The heavy wooden door of the stone storehouse creaked open, and the freezing winter air rushed inside, instantly breaking the thick, warm silence. Veer stepped back slowly, releasing her small wrist from his large hand. He smoothed down his dark winter coat, his stern face turning back into its usual cold, mask-like expression as if nothing had happened between them.

Lila stood trembling against the wooden crates for a long moment, her breath coming in shallow gasps. Her skin still tingled where his lips and warm fingers had touched her. With shaking hands, she quickly pulled her dark wool shawl back over her head, tucking her long hair away to hide her burning red face. She did not dare look at the powerful Thakur again. She gathered her ledger book, hurried past his massive frame, and ran out into the freezing winter drizzle.