Page 61 of Bargain with the Irish Devil

“Thank you.” I lean into Declan. “He had to do takeaway since he kidnapped me, and I wasn’t allowed to leave the house.”

Both Richie and Declan laugh. “A little opposition never hurt anyone. Especially since you and your pretty mug are used to getting every woman you want with a wink. You cost me two good waitresses when they fought over waiting on you last time.”

The place is almost empty. In the front area, where a long wooden bar is the focal point, there are several booths and a few tables of four and six scattered throughout. Only one person is at the bar, two men are in a booth, and two men and one woman are at a table.

We’re shown to an area in the back without overhead lighting. The only lighting in this area is a few wall sconces around the room and candles on the tables. There’s only one table of a couple on the other side of the room from the table in the corner where we are seated. It feels romantic and cozy even though it’s a large room that has at least twenty other tables in it.

I raise my eyebrows at Declan. “Two waitresses?”

His hand at my back as he holds out my chair, slides down, and squeezes my ass. “I wouldn’t give either of them the time of day. It’s why they were fighting. Wasn’t interested.”

Richie had disappeared and is back with a menu. “Since you’ve never visited us before. Have a look. We’re also to things not on the menu, within reason. Our goal is to please our members. Even though this bum doesn’t pay, a beautiful woman like you deserves the best experience. I’ll give you a few minutes.”

I’m almost overwhelmed by the menu. “Everything looks good. I can’t pick just one thing.”

Declan chuckles. “Pick the two things you want the most. I’ll get one, and we’ll share.”

“Really? No five hundred calories only for you tonight? Especially with the whole tiramisu thing.” I worry he’ll be resentful.

“I told you. It’s just to keep calories down, so I don’t have to work out as much. You’ve seen what I do ninety percent of the time—I’m sitting behind a desk. If I ate everything I wanted all the time, I would have to spend even more time working out or carry around an extra fifty pounds. One or two nights a week isn’t the end of the world. You getting what you want is more important to me.”

It also leaves me self-conscious.

“Hey, look at me. A soft body makes it seem like I’m soft. It’s a business thing. Your body is for pure pleasure. Don’t even think like that. I thought we settled that negative thinking. Especially when I can’t keep my hands off you. I wouldn’t mind your gorgeous ass expanding in the slightest.”

I can’t help laughing and all my worries disappear. God, he can be so freaking sweet sometimes. “Okay, I want to try the manicotti with sausage for sure. But I can’t decide between the gnocchi in veal ragu or the chicche. I’ve never heard of it before. Have you tried it? Which would you prefer?”

A woman is at our table. Her smile is directed at Declan. It’s as if I’m not even here. “Are you ready to order, sir?”

Declan nods. “We’ll have arancini and calamari as our starters and the polpettine to go. The gnocchi in ragu, chicche, and manicotti with sausage. We’ll also put in our order for one tiramisu to share here and another to take home. And a bottle of the pinot noir Tony drinks. Thanks.”

The woman writes everything down and takes the menu from my hands without even glancing my way.

“I can’t believe you ordered all that.”

His hand is around the back of my neck, and he pulls me to him. I want to moan at how close his mouth is to mine without him kissing me. “You get what you needandwhat you want.”

Richie is back. “Dom is asking for you.”

Declan presses his lips to the corner of my mouth, then he’s gone. I barely have time to wonder how long he’ll be gone when a man appears. He’s huge, at least six foot four, with a large barrel chest barely contained in a charcoal gray suit that has to be cut to fit him. His hair is more silver than black. Piercing blue eyes meet mine and hold.

A large hand is out to me. “Tony Sabatini. I hated the thought of you left on your own while Declan and my son spoke. A beautiful woman such as yourself should definitely not be left alone. I’m surprised Declan did.”

I take the hand, and my own disappears within his. Despite the dimple winking at me from his right cheek and his charming smile, there is a sadness wrapped around him. “Miranda, it’s nice to meet you. Thank you. I think I can manage to go forfive or ten minutes without Declan. My father spoke of you once, a long time ago, Samuel Beckett.”

His smile deepens. Letting my hand go, he gestures to Declan’s empty chair. “Samuel Beckett, the Scot with an Irishman’s name. I remember him well, good man. I appreciated his repair shop was one I could urge others to use as he never cheated or took advantage of a customer. May I?”

His praise of my father soothes something in me that I hadn’t realized I needed. “Yes, of course.”

Sitting down, he takes the wine brought by the waitress. “I’ll pour.” He tells her.

She nods and leaves.

“I’ll admit to being curious of the woman who was able to capture the heart of that Irish Devil Declan. Richie shared you joked about Declan kidnapping you. However, I do believe you were more than honest. Interesting. When the fog lifts, will you make your escape?”

I laugh when I realize what he means. “No. I was attracted to Declan when I met him. It was my fear that kept me from admitting it to myself.”

“Fear? Are you afraid of him?” He frowns fiercely.

---