Page 93 of Savage Heart

“I’m off.”

“Why don’t you and Linc stay and ride awhile? I can ride with you . . . or make myself scarce.”

I stare at him. His eyes drop to my lips, and my heart gallops ahead of me.

“I’ll think about it,” I say finally.

He tips his hat again.

It’s ridiculously sexy when he does that.

When I go back with the drinks, Kell and Vera are vibrating.

“Okay,” Vera says immediately. “Spill.”

Kell leans in. “What is going on?”

I pick up my menu, even though I already know what I’m getting. “It’s complicated.”

They exchange a look. The kind that means I’m not getting out of this.

Kell grins slowly. “Oh, Iris. You are in trouble.”

I glance back toward the counter. Maverick is watching me again. My face flames.

“I slept with him.”

Silence.

I didn’t mean to say it out loud.

Vera blinks once. Twice. “You—” She stops and presses a hand to her chest. “You what?”

Kell leans forward so fast her chair legs screech. “Hold on. When? What? Oh my God!”

I nod, my face burning. “A couple nights ago.”

“Oh my—” Vera slaps the table. She looks ecstatic. “Iris.”

Kell lets out a low, disbelieving laugh. “We knew something was off with you. You’ve been distracted yet glowing like a light bulb.”

“I am not glowing,” I mutter, even as my cheeks betray me.

“Uh . . . yeah, girl. Check the mirror. Details,” Vera says, eyes lit up.

“No.”

“Oh yes,” Kell says. “You do not get to drop that kind of bomb and then just sip your drink.”

I hesitate, then exhale. “It was . . . life altering,” I say quietly. “Mind blowing. The kind of sex that ruins you for everyone else.”

They both freeze.

Then Vera squeals. “I am so happy for you,” she whisper-shouts, grabbing my hands. “Finally! After everything—finally!”

Kell nods emphatically. “You deserve that. You deserve him. Does he deserve you? is the question.”

I gently pull my hands back. “Oh no. It can’t happen again. It won’t happen again.”