Chapter Seven

***C.Rash***

I steal another heated glance at the woman who is putting away the groceries we picked up. It's been a handful of days since my life was turned upside-down by this woman. But I guess it takes something life-changing to make you realize your life before has been seriously lacking. Even if I repulsed sappy shit, it's not so sappy if it involves these two people.

And tossing ball with Joshua in the garden is very satisfying to say the least. To see that little dude smile because of something so damn simple as throwing a ball back and forth is making my heart tug.

I've even spent some time online ordering shit to make sure I have some presents for the both of them. Yeah, I'm up to my neck in jolly shit and I shamelessly admit I'm liking every damn second.

A prospect is coming by later tonight since I had everything shipped to the clubhouse. And even this little fact of me shopping for gifts says something about a change in things because most times I wing the whole Santa stuff. It's more like a necessity. Making sure I have some gift cards at the last second to give to my friends, but this is different.

This is my kid. Another thing I had to do; research stuff five-year-olds like and do. Because if I remember what I like to do compared to nowadays…let's just say times have changed. I climbed—and fell out of—trees, while now they have loads of technology to spice things up.

And the fact I cringed about choosing educational stuff over fun shit makes me aware I'm already leaning to the whole sensible parenting thing. But I guess that's good, right? Because the one thing I'm very sure of is the fact I'm here to stay. And ideally staying here with them in this house. But that would be too soon, too fast.

Though it's necessary, I'm staying here twenty-four-seven until this asshole—who is still tormenting her after all these years—is caught. And believe it or not, I'm grateful to be this close to them while living here but I'd rather have that asshole locked up or dead.

This because I can see the stress and fear slicing through her multiple times a day. She hides it well and I'm pretty sure Joshua is oblivious to his mother's worries, but I can tell and it needs to end.

Me and my brothers—either AF MC Ohio or Areion Fury MC—have been working hard to track down every single detail and information about this case and those involved we could find. Casey has been focusing on her former roommate. Everything smells fishy about this guy, and it's safe to say we think this is our guy. What we need now is evidence or to catch him red-handed.

I've installed cameras all over the place but nothing has happened since the first day I came here. If I had to voice my suspicions, I'd say the fucker is smart, laying low and is staking out the place. And I would try to set him up and leave the house to wait at a safe distance to catch him, but I'm not risking my son or Mags.

"Did you want to watch a Christmas movie with us?" Mags says and grabs two mugs. "Joshua wants hot cocoa with marshmallows. You?"

"As long as it involves those Christmas cookies you two made this morning, I'm in," I tell her and rub my belly.

Damn. I've been doing extra sit-ups and push-ups with all those extra calories, but it's hard to pass up the goodness these two can create in the kitchen.

She rolls her eyes. "Men. All they think about is their stomach."

"Hey," I snap, faking anger. "That's not all we think about."

Her eyes automatically slide down to the front of my jeans. Yeah. It's been too damn long since I've had sex and the best pussy I can remember was hers, and it's been too damn long since I've tasted it.

The thought makes me groan. "Yeah, you need to rephrase it as ‘Men are always hungry.' Because for sure as shit that's the damn truth."

My voice is husky as I lazily slide my gaze over her body. She might be wearing yoga pants and a long, thick sweater covering up all her curves, but I've had my hands on her naked body. I remember very vividly how good she feels. It doesn't matter if it was years ago, both my body and mind crave her with fierce ferocity.

The doorbell rings, well not exactly rings since it's a Christmas tune that lasts until I'm actually at the door. I swing it open and see it's Casey and Calix instead of the prospect I was expecting.

"Guys?" I question while stepping back to let them inside.

Calix hands me a large box and my eyes connect with Mags. "Can you show them to the living room? I need to bring this up to my room, okay?" I turn and head for the stairs.

"It's that way, we'll be right there," Mags says as I hear her walking up the stairs behind me.

I place the box on the floor near my bed and turn to see Mags pointing at the box while she squeaks, "What's that?"

"Sex toys," I say without blinking.

"Wha…what?" she whispers and takes a step back.

I can't help but chuckle and grab the knife I have in a sheath on my belt. Opening up the box, I reach inside and grab one of the books I ordered for Joshua. "I bought a few Christmas presents. This is the same one my mother used to make me read and I vividly remember loving it."

"Oh," Mags says and she visibly relaxes and it makes me wonder.

"What did you think was in there? You were freaking out before I joked about sex toys." There's a guilty look sliding over her face and it puts me on edge when it suddenly clicks. "You thought it was my stuff? That I was moving in without discussing shit, is that it?" I swallow hard in an effort to hide the rising anger and disappointment. "Why am I getting the impression you don't want—"

"I do want you here," she rushes out. "It's just…I'm…" She groans and takes her head in her hands while she mutters, "I'm screwing this up." Her hands fall away and guilt is written all over her face. "I'm so sorry."

She steps closer and grabs my cut with both hands. Fisting the leather she gives a little shake. "I freaked out. And yes, seeing those guys bring you a large box and you rushing it up to your room made me think you were moving in without discussing it with me first. I'm a bit of a control freak when it comes to the normality around me. I thought you were forcing…it's not you, it's not…dammit." Her forehead is now leaning against my chest as she's breathing heavily.

I wrap my arms around her and pull her closer. "Freedom of choice," I mutter and softly rub her back as I ramble out my thoughts, trying to make sense as to why she would freak out. "Once it's taken away it's hard to put your guard down. It's the same as trust and doubt. I might be a straightforward guy and also have to admit, I'm not letting you go. I won't be walking away when we catch the guy who gave you all the scars on the inside and outside. But I won't do anything without running it by you first. Well, obviously buying our kid presents and other minor things don't need to be discussed. But when I buy him his first dirt bike, I'll ask you what color, okay?"

"He's not getting a dirt bike," Mags gasps.

The corner of my mouth twitches. "I guess I have to think about something else to give him for his birthday then, huh?"

She places her forehead against my chest again as she shakes her head. "You and your jokes. The rush of adrenaline you give me at times makes me dizzy."

"I'd like to think it's the lust for my body that's making your head spin with the need to have me."

Her head tips back and I'm stunned to see the desire swirling in her gaze. I cup the side of her face and let my thumb trace her bottom lip. Her eyes flutter close for a breath or two as if she's relishing in my touch. Leaning in I feather a kiss on the side of her mouth. I repeat the action on the other side until I place a soft one full on her lips. Pulling back, I brush my nose against hers.

"Just so you can get used to the idea… I do intend to move in at some point. I do intend to be the best father on this fucked-up planet, and I do intend to become your lover. And eventually, I really hope we're both going to be voicing out the words I do, if you understand what I'm saying because I want it all. I knew you were damn magnificent the first time I laid eyes on you, and I don't care if there's been years in between or how our lives were split until our paths crossed again. I feel it. Deep down I know you're it for me. The way you make me feel when I'm around you or see Joshua and you interact with each other. This morning, the whole making cookies and letting him do everything and not even getting mad when there's flour everywhere…you have patience and so much damn love for that kid it absolutely takes my breath away."

The lust in her eyes shifts and I'm afraid I went too fast, too soon laying it all out until there's mischief flashing those pretty eyes when she says, "You're just addicted to the cookies and all the other stuff you've eaten over the days you've been here. It's the sugar rush."

"Woman," I growl.

She laughs and steps away from me as she pats my chest. "I'm gonna cut you off. No more sweetness for you, mister."

A low rumble flows through my chest and she glances over her shoulder and playfully squeaks as she dashes away. She doesn't even get a chance to leave the room because I've caught her and have her caged against the wall with my body.

"Take it back," I demand, our noses touching.

"Never," she answers breathlessly and her eyes are locked on my lips.

"If you won't give me any sweetness…then I'm going to have to take it from your body," I tell her and slam my mouth over hers.