Chapter Seven

With some pep in my step

Cassandra

I never understood what other women meant when they said that an orgasm could do wonders for one's disposition. But I get it now.

I haven't been able to stop smiling since I walked out of Lucian's apartment. I slept like the dead and my mood is the best it has been in years. Yes, I said years. Before last night, I had only been with Darren, Tyler's dad, my ex-husband. Sex was just another thing we ticked off on our list of chores. It was mechanical. Darren also hated going down on me and he made it very clear so I never enjoyed it.

But what Lucian did last night was fantastic. I can't wait to do more with him. I mean, if a single oral orgasm has blown my only other sexual experience out of the water, I can't imagine what actual sex would be like.

Pushing the stroller down Main Street in Severn, I smile at my babbling son. The sun is shining and I just found a vacant premises that will be perfect for my veterinary practice. The estate agent is already drawing up the rental contract for me to sign. This day is already one of the best since moving here and it's not even noon yet.

A woman with bright red hair smiles at me where she stands on the sidewalk and I can't help but return the smile.

"Hi," she says as I approach.

"Hello."

"Are you new in town?" she asks. "Sorry, I'm a little forward. But it's a small town so I know most people."

I laugh at her explanation. "Yes. I moved here about a month ago."

She claps her hands before opening the glass store door behind her and yelling inside.

"Fresh meat!"

It only takes a moment for a short and curvy dark-haired woman to make her way outside.

"A baby!" she almost yells, bouncing in her excitement. "Can I hold him?"

I'm shocked and it must show on my face. Coming from the big city people are rarely friendly and never like this.

"Dude," the redhead admonishes. "Introduce yourself before you try to steal the woman's kid."

"This is Dana," a male voice I know too well says from behind me. "And the crazy one is Mercedes."

I look over my shoulder to see Lucian smiling down at my son

"This is Cassandra and her son Tyler," he explains to the other women.

"Whatever," Mercedes says impatiently. "We all know each other and it's great. Now give me the baby."

Lucian arches a brow in question and I nod. He leans around me to unbuckle Tyler before handing him over to what I would have thought was a crazy woman. A moment later she is gone, disappearing into the store.

Lucian places a hand on my lower back, leading me inside with Dana trailing behind us. Inside is a cacophony of colorful pictures. Some were drawn on paper, others painted on the wall, and even some photographs. I've never been inside a tattoo parlor but I am instantly curious about everything. Rock music plays softly in the background and I can't help but stare.

"Isn't he beautiful?" I hear Mercedes say to someone but I don't hear a reply.

A scowling man walks out of one of the back rooms and glares at all of us. He's a mountain of a man, covered in ink. But the family resemblance is clear. He looks like a younger version of Lucian.

"Who thought it was a good idea to let my woman hold a baby?" he asks, his deep voice filling the space. "Don't I already have enough dogs?"

"Sorry, she asked," I say softly, feeling a blush cover my face.

He studies me before his features soften. "You're new, so you didn't know."

"Didn't know?"

I'm confused as fuck. These people are a little much…

"Mercedes isn't allowed around babies because she gets all maternal and shit," Dana says making her way behind the counter. "And then she adopts another dog."

"You did this!" He accuses and points at Dana, who only chuckles.

"How many do you have?" I cut in, asking the big man. But he doesn't get a chance to answer.

Mercedes pops up beside him, smiling and cooing. Tyler is happy with all the attention because he laughs loudly.

"Ali only has one dog. The other four are mine," she says.

"My name is Alistair," he grumbles, smiling at my son over her shoulder before returning his sharp gaze to me. "Who are you?"

"Cassandra. And if you have that many animals I'm sure we'll be seeing more of each other."

"How so?" he asks with a frown.

"I'm opening a veterinarian practice a couple of doors down."