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"I ask myself that every day." I kiss the top of her head, infusing the gesture with all the love and reverence in my soul. "No one will ever hurt you again. I promise."
The waitress that I just dismissed comes rushing over with a female manager, who has a vice-like grip on the waitress’s arm.
“Mr. Morgan, I wanted to assure you that Melanie made an error in judgment. She shouldn’t address customers in that manner. She was just—"
I hold up a hand to stop her mid sentence and glare at the manager. Adjusting the cuffs on my suit, I pin both the waitress and the manager in place with my eyes.
"See that she leaves the premises immediately. And you'd better comp our meal, or your job is next."
The manager gulps and stammers an apology, then ushers the waitress out. I turn back to Talia, wiping a tear from her cheek. "I'm so sorry you had to endure that."
She shakes her head. "You have nothing to apologize for. You were amazing." A watery chuckle escapes her. "My big, strong protector."
"Always." I take her hands, bringing them to my lips. "No one hurts what's mine. And you, my love, are eternally mine."
Her smile is radiant as the sun. "As you are eternally mine."
"Damn straight." I stand and offer her my arm. "Shall we?"
She takes it, leaning into me. "Yes. Take me home."
Home. Our sanctuary from the world, the one place where nothing and no one can touch us. I signal for the bill, already planning how I'll spend the rest of the night reminding Talia just how cherished she is.
The manager approaches with a folder. "Your meal has been comped, Mr. Morgan. Please accept my deepest apologies for the inconvenience."
"See that it doesn't happen again. No one should be dressed down by service staff when they eat here."
The manager’s brows rise, but I’m not going to stick around to hear her comeback. I put my hand on the small of Talia’s back and steer her out of the restaurant.
The city streets are alive with noise and motion, but at this moment it's only Talia and me. Together, hand in hand in the glow of streetlights, walking our own private stretch of paradise.
Outside, Talia stops, turning to face me. Her eyes shine like twin stars. "Thank you, Dare. For everything."
She rises up on her toes, arms winding around my neck, and kisses me with a slow, deep passion that steals my breath. I clutch her to me, my heart too full for words.
When at last our lips part, I press my forehead to hers. "You're my heart, Talia."
A soft sound escapes her, half laugh, half sob. "I’m nothing but an orphan from the wrong side of town."
I tip her chin up with a finger. “You’re nothing short of a miracle. Don’t forget it.”
I take her hand again and lead her across the street to a sleek glass and steel high rise, unlocking the front entrance with a key card. We ride the private elevator up to the penthouse, and as the doors open, Talia gasps.
Candles flicker everywhere, casting a warm golden glow over the spacious room. Rose petals are strewn across the floor, leading to the bedroom. A bottle of Talia's favorite wine chills on ice beside a platter of chocolate-covered strawberries.
Talia turns to me, eyes shining. "You did all this?"
"For you." I brush a stray curl behind her ear. "Because you deserve the world, and I will move heaven and earth to give it to you."
"You already have." She kisses me again, slow and deep and passionate, her hands framing my face. I lift her into my arms and carry her across the threshold of our sanctuary, kicking the door closed behind us.
Tonight, the world beyond these walls ceases to exist. There is only Talia, only us, and a love that transcends all else.
ChapterFourteen
DARE
Longing stirs in my blood, an ache that goes bone deep. I yearn for Talia with every fiber of my being, my desire for her a living, breathing thing.
