Chapter Twenty-Two
Link
THINGS WITH ANNISTYN are going really good.
We spend hours together every day and she has started to finally enjoy spending time at the clubhouse with everyone.
It’s easier for her to be there when all the clubs aren’t here, but she still makes an attempt to go there and spend time every single day because she knows how important the club is to me.
The men are my brothers and they mean the world to me.
For this reason alone, Annistyn has made it her mission to join in and step out of her comfort level in ways she never would have before.
To me, that means more than anything else in the world.
Annistyn is proving she has what it takes to be my ol’ lady and stand at my side because I want that more than anything.
The only thing I want to see from her now is her standing up to the Feral girls because a few of them have started to be bitches toward her.
Every ol’ lady seems to go through that shit but I hate it for her because it’s the last thing she needs.
My mom just went back home and she told me before leaving that I need to take Annistyn out on a real date.
Instead of spending time at the house like we do every single night, she told me I need to take her out to dinner, get her flowers, and make sure we do something she likes.
I was already planning on taking her out because my girl deserves to be taken out on a date regularly.
At least once a week I plan on taking her to do something.
It doesn’t matter what it is as long as she’s happy and enjoys herself.
Plus, it doesn’t hurt that my girl has mentioned wanting to try food at different restaurants around town because she never had the chance to before.
Walking in the house after work, I find Annistyn sitting on the couch with her new laptop on the table in front of her. She’s working so hard she doesn’t even notice me entering the house. This is a first. Usually she says hi to me the second I walk inside and stops whatever she’s doing.
“Pixie, I’m home,” I say loud enough she hears me and doesn’t startle if I walk up too close to her.
“Oh. Kreed, I’m sorry I didn’t hear you. I’m editing the pictures from the wedding. Roger and I have to meet with the couple in a few days and I want to make sure everything is perfect,” she says while clicking away a few on the keys before closing the laptop and giving me her full attention.
“It’s all good, Pixie. How’s it goin’?” I ask her as I step up next to the couch and look down at her.
“Really good. The pictures all started out great and it’s easy to edit something that’s already almost perfect,” she says, the largest smile on her face as she looks at me and I can see how much she truly loves this stuff.
I can’t say I understand everything she does, but I’m willing to sit here and listen to anything she wants to share with me.
“That’s great, Pixie. So, I was thinkin’ tonight we do somethin’ a little different. I want to take you out on a date. Dinner and anythin’ else you wanna do,” I tell her as she looks at me and her eyes go wide.
“Really? You’re gonna take me out on a date? My first ever?” she questions me, her voice almost a squeak as she jumps off the couch.
“Really. I’m gonna take a shower and get ready. Call Cali to come over and help you get ready if you want. I’m sure she’d be here in a heartbeat to help you with anythin’ you want,” I tell her, leaning down and pressing a kiss against the top of her head before I disappear upstairs.
I can hear Annistyn talking downstairs and I know she’s called Cali to come over and help her.
My girl will want tonight to be perfect and I plan on making it happen for her.
I’m not sure what a date with her looks like, but I’m going to do everything in my power to make her have a good time while we make memories.
Stripping out of my clothes from the day, I head in to shower.
Instead of rushing through washing up, I take my time so Annistyn has more than enough time to get ready.
I don’t want her to rush and feel as if she’s not done a good enough job.
***
I’m waiting downstairs for Cali to finish helping Annistyn get ready for our date. Sitting on the couch, I’m scrolling on my phone when I hear the first set of steps coming downstairs. Looking up, I find Cali walking toward me with a smile on her face.
“Your girl looks smoking hot,” she says as I look at her and stand while sliding my phone back in my pocket. “You’re looking good too, Kreed. I’m glad to see you dressed up for your date tonight.”
Instead of wearing my typical jeans and tee under my cut, I chose to wear a pair of black dress pants with a dark red button-down shirt.
My cut is on over it because I don’t go anywhere without wearing it.
Something Annistyn knows and accepts without question.
Just one more reason I’ve fallen in love with her.
Cali reaches out and adjusts my collar before turning and pulling out her phone.
She aims it at the stairs and is ready to take pictures of my girl as she makes her way toward us.
I look up when I hear movement at the top of the stairs.
Annistyn is standing there looking unsure as she keeps her eyes down on the floor.
It’s the first time since she came back that Annistyn is looking unsure of herself.
I don’t like it. In fact, I hate it. If I truly thought this would make her uncomfortable, I wouldn’t have suggested we go on a date.
“She’s okay,” Cali whispers to me. “Annistyn is nervous and wants to make sure you have a good time with her tonight.”
“You sure?” I ask her, my voice a whisper as I take in every inch of Annistyn.
“I’m positive,” Cali responds while keeping her eyes locked on Annistyn.
She’s wearing a black dress that hugs her body and drapes over her curves in a way that emphasizes her body while hiding all the good parts.
A black sweater covers her arms and I know it’s to hide the scars she’s so scared of everyone seeing because she doesn’t like them and thinks we’ll change our opinion of her.
It won’t ever happen but only time will make her realize how we truly feel about her and that some scars, whether internal or where we can see them, won’t make us change anything about how we feel about her.
Annistyn’s hair has been left down but it’s been curled in loose waves.
There’s a little bit of make-up on her face that only brings out her violet eyes even more than normal and highlights the new definition of her face from the weight gain she’s had over the last year.
The skin that’s exposed is flawless and looks so damn smooth as she glows under the lights shining down on her.
Annistyn finally looks up and our eyes lock.
My breath catches in my chest because she’s gorgeous as hell and the confidence she gained is slowly starting to fill her eyes.
“Fuck, Pixie. You look absolutely amazin’,” I tell her honestly as I turn around to grab the flowers I had Viper deliver after I got out of the shower.
With the flowers in hand, I walk up to meet Annistyn at the top of the stairs.
I can’t help myself as I stop a few steps below her and lean in to press my lips to hers.
Once again, Annistyn is the first one to deepen the kiss as I follow her lead.
I get lost in her taste as our tongues tangle together and I place a hand on the side of her face as if I’m scared she’ll disappear.
Some days I still have a hard time believing she’s back and need to see her, touch her, to ensure she’s really here with me.
Annistyn pulls back and I take in her flushed cheeks and upper chest as we both try to get our breathing under control.
“You look really good, too, Kreed,” Annistyn whispers, her lips a fraction away from mine as her breath fans across my face.
“That was something else,” Cali says, making us both turn to look at her. “Now that I have your attention, you two should head out.”
I hand Annistyn the flowers and take her other hand to help her down the stairs.
When we get to Cali, she takes the flowers and lets my girl know she’ll put them in water while we leave.
I lead her to the front door and straight outside where my truck is already waiting.
Eventually I’ll get her on my bike, but that will happen when she’s ready.
“Where are we going?” Annistyn asks me as I help her in the front seat.
“I thought we’d get dinner from the diner and then go somewhere to eat. Somewhere we can be alone and actually have a conversation without anyone overhearin’ us. Does that sound okay?” I ask her, not sure if she’d be down for a date like that.
“That sounds perfect. Next time we can stay at the restaurant for our meal,” she responds without thinking and I love hearing her talk about another date with me.
“Anythin’ you want, Pixie,” I tell her before I lean in and fasten her seatbelt and close her door. Cali leaves the house as I walk around the front of the truck and get in the driver’s seat.
Starting the engine, I back out of our driveway and leave the compound.
The Prospect opens the gate for us and I leave the clubhouse behind.
Annistyn watches out the window as I drive through town with music playing softly and my hand resting on her thigh.
I can feel the nervous energy flowing through her as I rub my thumb back and forth to help calm her down.
When we get to the diner, I run inside to grab our order and leave Annistyn in the truck to wait for me.
It doesn’t take long as everyone in the place stares at me because I’m not usually dressed this way but I don’t pay them any attention because none of them matter to me.
Annistyn is the only one who deserves a second of my attention.