36. Chapter Thirty-One

Chapter Thirty-One

J esse slipped her boots on and then went out to the front room. Clara, Sprite, and Beth were watching the girls this afternoon while she and Cannon went on a bike ride. She'd gotten the all-clear at her doctor's appointment this morning. When they'd walked back in the door, Cannon had informed her he had babysitters for the girls, and they were going on a bike ride.

The last four weeks with the girls had been so busy. Some of the days were a blur, but she'd loved every minute of it. Especially watching Cannon become such a great dad to the girls. She was still breastfeeding both girls, but he was right there. He'd get up during the night, changing them and bringing them to her. He'd been especially focused on making sure her needs were taken care of. Last week, when he'd asked her if she was hungry at the four a.m. feeding and she'd said yes, he'd put together a little charcuterie board of the snacks she loved. She'd never call it that when he was around because she wasn't embarrassing him for doing something so sweet.

After the twentieth delivery package had arrived within three days of them coming home with the girls, she'd told him to stop. He wanted to make sure the girls had everything they needed. She'd pulled him close and placed her hands on his face and made sure he listened. The girls had the love of both of them, which is all they needed. If he kept ordering stuff, then they'd need to add an addition to the house. She chuckled at the tangent that had sent him off on. Did they need a bigger family room or play area for the girls? Considering they couldn't even roll over yet, she was pretty sure they were good.

Cannon was still attending weekly sessions with the therapist. They were helping, and Cannon could also call if he needed something spur of the moment.

"Now, I don't know if you'll like it, but I thought it fits you," Clara said, handing Cannon a wrapped package. Clara had mentioned she'd finished the sweater she'd crocheted for Cannon. Clara had been so secretive about it. Cannon unwrapped it slowly, not ripping the paper. He'd shared late at night that presents hadn't been a part of his childhood with his father. Jesse was going to make sure that Cannon had the best party for his next birthday, just because.

Cannon placed the paper beside him on the couch and slowly pulled the lid off the box. A grin spread across his face. Before he even pulled it out of the box, he slid an arm around Clara.

"I adore it. I might need lots of these so I can wear them every day when the girls are older."

Cannon pulled the sweater out and held it up to himself. "What do you think?"

Biker Girl Dad, Think twice before disrespecting my girls.

"I think you're right. You might need more of those when the girls are older, so we don't have to wash it every night. It's perfect, Clara. I wouldn't be surprised if you have some of the other dads wanting them too."

Clara's smile on her face was something Jesse loved seeing. Clara had become a part of their family, and Jesse couldn't imagine life without her. Clara was older than Jesse's mom would have been if she lived, but having Clara made it a little less sad. Her girls had a Nana that adored them.

"Let's go before we need to have you back," Cannon said.

"There's pumped milk in the refrigerator, so we're good."

"Go. Get away and have some time alone. Sprite and I will fight over sharing one of the girls because you can bet Clara is going to try to have one of the girls in her arms at all times," Beth grumbled.

Cannon grasped her hand and led her out the door. They put on their helmets and Cannon got on, then helped her. A text came through on her watch as she was settling behind him.

Remi: Code Pancakes, all MC & bail bonds mtg. Tomorrow 10 am

Jesse read it, then put it out of her mind. This time was her alone time with her man. He'd be her husband next Sunday. Cannon would have done it immediately, but she wanted to have a dress she looked good in.

He started the motorcycle, then patted her thigh, which was tucked close to him. They were using his backup bike, a gorgeous blue Harley Davidson Electra Glide limited edition. He'd decided not to replace his other bike until they could go shopping together.

Jesse held onto Cannon and let herself enjoy the ride. They rode the highways and roads around Bluff Creek for half an hour, even going by where Cannon had wrecked. Jesse hoped tomorrow was an update on what the MC had found out. Every time Cannon had checked with the sheriff's office, Kerwin had put him off. Now that Kerwin was gone, maybe there would be some headway made. Cannon headed back toward the compound but went to the backside and then pulled in by the snowplow barn. Last Christmas seemed so far away from how far they'd come. Cannon helped her off, then got off, taking off his helmet. Leaving their helmets on his bike, he slid his fingers through hers and led her to the door.

He turned toward her. "Last Christmas Eve, I was a total ass to you here. And then I had the best night of my life with you at your house. Since I can finally have the woman of my dreams and know she's mine forever, I thought we should replace a crappy memory with a good one in the place that started it all."

She nodded because her heart was too full. How did this man who'd been such an ass become the biggest cinnamon roll man she knew? But she already knew the answer. He just needed love to open up.

He didn't turn on the lights in the barn because it was obvious he'd already been here and now his questions this last week made sense. He'd asked her about one of her cowboy romances and did they do it in the hayloft. She'd mentioned she couldn't imagine trying to enjoy it with the hay poking everywhere.

There was an air mattress covered in a thick quilt with a couple of lanterns lit beside the area. He pulled a lock out of his pocket and slid it through the door's latch. Even if someone had a key, they wouldn't be able to get in. The snowplow was sitting over the hatch to the tunnels. He'd done everything to give them alone time.

He led her over by the mattress, then slid his hands into her hair, holding her face. Cannon's dark brown eyes glinted with emotion. His chest expanded with the breath he took. She loved him. He knew that. She wondered what was worrying him today.

"I know I usually share things from therapy in the dark. I'm sure I still will but it feels important to say this in the light where you can see my face. I know the difference now between making love and having sex. I didn't before. Today, I want to make love to the woman I love, who will become my wife this weekend."

His lips touched hers softly, then enticed her to open. She could feel his love coming through the kiss. His hand grazed her neck, then divested her of her top and then her bra. He lifted her up, and she wrapped her legs around his waist. He hadn't given any directions, so she was doing what felt right.

When he laid her down on the mattress, he kissed and nipped across her collarbone, then down her side as his hands fondled her breasts and nipples. She'd always been relatively flat chested but with breast feeding the girls, she had an ample handful. He did just enough to have her nipples peaking but not leaking all over. She didn't care because, knowing Cannon, he would have made that sexy too.

He backed away to untie her boots and slip them off with her socks. She unbuckled her jeans so Cannon could tug them down. Everything he did had her wanting him to skip to the finish.

Cannon paused after he had her jeans off and quickly pulled his shirt off, laying it by her clothes. Then quickly removing the rest of his clothes. When he stared into her eyes, wrapping his hand around his cock and giving himself a couple of tugs, she felt a rush of moisture between her legs. She ached for him. He tossed a condom on the bed beside her.

Cannon picked up her foot, kissing the arch, then running his lips slowly up the inside of her leg. Each touch causing her desire to build. When Cannon settled between her legs, she knew she wouldn't last. She twisted her hips, trying to get him closer.

"I mentioned I was making love to you. I'm not rushing this. You can squirm and beg all you want. We'll come together when I'm ready."

His warm breath, then the touch of his tongue, unleashed a maelstrom of need. His tongue and teeth waged an assault against her senses, sweeping her away until she was shaking in release. She might have even seen stars.

As she came down, she glanced at Cannon. His satisfied grin as he trailed kisses across her mound and up her abdomen had her grinning back.

"Pretty satisfied with yourself?" Jesse asked.

"I consider it a win if my woman screams my name as she comes."

"I didn't scream," Jesse protested.

"Oh, you may not remember but there was definitely screaming. But we're not arguing about it." He'd kissed up to her lips while they were talking. He'd notched himself at her entrance. He'd also somehow put the condom on. He'd definitely made her lose her senses if she missed that.

Cannon stared into her eyes again. She loved how he gave her his full attention.

"Forever and ever," he said.

She nodded. "Until the end of time."

Cannon took his time filling her, making her experience every second of his possession. Once he was all the way in, he paused to look at her. He cocked his eyebrow. Oh that eyebrow. It could mean so many things, but today was are you okay ?

She nodded and slid her legs around his hips, then grasped his biceps. Then he started a dance with their bodies that she looked forward to having forever with the man she loved. Did it mean so much more because of the hills and valleys they'd gone through? She didn't know, she just knew the man she loved was inside her. Then he hit that spot inside her multiple times and the wave that had been building broke over her. Cannon followed her immediately after yelling her name.

His heaviness on top of her and the smell of him was something she would never take for granted after almost losing him.

He lifted himself up a little and rolled to the side. Taking care of the condom, he tied it off and put it in a plastic bag. Then he pulled a wet washcloth from another bag and wiped between her legs and then himself. He scooted back over beside her and tugged her head to his shoulder.

She snuggled closer, sliding her hand to his chest. Maybe this should be their new date night. No children and no people bugging them. But then again, if they used it too much, someone else would see it, and it would become everyone's place. Maybe they'd just use it for anniversaries.

"I had a question about the wedding," Cannon whispered.

"Okay," Jesse replied.

"You know I don't have any love for my father after what he did. I don't care if my name continues. What would you think about me taking the Franks name when we marry? That way there would still be Franks sisters as the girls got older."

Jesse sat up and looked at Cannon lying beside her. "Is that why you had Franks on the girls' birth certificates? I thought they'd messed up but didn't want to upset you."

"Well, are you mad, or do you like it?"

Jess smiled, then leaned over and kissed Cannon. "I'm ecstatic. Do we have time for me to show you how happy I am?"

Cannon nodded, and Jesse nibbled his ear. Time to thank her soon-to-be husband.