CHAPTER 6

JOHNNY

Leaving Maya at her door, I was reassured from her comments that everything about our date went well and that she'd enjoyed herself. She'd been stunning in the dress I'd picked out for her, and I loved that she looked more relaxed and less stressed than the night I'd met her. Although I figured that was most likely because Emy was feeling better.

The messages I'd received from Avy, Julia, and Cally telling me that I'd done good had me feeling relieved that Maya had enjoyed what I'd arranged for her.

When she'd opened her door and stood framed in the doorway with the light shining behind her, it had taken everything in me not to kiss her. But I was determined to do this right .

I'd even gotten myself tested while I'd been away in Ireland. I wanted to make sure that if, or should I say when, we eventually got to the intimate side of our relationship that she'd have nothing to worry about.

Maya was great company, just like I'd known she'd be. And I don't think she realised it, but she soaked up any form of affectionate contact, which for me was a good thing because there was nothing that I loved more than having my hands on her.

It hadn't escaped my notice that she hadn't liked the blatant invitation from our waitress, who'd thrust her breasts in my direction when delivering our order. I'd ignored it as I'd learned to do years ago because most times saying something made things worse and the best thing to do was to keep my eyes on Maya. Not that I found that a hardship; the woman was gorgeous and didn't seem to have a clue.

The kiss that we'd shared in my office kept me hard for hours. With her history, I knew better than to push. We'd be moving at her pace and before our relationship went in that direction, I wanted to spend time with her children so they could get used to me.

Emy wouldn't be an issue because she was young enough not to understand everything, but Jackson was distrustful. I understood why–he'd been older, and children understood so much more than we thought they did. I'm not sure what type of man her ex was other than an idiot, but the way Jackson eyed me and how protective he was of his mother made me wonder if there wasn't more to their story. My hope was that as I gained their trust that she'd open up to me.

Surprisingly, the light was still on in our kitchen when I got home. Not seeing Liam's vehicle, I wondered who it was. Getting out of my car, I locked it and sauntered up the path and in through the front door, walking past the lounge and dining room towards the bedrooms at the back of the house. Stopping only when my Da called to me from the kitchen.

Turning back around, I walked towards the kitchen where I found him sitting at the table waiting for me with a pot of tea and mugs ready. Seeing them, I knew that I wouldn't be getting to sleep any time soon. He probably wanted to discuss what was happening with Andy even if I'd already updated everyone and we'd all agreed that he had to grow up.

"Hi, Da, you're up late. "

"I was waiting for you," he informs me, pulling a mug closer to him as he kicks a chair out for me to take a seat on. Biting back my sigh. I'd hoped to get to bed, as I had to be up early to get everything ready for tomorrow. Sitting down, I took the mug of tea he offered me, taking a sip.

Setting my mug back down on the table, I look up to see Da studying me.

"What do you need, Da?"

"The lads tell me you have a lady that you're courting."

Courting is such an old-fashioned word, but I guess it's the right word for it. Because that's exactly what I'm doing.

"I am," I agree.

"And she's one of the Crow women?"

"She is," again I agree.

He rolls his eyes at me, "Well, are you going to tell me about her?"

I grin at him, "I might."

He growls at me, and I laugh. It's always good fun to rile the old man up a little.

"She's the one I've been waiting for."

His eyes soften as they study me. "Tell me about her," he invites. So, I do. For the next hour I fill my Da in on all things Maya, I tell him about how we met, and he just about falls off his chair laughing when I tell him about the slap and how Maya offered to go and explain to the woman that she'd been messing around and how I'd stopped her.

Sharing what little I knew of Emy and Jackson and the feeling I had that things hadn't always been good in their home. Going on to tell him about our evening and how much I'd enjoyed her company and that I'd arranged to take her and the children out tomorrow for a picnic at the beach and maybe spend some time at the arcade.

When I was done, and we were swimming with tea, he patted my hand before pushing his chair back and getting up from the table. "I'm glad you found her, John. Maybe one of your brothers will be next. It would be nice to have a few grandchildren before I leave this earth. The house has been too quiet for too long. Enjoy your day tomorrow. Make sure you bring them around soon."

"I will, Da," I promised, standing up and picking up our mugs to put them in the dishwasher. Rinsing out the teapot, I placed it on the drainer, ready for the morning. Yawning so loud my jaw clicked, and I looked at the clock on the wall. Two in the morning, I groaned, knowing that I'd only get about four hours of sleep before I needed to be up again.

Of all the nights my old man decided he wanted to chat, it had to be tonight. Setting my alarm, I strip, fall into bed, and I'm asleep before I know it.