Page 34 of Sully
“Sully?”
“Yeah, baby.”
I was silent for a long moment, not really sure what I was going to say.If he’d pressed me, I’d have told him nothing and closed my eyes to rest.When he waited patiently, I took a breath.“I love you.”
He stilled but didn’t speak right away.Then he exhaled in a long, soft breath.A release of tension I hadn’t realized he was holding.His lips found my forehead before he tilted my head back by pinching my chin gently.Then he gave me a long, lingering kiss.When he pulled back, he pressed another kiss to my forehead.“I love you too, Darby.”
We lay entwined in the quiet darkness.I think we both knew there had been a fundamental change in our relationship.Hell, if I was honest, I’d known Sully was different that first night we’d been together.What had started as physical attraction had deepened into something neither of us had expected.
But I wasn’t running from this.I was staying, at least for tonight.And maybe, just maybe, for all the nights that followed.
Chapter Ten
Darby
I fidgeted with my stupid little purse as we approached the restaurant, already regretting my agreement to this dinner.Even though I’d said we’d have dinner at Tonio’s house, I hadn’t really wanted to go back yet.Sully, bless his soul, called Tonio and they changed the venue.Pretty sure Sully hadn’t expected this scale of restaurant when he’d suggested we meet somewhere neutral.
The valet who took Tonio’s sleek black car looked at us with that carefully blank expression reserved for people who might be celebrities or criminals.In Nashville, the line between the two was often blurry.Sully’s hand settled at the small of my back, a warm anchor against the rising tide of my discomfort.I wasn’t made for places with white tablecloths and waiters who called you “madam.”What if there were multiple forks?
“Relax,” Sully murmured against my ear, his breath warm against my skin.“It’s just dinner.”
“Says the man who refused to wear a tie,” I muttered back, eyeing his open collar.He looked good in the dark suit.Too good, really.I’d thought I was going to have to cut a bitch as we were leaving the compound to meet up with Tonio.He’d drawn the line at neckwear, leaving his throat bare despite Tonio’s obvious disapproval.
“Some hills are worth dying on,” he replied with a slight lift of his chin.
The maître d’ recognized Tonio immediately, his posture straightening.“Mr.Miles, your private room is ready.Please, follow me.”
We were led through the main dining area, a sea of white tablecloths and crystal glasses that sparkled under soft lighting.Eyes followed our progress.I had no doubt Tonio was used to the attention.His impeccable suit and air of casual authority definitely drew the eye.To say nothing of his hard, sophisticated good looks.Sully was imposing in height and width, and the suit, though it fit perfectly, was cut to emphasize his powerful frame.
Then there was me.I sported a dark blue cocktail dress I’d bought with the card Tonio had given me.(No, I wasn’t giving it up that easily.I liked retail therapy.) I hadn’t planned on dressing up, but Sully had convinced me it might be worth the effort.The fabric hugged my curves in a way that had made Sully’s eyes darken when I’d emerged from the bathroom.Unfortunately, the beautiful, beaded neckline itched like a motherfucker.
The private dining room was all polished wood paneling and amber lighting, intimate yet formal in a way.A single table stood in the center, draped in crisp linen and set with more silverware than an army would need.Crystal glasses caught the light, transforming it into tiny diamonds scattered across the white cloth.
Tonio held my chair as I sat, then took his seat with the easy confidence of a man accustomed to being catered to.Who needed three different forks for one fucking meal?Sully sat beside me, his thigh pressing reassuringly against mine beneath the table.
“Thank you for coming,” Tonio said, his voice measured and formal.“I’ve ordered some appetizers already.I hope you don’t mind.”
“As long as none of it’s still moving, I’m good,” I replied, earning a small twitch at the corner of his mouth that might have been amusement, then silence.“So,” I said, desperate to start a conversation and get things moving.“This is fancy.”
“It’s one of my preferred establishments,” Tonio replied.“Discreet, excellent food, and the staff knows not to disturb us.”
“Let me guess.In case someone needs to be quietly murdered between courses?”The words slipped out before I could stop them, the filter between my brain and mouth apparently malfunctioning as usual.
Sully snorted beside me before trying to cover his amusement by taking a drink of water in a glass that looked too delicate for his big hands.
Tonio merely raised an eyebrow.“I’ve never found it necessary to conduct business during a meal.It ruins the digestion.”
Took me a second, but when I replayed what he’d said in my head I couldn’t help but giggle.
The waiter arrived then, saving me from my own mouth.He was young, maybe mid-twenties, with carefully styled dark hair and a practiced smile.“Good evening, Mr.Miles.”He turned to me and Sully.“Miss.Sir.May I get you started with some drinks?”
Tonio nodded.“Bring my special bottle.”
The waiter’s eyes widened slightly.“The Château Margaux 2010, sir?”
“Hey there,” I said, leaning forward and reading his name tag.“Jason, is it?That sounds fancy as hell, but I’m a beer girl myself.Got anything local on tap?”
“We have the Southern Grist Double Fruited Sour, and --”
