Page 66 of Forgiveness
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
Flux
The guy inthe overpriced penguin suit brought out the restaurant’s twentieth bottle of red wine and held it out for Flux to examine the pretty label—as if he knew what the fuck he was doing in a fancy joint like this one. Still, he looked over at Maggie with a half-smile, and nodded toward the wine dude.
“It’s cool.”
The waiter poured a small amount in Flux’s glass and he threw it back like it was a shot of whiskey. The stuff still burned, so it was really all the same to him, but Maggie glowed across the table from him as she sipped from her glass.
“More, sir?”
Flux inclined his glass out with a muttered thanks, unable to take his eyes off his woman. Fuck, she was every inch of beauty, sexiness, and sass. The mystery was how the hell he’d gotten so lucky to have Maggie in his life. He took a slower sip of wine then put the glass on the table. Maggie’s eyes connected with his and she smiled as a light flush swept across her face.
“Would you like to order, sir?” the young man asked.
“Filet mignon—princess cut, medium rare—for the lady. A porterhouse—rare—for me. Bring me a loaded baked potato, a salad with Italian dressing for my woman, and those fried up mushrooms for both of us.”
The waiter tipped his head, then walked away, and Flux sat back in the high-backed red leather chair to admire his woman.
“What?” Maggie asked. The corners of her mouth lifted up into a smile as she wrapped a strand of blonde hair around her finger. “You’ve been drooling over me since we got here.”
“Can you blame me?” Flux fiddled with the pile of cutlery in front and to the side of his plate. “I’m not made for this kind of thing, but you? You shine like a fucking diamond, and it’s an intoxicating sight, Duchess.” He steepled his fingertips together with a wry grin.
“You’re breaking out the big words tonight, huh?” Maggie teased, shifting in her chair before taking a big gulp of wine.
Flux couldn’t help the loud guffaw that popped out of his mouth. He’d picked the best steakhouse in town for their celebration, and Maggie looked every inch his queen in her slinky, tight black dress and fuck-me heels. He didn’t know anything more complicated than that about women’s clothing, but she looked damn hot.
“Your food is on its way,” the waiter chimed in as he wiped a single bread crumb off the tablecloth. “Please enjoy, compliments of the chef.”
Another penguin-suited guy set down a tiny plate with a mini spoon in the center of the table. Flux jerked his head back and stared.What the fuck is this?It resembled gruel and had a bunch of herbs piled on top of it. He blinked and watched his woman dig into the small portion, tipping it back so it slid down her throat like a shot of booze.
“Mmm,” she moaned. “That’s delicious. Are there cooked scallions in it?”
“You have a refined palette.” The food nerd grinned in approval.
She actually likes this shit. If that asshole keeps bonding with her over the food, I’m gonna stuff this shit down his fuckin’ throat.Flux sat straighter in the chair, his muscles stiffening. Why the hell did he think stuffy and pompous was the way to go that night? A muscle worked in his jaw as his narrowed eyes fixed on the asshole who was still talking about the damn slop on the miniature plate. Hell, Duchess and he should be drinking a beer in a bar, halfway to taking off each other’s clothes in the bathroom. Instead, he was keeping his anger in check as the damn waiter yakked like a fuckin’ pussy about recipes. Flux leaned forward and Maggie glanced at him and her eyes caught the reflection of the chandelier and sparkled.Damn, she’s beautiful. I’m glad as fuck that I took her to this fancy-ass place.
The scent of her spicy perfume wafted around him, and he hooked his finger under her chin and leaned over and pressed his lips against hers. From the corner of his eyes, Flux saw the waiter step away and disappear from view and satisfaction mixed with desire coursed through him. Maggie tasted like wine and basil, and he wove his fingers into her hair and deepened the kiss. A small moan spilled from her lips and it took all his willpower to pull away when the waiter returned with their food. Winking at her, Flux settled back in his seat, his gaze never leaving hers.
As he dug into his dinner, he was acutely aware of Maggie staring at him.
“What? Do I have sauce on my chin, Duchess?”
“No, nothing like that.” Maggie wiped the corners of her mouth with a napkin.
“Then what?” Flux took a gulp of red wine.
She reached over and brushed her fingers across his hand. “It’s just that no man has ever treated me this way. I’m pretty sure you’d rather be sloshing down beer, but you’re here forme. You’re a generous and wonderful man. Thank you, Flux.”
Flux glanced away as he shifted in the chair. In his world, he gave out the compliments to women, not the other way around unless it had to do with his sexual performance. He cleared his throat and looked back at her. “So, you’re assuming I’m paying the check?” He deadpanned with a feigned wince. “As I remember it, you’re the one with the giant rodeo winnings.”
Softness spread over Maggie’s face and she placed her hand over his and squeezed it lightly. “I love you.” Picking up the wine glass, she took a sip, her gaze still locked on his.
“Me too, Duchess. I’m so damn proud of you.” Flux swallowed through the tightness in his throat and undid one of the top buttons of his shirt. “You’re really something. I knew you’d kick all the other competitors’ fuckin’ asses, but what really blows me the hell away is your tenacity. You’re amazing, woman.”
“You’re not too shabby yourself, big guy.”
“Now, I didn’t say what I did to get you to tell me how great I am.”
