Page 149 of Thorns of Malice

Her eyes widen in shock. "You have?"

"Yep. I'm relieved you like it."

She slides her hand on my cheek. "I don't like it, I love it. It's beautiful."

I'm so happy. My heart soars. It's a feeling I used to hate. It made me uncomfortable...vulnerable. But for the last ten years, I've been chasing it, trying to catch it once more.

The hostess, Melissa, pipes in, "Welcome, Mr. Carrington. And you'retheIvy?" She beams.

My baby girl nods. "Yes."

Another man I know well steps up next to Melissa. He holds out his hand. "Ms. Ford. I'm Ronaldo, the head manager. It's so nice to finally meet you. If anything is not up to your liking, please let me know, and we'll work on changing it immediately."

Ivy arches her eyebrows, softly laughing. "I'm sure everything is way above my liking. Thank you."

His shoulders drop in relief, but he quickly catches himself. He grins, offering, "Let me take you to your table and show you the rest of the restaurant."

He leads us through the building, and I continue to watch Ivy's shocked expression.

It's priceless. I wish I could take a photo and hang it on the ceiling over my bed. Then I could stare at it every night before I go to sleep and every morning when I wake up.

Ronaldo explains, "Besides the bar, every table's inside its own private room."

We get to the back of the restaurant, and he motions for us to go through the door.

"After you," I tell her.

Ivy steps inside and freezes. "Wow. This is incredible and very intimate."

All the walls have Seducing Ivy vines climbing up them with full blooms. A half-circle whore-red leather booth is the only piece of furniture. Real gold and diamonds fill the tufts on the seat back. A black candle is situated in the middle of the table in a metal and diamond holder. It matches the Seducing Ivy brand and flickers on the table. Next to it is a single Seducing Ivy bloom. The flower's aroma fills the air.

"I took the liberty to fill your water glasses only a moment ago. Would you like me to open the bottle of wine?" Ronaldo asks.

"No, I'll handle that," I tell him, wanting no one else to be in the room. Then to Ivy, I say, "Sit, baby girl."

She does.

I slide in next to her.

Ronaldo states, "Your server will be with you shortly. It's a pleasure to have you dine with us, Ms. Ford. You too, Mr. Carrington."

"Thank you," we reply in unison.

He holds his card out. "This is for you, Ms. Ford. If you need anything at any time, please let me know."

"Thank you," Ivy says, taking it and sliding it into her purse.

He leaves and shuts the door.

"Ready for your next surprise," I ask.

She bites on her lip.

"No?" I taunt.

She laughs and shakes her head. "Hit me with it."

I remove the bottle of wine from the chilled container and hold it in front of her.

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