6. Chapter Six

6

Chapter Six

Clara

W hat do I say? Help me!" I'm panicking and I know it but when Britt bites back her amused smile I glare at her through the small screen.

"If you don't calm down, Clara I swear" she rolls her eyes and continues, "Just say ‘Hey, I just got Rhett down, thanks again for today.' Or if you're going for something more direct you can say, ‘Hey sexiest man I've ever seen, when you almost kissed me my heart kicked up seven notches and I felt the good tingles all over. Also you made me come harder than I ever have last night just by your voice, why don't you come over and show me what else that mouth can do.." She laughs so loudly I have to cut the volume down.

Rolling my eyes because she thinks she's hilarious. "Yeah, yeah you're a real comedian, Mitchell. "

She talks through her laughs as she reels it in, "I'm serious Clara this doesn't need to be this hard. Let him take you out. Get Liv to watch Rhett and enjoy yourself for once. Shave your whole body, wear the good lotion, and put on a pretty dress with slutty shoes. You haven't been made to feel like the perfect human you are since before fuck face Preston. Hell, maybe ever if we're being completely honest here. You deserve to be taken out, and if you're feeling it give your toys a break and let that man do filthy things to you. This doesn't have to mean marriage, it can just mean a fun time and a hopefully satisfying night." Exhaling a long breath as my eyes shut as tight as possible until little stars dance behind my lids. I know that she's right, she usually is.

I just don't know if I'm ready for all that is Rowan Byrne. He's so intense, It should freak me out after what I've been through but it doesn't. His intensity isn't threatening, it feels like safety. I blink my eyes open with my decision made, and look into the blue eyes of my best friend and relent, "Fine, I guess ‘I just got Rhett down thanks again for today' wins. We'll see what happens after that. He could have changed his mind about the date anyways." Britt and I talk a little longer until I hear Rhett screaming and sigh, "I've got to go. I love you."

She gives me a sad smile back, "I love you too. You're doing an amazing job. Make time for yourself too and let that man recharge you if you know what I mean." She wiggles her eyebrows suggestively.

"Good night, Brittany." I deadpan.

She giggles as she sings songs "good niiiight" and hangs up.

I get up, go into his room and scoop him up. Rubbing his back in soothing circles the way I always have and rocking back and forth as I'm awkwardly walking us to my bed. He buries his face in my neck and settles back to sleep. Laying us down on my bed is a science at this point. Sitting us down and shuffling backwards so we can slowly lay down, I let out the breath I was holding when we settle down and I realize he's not going to wake up. Taking a few minutes, I just soak up being my son's safe space before opening my phone and pulling up the contact I already added earlier tonight. I type the message, close my eyes tight and hit send.

* * *

Rowan

I'm in my home office going over reports and getting debriefed by Declan and Kieran about our shipments today when my phone vibrates on my desk. My eyes shoot to it as I put my finger up to my brothers and grab it off the desk and unlock it with absolutely zero finesse.

Clara: "I just got Rhett settled down, again. Thank you again for tonight."

A single eyebrow lifts. Okay, so we're just going to act like her breathy moans didn't give me the most intense orgasm I've ever had last night. That's okay I can work with this.

Rowan: "Hey, Pretty Girl. What do you mean again?"

There, safe but she's definitely going to respond. Slow and deliberate so she doesn't bolt. I watch the dots appear and disappear before a response comes in .

Clara: "Oh, he had a nightmare. He's settled back down and is asleep on my chest right now."

Huh, I'm wondering how often he has nightmares? I wonder why? I wonder how Rhett's bedtime routine goes? My mind is desperate to know when she gets time to herself, what their daily routine looks like, what they look like on a lazy Sunday morning? I want to know it all. But I can't ask any of that yet because she'll shut down. Someone's hurt her. Someone's hurt them. It's painfully obvious, and whoever it is has fast tracked their way up my list of enemies. I'm unable to not ask, so I shoot her a text back.

Rowan: "I'm glad he's down. Does he have nightmares often?"

Clara: "Yes, almost nightly."

My heart plummets. Poor Little Bear. Little Bear….. I like it. Between his wild hair, shy demeanor and hazel eyes, he's definitely a little bear cub. His mama bear is always making sure to protect him.

Rowan: "Poor Bear. Hopefully he sleeps the rest of the night for you."

Clara: "Bear? That's funny, I call him Little Bear."

Of course you do. I'm smiling into my phone and not giving a single fuck how insane I look.

Rowan: "Great minds think alike he's definitely a little bear cub with a mama bear ever present to protect him."

Clara's heart reacts to the message. And because I'm not above double texting I send one more.

Rowan: " When are you free for me to take you out, Pretty Girl?"

Clara: "I don't know Rowan. I mean I'd have to arrange a sitter for Rhett. I know you don't know this but we've only been here for 6 months. It's not like I have family or friends here to watch him. Or really anyone but his sitter while I'm at work that I trust alone with him."

That catches my attention. I'm wanting to ask so many questions, but remind myself to take it slow.

Rowan: "I understand that. Rhett can come with us, it's no big deal. Let me be clear Clara, I want to know both of you. I'm aware you have a son and that means you're a package deal. If we have a little chaperone then so be it."

Okay, so I guess fuck taking it slow. I've never been good at patience anyways. Seconds that feel like hours pass as I watch the dots appear and disappear over and over. When I hear my annoying as shit brothers loudly clear their throats and my eyes snap to them. I honestly forgot they were there. Of course Declan speaks first, "So, you gonna tell us who that is? Is she the reason you've decided to take up a new language?"

"Mind your fucking business, Declan. If you two are done filling me in get out of my damn office." Declan leans back and crosses his ankle over his opposite knee.

Kieran makes himself comfortable as he smirks, "Oh, but it's much more entertaining to hear about who the girl you're being so touchy about is, and what language you're about to butcher trying to learn."

Right then Mac comes strutting into my office followed by Flynn and Sul. Of course the little asshole doesn't keep his mouth shut, "Oh Clara Sanders? Her son's deaf. I'm assuming he's wanting to learn a little ASL to impress the mom to get laid."

Inexplainable rage takes over my body and I'm out of my chair and have Mac against the wall by the collar of his shirt in a blink. I bite out, "You don't fucking speak about her like that. About him at all. I swear to God, MacQuillian, I will end you and I wont give a single fuck that we're siblings." His eyes are as wide as saucers but he at least looks ashamed of what he said. Looking around, all my brothers are standing there, jaws dropped, but it's Flynn who speaks up first.

"Well I'll be damned boys. Looks like we're getting a sister and nephew."

Kieran looks shocked but schools his features and smirks, "In that case, you better make sure those lessons are for all of us." All five of them nod in agreement as I let Mac go.

Lifting my chin in acknowledgment, while scooping up my phone that's buzzed twice since I put it down I walk out my office. My brothers may dance on my last nerve daily, but we take family seriously. It's serious to me, so it's serious to them. Now to get Clara on board. I'm shutting the door to my bedroom as I unlock my phone and see the two texts from Clara.

Clara: "Let me see if his sitter can watch him Saturday evening. I'll ask in the morning. Maybe it's best to take this a step at a time."

Clara: "Goodnight Rowan.

I shoot off one last text before grabbing a pair of boxers and heading off to my en suite for a shower.

Rowan: "We can take it at your pace, but just know the end result will be the same. Have a good evening, Pretty Girl."