Page 74 of Dark Surrender

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

Iris

It’s strange, having a man flustered around the real me. Not the illusion. Me. In pajamas, drinking coffee, no makeup, no wig, just me. Iris.

I’ve never had this before.

To see Dark fumble over his words.

To hear his bathroom confession.

Like, I didn’t know what he was doing in there. I clocked the cock outline and precum stain on his jeans as soon as he walked inside.

I heard his climax in the kitchen. He moaned that loud.

But for him to admit it… to show up and be tongue-tied and a less-than-put-together mess… I’m flattered… and a little turned on, too.

He’s the sexiest man I’ve ever met.

Today’s worn jeans, white shirt, leather cut, tattoos combo is an ovary explosion waiting to happen. Not just for me. We’ve been to two different antique stores so far, and every woman we’ve come across is ready to slit my throat for a chance of sucking his cock.

Okay.

Not really.

Well. Only sorta.

It shouldn’t bother me. But it does. Especially when he’s always so polite with that single dimpled smile. While I’m just me—nothing sexy or extraordinary—jeans, a basic blue V-neck T-shirt, and sandals.

Dark parks in front of our third antique store and turns off the truck. His gaze swings to me, then to my door handle. A silent don’t-you-dare-move hangs in the air between us before he climbs out and rounds my truck. I wait for him. Not that I want to, but he seems to enjoy playing the gentleman. Thankfully, he’s quick about it. Without a word, I unlatch my seatbelt, climb out of the passenger side, and we walk to the old-timey barn, turned shop, together. His arm brushes mine as he reaches for the door, and something deep inside clenches as I hold back a gasp.

A chime rings as we enter, me then him, and on cue, a woman close to Dark’s age rushes over. I become invisible. Again.

“How can I help you today?” The woman in a sundress and curly hair purrs up at him with her big doe eyes.

A gray-haired man comes out from the back, tall, lean, and covered in sawdust. He pats his hands on the front of his pants, and the mess rains all over the aged hardwood floor.

“Hi,” he greets with a kind, weathered smile.

Dark reaches out to shake his hand. “Nice place ya have here,” he praises.

“Thanks. You have anything specific you’re lookin’ for?” the man asks, looking past Dark to me, like I actually exist. Which is a first today.

“Furniture,” I reply, wringing my fingers in front of me.

The man’s smile brightens, and he hitches a thumb over his shoulder. “Then you’ve come to the right place. I’ve got lots of furniture. Why don’t I show ya around?” he offers, and for the first time since we started this journey, I’m excited to browse.

Offering him a polite closed-mouth smile, I step past Dark and follow the man. From room to room, he shows me different furniture styles, many of which he crafted himself. It’s impressive, and I say so as I pick up a heavy, five-tiered plant stand and place it in the middle of the aisle, so I remember to take this piece home. It’s stunning.

“Sweetheart, we… you need a bed,” Dark teases as he knocks on the top monstera leaf-shaped shelf.

“Oh. You’re together?” the sundress woman trailing our little group asks.

There’s a grunt, then out of nowhere, Dark’s big hand finds the small of my back. I jerk as he slides that huge mitt up my spine, making me shiver like it’s sixty below zero. Once he reaches my nape, he cuffs his fingers there and forces me to turn my head to look at him.

I forget to breathe.

Somehow, the asshole must know this when that full mouth tips into a devilish smile that reaches all the way to his gray eyes, which crinkle around the edges.