Part 53 (2/2)

He had to give her time without pressuring her, and he would-as long as she didn't try to leave him again. Because if she did, he'd fight for her this time.

Sliding her fingers into his hair, she kissed his temple. ”Be warned.”

He lifted up to see her, took in her messy hair and swollen mouth and had to kiss her, and then kiss her again. ”Warned about what?”

”From now on, I'm going after what I want.”

He searched her face, unsure of her meaning.

Amused by his confusion, she tacked on, ”From you.”

”From me?” She wouldn't have to chase it down- he'd gladly give it.

Nodding slowly, pleasure teasing her lips, she whispered, ”From you. Over you and under you. With you.” She ate him up with her eyes and sighed. ”Just wanted you to know.”

He started to ask for details, but barking interrupted his intentions.

Warming him with her happiness, she asked, ”Ready?”

”No.” He rolled to his back, took a second to get his bearings, then sat up and found his boxers.

Giggling, Yvette pulled on a s.h.i.+rt and panties. ”At least he waited until we'd finished.”

They would never finish. More and more, he had the driving urge to tell her so, and the even worse need to hear her admit it.

Oblivious to his stormy thoughts, looking lighthearted and well loved, Yvette went to open the bedroom door.

Muggles, the midsize, muscular mutt they'd adopted the day after Whitaker died and Heath was arrested, came charging in. He acted as if it had been days instead of a few hours since he'd seen them.

According to the shelter, Muggles had been left outside on a chain to guard a trailer. His life hadn't been an easy one, until his owner had been arrested for making meth and Muggles had gone to the shelter, looking for a better-forever-home.

The day they'd met him, Muggles had s...o...b..red a little too much, bounded around with excess energy and loved Yvette on sight.

Every time Cannon petted him, the dog closed his eyes, licked his meaty chops and rumbled like a lion.

He liked that Muggles accompanied Yvette wherever she went, which would include the p.a.w.nshop. It'd be ready to open soon, and although-for now-the danger was over, Yvette had been threatened too many times for him to ever take her safety for granted.

Muggles was a complete sweetheart, but also a superior guard dog, which made him perfect. He got along great with the kids at the rec center, loved the other fighters and had a natural tendency to be vigilant.

Cannon had divided sentiments on the p.a.w.nshop. It had come together nicely, and Yvette loved it.

Since he loved her, and it made her happy, he wanted it to work. But eventually he'd have to head back to Harmony, Kentucky. Two or three times a year, he'd be there for extended periods to train with his camp.

When he left, he wanted Yvette with him, not tied down with responsibilities.

He watched her say to the dog, ”You want to go to the rec center with us? Do you? Do you, boy? Yes, you do. Such a good boy.”

Laughing, Cannon touched the top of her head.

Tipping up her chin, she peered at him. ”What's so funny?”

”You talking baby talk to Muggles.” And the fact that even that turned him on. ”Think he'll let us shower together?”

”Of course he will.” She held the dog's face. ”Muggles is a good boy, aren't you, Muggles?”

Blissful over the attention, Muggles wiggled and jiggled his strong, squat body everywhere. ”Keep that up,” Cannon warned her, ”and he's going to pee on you.”

Muggles did follow them into the bathroom, but he rested on the rug outside the tub and snored while they showered. As long as he could be close to Yvette, he was happy.

Since he felt the same, Cannon sympathized.

Within an hour they were on their way to the rec center. Armie's tournament was happening soon, and though he'd ended up with st.i.tches in his b.u.t.t, it hadn't slowed down his training, or his determination to fight.

”Doubtful,” he'd said, ”that anyone plans to punch my a.s.s.”

Cannon knew better. Armie was as likely to receive a kick there as anywhere, but he also understood Armie's need to push through. Luckily the st.i.tches were out now, and he'd cleared his physical.

”Have I told you lately,” Yvette asked, ”how much I enjoy being at the rec center, watching you work with Armie and seeing everything you have going on in the community?”

Muggles gave him a look, then went back to staring out the window, his tongue lolling and his tail thumping.

The statement was out of the blue, making Cannon curious, but he said only, ”I'm glad.” She might not realize it yet, but she fit into every aspect of his world, and he into hers.

As he kept telling her, they were good together.

Maybe it was time to push her a little after all.

They'd get through the rest of today, and then tonight, when they were alone, after he'd given her another screaming climax, he'd tell her that he loved her.

Then they could start working on making a future together.

sweat built on Armie's shoulders as he continued to work the heavy bag.

Cannon stood off to the side, watching and deciding what to have him do next. When his cell rang, he pulled it from his pocket. ”h.e.l.lo?”

”Hey, stud.”

Vanity? Yvette's friend now called often enough that he'd come to recognize her husky voice. ”What's up, California?”

”Mmm, not much. Eating a banana split.”

He smiled. ”Is that code for something?” Vanity could be so outrageous, he was never quite sure of the things she said.

”Yeah. A banana, ice cream, whipped cream.” She made another ”mmm” sound. ”And a cherry on top.”

”So did you call me just to tell me that?” He turned the phone away from his mouth and told Armie, ”Break in two minutes.”

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