Tonight is our first official date. Cannon picks me up in his sporty black BMW. The interior is black-and-white, and it instantly reminds me of Veil.
The function is downtown at the old hotel near the college. Cannon hooks an arm around my waist and leads me over to a man who literally takes my breath away.
“Don’t worry,” Cannon whispers close to my ear. “He gets that reaction a lot.”
“He’s just…. I have no words.” I turn to look at him. “I mean, he’s attractive, but you’re the one I want.”
“Thanks for the reassurance,” he says with a chuckle.
“Who’s the pretty blonde? Wife or girlfriend?”
“Daughter.”
“Seriously?”
“Ryan—Lexi,” Cannon greets as we approach. “This is Makayla. Makayla, this is my cousin, Ryan, and his daughter, Lexi.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Makayla.”
“Uh… you, too,” I squeak.
“I love your dress,” Lexi says.
“Thank you.” I smile, smoothing a hand over the emerald-green gown Cannon bought for me.
“Where’s Heather?” Lexi asks. “I haven’t seen her in forever.”
“She’ll be here,” Cannon tells her before turning his attention to Ryan. “Where’s your date?”
Ryan curls an around Lexi’s shoulders. “Right here.”
“Where are the restrooms?” I ask.
“I’ll show you,” Lexi offers.
“Thanks.” I turn to Cannon. “I’ll be right back.”
As Lexi and I make our way to the bathroom, she asks, “How long have you been dating Cannon?”
I decide it’s best to keep our tryst at Veil under wraps, so I reply with “It’s still pretty new.”
“I haven’t seen Cannon with a girlfriend in years. I think the last woman he dated was Desiree.”
What the fuck? It’s like a sucker punch to the gut, but I keep the smile pasted on my face. “I’ve never met her,” I lie.
On the way back, I’m looking at Lexi as she tells me all about her boyfriend and wind up slamming into a hard body. “Oh. I’m so sorry.”
A pair of hands grips my upper arms to steady me. “You should watch where you’re going, kitten.”
I jerk my gaze up and lock eyes with Victor. “What are you doing here?”
“I’m here for the same reason you are. Charity.” His eyes rake over me, and he grins. “You look beautiful, Makayla.”
“Thank you.”
His gaze flicks briefly to Lexi, then back to me. “You’re here with Cannon.”
It’s not a question, but I answer anyway. “Yes. And you’re here with….” I don’t say Desiree since I just told Lexi I’d never met her.
He smirks and lowers his head. “I’m here alone.”
“Ah.” I nod, pressing my lips together. “Well, I should get back to Cannon. Take care, Victor.” I step around him and hurry back to the ballroom where Cannon is waiting.
“You okay?” Cannon asks as he parks at the curb and shuts off the car.
“Yep,” I clip out, shoving the passenger door open and slamming it shut.
“Makayla,” he calls out, but I ignore him as I hurry to unlock the gate, then practically sprint to the door.
Cannon’s dress shoes slap against the pavement as he chases after me. I don’t bother waiting for the elevator, instead making a sharp left and taking the stairs two at a time in four-inch heels. Go me.
“Makayla, stop running.”
Just as I slide the key into the lock, I feel Cannon at my back. “What the fuck?”
I throw my elbow back, jabbing him in the stomach. “You didn’t tell me Desiree is your ex,” I grit through clenched teeth, shoving open the front door, stepping inside, and tossing my clutch on the table.
“That was a long fucking time ago,” he barks as he follows me inside, kicking the door shut with his foot.
He reaches out and spins me around before pressing me up against the door. My heart is pounding as he kisses my cheeks, my jaw, and my neck. My hands go to work on his belt, then undo his pants. He shoves my dress to my waist, then slides one hand around me, bringing my leg to curl around his waist. As if he can’t wait another second, he shoves my panties to the side and thrusts inside me.
His mouth covers mine, swallowing my screams as he fucks me without apology. Claiming what belongs to him.
“Cannon,” I pant. “I need more.”
He carries me down the hall to my bedroom, laying me down on the bed before pulling me so my ass is hanging off the edge, then slams into me hard as I claw at him angrily, tearing at his clothes. My throat is hoarse from crying out with every thrust. He pounds into me over and over, hitting me in that spot that shoots fire through my limbs. A blaze rips right through me, and I swear I black out for a second.
Cannon’s grip on my hips tightens, and he groans, “Fuck, Makayla,” before coming deep inside me.
He rolls to his back, both of us panting as we struggle to catch our breath. “Desiree is not a threat to you. You’re the only woman I want.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
Makayla
I mindlessly pick at my Caesar salad. I’m eating at my desk because ever since word got out that I’m dating the boss, no one else wants to hang out with me. Cannon had a meeting off-site this afternoon, and Heather is having lunch with her boyfriend, so I’m stuck on my own.
“Makayla.” I lift my head to see Jane walking into my office, holding a familiar shiny black box wrapped with a red satin bow. “This just came for you.” She sets it on my desk.
I frown, confused. “Do you know where it came from?”
She shakes her head. “Some delivery guy dropped it off.”
“Thanks.”
She nods once with a tight smile and leaves my office, closing the door behind her.
Pushing my salad to the side, I stand and slide the box toward me. I remove the bow and lift the lid. Inside is a red silk scarf, matching red silk panties, and a note.
Meet me at Veil. I have a surprise
