CHAPTER 5

MAYA

It had been a perfect evening; I'd never had a first date like this ever. I'd also never felt so spoilt in all my life. Johnny was attentive, funny, and made me feel like I was the only woman in the room. Not once did his eyes stray, not even when the waitress placed our plates down and pushed her breasts in his face. He just leant back and carried on talking to me about Ireland and why he'd had to go.

It seemed like his younger brother needed a wake-up call sooner rather than later.

Pushing my plate away, I wiped my mouth and took a sip of wine, "Thank you for dinner, my dress, and the spa. I feel thoroughly spoilt."

He smiled at me, taking my hand and pressing a kiss to the palm, a shiver ran along my body at the intimate contact.

"You're welcome, a stór , you deserve to be spoilt a little. Now, how do you feel about dancing?"

I blinked a little at his swift change of subject, "Um, I like it. It's been a long time, though."

"Well, then let's get out of here and to The Lounge. I have a new band playing tonight and I want to check them out. We can take a turn around the dance floor at the same time."

My stomach flipped with a little bubble of excitement at the thought of being in his arms. My vow of being man-free was being put to a serious test.

"Okay," I agree, "it will be nice to see The Lounge from the other side."

Johnny lifted his hand for the bill. It didn't take long, and we'd paid and were back in his car for the short drive to The Lounge. I could see how busy it was just from looking in the windows as we drove past.

Johnny drove around the back and parked in his allocated parking. Turning the car off, he got out and walked around to my door. My gaze tracked him all the way. Good lord, the man was gorgeous. I wasn't sure exactly what I was doing with him, but I'd sure like to find out. It had been forever since I'd felt even remotely interested in a man.

Truth be told, my ex and I'd been drifting apart for a while, especially after we found out that Emy was a girl, not a boy, as he'd thought. He'd seemed to lose interest after that appointment; he still made time for Jackson, though. I guess I stayed because I didn't want to be alone again. Although, I'm not sure if we would have lasted as he'd become increasingly violent before he left the last time.

One thing that the last year or so had taught me was that I was stronger now than I'd ever been. I'd be fine no matter what, as would my children, because I'd make sure of it.

I'm torn from my thoughts as my door opens, turning my head to look at Johnny only to find him frowning, his gaze concerned as his eyes trace over my features.

"Are you okay, milseán ?"

Smiling, I cup his cheek, heart warmed at his concern, "I'm fine, Johnny."

"Let's go to the office first. You can call Carly and check on Emy and Jackson," he declared, helping me down from the car.

That was when I knew that I was done for, that he'd thought about my children while we were on a date meant everything to me. I'd not been worried about the children at all. I knew Carly and Bren were more than capable babysitters and would have called if they'd needed me, it still warmed my heart that he cared.

"Okay," I agreed, tucking my hand through his elbow and walking through the back door with him.

It didn't take me long to call Carly, who assured me that the children were fine and fast asleep. A picture came through and I had to smile. I should have known that Emy would end up with Ben. She adored him; he was so good with all the little ones. Jackson was fast asleep next to Kaleb, as was Mila.

"Thanks, Carly."

"No worries, Maya. Enjoy the rest of the evening. We're all camping in the main lounge if you want to peek in when you get back. There's no rush picking them up as it's Saturday tomorrow, so I'm only going to the gym at ten not five."

"Okay, love. I'll play it by ear depending on what time we get back tonight. Night."

"Night," Carly echoed back.

"All good?" Johnny questions .

Looking up from my phone, my breath hitches; he's leaning up against his office door, hands in pockets, tie loosened, blue eyes watching me. A shiver of lust ran through me at his scrutiny. Johnny's eyes narrowed at my shiver.

"Cold?" he asks.

"No," I whisper as he pushes away from the door and prowls over to where I'm standing next to his desk.

"No?" he questions, threading his fingers through my hair and gently tilting my head back.

"No," I reply, running my tongue over my suddenly dry lips, his eyes tracking the movement before lifting back to mine.

"Are the children okay, milseán ?"

"Yes," I answer.

"Good," he growls. Bending his head, he whispers in my ear, "I'm going to kiss you now, milseán ."

"Okay," I agree.

Smiling at my answer, Johnny presses a soft kiss to the corner of my mouth. Lifting his mouth from mine, I part my lips, raise on my toes and seal my lips to his. He wastes no time in gathering me in his arms, his lips firm on mine as he kisses me long and hard. A whimper leaves me as I wrap my arms around him, fingers tunnelling in his hair at the nape of his neck.

Both of us are breathing heavily when we pull apart. "Wow," I mutter.

"Wow is right, milseán . I've waited a long time for a kiss like that."

Resting my forehead against his chest, I smile softly. Happy to know that I wasn't the only one affected by our kiss.

Feeling him press a gentle kiss to the top of my head, I lift my head from his chest. He presses another kiss to the corner of my mouth before releasing me, "Come on, a ghrá, let's get out of the office before I forget I'm trying to woo you."

Laughing at his words, I'm happy to know that I affect him as much as he affects me, "Give me a minute to use your bathroom and I'll be ready for the next part of the evening."

Picking up my clutch, I walk into the bathroom at the back of Johnny's office. Once I've freshened up and reapplied my lipstick, I take a good look at myself in the mirror, hardly recognising the woman looking back at me. My cheeks are flushed and my eyes sparkling. I look happier than I have in a long time. The little voice in the back of my head is telling me that I need to slow down, but my heart is telling me something different. I know the Crow ladies wouldn't steer me wrong. Decision made, I'm going with my gut on this one. I'm going to play it by ear and take it one day at a time and I'm going to enjoy every one of those days.

Walking out, I smile at Johnny when he looks at me, concern showing in his gaze but whatever he sees makes him relax. Taking my hand, we walk out of his office and into the main part of The Lounge.

It's busy, people are sitting in the comfortable chairs and sofas talking and drinking. Some are on the dance floor dancing to the band playing blues. I've never been here in the evening, but I can see why it's so popular.

Johnny walks us up to the bar and seats me on one of the tall stools, standing behind me, encasing me in his arms as one of the bartenders comes up.

"What would you like to drink, milseán ?" Johnny asks just as another man in a suit comes up to us at the bar. From the purple tie and waistcoat he wears, I'm assuming he's one of the staff members, as purple is the signature colour for staff uniforms.

"Whisky please, on the rocks."

"Make that two," Johnny tells the bartender before turning and holding his hand out to the man who walked up. "Zack, let me introduce you to my lady. Maya, this is Zack. He stepped up as manager for me while I've been away. Zack, this is Maya."

Holding my hand out to Zack with a smile. He's probably in his late twenties, with longish blond hair pulled back in a stubby tail, beard, and brown eyes. "Nice to meet you, Maya," Zack says, shaking my hand before saying to Johnny, "I've reserved a table at the back for you, although I have to warn you that you might be invaded because the Crows said they were coming."

A grin spreads over Johnny's face, "I kind of expected them to crash." He nods towards me, "Maya is one of theirs."

"Ah," the confusion on Zack's face clears. "Makes sense. Anyway, if you want to make your way there, I'll bring the drinks along shorty."

Johnny slaps Zack on the shoulder, "Thanks, man, appreciate it. Before I forget, can you come in on Monday, say about three-ish. I know it's our day off, but I want to run something past you?"

Zack nods, "Sure, no problem."

Johnny helps me off the stool and we walk to the back of the lounge area where it's slightly more secluded and take a seat on the double sofa, leaving the armchairs and a three-seater open for the Crows when they arrive.

Feeling bad that our evening will be derailed by them, I turn to Johnny, "I'm sorry the Crows are crashing our night. I can call Reaper and tell them not to come."

Johnny smiles and tucks a bit of my hair behind my ear, "It's fine, milseán , I kind of expected them to come. There are usually some of them here every Friday night. Unless you don't want them here, then it's not an issue for me. I've known them a long time, so I know what they are like."

Reassured by his words, "Okay, I don't mind either." Settling back on the sofa, I pull my legs up and curl into Johnny's chest. His arm comes around me as we relax, listening to music, only moving when a waiter drops off our order of whisky. It's been one of the best evenings I've ever had. We stay like that, not talking, just enjoying good music, good company and good whisky.

It's only when the Crow MC arrive in force that I reluctantly sit and place my feet back on the floor, not that Johnny allows me to go far as his arm slips down to my waist and he pulls me closer into him. It's a good evening; you can't help but have fun with the Crows and their Old Ladies. Throw in a bit of dancing and good company, and it's the perfect combination.

Eventually, though, it's time to leave. Johnny puts me in the car before going back to the club door, where Zack is waiting to lock up. They have a quick conversation before Johnny leaves him to it and walks back to the car. It's not long until we are back on the road and driving towards Crow Manor.

Johnny takes my hand, kissing the back. "Did you have a good time tonight?"

"I did, very much so."

"Good, that makes me happy."

We don't say anything else until we're parked up. "Do you want to get the children, or are you leaving them here?"

"I think I'll leave them here for the night. They're already asleep and Emy will be a pain to get back down if she wakes up," I assure him .

"Okay, let's get you home then," he answers, getting out the car and coming around to my side, opening the door and taking my hand to help me out.

We walk slowly back to my cottage. I can't lie, I don't want the evening to end. It's been magical for me.

It doesn't take long, though, for us to get to my door. Leaning back against it and tilting my head back slightly, I ask hesitantly, "Do you want to come in?"

Johnny threads both his hands into my hair, tilting my head up so I can meet his eyes.

"Very much, but I won't. Not tonight. I promised that we'd go slow, and we will. I want you to learn to trust me and know that when I say something that I mean it. That doesn't mean that I don't want you because, agrá, I do. Now kiss me before I lose all my good intentions."

Raising to my toes, I press my lips to his and much like our earlier kiss, I melted. Good lord, this man could kiss. A whimper escapes me as he lifts his lips from mine. I'd thought he'd let me go, but he didn't; instead, he wraps me in his arms and hugs me to him.

"What are you, Jackson, and Emy doing tomorrow?"

"Nothing, it's Saturday so I'm off. Why?"

"It's meant to be a nice day; what do you say I pick you all up at eight and we go to the beach for the day?"

"Are you sure that's what you want to do?" I ask dubiously.

"It is. I want to get to know your little ones and they need to get used to me because, milseán , I'm not going anywhere."

"Okay," I agree. "We'll be ready for you. Do you want me to pack a picnic?"

"No, I'll pick up a few things from the café and the bakery. We can get fish and chips while we're out and eat them on the beach. Now, kiss me one more time so I can go."

Kissing him one last time before I drag myself out of his arms and into my cottage, "Night," I say softly as I close the door.

"Night, gorgeous, see you in the morning," Johnny blows me a last kiss as I close the door on him and press my back against it, trying to slow my heartbeat down.

"Oh, wow," I mutter. "Girl, you are in so much trouble."