We’re standing on opposite sides of the bed, my hands on my hips, his arms crossed over his chest, we’re both scowling. “Clara, seriously, I’m okay. This is all a part of my job. I’m safe normally, but sometimes you catch a stray bullet. I’ll be out of this sling in a week, two tops. It isn’t a big deal. I understand that it scares you, and I get that you’re worried, but it isn’t like I can do anything about it. I run the entire BOCG. I can’t just say ‘hey, sorry guys I have to step down, my girlfriend’s pissed.” He’s doing everything right, he’s recognizing my feelings, he’s promising to be careful, yet I don’t care right now.
“YES! Yes, Rowan Brady, that’s exactly what you should say. Rhett is calling you Daddy now. Does that not change things for you?! I’m supposed to look him in the eyes one day and say, ‘I’m sorry baby. I know your first dad beat us so we had to run away, and your Daddy now is perfect, treats us well, and helps me raise you without blinking an eye. But he was leading a FUCKING mafia Clan thing and now he’s dead.” I’m yelling now. I’d put money on his brothers being able to hear me downstairs but I’m too mad to give a single shit.
Rowan’s eyes soften, “You aren’t going to have to tell him that one day, I’m not going anywhere, I’m not leaving. Youwish you could get rid of me that easily.” The corner of his lip tips slightly. I’m well aware that he’s trying to push this under the rug, but I can’t do that. Throwing my hands up in exasperation I head for the door and throw over my shoulder.
“This isn’t funny to me, Rowan. Come find me when we can have a conversation where you take me seriously.”
Slamming the door behind me I rush down the stairs, through the living room, past five sets of watchful eyes and outside to the patio. Looking around for my escape I spot the hammock Rowan hung after I mentioned how cool having one would be. Climbing in and taking a few deep breaths I decide this is where I’ll have my pity party for a little while. After that I’ll go find Rowan and apologize. I was being dramatic, I’m well aware of that. He can’t help that his dad died and he had to step up. This was his job before he met me. I’m going to have to accept that, because I’d rather take my last breath than let that man go.
I’ve been out here no longer than five minutes when I hear the sliding glass door shut. I know it’s him, it’s like we’re magnets that have this pull to each other. So it’s no surprise to me when I feel him climb in carefully beside me. Yes, the hammock is a two person hammock. We’re typically attached at the hip, sue us. Deciding to beat him to the punch I turn to my side and find him doing the same, “I’m sorry, I overreacted. You didn’t have an option on doing this and it was unfair of me to say the things I did.” He leans forward and kisses my forehead before settling back in his spot.
“No, you’re right, I can’t guarantee something won’t happen to me out there. It’s dangerous, and I can’t control everything. What I can promise you though, is that I’ll always try my hardest to be safe and come home to you guys. Also, for aslong as myself and my brothers are alive this shit will never reach you and Rhett. You’ll always be safe with us. Even if I’m gone, they’re your brothers now too. Don’t get too used to that idea though. In my head we’re going out together at ninety eight in our rocking chairs on the front porch of our dream home. I love you, I’ve loved you since that first phone call. Hell, if we’re going to be honest I think I loved you the first time I laid eyes on you. I don’t care that your first instinct is to run. Baby, I’ll get out of this hammock and chase you until my last breath. I’m so in love with you I can’t see straight. Just in case you didn’t know, I’m a Daddy now. I take those duties very seriously, I love you both more than anyone’s ever loved anyone or anything before.”
Smiling and wiping my watery eyes, my eyes lock on his perfect green orbs, “That sounds like exactly how I’d love to go out. I love you too, Rowan Brady Byrne. I’m not running from this anymore. We’re yours, wholly and completely. I’m sorry I let my anger get the best of me.”
He leans in and whispers against my lips, “Don’t apologize for loving me as much as you do. Because that’s what that discussion boiled down to, Pretty Girl.” Then he seals his lips over mine, grabbing my ass and pulling me into him until I drape my leg over his hip. Groaning he breaks the kiss, “If we were here alone, I’d have you screaming my name in this hammock in no time. However, since my brothers are here and I’d really hate to have to dispose of all of them, we have to stop.” Giving him the most dramatic pout I can muster I pull myself up so I’m straddling his hips. Moving off of him I make sure to grind down on his already hard length before acting like it was unintentional and climb off the hammock. He faux whines, “Hey! Wait, come back! I changed my mind.”
Laughing as I head inside I call over my shoulder, “Nope, you made your choice. I’m going to shower this day off of me. See ya, Roe.”
I hear him jump up out of the hammock and I take off to our room laughing as I hear his footsteps. He’s chasing behind me and instead of fear I feel happy and content. I know I just said I was done running, but this is different. I’m running so he chases, not to get away. I’ll never run from him to get away again.
17
Chapter Seventeen
Rowan
Laying in bed with her watching some girlie movie she put on, my life has never been more content. She’s laying on my good side, her head on my chest as I’m playing with her hair while pretending to know what’s going on instead of thinking about how badly I want to fuck her. It doesn’t matter that my shoulder is on fire because I’m trying not to take those pills. I don’t care that I’ve got to take care of the fucking Bratva as soon as humanly possible, I don’t even care that I’ve got to take care of fuck face Preston. All I care about is putting my lips on hers and seeing how far she’ll let me take it. Deciding to try my luck because I’m nothing if not a go getter, I tilt her head up and press my lips to hers.
I’m surprised when she allows me to deepen it since she’s been so worried about me movingmy shoulder at all. My hand tangles in her hair pulling it just enough for her to hiss then whimper. My dick thickens in my sweatpants as I pull her impossibly closer. Clara slides her hand under my hoodie. Her delicate fingers exploring my abs and stomach make me flex and groan into her mouth. She moves her lips down my jaw line and starts on my neck. She’s biting then licking away the sting she leaves behind. Her fingers tease the waistband of my sweatpants and boxers. She’s teasing me and the wicked smirk she shoots me proves that she knows it. “You move, I stop. I’m serious Roe. Especially if you move your shoulder.”
“You know you’re trying to boss around the Captain of the Irish mob, right?”
She smirks at me, “No, I’m bossing around my boyfriend, who has to listen if he wants his dick in my mouth.”
I shift my hips on instinct because I need her pretty lips wrapped around my cock, I need it more than my next breath. “How about this, I won’t move enough to hurt my shoulder, but you’re delusional if you think you can have your mouth anywhere on me and I’m going to lay here like a statue.”
She thinks it over then nods in agreement, “Fine, but I’m keeping my eyes on yours, Mr. Byrne. At the first sign of pain I’m stopping.”
She barley has her sentence out before I’m rushing out, “Deal.”
I feel her fingers start moving across my Adonis belt, teasing as her nails drag. She’s going to kill me, I don’t know if I’ve ever been this hard in my life. She bites the side of neck one more time before she moves. Shifting my legs apart she kneels in between them, and hooks her fingers into my sweats and boxers at my hips and pulls down. She stops right above my erection and slowly leans down kissing and licking from myabs down to where my sweats stop. Her eyes are locked on mine just as she promised.
Reaching down, I thread my fingers into her hair, “Baby, stop teasing me.” I’m half groaning and I couldn’t care less that I sound like a little bitch.
She giggles, fucking giggles, at me. “Oh, is someone impatient?” her hand slides into my boxers and grips my base.
“Fuucckkk Clara, I know I said I wouldn’t move enough to hurt myself, but you’re about to make me into a liar.”
She pushes my sweats and boxers down to mid thigh before looking at me with a seductive grin, “Well, we wouldn’t want that now would we.”
I don’t get a chance to respond before the tip of my dick is touching the back of her throat and my hips shoot up. She pulls back and sucks on just the tip, I’m trying to let her take it at her own pace until she sucks me back down, her hand working my base as her mouth takes as much of me as she can, the whole time her eyes stay on my face.
“You’re so fucking beautiful. I wish you could see what I see right now. I’ve never laid eyes on anyone or anything as stunning in my life.” She moans around me and I have to use all my willpower not to come on the spot.
My hand tangles in her hair not forcing her to take more but guiding her at the perfect pace. “Just like that, baby. Keep going just like that. You’re such a good fucking girl.” She’s shifting to relieve the pressure I know is building between her thighs. She loves when I talk to her, and I can’t wait to convince her to sit on my face after this. I can feel my balls tighten up and my hips flex up again, “Baby, I’m going to come. I’m right there.”
She abruptly pulls off my me with an audible pop and shootsme the most devious smile, “Do not move, I’m so serious Rowan.” I’ll do whatever the fuck she tells me to do right now as long as she doesn’t stop.
