Page 31 of Stealing Iris

He glances over his shoulder, catching Iris, or the woman who’s supposed to be Iris, walk in the door. We both pause. For me, there’s some shock along with appreciation. She looks nothing like the woman I’ve come to know. Straight hair, dark brows, eye makeup, and the reddest lipstick I’ve ever seen. She’s always dressed modestly, but today her clothing shows more than what it covers. I’m torn. While I’d enjoy being able to slip my hand into the shadow beneath her breast, I don’t like that anyone else could.

“Yes, I see why you’re anxious for your conversation.” D’Santo gives a knowing grin. “I’ll leave you to it, man.” He turns on a heel and disappears into the crowd.

I can’t take my eyes off her, all five foot six of my curvaceous beauty on high, high heels.

“Danteeeee.” Conrado cuts in front of her, spreading his arms out, as if we’d been best buds and haven’t seen each other in years. I stop, holding my drink in front of me to block off my personal space. “All right. All right.” He nods, like this is all part of the plan. “Iris, come ’ere.” He waves her over, making her walk around since he’s rooted in place. “She’s been wanting to see you.”

I drink in the sight of her, getting used to the new Iris. “Dante,” she says, keeping her greeting annoyingly reserved.

“Iris.” I can’t pull my gaze away from her, and she knows it. Her skin flushes to a pretty pink stretching down to her chest. Yes, I look. How can I not when I spent so much time enjoying her body—or thinking about it.

“She looks good, huh.” Conrado’s shit-eating grin makes me want to punch him. Something I won’t do with everyone here. I make a quick mental note to reserve time down the road for that particular pleasure.

“Always.”

“I got her all fixed up for tonight.” That explains the sudden change. Still, there’s no way I’m putting them in the same room tonight. I’ll have to send them back to town if I’m going to get any sleep. “You like her hair like this?” He puts a hand to her shoulder, plucking a few strands. Iris subtly angles her body away from him, eying him warily while I curl my fingers into my palm to keep still.

“I like the long curls,” I admit.

“You sure?” He snickers. “Maybe you need to see her from the same angle as last time.” He snickers again, elbowing me as if I’m missing the joke. “You know, kinda riding low.” He sets his hand out in front of his crotch. Iris loses her modest smile at the crude reminder of the night the three of us were together. My annoyance sparks a slow-burning anger as I watch her turn away, focusing on some point on the floor.

“How are we doing over here?” Montoya asks, coming to stand between me and Conrado. He’s a much-needed buffer right now.

Conrado shifts away, still laughing at his own joke while the muscles in my neck are trying to pull away like cables snapping on a wire.Patience. Yet my palms itch to ball into a fist. I’m not doing this here, in front of everyone.

“Dante, are you going to introduce our guests?” Montoya eyes both of them as if he hasn’t managed to figure out who they are. In his Armani suit, he’s the picture of authority, so I play off the scene for Conrado’s benefit.

“This is Conrado Villa.” I send him a glare along with the introduction. Conrado reaches out a hand to Montoya, pumping it eagerly. While I would have normally dismissed his importance, Iris needs a few seconds to compose herself. She raises her head, pasting on a smile while still blinking rapidly. I admire the way she’s powering through an embarrassing situation. She has a quiet strength I wouldn’t have credited her with at our first meeting. “And this is Iris.”

Montoya’s face lights up. He’s one of those people whose age you have trouble pinpointing, yet he suddenly looks younger.

“A pleasure to meet you.” This time the smile is genuine. No less than what I should expect, with his harping on about a mate. He turns back to Conrado, putting a hand on his shoulder. “How about we get you a drink?”

“Yeah, man, that sounds good.”

Montoya directs him away from the rest of the house, giving us a chance to escape.

Cupping her elbow, I slowly take a step back. “How about I show you around?” She perks up, readily agreeing with me for once then following without hesitation.

*****

IRIS

We tour the first floor of the enormous home together. Dante stops periodically, sharing interesting bits about the art on display or introducing me to other guests. We never touch. I don’t know what I expected, but it wasn’t this bit of togetherness while keeping a distance between us. Even in the middle of everyone, I feel so isolated.

“You’re not enjoying yourself,” Dante points out, tilting his head with a concerned frown.

“I… Um.” Crossing my arms inadvertently pushes open the sides of my blouse. With a quick catch in my breath, I uncross them. My face and neck flame as I smooth out the material.

“Treacherous situation,” Dante teases.

“Yes, I suppose so.” My attempt at a casual smile is a miserable failure.God, I shouldn’t have come.

“What’s wrong?”

How can I tell him I don’t belong here? That looking across the crowd I know I should be on the other side of the glass, looking in? Taking a breath, I answer as honestly as I can. “This is all a little overwhelming.” Strong fingers fold into mine, and I finally catch my footing.

“Come with me.” He pulls me around the edge of the room.

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