A Midsummer's Caress

Chapter 7

Harlow woke up the next morning and felt strange. There was a tattooed arm under her head, a tattooed arm around her waist, someone breathing into her neck, and a large body spooned up behind her. Their right hands were intertwined and resting on her belly. Before she even had the chance to detangle herself from his embrace, she heard a low voice behind her say, "Morning, Baby Doll." She had to smile as she turned around to face him. He cupped her face in his hand and leaned down to press his lips to hers. She sighed happily into their kiss making him smile to himself. His growing problem was very evident so he stopped himself before going too far. Besides, he wanted to have a serious discussion with her.

"Baby Doll, do you remember what I told you about 'ol ladies?" He asked.

"Yes." She replied.

"Well, I know we haven't known one another that long but...I'd really like it if you'd become my 'ol lady. I can help you with bills and help take care of the baby. I'll even adopt it if you want me to." He told her, heart hammering in his chest about her reply.

"You're that serious about me?" Her eyes widened.

"I told you being pregnant didn't scare me. Yes, I am that serious. You're everything I've ever looked for in a partner. And I swear I won't touch the whores at the clubhouse." He stated, "But you'd have to get my crow. Happy will do the tattoo himself since he's the club's unofficial official tattoo artist. He's got years of experience and has tattooed almost every guy at the club and even up in the Tacoma charter."

"This is a lot to think over, Rane." She replied.

"I know. I just don't want another man touching you and it would be an honor to help you raise this baby. Our baby." He ran his hand over her stomach making her blush.

"Can I think about this?" She asked.

"Of course. Take all the time you need." He said before kissing her forehead.

"Thank you. I should get up and get to making breakfast." She stated.

"I'll make the coffee while you get a shower." He replied.

He leaned over and kissed her one last time before she untangled herself from him and slid out of bed. Watching her walk into the bathroom and shut the door, he laid back and sighed. He'd hope she would say yes to becoming his 'ol lady. He didn't want that jerk of an ex of hers coming back around wanting to take her child away from her or something stupid like that. He wanted to make them permanent even if he had to adopt her child to do it. She was shocked that he felt so strongly about her that he wanted her to basically be his wife. That's the way she understood what an 'ol lady was. Could she handle the lifestyle he lived? The danger of being with an outlaw? Sure, she loved getting to spend time with him but did she care enough about him at this stage to agree to being his wife? Basically? They'd only known one another less than a week but have spent every single day together since they met.

She showered quicky, almost autonomously, as she thought about what Quinn had asked her. Could she handle seeing him in jail? Could she keep the secrets the club had? Did she want to know their secrets? Could she really handle him coming home all bloody and beat up like he'd described one evening? She sighed as she got dressed. It was such a hard decision to make. Quinn was waiting on her bed to take a shower and told her he'd already got the coffee to making. She thanked him before leaving the bedroom to start on breakfast. She was wanting pancakes and bacon that morning so she got out the ingredients to make breakfast. If she did become his 'ol lady, he'd want to move into her house. Could she really handle having him around all the time? She loved getting to be with him when he was there already. He stated he wanted to step up and be there for her and her baby. Would he truly take care of them? What would he do if her ex came around wanting to finally be in her child's life?