Page 11 of Ironside
Taking a steadying breath, I forced myself to leave the safety of my car and took one wobbly step after another toward Ironside. When I was halfway there, he glanced up and spotted me.
His brilliant blue eyes brightened and instantly he was striding toward me—determined, confident, and unwavering in his eagerness to reach my side. He cupped my waist and leaned in close, kissing my cheek.
I closed my eyes for a blissful moment, soaking up the nearness of his body heat. An instant sense of security and safety washed over me whenever I was in his presence.
The lingering scent of leather clung to his clothes, even though he wasn’t wearing that black leather jacket I’d seen him in before with the patches. There was a hint of musky, masculine cologne, too, and it smelled so goddamn good that all I wanted to do was bury my face in his neck and breathe deep.
“You look fucking gorgeous, petal,” Ironside said.
A thrill of pleasure shivered up my spine at his praise. I fought the blush rising up my neck and tried to laugh it off.
“Oh, so you’re blind. Good to know.”
Ironside arched an eyebrow and cupped my chin, angling my head up and slightly to the side like he was admiring an exquisite sculptural masterpiece and he wanted to examine every angle.
“I might not have the same eyesight that I did when I was a younger man, but I’m not blind yet. And I’m not the type of man who shells out empty words. I say what I mean and I don’t sugarcoat that shit.”
I fumbled with my clutch purse, too overwhelmed to respond. Would I ever get used to the ease and smoothness of Ironside’s compliments? His words were like the richest, most decadent chocolate, melting on the heat of my tongue, sliding down my throat in silky sweet bliss.
He hooked an arm around my waist.
“I already got a table for us,” he said. “And I ordered a few appetizers as well, so you can eat right away.”
“Charming, confident, and a man who likes to take charge,” I replied. “Impressive.”
I hit the jackpot with this one,I thought.And I really hope I don’t screw it up.
We made our way into the pub. Dark wood paneling created a rustic, down-to-earth atmosphere. Ironside led me to a booth tucked into the corner, illuminated with low golden lamp light. An array of small plates filled with food were waiting for us. Some of them were so fresh that they still wafted with hot steam.
And at the center of the table was a large vase filled with a dozen roses, one in every color—purple, red, pink, orange, white, yellow, pink, and a few shades in between. I smiled to myself as I dipped my head, inhaling their fragrance.
“I feel like I should scold you for buying flowers from another florist who isn’t me,” I said. “But you’re spoiling me so well already, I’ll let you get away with it. Just this once.”
Ironside rumbled a low, soft laugh. Goosebumps slithered down my spine at that wonderful sound and the way his eyes crinkled with amusement.
After we took our seats and settled in, I reached for a mozzarella stick, biting into the gooey cheese. Then I noticed that Ironside was watching me.
“Are you…not going to eat?” I asked.
“You’re trembling,” he said.
Mortified, I dropped the food and stuffed my hands in my lap.
“No, no, petal,” Ironside crooned. “Don’t do that. Don’t hide from me.”
He rose from his booth and slid in next to me until the length of his thigh was pressed to mine. Prying one of my hands out of my lap, he kissed my fingertips, circling his thumb in my palm with that soothing rhythm again. He leaned in, ghosting his breath over my neck. I barely managed to stifle a whimper.
“There’s no need to be nervous, sweetheart.”
“It’s just first date jitters,” I replied.
Ironside gave a thoughtful hum. He moved his thumb from my palm to my inner wrist, circling around and around.
“What can I do to put you at ease?” he murmured. “A glass of wine? Conversation?”
Kiss me again. Kiss me until I can’t breathe and every nerve in my body lights up like a Christmas tree. Kiss me like you did before.
“Wine, yes,” I said instead. “Wine would be good.”
