Page 63 of Iron Heart

“Absolutely.”She grins.

After walking for a bit, we find a seafood place, this one more private and less prone to unexpected, unwelcome encounters.We’re seated at a rustic table with a waterfront view, and within minutes, two steaming lobsters are placed before us.

“I’m telling you, cracking a lobster is an art form,” Victoria says, picking up her seafood cracker with flair.

I smirk.“An art form?Really?”

“Absolutely,” she insists.“Watch and learn, Kingsley.”She makes quick work of a claw, expertly breaking it open to reveal the tender meat inside.Then she dips it into the melted butter and takes a bite, her eyes closing briefly in delight.“See?Simple,” she says, opening her eyes to meet mine.

“I can’t wait to see you make that face tonight,” I say in a hushed voice only she can hear.

Tension floods the space.“I’m looking forward to it, Sir.”

She blushes, and damn, it takes my resolve from bending her over this table here and now.

“All right, let me give this ‘art form’ a shot.”I reach for my lobster, gripping the cracker a bit too forcefully.The claw slips from my grasp, skitters across the table, and almost launches into the sea.

Victoria bursts into laughter.“I see your technique needs a little refining,” she says, still giggling.

“I’m more of a shoot-it-and-grill-it kind of guy,” I defend, but I’m laughing too.

“You’re telling me Mr.Special Forces can take down armed criminals but can’t crack open a lobster?”

“The two skill sets don’t usually overlap,” I say, feigning a serious tone, which only makes her laugh harder.

Finally, I manage to break open a claw, albeit clumsily.I look up to find Victoria watching me, her eyes soft, her smile gentler now but no less radiant.

“See?You’re getting the hang of it,” she says.

“Yeah, but I’ve got a long way to go before I master this ‘art form,’” I admit.

A man approaches, dressed too impeccably for a casual harbor-side joint, and he wears a smirk that irks me instantly.My instincts tighten, and when he locks eyes with Victoria, her face tenses for just a moment before molding into polite recognition.

“Victoria, long time no see,” he purrs, leaning in to kiss her cheek.

“Nicholas,” she responds, maintaining her composure.“What brings you here?”

“Just in the neighborhood.Mind if I join you?”

Victoria looks at me, a subtle plea in her eyes.“Actually, we were just—”

“Who’s this?”Nicholas interrupts, nodding toward me but not extending a hand.I feel like rendering him unconscious with one deft move.

“This is Kingsley,” Victoria says, her voice treading cautiously.

Nicholas turns his smirk my way.“Pleasure to meet you, Kingsley.So, how do you fit into the picture?”

“I’m the man sitting across from her, sharing a meal.Isn’t that enough?”I counter, making no effort to hide my irritation.

Nicholas chuckles.“Oh, so you’re the bodyguard but off-duty, I see.”

My knuckles whiten, but I keep my voice level.“I’m not her bodyguard tonight, just a man enjoying dinner with a wonderful woman.”

Victoria’s eyes flit to mine, a mixture of surprise and appreciation in her gaze.Sensing the tension but misinterpreting its cause, Nicholas leans closer to Victoria.“So, Victoria, still stunning as always.Are we going to catch up or what?”His hand inches toward her, a move so possessive it sends my blood boiling.

She pushes her chair back and rises.“Actually, Nicholas, we have plans.Kingsley, shall we?”

I leave enough money on the table to cover the bill and head out, my arm sliding protectively around her.We walk in silence until we’re well away from the restaurant, then she sighs.

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