Page 126 of Sins (The Sins Trilogy 1)
He gives me a look reserved for the hopelessly naïve. “Iris, no heterosexual guy becomes a hot woman’s friend without wanting to worm his way into her bed. It’s a universal truth.”
“That’s preposterous! He’s Julie’s brother.”
“Exactly the point. He’s not your brother.”
I give up. “You’re insane. Completely, totally bonkers.”
Suddenly, he grows serious. “I am when it comes to you. I can’t think straight because my head is filled with questions—how do I not screw this up? How do I make you happy? How do I keep you safe?”
Oh, Tony.The glimpse of his vulnerability makes whatever we were bickering about seem inconsequential and silly. I reach out and hold his face. “You aren’t screwing up. You’ve already made me happy and kept me safe.” I kiss his forehead and eyes. “You’re perfect the way you are.”
“Iris…”
The rawness lingers in his gaze. I wonder what happened to put this kind of pain in a man so strong and powerful, and I wish I could erase it. “I swear you are, but if it’ll make you feel better, I promise to tell you if you do anything to ‘screw up.’ Okay?”
“Okay.”
“As for my going back, it’s a temporary home, Tony. I’m not going to stay there forever. I never intended to. Byron’s not even there right now. Julie’s returned from her trip to Moscow, and she’s staying with me. And it doesn’t matter who’s playing for Team Iris because the only team I’m playing is Team Tony.”
He nods. “Okay. Can I ask you to do a couple of things?”
“What?”
“First, take the spare keys to my place.”
Wow.“Are you sure?”
“You’re welcome to come over anytime, even when I’m not home.”
I nod, realizing that Tony’s signaling he’s ready to take our relationship further than just fun sex on weekends, and glad—turned on, in fact—that he’s taking charge and letting me know what he wants because this is exactly what I want, too. “Anything else?”
“Take my number. And TJ’s.”
“Your number’s fine. Who’s TJ?”
“My bodyguard and chauffeur.”
“Ah. The Visigoth.”
Tony laughs. “TJ would like that.”
“But why would I need his number?”
“If you can’t reach me, contact him.” Tony takes my hand, running his thumb over my fingers. “Call either of us for anything, no matter how small or insignificant. We’ll be there for you.”
“Are you sure? What if I call you to get me ice cream?”
“Then I’ll get you ice cream.” He kisses my fingers, his eyes on mine.
He’s dead serious.I don’t know what I did to deserve someone like Tony. After my parents’ deaths, I felt like I’d never have anyone who would love and care for me unconditionally. Waking up a year later and not being able to connect with any of my old friends only fed the fear, which I’ve tried so, so hard to ignore. “What if I want to couch-surf here?” I toss it out, swinging to a more demanding request. I’m aware I’m testing Tony, but I need to know.
His expression softens as though he knows what I’m doing. “Fabulous. But we can do better than a couch for a woman of such excellent taste and exacting standards. After all, you seem to find my lovemaking marvelous…and I have the better piano.”
Laughing, I wrap my arms around his neck and kiss him, showing him what I can’t quite put into words.
