Page 102 of Savage Hearts

“Thanks, sweetheart.”

The hostess let out a small peal of girlish giggles before walking away. Would she have done that if she knew how much the sound grated on my nerves?

But then I turned and found the black look that covered Mila’s face, and I decided it was fucking worth it.

My little angel was jealous.

And fuck if that didn’t make me feel about ten feet tall.

I kept my eyes on her while she pretended not to notice me staring, her attention shifting down to the open menu in front of her.

I smiled and played with a small strand of her blond hair, making her shift a little in her seat.

Finally, she turned to me. “What?”

I bit my lip to keep from laughing at the biting tone in her voice. “Nothing. I just think you are absolutely adorable, angel.”

Her eyes widened a bit. I gently chucked her chin.

“Did I rob you of your speech?” I asked.

Before she could answer, the server came. She was an older woman with tired brown eyes and messy hair tied into a bun. And I might have imagined it, but I thought I heard Mila give a small sigh of relief.

I placed my hand on her thigh.

“Welcome. What can I get you folks?”

I looked at Mila. She seemed surprised. Did she think I wasn’t going to let her speak or order her own food?

I didn’t give a fuck what she ate, as long as it wasn’t bad for her.

As for what she might or might not say, I had enough people on my payroll to ensure shit wouldn’t happen even if she were to decide to do something as stupid as ask for help.

“I’ll have the sirloin. Medium rare, please.”

So polite. My grip tightened a little on her thigh. She shifted, and it might have been wishful thinking on my part, but it seemed she had moved a little closer to me.

“I’ll have the New York strip. Rare. And two glasses of red wine.”

I closed the menu and handed it to the server, waiting until Mila did the same. Then, I moved my hand around the small of her back and clutched her waist.

She met my eyes, but for once, there wasn’t any hint of fear in them.

There was wariness, sure, and a little bit of apprehension, but not fear.

I smiled, baring teeth.

Her breath caught and I firmed my grip before she could pull back from me.

I leaned down and buried my head in her neck. “Did I tell you how pretty you look today?” I asked, pulling back to look into her eyes—to drown in them.

Pink was definitely her color.

I planned on buying her a lot of pink shit from now on.

She shook her head, focusing her gaze on my lips. It took me a moment to realize what that look in her eyes meant.

“Are you getting shy on me?” I asked softly, cupping her chin and lifting until I could see her eyes once more.

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