Her Heart's Desire - Page 36
They walked back to her store hand in hand. He kissed her a final time before he left.
*
Later that afternoon, Tiffany was at the table in the back room, working on her latest jewelry design. She had pages splayed out in front of her and was deep in concentration when Milán burst into the room. She spoke in rapid Spanish.
Tiffany stared back. “What?”
“I saw you and Ivan,” Milán translated. “At the café. You two had your lips locked so tight, I thought you’d have to be separated by a surgical procedure.”
“You’re dramatizing it,” Tiffany said, but couldn’t help the blush that crept up her neck and face.
Milán observed her for a moment. “I knew it. You like him, don’t you…a lot.”
She set her sketches aside and turned in her chair. “That obvious?”
“Hmm…only a lot.” Milán sat down next to her.
“I do like him—a lot,” Tiffany admitted. “Ivan’s an amazing guy. Granted, he’s reserved, but he’s intelligent, strong, protective and caring. Do you know how many languages he speaks? It’s insane. He’s a real gentleman, too. Though I have to admit, I’m trying to get used to a few things.”
“Like what?”
“For one, the whole overprotective thing. He wants to do everything for me—pick me up, drop me off, hold my door. Do you know when we go out together, he comes back and does a sweep of my apartment to make sure it’s safe?”
“Some might call that romantic,” Milán observed.
“Yes, but he does it all the time.”
“You’re important to him, Tiff. So he goes a little overboard sometimes. What’s wrong with that?”
She shook her head. “Nothing. It’s just that…I’d like to still do things for myself sometimes.”
“I get it. You haven’t been spoiled like this before. It takes some getting used to. It was the same with Adrian and me. He’s so attentive now that it can be overwhelming.”
Tiffany threw her hands up. “Exactly. Most of the time I do like him taking care of me. But I don’t want to lose myself, you know? I’ve seen it happen before, and when things don’t work out, it always ends badly.”
“Stop imagining bumps in the road that aren’t there,” her friend chided. “You just got together. It’s still new and exciting.”
“I know. I’m so happy with Ivan, I really am.”
“So his rock-hard body and physical stamina must seem like icing on the cake.”
Tiffany dissolved into laughter before she sighed dreamily and said, “And what a cake he is!”
“Will Ivan be at the party next week?” Milán asked.
“No, he’ll be in Vegas.”
“Wow, what a life.”
“Remember that he’s often in danger of being shot at, or else he has to fight someone to protect his client. And don’t forget all the time spent waiting around for people. Scoping out routes, times and tactical plans—”
“Or the hours standing around in posh clubs, driving expensive cars, going to exotic locales…looking dark and mysterious…in Armani,” Milán said breathlessly.
Tiffany stared at her. “You’re not helping.”
“Okay, okay. I’m going, but you’d better not slip up on Saturday, or Jeannie will know you’ve been holding out. Starting with that ridiculous smile on your face.”
“It’s the same one you had for weeks after you and Adrian got together,” Tiffany pointed out.
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