Page 25 of Widow Mayker

My stomach was full, and I was full off the day’s events. Letting my guard down like this was so dangerous. Yet, this came too naturally. His chest rumbled against my back at something else his brothers said. Their relationship reminded me so much of home. Maybe that was why it was so easy to close my eyes and trust the man whose arms I was in.

Several hours later, Von and I retired to the cabin we would be sharing. While I scanned the interior of the one-bedroom, one-bathroom, full kitchen and living room cabin, he brought our luggage inside. He didn’t interrupt my eyes from dancing over the fireplace, the expensive paintings on the walls, and the equally expensive fixtures inside the kitchen as he went into the bathroom. I heard water running and decided to go in the bathroom to see what Von was doing.

I gasped at the large claw-foot tub inside the state-of-the-art bathroom.

“This is gorgeous!” I gushed. “The whole cabin is amazing. How did your family find this place?”

As Von filled the tub with water, he grinned. “Would you believe it if I told you that my family owns this land?”

My eyes widened in surprise.

“Right.” He chuckled. “Welcome to Gunner Cove, baby. Hop in the tub, and I’ll explain how my family came to own this property.”

He dipped his fingers in the water, then added something that smelled divine before dropping a kiss on my forehead and moving to leave the bathroom. He softly closed the door behind himself.

Sighing heavily, I did a small perusal of the bathroom and with a relaxed smile started undressing. Just as I dipped my toes into the bubbly scented water, there was a soft knock at the door. Sinking my body below the bubbles, I called out to Von. He cracked the door open and peeped inside.

“Is it safe for me to come back inside?” he questioned. I loved that he respected me enough to ask.

“Sure,” I replied.

He walked in and let the water run for a little longer before shutting it off. Water nearly reached the brim of the large tub. He handed me a loofah and soap, then positioned himself on the floor until his back rested against the tub. He rested his arms on his knees and recounted how the Gunner family came to own Gunner Cove. As I bathed, I remained enthralled by his family’s story.

It turned out that the Bells weren’t the only family with wealth and a healthy backstory. Von’s family had history that spanned generations. Listening to him recall all the facts he knew about his family was admirable. I knew nothing about the families I stemmed from. Not the Storms nor my mother’s family. The Bells were all I knew.

Later that same evening, after Von showered, we cuddled into bed together. The minute he cut the lights out, I removed my hat and placed it on the nightstand like it was my weapon. Von brought me closer in his arms, kissed my forehead, and held me as we slept.

KODY

Something like a knife sliced up my chest at the sight of Heir being seated across the restaurant with some bum-ass nigga. On the outside, I was cool. On the inside, I was a raging storm ready to shower hail and fire all over this fucking restaurant. Just last week, she wanted to give me her body and now she was in another nigga’s face.

You rejected her. Shit, I had to. Things were quiet between me and the Bells. Fucking with Heir would regurgitate a rivalry that was better left dead. As I peered across the low-lit restaurant, the side of Heir’s face should’ve caught on fire by now. I was staring hard as shit, and her ass hadn’t noticed me once. She must’ve felt me because she glanced around like she felt something off. I was in the shadows, though, so she didn’t spot me.

Discreetly, Kim tapped my hand, breaking me out of the trance of watching Heir’s lips move. Kim, along with Larry and his business partner, were looking at me. For the past hour and a half, Larry had been trying to convince me of a business merger. While money was to be made, I didn’t need Larry’s money. I was a billionaire and off the back of my own family’s hard work. There wasn’t an amount of money on this earth that would make me share anything with another muthafucka.

“We think a merger would be the greatest move for K. M. Wine & Spirits,” Larry said.

Tilting my head, I bit back a smirk. “You invited me to hear what you had to say, and I’m still not sold on doing business with you. As I stated earlier in the conversation, there’s nothing Fire Ridge can do for me or my company.”

Kim cleared her throat. “Thank you for considering a merger. However, you’ve failed to tell us why a merger is necessary. We’re doing well standing on our own.”

I tuned out again, finding myself back to staring at Heir. She was smiling at something ol’ boy said. I grit my back teeth, ready to rip her fucking teeth out.

“The offer stands. If you change your mind, you know where to find us,” Larry continued. I barely noticed him and his partner leaving the table. Kim waved her hand in front of my face, breaking my view of Heir.

“Stop it,” I drawled and still didn’t break my gaze away from the couple.

“No, you stop it. Why the hell are you staring so hard at Heir Bell?” she questioned. “You barely paid attention to the meeting.”

“I was paying attention,” I stated. I didn’t miss shit Larry or his partner said.

Kim clicked her teeth, briefly gaining my attention. She was irritated again, which bothered me. “What’s up wit’ you? Either be honest, or I’ma pay a visit to Chris.” Threatening her was the only way to get her to comply.

“For your nosey information, I broke things off with him this morning.”

“Why?”

“Why not? I don’t need a grand reason to drop a nigga. I wasn’t feeling him anymore. Things are as simple as that.”