“Ironheart,” I said. “Do the people of this town think I’m a jerk, or something?” I asked as he slowed for a turn. “Why else would they give me a name like that? Iron is worse than a heart of stone.”
Austin chuckled. “I think the iron alludes to your strength. It’s one of the hardest metals on earth, and it’s been a go-to metal for tool and weapons makers throughout the ages. It’s also one of the components in steel. I think the whole town knows the pack wouldn’t exist without you. They know that I do all this for you. To protect you.”
I wiped a tear away. “Stop being so sweet. It’s ruining my makeup.”
He smiled and squeezed my hand. “Heart refers to your generous heart. Your empathy. Your mercy. You always think of the safety of those around you. Everyone in this town knows they can count on you clearing them out and keeping them safe whenever anything dangerous happens in a crowded place. You are strong and your heart is pure. Ironheart.”
“Wow.” I didn’t know what else to say. That was incredibly touching. It was better than any name I could have chosen for myself.
“Haven’t you ever wondered why Ryan sits near you?”
I frowned at his mention of Sasquatch, but I had to admit, yes I did. He got so much abuse from Niamh, and he couldn’t stand me. Yet he always seemed to sit near us.
“He isn’t much of a shifter, but he knows how to survive,” Austin said. “He chooses the safest place in the bar. When you’re there, it is near you.”
Now I really didn’t know what to say.
“Kingsley told me that I’d leveled up with you.” He slowed as he approached Ivy House. “I agree with him.”
“I think you guys have that backwards.”
“Agree to disagree. Do you mind if I stay tonight? I’d take you to my house, but under the circumstances, I think Ivy House is safer.”
“You never have to ask. The answer is always yes.”
“You say that now. Wait until I piss you off.” He turned off the car and got out. He opened my door a moment later and reached down to help me out.
“I don’t think it’s me you have to worry about when it comes to that.” I stepped close, pressing my body firmly against his. “It’s pissing off Ivy House that you should be wary of.”
“Until you get rid of those dolls, I’d have to agree.” He leaned down and met my lips with his, his kiss deep and sensual. He shut the car door before swooping me up into his arms and holding me to his chest. “It was hot when you defended my honor.” He started walking to the house. “No wonder Kingsley never checks Earnessa when she violently reacts to other women flirting with him.”
“Shifters are nuts.”
“Apparently so are female gargoyles.”
“Did you hear what that guy said about Elliot Graves? He confirmed what Sebastian said. He’s a has-been.”
“Yes. In all of this, it has become increasingly apparent how ignorant we are of the larger world of magic. You’re not to blame, obviously, but the rest of us have practically been hibernating from the rest of the world. My brother has not been subtle in his disapproval. When this is over, we’ll need to remedy that.”
“But why is Elliot so obsessed with me and Ivy House?”
“A comeback, maybe? Wanting to use your magic to be relevant again? It’s clear he’s still being heavily watched. He might not be a player right now, but he’s not obscure.”
Ivy House opened the front door for us. Once inside, Austin didn’t set me down. He carried me up the stairs and into my bedroom, closing the door with a sweep of his foot. He gently lowered me to the ground and sucked in my bottom lip, his hands on my hips and then my breasts.
I moaned into his mouth, hurrying to undo his buttons and push the jacket off those large shoulders. He slipped my necklace beneath the neck of my dress before bending and grabbing the bottom. He pulled the dress up and off, flinging it onto the bed. I untied the bow tie, finished the buttons on his dress shirt, and slipped my hands down to his pants as he pulled the tails of the shirt from the base of his trousers and dropped it to the ground.
One warm hand on my shoulder, he held me put while pressing his palm against the necklace lying against my bare skin. I hadn’t worn a bra with the dress, since the straps would have shown and I no longer needed one for support (thank you, Ivy House), so now he let his fingers trail over my budded nipples.
“Your boyfriend?” His voice was deep and thick.
I slipped out of his grip so as to push his pants and boxers to the ground. As he slipped out of his shoes and then the fabric, I hooked my thumbs into the straps of my lacy little thong.