Page 40 of Dust to Dust

“I can assure you I’m not. Every man at this club thinks the same thing I do.”

A nervous giggle fluttered from her lips. “Stop. You’re embarrassing me.”

“Don’t tell me you’re not used to men complimenting you.”

She shrugged. “Sometimes.”

“Then you must’ve been around more boys than men. Of course, I suppose that should’ve been evident with your lack of orgasms.”

“Quinn!” she admonished.

A laugh barked from me at her outrage. “It’s the truth.”

“Can we please change the subject? I’m more than just my looks, you know.”

“Oh yes, I’m well aware of that.”

She smiled shyly. “What else was special about that Irish goddess besides her beauty?”

“Cliodna possessed three magical birds. It’s said their song was so sweet they could send the wounded and sick into a peaceful sleep.”

“Avian anesthesia,” she mused.

With a laugh, I replied, “That’s right.” I stared into her eyes. “Cliodna’s birds are another reason why I call you dove.”

Isla didn’t respond. Instead, she worked at cleaning the dried blood on my abdomen. When my muscles involuntarily clenched under her fingers, I sucked in a breath. Her gaze shot to mine. “Did I hurt you?”

“It depends on your definition of hurt.”

Her brows furrowed in confusion. “Sorry. I’ll be easier.”

“But I like it rough.”

At her gasp of realization, I leaned in, my blood-stained hands cupped her alabaster cheeks. When I stared into her eyes, desire shined back at me. Dipping my head, my lips brushed against hers. At her tiny moan, I deepened the kiss, my tongue licking at the seam of her mouth.

A shudder went through me at the taste.

So sweet.

So pure.

So addicting.

At the buzzing in my pants pocket, she jerked away from me. “Fuck,” I grunted, as I fished my phone out. “What?” I demanded.

Silence echoed on the line. After a few seconds, a throat cleared. “I’m terribly sorry to bother you, Mr. Kavanaugh. Is Isla with you?”

“She is.”

“Oh, okay. I just wanted to make sure. She hadn’t returned from delivering the receipts to you, and I need to cash her out.”

“I’ll send her back down shortly.”

“Yes, sir.”

When I hung up, I stared into Isla’s expectant blue eyes. “As usual, my reputation precedes me.”

“What do you mean?”

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