Butchered Beasts 1: Darren & EJ

Chapter 26

Darren POV

Hugging the woman I was head over heels, gone for, listening to her tell me that someone would love me and that I could be a dad if I worked hard, I couldn't help but feel hopeful, wishing with all that was inside me, that she was telling me she could love me. And I could be a stepfather, or father figure, in her kids' lives. I know it's wishful, but I promised myself I'd work hard. I promised myself that I'd do whatever I needed to make sure those kids wanted for nothing and that she was catered to like the queen she was.

I held onto her, tears spilling down my eyes. I was now also wishing that none of the guys would walk in and see me crying. I didn't want them to think I was a bitch. Only she would get to see this side of me. I slowly let her go, standing up to my full height. Her little hands reached up and wiped my tears.

"Please give me a chance to show you just how hard I can work for you. And those two little ones. Please. Six months. That's all I want. I'll prove it to all of you."

She smirked. "You can have six months. But we aren't going easy on you." I smiled, and my heart soared. "But," cutting my internal celebration short, "If something like this happens again, I need to know. If something is going on and you're struggling, let me help. I want a partner. Not a white knight to shield the fair lady." I nodded.

"Yes, milady," and picked up her hand, kissing it.

The next six months flew by. We went on lots of dates. Both one-on-one and family outings. We spent the holidays together. They've all met the club brothers. The guys are completely smitten with all three of them. Crew even said he was thankful for EJ's help in getting some of the drama with the whores cleared up. A few of them were getting a little out of hand with no First Lady or Lady VP.

I told her every day just how beautiful she was. I helped out with keeping an eye on the kids or helping with dinner some nights when she needed to study for a test or get homework done. She was so smart and dedicated to getting school finished. I hadn't told her I loved her or done more than kiss her. But holy fuck did I want to. It was practically erupting from me every damn day. I'd wanted to tell her I loved her from the moment I saw her standing there at the hood of her SUV, blonde mess of hair blowing across her face, taking my breath away. And I want to do so much more than kiss her on the lips. That finally happened once. For the first time.

Last week when she got her results for the nursing license test, she had to take. It was based on a pass/fail scale so there were only two ways it could go. I'd been playing with the kids in the living room while she went to her room to check her email again. It was any day we were supposed to be hearing the results. She started screaming and ran out to us playing on the floor. She was shouting 'I passed' over and over! She threw herself on top of me and kissed me.

She. Kissed me.

She kissed. Me.

It was still an awesome thought. We couldn't get too carried away because the kids were right fuckin' in front of us, but I'd take it.

Hopefully, we'll kiss again tonight. We'd just come home from dinner that I wanted to take her to, just us so I could properly congratulate her on graduating from nursing school and passing her licensing test and brag about how amazing she did. I wanted to be able to celebrate all her accomplishments with everyone but then have our own private party.

I had just pulled up to her house and opened her door. She held my hand as helped her out of my truck. She was smiling up at me. It was my favorite view in the whole world. It was still a little cold for April, so a ride on the back of my bike was out of the question. For now. But when the weather got warmer, I'd happily have her sit there.

The kids were with her parents for the night. She'd told me that bluntly at dinner.

"You can come in if you'd like."

She smiled at me, biting her plump lower lip, tempting me. She'd been hinting at doing something other than cuddling, holding hands, and kissing cheeks and foreheads. We were both obviously affected by the other. Her with all the hints she'd been dropping. Me with the massive tent in my pants I was left with after almost every date I had with her. Tonight was going to be another night of blue balls. But that's okay.

One more day.

I walked her to the side door, hand in hand. Making sure she made it safely, and the door was unlocked. As she turned towards me to say goodnight, I cupped her cheeks. She looked startled for a moment. I started to move my hands away from her cheeks, but both her hands clamped on top of mine, keeping them where they were. I smiled down at her. My eyes, I'm sure, had fucking hearts pouring out of them for this woman as we stood at her door, where the date ends. She looked up at me with the same eyes. The big doe eyes, filled with overflowing love. I looked at her lips, then back to her eyes. I lowered my head, my eyes staying on hers to make sure this was what she wanted. I paused the last second, wanting her to take the chance if she wanted this. As I blinked, I felt her whole body lean forward into mine.

We connected from our thighs all the way to our chests. I felt every peak and valley of her front pressed to me. I felt her fingers grip my shirt, pulling me against her body too. More so, I felt her lips pressed against mine. Once my brain started fucking working, I moved one hand to her back, pulling her closer, tangling the other one in her hair. I licked her lips, asking for access. She let out a little whimper of a moan, making her lips part just so. I forced my tongue in, exploring everything in her mouth. I wanted more. I knew I was being greedy, but I wanted more.

So much more.

Pulling back slightly, I rested my forehead against hers. We were both breathing heavily.

"I'll be back tomorrow," I panted out, smiling, still trying to catch my breath after she fucking stole it from me. The thievery. "After the kids are in bed. It will have officially been six months since I asked you for a chance tomorrow. I hope you have a decision for me."

I looked at her, those tiny hands gripping my shirt for dear life still. She smiled at me.

"I'll see you then." She leaned up and kissed my cheek. I pressed a kiss to her forehead, her most intimate spot to be kissed, and walked back to my truck once she was safely inside behind the locked door.

I wasn't sure how I was supposed to sleep after a kiss like that. And with a boner that was more of a kickstand now.

Tomorrow couldn't come soon enough. It's the six months I'd asked her to give me to prove that I loved her and could be great for her and the kids. I'm going to ask her to have a drink with me on the back patio. I want to make it as comfortable for her as possible. A no-pressure discussion. Even though I knew there would be some form of pressure, I didn't want to add to it.

It's gonna be a long ass fucking night.