Chapter 8
*~* Barbara *~*
Having lunch with Cannon has been an eye opener to say the least. I’ve never talked about myself so much with a man, one who has listened, anyway. He’s been very attentive and must have been listening, not just hearing, as he’s asked some insightful questions.
I’ve tried to delve into Cannon’s past, but it’s difficult when he’s spent so much time in the military. I don’t want to ask questions that drag up bad memories or that may cause PTSD to flare up, if he even has it.
I did ask if he knew where Allegra’s protectiveness stemmed from which caused a smile before he answered.
“When we first met Romeo and I were on leave, she was young and impressionable.
I never gave her any cause to think I was interested in her other than as my friend's sister, but she had designs on me right from the beginning. Romeo and I thought it was funny at first but we soon realized that she was deadly serious.” He pauses to take a drink of his water, and I take a sip of the red wine that came with lunch.
“I didn’t know how to handle it, so Romeo had to step in.
Apparently, she told him in no uncertain terms that she was going to have me or no one else, ever.
He should tell me that, too. Now she was a young woman and not a child.
She was extremely attractive and had boys knocking at her door all the time.
She refused all of them, and eventually, I had to tell her that I had deep feelings for her, but not in that way.
Well, she grabbed me and kissed me thoroughly.
When she let me go, she shook her head and simply said, ‘That is a shame. You kiss like a gay friend.’ I didn’t know what to say to that, but it was the end of her infatuation with me.
” He certainly looks crestfallen after that admission.
I laugh so hard at that, I almost pee myself. “Well, I hope when we kiss you don’t feel like a gay friend.” It’s out before I can stop myself.
“We’re going to kiss, are we? I look forward to that.” He raises his glass of water in a mock toast.
Deciding to brazen it out, I raise my wine in return.
The rest of lunch we talk about everyday stuff, and I think we both steer clear of past relationships, good or bad.
It’s not until Allegra walks up to us and asks if we’ll be staying for the evening menu that I glance at my watch. Holy…It’s three o’clock.
“Molly is going to kill me! I was supposed to be out for my lunch hour, not the entire afternoon.”
Jumping to my feet, I almost tip the table over. Allegra laughs at my panicked state while Cannon drops a wad of cash on the table and gets a peck on both cheeks from Allegra. I’m all ready to dash when she grabs me and kisses my cheeks, too.
“Remember what we talked about. I will be waiting for the invitation. I will also have my spoon ready, should I need it, but I think probably not.”
I give her a quick smile, grab Cannon’s hand and drag him back to the bike. I grab for the helmet when a hand closes on my shoulder, takes a firm grip and spins me around. Before I know what’s happening his mouth slams on mine. His tongue forces my lips apart, and he kisses me thoroughly.
As he starts to break the kiss, I throw my hand to the back of his neck and pull him down for round two. This time I ensure that it is me who is doing all the kissing. I need to show him I am willing and able when it comes to passion.
Once we’re on the bike and traveling, I notice that we’re not headed back to the crem for my Toyota.
It looks like he’s taking me straight back to the practice.
Pulling into the parking lot, we take off our helmets and kiss again.
He looks surprised, but I don’t give a damn who sees me kissing this man.
My man. He takes my hand and leads me into the practice.
I like him taking the lead, too. It’s been a very long time since a man treated me as a woman should be treated.
Molly is at reception and grinning like something not quite right as we walk in. Before Cannon or myself get to apologize, she shakes her head and tells us it’s all good, nothing to worry about. Cannon gives her a chin lift, turns to me, takes my face in his hands and kisses me gently.
“I’ll be back for you when you're done here. I’ll take you back for your cage. See you later.” He walks out and I watch until he leaves the lot, and then I sigh.
“Karoline! Can you come watch reception for the last hour or so please?” Molly calls down the hallway. Karoline pops out of the pharmacy. “I need to speak with Barbara, undisturbed.”
“Sure thing. Gabriella is here today, so it’s no problem. It will be good to get my hand in again in case of an emergency.” Karoline beams at the two of us.
I’m suddenly grabbed by the hand and yanked into Molly’s office. She picks up her phone, presses a button, and a second later, “Get your ass in here quick.”
Knowing that Jamie will be rushing through the door any second, I take a seat and take some calming deep breaths. I could be talking a lot for the next hour. Sure enough, Jamie hurtles through the door, pushing it shut behind her. She vaults into the empty chair beside me and squeals.
“Okay. It was a lovely lunch. I met his friend's sister, Allegra. We kissed, and he brought me back. How was your afternoon?” I look at them both, knowing that there is a shitstorm about to erupt.
“No fucking way. Uh uh. Not a chance.” Molly, unsurprisingly, is the first to react.
“Ditto, young lady. You’re not getting off that easy. We’ve been dreaming up all sorts of scenarios when you didn’t come back. We want chapter and verse.” Jamie sits forward, all keen and eager to hear every juicy morsel.
There are so many questions and interruptions that we are still there as the rest of the guys keep popping their heads in to say goodnight. In fact, I have to leave them to lock up when Cannon arrives to take me for my car.
In the parking lot, just before I slip Cannon’s helmet on, as Prophet took his back for his own journey home, he asks me what Whisky looks like. This surprises me, as I thought he’d just take a look at wherever Prophet wheeled him to on the gurney.
“Well, he’s a he dog, dark brown scruffy coat. Not very big, but not a chihuahua either. Sort of, I don’t know, raccoon size, I guess. My dad would have called him a Heinz 57. So many varieties, you know? Couldn’t you just go look at him?” I frown at him as I say this.
“Well, we have more than one dog in at the moment, so I just want to be sure when I deal with him that it’s the right dog, that’s all.”
“Don’t you put a tag on a toe or something, like they do in the movies?
Every morgue scene on TV you see a tag that says John Doe or something on it, dangling off a toe.
” The thought of a tag dangling off one of Whisky’s feet gives me a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach, but at the same time it makes me giggle nervously.
“I’ll speak to the guys about that. We probably have some procedure like that in place already. I don’t spend much time in the back, to be fair.” Cannon slips onto the bike, and I slip on behind him. I need to get myself a helmet as I don’t like him riding without one.
Once back at the crem I offer to go inside with him and show him which dog is Whisky.
He declines as it means unlocking and then locking up again, since the others have gone for the day.
He says he’ll leave it to Prophet as he’s seen Whisky.
This all sounds a little weird to me, but hey, it’s their business and as harsh as it sounds, it’s not even my dog.
Offering Cannon a drink at my place or perhaps an evening meal, he hesitates. “I’m not suggesting we get married, Cannon. It’s just two adults spending time together.”
“That’s just it though, Barbara. I’m getting the vibe that we should be more than just two consenting adults. I am suggesting that marriage could be on the cards if we go down this route. Certainly you becoming my old lady.”
“Well then, let’s go to my place and discuss it over a coffee at least. This is all happening very fast for you, I understand that.
” I squeeze his hand, and he gives me a quizzical look.
“It sure isn’t fast for me, Cannon. I’ve been watching you from afar for way too long.
Let’s go. You can follow me.” His next statement surprises me.
“I know where you live, Barbara. I’ve been past your place a few times. Meet you there.”
I hop into the Toyota and head for home.
I like the fact that although he knows where we’re going, he tucks in behind me and follows.
I realize that I get a feeling of security when he’s around me.
I’m excited that he’s getting a good vibe too.
I need to investigate this old lady thing a bit deeper. I’m not sure what that entails.
Sitting at my kitchen table, each with a coffee, I think I should have taken the chair closer to Cannon.
I know I’m being a hussy, but I could rip his clothes off right now and straddle him where he sits.
I wonder how he’d react if I did? He’s saying something because I can see his lips move, but I have no idea what it is. Oh, shit. Get a grip, girl.
“Sorry. What was that you were saying?” Pay attention to him, I think to myself. He might say something I need to hear.
“I was explaining what an old lady is in an MC.”
“Yes, I need to know more about that. Tell me again.” Focusing all my attention on his lips, I wait for him to kiss my neck, lick my ear, nibble across my shoulder.
“Barbara. You’re still not paying attention.” Cannon has his head tilted to one side.
“No, I know, I can’t help it. My mind is elsewhere.” In the goddamn gutter is where my mind is. Maybe if I just straddle him on the chair, that might help me focus. Just screw the life out of him and leave him wanting more. Oh, crap. My panties are getting wet.
“That’s good to know. Thank you for sharing that.” Cannon grins and stands from his chair.
I watch mesmerized, as he steps towards me. I am so going to make this a night he’ll never forget. He’s going to be knocking at my door every night from this night forward. He’ll be so sore after tonight he won’t be able to walk. I’m going to drain him like he’s never been drained before.
Slipping off the chair to meet him, he stops when his phone rings. Taking it from his pocket, I almost scream at him to leave the fucking thing!
“Oh, fuck. I have to go, Barbara. I’m supposed to be at a meeting with all the other officers.
I forgot all about it. I’ll call you later if it doesn’t go on too long.
” Giving me the most chaste kiss on the fucking planet, he turns and leaves.
I’m still standing there when I hear his bike roar away into the distance.
“AAAARRRGGGHHH!” No. That is not how this was supposed to end! This is not my happy ever after. If he calls me back later, he can get his goddamn ass back here and finish what he almost started.