AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Max gives a nod, a slow grin creeping across his face. “I’ll do that. I’ll do just that.” He gives me one last look, then turns on his heel, disappearing into the bushes.
I waste no time. I run down the path, letting myself into Cannon’s place, locking the front door. Leaning my back against the solid wood, I close my eyes.Deep breaths, deep breaths. I will my racing heart to slow.
What do I do? Text Booker? I don’t want to frighten Nonna. Do I tell Cannon? I’ve already caused so much trouble for him. Does he even need to know about this visit? It was a harmless enough exchange, wasn’t it? He didn’t hurt me or anything, he didn’t even threaten me.
I shower and change, debating with myself the entire time. I finally land on telling Cannon what happened. Just not now when he’d just moved me and Nonna in, given me a job, and made Booker Nonna’s personal guard. It’ll only put him out further, probably by giving me my own guard or, God forbid, not letting me work and keeping me locked up in his house.
I’ll give things a few days to settle down, then I’ll tell him. Unless something else happens. If something else happens, I make a promise to myself to tell Cannon about the strange visit right away.
Exhausted from my day, I crawl into bed, thinking of how I must get Cannon to trade me back and let me sleep in his guest room. It’s not fair to him that I’ve taken over his bedroom. I’ve already taken over his life for goodness’ sake, his whole focus has become keeping me and Nonna safe.
How did that Mad Max Meralo get through the gates to talk to me tonight? An icy shiver travels down my spine and I push the thought of him away, thinking of something more pleasant. Cannon.
When Cannon walks in a room, he commands respect. When he speaks, everyone listens. When I’m with him, I feel safe.
There’s a knock on the bedroom door, dragging me from my thoughts.
I lean up from the bed. “Yes?”
Cannon’s voice warms me. “I thought you might like a little champagne to celebrate the end of your first week of work.”
Has it already been a week? How time flies. I don’t know if I like champagne. I’ve never had it, but I would like to spend some time with him. “Just a moment. I’ll be right out.”
“Take your time.”
I hop up from the bed, dressing in jeans and a hoodie. After tugging a brush through my hair and running a little gloss over my lips, I join him in his living room. He’s sitting on the couch, wearing all black as per usual, his legs spread wide.
On the glass table sit two champagne flutes and a bottle on ice.
“Here, sit,” he says, patting the open spot beside him on the couch.
“Thank you,” I say.
He leans forward, filling my glass with the bubbly liquid. “I think you’ll like it.”
I don’t usually drink, but I’m still shaken from the encounter with Max. “Thank you.” I take the glass from him, waiting to take a sip until he has his filled.
I should tell him.
No, it can wait.
I hold my glass up, clinking it against his. “Cheers. To surviving the first week.”
“Cheers to slaying the first week.” He tips his glass back, downing half the liquid in one gulp.
I do the same, the fizzy drink rushing down my throat. It’s delicious. I sip at the second half of the glass. I don’t know if it’s fatigue or the alcohol, but my mind feels languid, loose.
He holds the bottle up to me. “More?” he asks.
“Yes, please. Champagne is tasty.” I sip the second glass more slowly. “I’ve never had champagne before. I like it.”
“You’ve had a lot of firsts this week, babygirl.” He’s staring down into his glass, twirling the stem between his fingertips.
A blush rises in my cheeks at the sound of the pet name, a reminder of our evening together. I think of my other firsts, playing in the playrooms, wearing a French maid costume to work.
I smile. “Yes. I have. And tomorrow night, I’ll have another.”
“Oh?” he says. “What’s that?”
