Cannon (Carolina Reapers 5)

I stifled a laugh at how she’d twisted our first encounter, and managed a nod. “True. And once she fell for me, I couldn’t resist her.”

Tanya’s jaw dropped. “You’re really, honestly married. The two of you.” She glanced between us.

“They are. I was there,” Sterling assured her. “It was a beautiful, impulsive, almost drunk-on-joy ceremony, and I was the best man.”

I turned my head slowly to raise my eyebrows at him. “You are not the best man.”

“I feel like there’s room for negotiation.”

“A nice little girl like you ended up with…Cannon Price. Oh honey, do you know what you’ve gotten yourself into?” Tanya’s voice dripped with fake sympathy.

If Persephone was right, and women gossiped about the bedroom habits of men, then I had no doubt she’d heard some of those stories back in Detroit, when I hadn’t been selective about the women I’d taken to bed.

“Oh, I know exactly what I’ve gotten myself into. Don’t you worry.” Persephone scrunched her nose in a way that told me she was geared up for battle, southern belle style.

“Was it the money?” Tanya questioned. “Or the sex?”

My eyes narrowed.

“Absolutely not! I have more money than I’ll ever be able to spend in a lifetime, bless your little heart.” Persephone smiled at Tanya and rested her hand just above her breasts. “I honestly can’t tell you why I decided to marry him. That’s all a blur, really. But my God, did I win the husband jackpot or what? I mean, I absolutely adore everything about the man, and he’s just the most loyal, protective, sweetest, most attentive husband a girl could ask for, but I have to admit, that dick sure is a great bonus!”

Tanya’s jaw dropped.

Sterling sputtered.

I flat-out laughed. “And on that note, I’m afraid we have to be going.” I scooped up Persephone and hoisted her over the shoulder that wasn’t carrying my bag, then splayed my hand over her ass to steady her as I turned around to head back down the hall.

“I hope you have a lovely trip!” Persephone called back at Tanya.

“I should spank you,” I muttered up at my wife, still grinning from ear to ear.

“Mmmm….yes, please.” A passing mirror showed that she was wiggling her fingers in goodbye at Tanya as we walked away.

My little kitten had out her tigress claws.

“You are so fucking hardcore,” Sterling said up at my wife.

“A girl’s gotta mark her territory,” she answered. “Now, you might have to move a little faster, Cannon, or we’ll miss our dinner reservations.”

“We have dinner reservations?” I cringed. All I wanted to do was get my wife alone.

“At the most exclusive spot in town,” she assured me.

“Sounds perfect,” I lied.

An hour later, I pulled onto a stretch of road that had been marked as private property, following the directions of my wife.

“Turn here,” she instructed as the grass became taller and the terrain unmistakably sandy. I did as she instructed, then parked where the pavement ended. We met in front of the Hummer, and she took my hand, a gesture that had become so normal I’d almost forgotten what it was like to not hold her hand.

She led me down a sandy path, and I was glad I’d ditched my suit coat in the car since she still wore her jeans and jersey. Where the fuck was this restaurant?

We crested the small dune, and the Atlantic appeared before us in all her evening glory. On the stretch of beach in front of us, there was a small gazebo with a table and chairs.

“What did you do?” I asked Persephone softly.

She gave me an impish smile. “Follow me.”

We made our way down the dune and across the sand as a woman emerged from the gazebo.

“It’s all as you requested, Miss Van—” She shook her head. “Mrs. Price.”

“Thank you so very much, Patricia. I’ve got it from here.”

“Of course. You two enjoy your evening.” The woman headed up the beach, leaving us alone as we walked up the wooden steps.

“Okay, so what is all this, and where is she going?” I asked.

“My family owns a beach house up that way. Don’t stress,” Persephone assured me.

I took in the table, the silver covers over the dishes, the iced bottle that sat perched near the edge of the table, and the small chocolate cake that rested between the plates.

“Persephone,” I whispered, utterly speechless.

“Happy Birthday, Cannon.” She rose on her toes and brushed a kiss across my mouth. “I figured you weren’t one for parties if you didn’t even mention that today was your birthday, so this seemed a little more your style.”

I wrapped my arms around her and pulled her close. “How did you know?”

“Lillian,” she answered with a smile. “Do you like it? If not, I’m sure we can call your friends—”

I kissed her soundly, savoring the brush of our tongues, and her soft sigh.