CHAPTER 7

HANNAH

The next hour of our journey to town was spent with me laughing. Miah was hilarious, and Anton didn’t seem to mind when Miah gently teased me into laughter. I was comfortable and feeling safe sat between the two of them. While I’d initially started off by plastering myself tight against Anton, the farther we drove, the more I relaxed. Anton’s hand never left my thigh other than to change the gear.

The road got busier and busier the closer we got to town and Anton sat up straighter, more alert than he had been the whole drive. It was coming up for about three in the afternoon when we arrived in the centre of town. I’d never been to this town as I’d predominantly lived in the city. Looking around with interest at the different stores, the planters of colourful flowers on the verandas of the shop fronts. We drove past what I knew was Annie’s shop, then past a bakery. We continued to head farther into town until we’d passed most of the shops and headed into what almost looked like a swanky industrial area. The buildings looked more like warehouses with external metal beams, most were painted a bright white, but some had gorgeous murals taking up entire walls. All had bright planters of flowers outside.

Anton pointed out a building at the end of the row, also painted white but with a huge blue sign made of lights on the one wall; the name spelled out Howlers. “That’s the twin’s Ava and Marie’s nightclub, they bought it last year. We’ll be staying at their hotel tonight.”

“Wow,” I said, a little in awe. From what I understood, they weren’t much older than me and they’d already accomplished so much. It made me feel a little intimidated.

“Yeah, we’re pretty proud of them,” Anton continued. “They’ve worked hard to get to where they are. I think it was an incentive to get out of their home. Although now that their father is no longer welcome on the farm, they don’t mind being home as much.”

I’d heard bits and pieces about the Moores’ father. You can’t have been in the company of Annie, Lottie, and Julie without it being brought up because it was the start of Lottie and Kyle’s mating. Her father had hurt her badly and Kyle had lost it.

“Will Ava and Marie be at the hotel, then?” I enquired a little hesitantly.

Anton shook his head in the negative before replying, “They are finishing up the last of their exams as well as opening up another nightclub in the city. They’ll be back in the next couple of weeks or so. Their older sister Renee is overseeing things while they are away, although they do have great managers. You’ll meet Renee this afternoon, she’s going to meet us at the hotel.”

“Okay.” Although I could already feel the ball of dread at meeting new people settle in my gut. I must have made a noise because Anton picked up my hand and lifted it to his mouth, where he pressed a kiss to the palm. “It will be okay, baby girl. Renee is one of the best females I know. You have nothing to worry about with her, I promise.”

Curling my hand around his, I tried to relax as we pulled up into a circular drive in front of the hotel and stopped just short of the wide steps leading up to a veranda all painted in cream, the wrought iron trellis surrounding the veranda had beautiful pink and purple bougainvillea growing up them entwining its way up to the first floor of the hotel. It was breathtakingly beautiful.

I was aware of Miah getting out of the car and then Anton, but I was still sitting awestruck at the beauty of this building. Jolting slightly as Anton spoke to me, pulling my attention back to him.

“Mmh,” I replied, my eyes trying to take in all the sights, including the glimpse I’d had of a pool in the distance. Just then, a peacock let out a cry. “Oh wow, Anton, this place is beautiful.”

Anton grinned, his eyes crinkling up in the corners in his amusement. “Yes, it is, baby girl, but you’ll see it better out of the car. Plus, I think George wants to go and park it.”

A blush of embarrassment heated my cheeks, “Oh, sorry. I’ll get out now.”

Hurriedly I started to clamber out of the vehicle, only to have Anton stop me and swing me up in his arms, making me squeal in surprise as he laughed and ran up the steps with me in his arms. He stopped when we got to the top and I came eye to eye with a beautiful red-haired woman with familiar green eyes and a bright grin of welcome on her face.

“Hello, Hannah, it’s lovely to see you,” Renee said with a kind smile.

I couldn’t help but return her smile; she exuded kindness and sympathy. “Hi, you must be Renee. You and Lottie have the same eyes and smile.”

“That I am for my sins,” she grinned at me, looking me over as I lay back, relaxed in Anton’s arms. I’d wrapped an arm around his neck and was quite comfortable. My mate was strong. He hardly seemed to feel my weight.

“Let’s go and get you checked in, shall we,” she motioned to where the rest of our group were standing at the reception desk.

Anton started walking forward at her words with me still in his arms, allowing me to look around with interest, taking in the dark mahogany furniture and brightly coloured cushions set off by the dark parquet floor. Big urns filled with ferns, and delicious monsters were interspersed with vases of bright gerbera daisies and roses.

“Do you want a tour of the hotel? I’ve put a few items of clothing in your room for you to try on as per Anton’s instructions. Hopefully, you will find something suitable for your trip away to the falls,” Renee continued to talk as we arrived at the reception desk.

Tapping Anton’s arm to let me down. Once I was back on my feet, I turned to Renee, who I found was just a little taller than me.

“Yes, please to the tour,” I smiled at her. “I have no idea what you mean about clothing, but thank you, I’m sure they will be fine.”

Turning to Anton, I pressed a kiss to his cheek. It really was handy when your mate was the same height as you. “I’ll catch up with you later. Enjoy some time with the others; Renee’s going to show me around.”

His dark eyes searched my gaze in concern, but whatever he found there reassured him and he smiled before flicking his eyes at Renee, who rolled hers at him with a grin and flicked his ear with her finger.

“She’ll be fine, I promise, and I’ll have her back here for tea in an hour, then I’ll take you to your rooms.” With that comment, she tucked my arm in hers and took me on a tour of the hotel, introducing me to staff who she knew by name as well as some of the guests as we walked around.

I’d never felt this comfortable with another female other than Julie and Annie in what seemed to be forever. I smiled as I listened to her tell me about her younger sisters and how proud she was of them. How happy she was that Lottie, Julie, and Amy would be making her an aunt soon. I spent a wonderful hour in the company of a beautiful female that kept me calm all the time she was showing me around. There was something very special about her.