Page 27 of Poker
“Is that a bad thing?”
“No, not bad, just…”
“Just what?”
“Isn’t this a little fast?” she asks.
“Does that bother you?” I counter.
“No, but I figured it would bother you.”
“Why would it bother me?”
She laughs, but there’s no humor in it. “Because you’re this badass biker who could have any woman he wants. Hell, I’ve seen you with beautiful women at the bar. I don’t know why you want to settle for me.”
Meri is not a woman who shows vulnerability. She always projects confidence, so her statement takes me by surprise.
“First, I don’t wantany woman.I want you,” I tell her honestly. “Second, any other female’s beauty pales in comparison to yours, whether you’re in one of your sexy green dresses or sweats or a flour sack. And third, I’m not settling. You’re so far out of my league it’s insane, but I’m not about to look a gift horse in the mouth.” I give her a quick peck. “Now, wanna see some dogs?”
She nods with a small smile.
We hang out at the shelter until it’s time to leave for the elementary school. I’ve spent the last hour and a half watching Meri’s excitement with each new dog Jinny introduced her to, listening to her laughter at all the canine antics.
“Why do I have a feeling you’ll be back to pick out a new fur baby?” I tease her as I help her onto my bike.
“Oh, I’m so coming back. Chaos, that Great Dane, was so damn cute. I need him in my life.”
“He was pretty cute,” I admit.
The ride to the elementary school only takes five minutes, and after parking, Meri looks at me with confusion.
“Uh, why are we at a school?”
“It’s the fifth-grade graduation,” I explain. “The club needs to show their support because we were invited due to our donation.”
“More donations made possible by Mistress Green?” she asks.
“Exactly.”
Meri smiles at me, and it’s blinding in the most stunning way. “Thank you.”
“For what?”
“Showing me this. It means a lot.”
I shrug. “Better get used to it, babe. You’re mine now which means you’re a part of this world.”
The rest of the evening goes by in a blur. Graduation goes off without a hitch, but I barely remember any of it because of the woman at my side. Just being near her is like standing in the presence of something all powerful. She’s burrowed her way into my heart, and I’ll be damned if I ever let her go.
It’s a few hours later that I drop her off at her house.
“I had fun today,” she says as I walk her to her door.
“Me too.”
“Wanna come in for a bit?”
“Do I want to? Absofuckinglutely. But I can’t.”
