Taken_ A Dark Mafia Romance - Piper Stone Page 0,48
with delight as she studied the menu on the wall, patiently waiting our turn to order. When it was finally time, she seemed flabbergasted as she studied the cartons of ice cream.
“I don’t know what to select,” she managed, darting a quick glance in my direction.
“You can have one of each if you’d like.”
My answer made her laugh and for the first time, she let go, punching me lightly in the gut. “You’re hysterical. Even I can’t eat that much ice cream.”
“I don’t know,” I said in a singsong voice. “However, you must choose something, and you should do so wisely. The flavor of ice cream is a direct correlation to someone’s personality.” I leaned in closer, whispering so only she could hear, “Especially in bed.”
The blush that crept up along her cheeks forced my cock at full attention. Damn, what the woman did to me.
She quivered, her head lowering for only a few seconds. As she bounded toward the counter, her bright smile had returned. “I’ll have a sugar cone. One scoop of pistachio and another of very berry kringle. Oh, and the largest lemonade you have.”
The clerk grinned, her eyes sweeping in my direction. “And what will you have, sir?”
Sighing, I studied the choices, as uncertain as she’d been. “One scoop of vanilla in a cup.”
“Vanilla?” Winter chastised. “That simply won’t do. The man will have a sugar cone with decadent dark chocolate and a scoop of Reese’s Pieces. Oh, and add sprinkles on top.” Obviously pleased with herself, she clapped her hands, her body swaying back and forth.
I couldn’t take my eyes off her. “You think you know my tastes, huh?”
“I know absolutely nothing yet everything about you. You pretend to be conservative in public, but you like it a little on the wild side. You also are completely uncertain how to appreciate the little things in life. That much I can show you. Everything I really do enjoy has no dollar amount attached to it.” Her face flushed again as if embarrassed she’d dare share anything personal with me.
When her smile faded and she took a step away, I moved closer, crowding my body against hers. “I’d love to hear about everything that makes you happy.”
Winter gave me a wary look, her mouth pinching. “We’ll see.”
The moment was gone.
In its place returned my anger. I crushed it, shoving aside all the bitterness I’d felt for far too long. I’d brought her here for a reason and I refused to ruin it.
As we walked outside, she delicately licked around the edge of the cone. She held the oversized cup of lemonade in her other hand and in truth, she looked like a kid in a candy store as she glanced from one to the other. When she laughed, swiping her tongue back and forth across both flavors, the heaviness I’d felt in my chest seemed to fade away.
“Try yours. Do them together. That’s the best way to gather the wickedness of flavors.” She stopped, lifting a single eyebrow as she waited for me to follow her instructions.
“O-kay. I’m not very good at this.”
“Hmm... I will have zero hope for you if you can’t eat ice cream off a cone. None.” The slight cock of her head was sexy as hell. The way the light breeze floated through her long strands of hair only heightened the hunger embroiled in my system.
I took my time darting out my tongue, swiping it along the base to the very top.
She seemed delighted, her eyes shimmering as the sun created a halo effect around her. “Keep going,” she whispered.
I issued a slight growl before repeating the move, taking even more time before finishing the effort. When I swirled my tongue around the top, finally engulfing almost the entire first scoop in my mouth, she burst into laughter.
“Not bad. For a beginner.”
Strings of melted ice cream trickled down her hand, yet she ignored them, concentrating her gaze on watching my every move. We were connected, she and I. Two lost souls searching for our clear identity, attempting to find a release from the chains forged by the sect.
Very gently I took her wrist, my pulse racing. The moment she froze, her lovely mouth twisting, it was obvious the level of fear racing through her. She actually believed I was going to hurt her. I sucked in my breath, my mind reeling from the thought. I hated the man I’d become, but I would never intentionally hurt someone so beautiful and giving.