avoiding anything about her connection to Ram’s nephew or her real plans.

"It’s two in the morning, Ram. I should probably head out," Lexie said, her steps wobbly as she stood up from the barstool.

Ram caught her before she could stumble.

"It’s too late for you to go home. Why don’t you just crash upstairs? I’ll take care of things down here," he suggested, guiding her toward the stairs.

"I can sleep here? Ram, I—"

"That wasn’t a suggestion, Lexie. Go to my room and rest," he ordered, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Lexie sighed in defeat. "Old man with rules."

"Lex," Ram called softly, pulling her back.

Even in her drunken haze, she was caught off guard when he kissed the tip of her nose.

"I don’t want to rush things with you..."

Later, as she drifted off to sleep, she felt his strong arms wrap around her waist.

"What the hell are you doing to me, Lexie?" she heard Ram whisper, his voice barely a dream.