Page 67 of The Deal Breaker
“That’s what I think, too.” Iris hugged him. His scent—so much better than any dessert—tickled her nose. “Thank you.”
Iris had no idea how long they sat there, but she didn’t care. She longed to regain the closeness she’d once shared with Dash, and they’d far surpassed that tonight.
“You doing okay?” he asked finally.
“Yes, I needed this, but I must be getting heavy.” She went to move off him.
He tightened his arms around her. “You’re not.”
She snuggled against his neck. “Good, because this is nice.”
“It is.” He sounded as if he were smiling.
This was not where she’d expected to find herself tonight, but she had no regrets. “I wish…”
“What?”
She lifted her head to look at him. His blue-eyed gaze focused on her. The affection she saw in their depths gave her the courage to continue. “That we could always be this close. Not just physically…”
The easy smile on his face made her heart beat double time. “I’d like that, too.”
A longing she’d buried deep years ago rushed to the surface. Dash had been there when her mom died, and after her dad left. He’d made mistakes, but he’d given her so much when she had nothing, not even a place to stay.
But here, now, she wanted more.
If she was being honest with herself, she’d always wanted more.
This, however, was as close as she’d been to getting what she wanted.
Dare I ask? If she didn’t, she might regret it the way she had the last time. A battle raged in her head, but she would follow her heart. “There’s something else I wish for.”
“I’ll give you whatever you want.” He sounded so serious. “Just tell me what it is.”
Her palms sweated.Here goes nothing. “A kiss.”
Desire flickered in his gaze. “Are you asking or telling me?”
She wet her lips. “Both?”
“You just shared something emotional. I don’t want to take advantage of the situation.”
“You’re not.” Her body tingled with anticipation. “Promise.”
A charming smile spread across his handsome face. The color of his eyes deepened to a sapphire blue. “Now?”
Not trusting her voice, she nodded.
As Dash lowered his mouth to hers, Iris met him halfway. His lips touched hers, not accidentally this time, but with a tenderness that made her feel cherished and adored. For so long, Dash had provided her a place to live, but in this moment, she’d found home, the place she belonged and wanted to stay…forever.
Nothing else mattered, but being in his arms with her lips against his…
His kiss was warm, and his taste, a mixture of salt, beer, and Dash, consumed her, lighting a flame inside her.
She increased the pressure of their kiss, wrapping her arms around him so she could be even closer to him. His hands were in her hair and on her back.
It was just her and Dash, and she wouldn’t want it any other way. No one had ever kissed her so thoroughly with a grand finale of fireworks exploding with each touch of his lips.
One question hammered in her brain.
