Page 106 of Savage Heart

I look at Dana. “I’m lucky she gave me another chance. Lucky to be with the most beautiful woman in the world tonight.”

Dana’s mouth drops, and she shakes her head, looking down at her plate.

When the waitress asks if we’d like dessert, Iris shakes her head, but I say yes. She looks at me with slight panic.

“We’ll take tiramisu to go,” I say.

Iris relaxes slightly. My hand ventures higher, fingers tracing patterns on her skin, hidden by the tablecloth. She gasps softly, then presses her lips together, and it’s all I can do not to pull her into my lap right here.

Dessert arrives, and I pay the bill, leaving a generous tip. But the bell chimes again, more diners filtering in, and their eyes inevitably fall on us. Nonna shoots me a concerned look from the kitchen door. I ignore it, focusing on Iris. They’ve idolized me long enough around here; it’s time they see I’m choosing her.

I stand, offering Iris my hand. The room goes quieter, anticipation thick. We walk out together, and I place my hand on her lower back, tugging her close against me. Whispers trail after us, making me regret all that I did to contribute to this. I need to make it right.

“I’m sorry, Iris,” I say on the way to the truck.

“It’s okay.”

“It’s really not.”

I help her into the truck. I’d thought we’d go see a movie or take a walk by the park, but now I just want to protect her from any more scrutiny.

“Should we eat this by the river? Or we could take it to my place and watch a movie,” I suggest.

“I’m not sure I can do this, Maverick,” she whispers.

“To my place, it is . . . because I need you to do this with me, Iris. Let me set everyone straight. Please. I’m afraid if we don’t, you’ll always feel we don’t deserve this.”

She stares at the window as I drive, and when I pull up to my house, she lets out a long exhale. We walk inside, and Pickle is there to greet us this time. Sometimes he hangs out with Cameron when I’m not home.

She bends down and pets him, lost in her thoughts. When she stands, I take her hand and sit with her on the couch, pulling out the tiramisu. Memories of us here the other night are on my mind, and when I glance at her, she flushes.

“Thinking about the other night?” I ask.

She nods.

I feed her a spoonful, watching her lips close around the fork, her eyes fluttering shut in pleasure.

When she opens her eyes, she says, “It’s a good thing we’re here . . . the way you keep looking at me . . .”

I lean closer, my mouth against her ear. “I’ve been thinking about peeling that dress off of you all night.”

“You’ll like what I’m wearing underneath too,” she says, smirking. “Thanks to that little shopping spree you gave me.”

“Is that right?”

She takes the tiramisu out of my hands and sets it on the coffee table. When she turns toward me, I’m ready. My hands move to her hips, and I lift her onto my lap so she’s straddling me.

“Is this okay?” I ask.

She nods and leans in, kissing me. Her heat presses against me, and I groan, my hands sliding up her legs under her dress. I push the material higher. She’s bare underneath except for lace that barely covers anything. I glance down, and the sight of her like this sends a jolt straight through me. My hands slide back, and I grip her bare cheeks under the lace, rocking her over me.

I grin at her. “So beautiful. I love that store.”

She laughs. “It’s a Scarlett Landmark design.”

“We need to get more of Scarlett’s designs,” I say, unable to take my eyes off her.

Her hands brace on my shoulders, and she leans down to capture my mouth again, her hair falling around us like a curtain. I taste her moan as I squeeze her, pressing her closer against me. I lift a hand and shift the neckline of her dress, exposing her nipple for a second before my lips close over it. She arches into me, gasping my name, and I decide it’s my favorite sound.