Page 52 of A Heart So Savage

“Care to try me?” His brow rose high.

“My apologies, Miss Blue. You seem to be missing a salad fork.” David’s brow creased in confusion as he set the plates before them. “I’ll bring you one immediately.”

“It’s fine,” Ava said quickly. “I’ll use my dinner fork in its place.”

Seeing the pink flush creeping across his prisoner’s cheeks, Kingston’s head tilted.

Interesting.

“Oh, we can’t have that, miss. Won’t take but a second to bring you a new one,” David said. “I can’t imagine where the other went. I double-checked this table myself when notified of your arrival, Mister Winter. Accept my apologies for the inconvenience, sir.” He hurried off when Kingston waved his hand in dismissal.

“You’ll use mine, Ava.”

Kingston picked up the fork, testing the tines as he regarded Ava. Shifting on the booth’s seat, she flushed even more and nervously ran a hand over her purse.

“That’s not necessary.” She took another sip of the champagne in an obvious attempt at calming herself.

He laid the fork on her plate while watching her intently. Did she steal the missing utensil? Would she have even dared? His gaze flickered to the small purse she kept touching as if assuring herself it was still nearby.

Without a doubt, that fork was in her purse, but for the moment, he would let that transgression pass. More concerning was the subtle defiance of his authority.

Such a reckless little lamb.

“Pick up that fork and eat your salad, Ava.”

“No,” she replied. “I’ve lost my appetite.”

Kingston sighed heavily. “You’re testing my patience, lamb.”

“I don’t give a damn about your patience, Kingston.” Her fingers trembled with defeat as she picked up the fork, stabbing at a few pieces of the spring mix lettuce. “You are a tyrant.”

“Yes,” he calmly agreed as she delicately nibbled at the greens. “And there’s little hope of changing that.”

She’d only eaten a few bites when David swooped back to their table with the missing utensil. Refilling their champagne flutes, he left once again with the explanation he would check on their main courses. By the time the band returned from break, the empty salad plates were removed and replaced with steaming dishes of seared scallops and spinach risotto.

“As much as I enjoy watching you swallow that champagne, I believe you’ve had enough for the evening,” Kingston remarked, pushing his plate away when he finished the last bite.

“That’s what you think,” Ava smirked, tipping the flute toward Kingston in a mocking salute. She’d barely eaten a third of the meal, although she did remark how delicious it was. “Maybe you should order another bottle since I’ve got the last of this one.”

Kingston smiled. “Don’t you think champagne will have the same effect on you as white wine?”

Her brow furrowed in that delightful way. “I don’t think it will. It hasn’t in the past.”

“I want all your facilities intact, lamb. For later.”

“Later? What does that mean?” She smiled at David as he removed their used plates. Behind him, Henri approached with two servings of Crème Brûlée and set them down with a flourish.

“Thank you, Henri. David,” Kingston addressed the two men, ignoring Ava’s question. “The meal was superb. My compliments as always to the chefs.”

“Yes, it wassooogood,” Ava gushed, her face glowing from too much champagne. She wasn’t drunk. Just good and tipsy.

“Miss Blue and I would enjoy a bit of privacy while we finish our dessert,” Kingston said crisply. “As a matter of fact, there’s no need to check on us for the rest of the evening.”

“Of course, Mister Winter.” Henri bowed at the waist, his face splitting into an indulgent grin. “Miss Blue, we are honored to have you dine with us tonight. We hope to see you again.”

“Thank you. I hope so as well.” Ava glanced at Kingston before granting the waiter a guileless smile. “And thank you, David, for such excellent service. I don’t recall ever being attended to with such care during a meal.”

The handsome young man grinned. “It was my pleasure to see to your every need, Miss Blue. I look forward to serving you at some point in the future.”

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