Page 21 of Cannon

My thighs clenched as I shifted in my chair.

“Where did you last work?”

“I’m not gonna lie to you. I just finished a five-year bid. But have some good references.”

And there it was. He was a convict. No thank you. Why am I lying to myself?

“Email them to me.”

“Aight. I can come tonight to see how your operation is set up.“

That quick? That confident? I hated how much that turned me on. I wanted to tell him no and to get out of my club.

“That works,” I said, smoothing my palms down the arms of my chair. “I’ll verify your references and then I’ll let you know if you should come tonight.”

His gaze lingered on me for a second too long. And I felt it. In my chest. In my stomach. Between my damn legs.

I stood. “Look, I have work to do.”

He got up too, slow and solid. Towering. His scent followed, wafting over me.

“You need anything,” he said, “I’m here.”

I nodded, eyes skimming down his frame before I caught myself. “I’m sure you are.”

He left without another word. The second he was gone, I dropped back into my chair and exhaled. My panties were wet.

What the hell is wrong with me?

It’s been almost five years, that’s what.

Still, I wasn’t that down bad. I had a business to run. A daughter to worry about. And now I might have a man like Cannon working under me.

I shook the thought from my head, but it didn’t go anywhere. It just simmered under the surface like the start of a fire.

He was gonna be a problem.

A beautiful, hard-bodied, firm-jawed problem.

And I wasn’t ready.

Chapter 8

Cannon

She was more beautiful than I had remembered but something was different about her today. She seemed sad and out of it. I wondered who had her feeling like that?

But it wasn’t my business. I just needed this gig to get by until I got my affairs in order. This gig was just to ensure that I could pay rent and not live in my sister’s house. I was determined to get my hands on that money Tyran and I squared away. And when I did, I would do right by Draya, giving her Tyran’s share.

But there was something about Queen that intrigued me. She had a tough exterior but I knew that she was hiding something beneath it.

I got back to Reese’s right before the boys came barreling through the front door after school. Their backpacks hit the floor first, then came the noise, laughing and yelling. I loved hearing their voices. It was a reminder that I was finally free.

I headed straight to the kitchen. Reese was already there, stirring a pot of something on the stove that smelled like garlic and comfort. Her eyes narrowed the second she saw me.

“Where were you last night?” she asked without looking up.

I leaned against the counter, arms folded. “Out.”