Mortified heat bloomed in Cherry’s face, turning her cheeks bright red.
Yvette shook a finger at him. “You have a bad habit of showing up at inopportune times.”
“And here I thought my timing was perfect when I found you at the local po—”
“Armie!”
Grinning, he relented. Oh, he’d tease her about the p**n store from now until eternity, might even buy her a few p**n os for her birthday, but in front of others he’d curb it.
He liked to tease, but he didn’t really want to embarrass her.
“Next thing,” Armie teased, taking a different route, “you’ll be telling me size does matter.”
Regaining her aplomb, Cherry slowly rose from her seat. “Oh, I dunno. Like with boobs, bigger is better.” She put her shoulders back, which made Armie’s attention drop to her chest. “But I say it’s more about how you use it.”
“Yeah? Tell me more, and don’t leave out any details.”
With a strained smile, Yvette pushed back her chair and stood. “I’m going to see if Cannon needs any help.”
So the casual flirting bothered her? Armie watched her leave the kitchen, unsure what he could say to put her more at ease.
He turned back to Cherry. “You want to see a fighter’s physique up close and personal, huh?”
She faltered, her teasing used up. “Just how long were you snooping?”
“Long enough to hear about your curiosity. And I have a solution.” Just to unsettle her, he touched the snap on his jeans.
Her reaction was priceless.
He couldn’t wait to tell Denver about it.
“Relax.” Touching her chin to close her mouth, he said, “I’m not planning to strip for you.”
“Wow.” She went limp with relief, but said, “Truthfully, I’m a little disappointed.”
“Don’t be.” Cherry had wit, he’d give her that. Wit and guts, blond hair, big brown eyes and definitely a nice rack. No wonder Denver was smitten. “I have it on good authority that Denver would happily give you a show—and he’s the best-hung one in the bunch.” He winked and headed out.
Leaving Ms. Cherry Peyton speechless behind him.
When he glanced back, he saw her drop into her seat, eyes closed, one hand on her chest, the other fanning her face.
If she took the bait, Denver would owe him big time.
* * *
OVERALL, YVETTE FELT like the day had gotten back on track.
She liked Cannon’s sister a lot. Not once did Rissy bring up the past, though of course she was aware of everything that had happened. Her brother had played a major role in her rescue after all. But Rissy was warm and welcoming, focused on the present instead of the past and openly anxious to get to know Yvette all over again.
They talked mostly about fighting. Cannon’s sister knew nearly as much about it as Cannon himself. And since Yvette understood quite a bit, she’d enjoyed every word.
Amid his protests, Rissy gave insight into Cannon’s home life. Though they’d all been laughing, Yvette had to admit he seemed like the quintessential big brother. Capable and protective and loving.
They’d all agreed to get together again soon.
After Armie took them to get her car, they headed to the rec center.
Along the way, Cannon seemed distracted, alternately watching the road and...touching her. Her hand, her knee.
Other, more tantalizing places.
He was attentive to her, but not as focused as usual.
She understood that he was concerned about the damage to his truck, and she prayed that Heath hadn’t had anything to do with it. When she’d mentioned paying for the damage, just in case, Cannon flatly refused, then changed the subject.
“Did you enjoy yourself?”
“Your sister is terrific.”
He smiled. “Yeah.”
“I like Cherry, too.”
“Apparently everyone does, especially Denver.”
It’d be nice to have some girlfriends. “The three of us might go shopping later in the week.”
“Sounds good.” He checked the rearview mirror again, then said, “We could invite everyone over one night, too, if you want.”
Their own little party. “I’d enjoy that.” In so many subtle ways, Cannon made her feel a part of his life.
He pulled up in front of the rec center. “We’ll be here for a while. If you get bored or need to leave, let me know first, okay?”
“I won’t.” Then she rethought that. “As long as I’m not in the way...”
Leaning over, Cannon caught her nape and pulled her in for a lingering kiss. “You won’t be.”
On his way in, Stack knocked on the driver’s window. “Get a room.”
Grinning, Cannon said, “Ignore him. He’s green with envy.”
After they went in, Yvette put up with some teasing, but it was all good-natured and she didn’t mind at all.
The guys were all so different in some ways, but so very much alike in others.
They enjoyed trying to make her blush.
As Cannon had said, they were at the rec center through dinner. Yvette relished getting to know more about Cannon’s world. He was great with the kids. All the guys were, but Cannon was the best-known fighter there and the boys idolized him.
The crowd changed in the late afternoon, with older boys coming in, more men who paid for training, a few women. Cannon stayed busy with individual coaching first, then by leading a class. In between that he talked with fans, took photos, signed a few autographs and checked with her often, no matter how many times she assured him she was fine.