Page 14 of Dragon Touched
One of her fists slammed on the table, and the silverware rattled. “Do you treat all your guests this way?”
“No. It’s rare for me tohavevisitors.”
“I can’t imagine why. What, with your sour attitude and dumpy house, I figured you’d have a line of women waiting.” She seemed to be winding herself up. “Actually, I don’t know what you’d call this place. A decrepit tower? Torture chamber? Ancient latrine? I didn’t even know the United Stateshadbuildings this old.”
“Dumpy?” Her fighting attitude and blunt words shocked him.
He hadn’t expected much resistance from the daughter of Chicago’s reigning mobster. The man was a manipulative, cruel devil who ruled everything and everyone with an iron fist.
“What’s so dumpy about my place, love?” Torn between wanting to plunge his hands into her thick hair and a desire to toss her out into the rainy night, he moved to his seat and sat.
“Oh, let’s see. Where should I start?” Her eyes flashed, and a small dimple appeared in a cheek.
He had a feeling he was about to pay for his earlier comments and actions.
“How about this room? I mean, come on, who eats at a splintery, dirty table that belongs in a museum—all the way at the back, in an abandoned, dusty room with ano admittancesign?” She tucked her chin and stared at the floor. “And the filth between the cracks of those stones. Do you even know what a mop and broom are for?”
“This table has been in my family for generations.”
“Yeah, looks like it.” Her fingernail scratched at a piece of splintered wood.
He couldn’t decide if he was turned on by her mouthy comments—or irritated.
“Dinner is served.” Margaret, steps silent and quick, carried several steaming dishes on a tray and delivered them to the table.
Sacha’s turbulent glare shot flames at Fin, then she turned her attention to the plated food.
“Smells divine.” She snapped a napkin and placed it on her lap.
“Oh lovely, you look beautiful.” Margaret’s praise seemed to soften Sacha’s face.
The older woman patted the girl’s shoulder. “I’m so glad the dress fits.”
“Thank you.” A small grin danced on Sacha’s lips.
Fin’s heart clenched, and he was jealous the smile wasn’t for him. So far, all he’d managed to do was make her scowl. He directed an irritated stare toward Margaret, who flashed a self-satisfied smirk before looking away.
Sacha caressed a blue sleeve. “I’ll make sure to get it dry cleaned after I leave.”
“Oh, that won’t be necessary.” Margaret’s eyes bounced between Sacha and Fin. “It’s just been sitting here collecting dust.”
Fin rolled his eyes and cleared his throat. “Do you think we could eat before everything turns to ice, old woman?”
A grunt sounded, then she left the room.
Fin leaned into the chair and laced his fingers behind his head. Eager for her reaction to the main dish, a corner of his mouth twitched with anticipation.
Chapter 9
Sacha
“Oh,wonderful.”Seriously?Sacha ground her teeth.
She threw her napkin to the table and twisted in his direction.
Deep breath. In one, two, three.Oregano, basil, and garlic tickled her nose. “How’d you guess?”For the love of—out four, five, six.
The pompous butt sat there with a grin stretching from ear to ear.
