5. Chapter Five

5

Chapter Five

Clara

M y phone rings and Rowan's name flashes across my screen. Normally there's no way in hell I'd pick up the phone. Especially not while I'm using the head of my favorite vibrator to run circles on my clit. The wine I had on Face Time with Britt while catching up on our shows together lowers my inhibitions enough that I pick up and let out a breathy, "Hello?"

Rowan's gravely voice slides through my phone making my hips buck as I circle my clit a little faster, "Clara" He sounds tortured but between his voice and the vibrations exactly where I need them I let out a low moan.

"Rowan. Please, I can't come. Help me."

I can hear his intensity through the phone as he growls out, "Turn off the vibrator and stop touching." My eyebrows draw together in confusion but I do as he asks.

As soon as the buzzing stops he asks, "First, how drunk are you?"

I huff out an annoyed breath, "I'm not drunk. I'm just tipsy and horny."

I can hear the amusement in his tone, "Horny in general or for me?"

Biting my bottom lip I reply, "For you, since we've met, thoughts of you are the only thing that can get me off."

I'm getting antsy when a voice I've never heard him use before comes through the line. It's demanding and authoritative, it leaves no room for argument, "Put me on speaker so you can use both hands."

Doing as he says I lay the phone between my breasts, "Okay, done."

"Take your right hand and slowly slide it down your body. It's me, that's my hand touching your skin. Use one finger and slowly circle your clit. Lightly Clara, I like to tease first." A moan escapes me with the first pass of my finger. Fuck this feels good already.

"Use your left hand to play with your nipples. Now dip your right finger inside your pussy. Tell me how wet you are."

Doing as he says I pant out, "I'm soaked. Please Rowan, let me use my toys."

I can hear the smirk in his voice. "Patience baby, this is my show. But since you're such a good girl… tell me about your toy." I can't believe this is my life right now. I'm going to continue to pretend this is a dream and my actions have no consequences.

I'll die before I stop at this point, "It's a purple vibrator with a clit stimulator. "

He groans on his end, "Turn it on its lowest setting and put it in."

Eagerly I follow his instructions, moaning as I insert the toy and the stimulation racks my body. "That's it baby. Find your rhythm. Imagine it's me. That's my cock inside your pussy and my fingers playing with you"

I moan out as I find exactly the pace I'm needing. My whole body heats with pleasure, I'm close, fuck I'm close. "I'm close, Rowan. Get me there."

I hear a zip noise then Rowan groans, "That's it baby. Dammit, you're so perfect. Fuck, give it to me. I want to hear you come." My orgasm is right there, I'm teetering on the edge but can't get over it. I groan in frustration.

Rowan huffs out a chuckle, "Are you ready Clara?"

"Yes, please I'm so close."

Rowan's voice turns back into that demanding tone, "Then pinch your clit and come for me, now. I want to hear you." That's it. That's all it takes and I'm tumbling over the edge.

I hear myself moan out a loud, "Rowan" but I'm so caught up in my orgasm I don't even care. The post orgasm bliss has taken over me.

I hear him groan out, "Clara" and realize he also just came.

We sit in silence for a few minutes while we both drift down from euphoria when finally he speaks, "Goodnight, Clara."

Sleep starts to take me as I murmur, "Goodnight, Rowan."

The next day, I hold my son's hand and check both ways before we cross the street to the ice cream shop down the road from our apartment. Rhett is practically vibrating with excitement as he walks on the inside of the sidewalk.This is definitely a treat for him, I save almost every penny I can, but sometimes you just have to splurge. Some people splurge on clothes, purses, hell even cars, but Rhett and I splurge on mint chocolate chip.

I'm half paying attention to what's going on and half stuck in that call I had with Rowan last night. I've never done anything like that before, and I've also never came like that before. Rowan makes me feel things I've never felt. It's impossible, it must just be infatuation. Maybe we just need to get it out of our system. My hand is swinging Rhett's little hand back and forth. I look down at him when I hear it. A loud honk and people screaming as a car is headed across the road, straight for me. I freeze on the spot, unable to move when we're pushed forward and to the ground when a huge body covers the two of us. My heart is beating out of my chest, my eyes flash over to Rhett who's laying beside me eyes wide and watering as his little bottom lip trembles.

The car over-corrects as it hits the curb and ends up fishtailing down the road speeding off. The body on top of us stands up and reaches out a hand to help us as his voice slides over my ears and warms me for a whole other reason. My face pales as I look up at Rowan's gorgeous face as his eyes scan Rhett and I from head to toe while helping us up. "Are you guys okay?" I think I'm still in shock because my head nods, but I'm not sure it was on purpose. We kneel at the same time both of us scanning Rhett for any injuries. I sign to him, "It's okay, we're okay baby. Are you hurt?" He looks at Rowan then back to me and shakes his head no. One thing about Rhett is that he is painfully shy on a regular day, but throw in a man and he's an impenetrable force. His weary eyes keep straying to Rowan then back to me.

I look back to this man I know nothing about besides he tends to catch me off guard more often than not these days, and his voice alone gave me the best orgasm of my life last night. Now add to the list he just saved my son and I when I was too scared to move. Rowan touches my arm lightly, "Are you sure you're okay? Should I take you to a hospital? Did either of you hit your head?"

Now it's my turn to shake my head offering him a kind smile, "No, I think we're fine. We were on our way to get ice cream, before you, well you know."

His lips tip at the corner, "Can I escort you there? You know, make sure you make it in one piece?"

I shoot him a mock glare, "Too soon Mr. Byrne."

His face breaks into a full grin, "I think after last night we're past the Mr. Byrne thing" He laughs as my face turns a deep shade of red.

He puts his hand in front of him and motions us to start forward, "Lead the way."

* * *

Sitting at a booth in the corner with our ice cream in hand Rowan sits in the corner facing the rest of the parlor. Nolan stands right inside the front door, looking as imposing as ever, that must be in his job description. Rhett, who still has an inquisitive look on his face, peeks up at me, "The man is safe?" My heart cracks because how do I even answer that. My instincts tell me yes, but logically I don't know..is he? I want him to be, but that doesn't mean he's not just like Preston. On the other hand, why would he push us out of the way of that car if he wanted to hurt us?

So I do what I do best, I wing it, " His name is Rowan and he made sure we didn't get hurt, remember?" He looks at Rowan and smiles.

Rowan smiles and slowly puts out a fist. I'm about to tell him Rhett won't reciprocate when he shocks me by lifting his little hand and making a fist with it, bumping it with Rowan's.

He tilts his head to the side then signs to me, "Tell him I'm Rhett." My eyes bug out of my head as I look between the two dumbfounded.

Rowan lifts a single brow, "What did he say? He pointed at me."

Taking a second to get my emotions in check because this is a huge deal for him I finally choke out, "He wants you to know his name is Rhett." A giant child-like smile splits Rowan's face. It almost looks out of place because I've only ever seen him serious or flirty before.

"Can you show me how to tell him my name?" The surprises just keep coming from this man. Nodding slowly I show him how to spell his name a few times before he takes his eyes off of me and focuses all his attention on Rhett. Rowan points to his chest then slowly signs ‘R-O-W-A-N.'

Rhett gives him a thumbs up then looks at me "He talked to me!" He beams his sweetest smile at him before returning back to being engrossed in his treat.

Rowan looks so proud of himself, "He smiled at me, I kind of feel like that may be a big deal?"

His uncertainty when speaking to and about Rhett when he carries himself with so much confidence normally, makes me laugh, "He does not give those smiles freely, especially to strangers, and ESPECIALLY when they're men. "

He thinks on that for a second then nods, "I don't blame him, it's better to be cautious then to freely trust. I respect it."

"That's a good way to think about it. I guess we're both kind of like that. So, I have to ask… What's up with the bodyguard?"

He shrugs and scans the room. "I own and run a few businesses, also like Rhett, I like to to err on the side of caution."

That gets my attention, "What kind of businesses do you have?"

His eyes flash with something but before I can tell what it is, it's gone, "I actually took over my Da's businesses. He owned hotels, clubs, and a few restaurants."

"You look really young, especially to have retired parents."

This time he looks at anything but me, " Actually my parents died two years ago in an accident."

My eyes pop wide as I realize I'm the biggest asshole in history, "Oh, I'm so sorry Rowan. I shouldn't have pried." He reaches out slowly and deliberately as he sets his hand over mine that's laying on the table. That pesky zap is back but I don't pull away.

I look up at Rowan and he gives me a soft smile, "You can ask anything you want, Clara. I will tell you whatever you want to know. You just have to ask." I start to ask him why? Why would he do that?

Rhett starts hitting the table to get my attention before I get the chance. "Is it time to go? Call Auntie tonight? Miss her."

I nod and turn back to Rowan, "Thank you so much for making sure we got here safely, but I have to get Rhett home to get to bed."

I stand up and grab Rhett's hand the same time Rowan shoots to his feet, "Can I give you a ride home?"

"Oh, no that's okay we'll be fine, and I'm sure you don't have a car seat." I turn away from him but he gently grabs my arm, this time I don't jerk away. The heat from his hand warms me in a way that's foreign but not unpleasant.

"I'll walk you. Please, I won't be able to sleep tonight if I don't know you're home safe." I contemplate that for a minute and glance out the window noticing that the sun has fallen behind the tall buildings of the city.

Deciding that part of me would rather spend more time with Rowan and the other part really doesn't walk this area with a child when it's getting dark, I sigh, "Thank you, That'd be great."

* * *

Rowan

Walking up the stairs to Clara's apartment with Rhett running just a little ahead I have to fight this feeling of belonging, this strange tightening in my chest. It's not bad, I don't think, I'm just not sure what exactly it is. When I saw that car barreling toward the two of them I didn't think, I just acted. My heart jammed into my throat as I sprinted down the sidewalk and got to them just in time. I made sure Nolan got the plates and sent them to Mac to figure out who the fuck put my girl and kid in danger.

Wait, my girl and my kid… I kind of like the sound of that. It's now I decide that Clara and Rhett will be mine, they just don't know it, yet. I have to move slowly and deliberately when it comes to them so they don't spook. Clara's come to a stop in front of her door pulling me out of my new revelation. She unlocks the door and Rhett turns and offers his fist. I bump it with mine as my heart squeezes. His brown curls bounce as he sprints inside to get ready for bed, I'm guessing that's what she told him before she opened the door while they talked with their hands. She turns so she's standing in front of the door and gives me a shy smile and shrugs, "Well this is me."

She's stunning in her jeans that fit her like they were made just for her, and her worn concert t-shirt. Her hair is up in one of those messy pony tails that looks like she spent thirty minutes making it the perfect kind of messy, and a pair of chucks on her feet that look well loved.

I can't help myself as I reach up to wrap my finger around a loose strand of hair, "I guess it is. Thank you for letting me escort you."

Her face heats in the most perfect shade of red, "Thank you for doing it. I should probably go make sure Rhett is doing what I asked though."

Feeling the moment slip through my hand like sand I tuck her hair behind her ear and let my hand cup her face. Leaning into her space just a little "Clara, I really had a good time this evening. Let me take you out." She locks those deep brown eyes on mine, and her tongue darts out to wet her bottom lip. My cock thickens in my dress pants as she gives me the smallest nod and I'm officially done. Just one taste of those perfect lips before I force myself to walk away for the night. She closes her eyes as I'm leaning in just a little more, my lips almost brushing hers but not quite. BANG! BANG! BANG !

We jump apart from each other as Rhett hits the other side of the door. Clara flushes and rushes out, "I'm sorry, he must need help with something. I should umm." She hikes her thumb behind her indicating she should go.

Giving her an easy smile to calm her nerves, "Of course, text me when you get him settled. Just to talk, or we can repeat last night, I'll even come over after Rhett's asleep if you ask nicely." Her face heats. I love when she blushes like that, the red tint looks so pretty on her pale skin. My mind starts wandering about making other parts of her skin red too. I'd love to stay right here with her but she's got to get back to Rhett.

Our time tonight is up. I lean forward and press my lips to the center of her forehead. Pulling back I tell her "I'm serious, Clara. Text me or I'll worry, and if I worry I may just come back to check on you."

She gives me a small nod, "I'll text you after I get Rhett down. Goodnight Rowan."

Watching her turn and walk inside, right before she shuts the door I call out "Goodnight, Clara. Lock the door as soon as you shut it." I wait to hear the locks engage, before starting down the stairs. They click into place just like I asked. I'm not even half way down the stairs when I have my phone to my ear and hear Declan's gruff, "Yeah?"

"Hey, I need you to find me an interpreter or someone who can teach me sign language. Like ASAP."