Play You: A Second Chance/Single Dad Romance (Rebel Ink Book 4)

by Tracy Lorraine

  People will probably tell me that I'm utterly insane, and to be fair I might be… but also, they may never have met their soulmate. I didn't need to meet Dawson again to know that he's mine. That first day I forced myself into his life, I knew there was something different about him. I knew the connection we shared was special. I just didn't know how to deal with that on top of the situation I was already in. Maybe both of us could have handled everything differently; who knows. Right now, who cares?

  "Yes," I blurt out.

  "Yes?" he repeats, the corners of his lips twitching up into what I'm sure will be a mind-blowing smile.

  "Yes, Dawson. Let's make things right. Yes, I'll marry you."

  His lips crash to mine in a bruising kiss as his hips start to move, reminding me that we're still connected in the most intimate of ways.

  Goose bumps race across my skin as I replay the past minute or two in my head.

  I just agreed to marry Dawson freaking Ramsey.

  I laugh once again, forcing him to pull his lips from mine. When I drag my eyes open, I find him staring down at me with his own wide smile playing on his lips.

  "This is insane."

  "I couldn't agree more."

  He rolls us so that he's on his back and I'm sitting astride his waist with his cock buried deep inside me. "Ride me, baby girl. Show me what you can do."

  With his hands gripping my hips tightly, he helps lift me up and down on his length until I can no longer hold myself up and fall down onto his chest as my orgasm rips through me. Seconds later a growl rips past his lips as he falls over the edge once more, his cock jerking inside me and setting off little aftershocks around my body.

  "I'm so tired," I whisper, resting my head on his chest and closing my eyes.

  His arms close around me and he kisses the top of my head gently as I begin to drift off, but still, the smile remains on my face.

  When my alarm goes off the next morning, I’m not ready for it. My body feels like it's sunk into the mattress and doesn’t want to get out.

  I reach my arm out to silence the irritating sound before rolling over to find Dawson—only when I slide my hand over the sheet, I find it cold and empty.

  Disappointment washes through me. I'd have given anything to wake up to him this morning, to see his face, to have the reminder I need right now that last night really did happen.

  That he really did ask me to marry him.

  Butterflies erupt in my belly as I remember him staring down at me, asking me that question that turned my world upside down.

  Despite the fact that I know it was real, it feels like a dream.

  My fingers drift to my ring finger, wishing I had the accessory that usually comes with that question. It just shows how spur of the moment it was. I don't need the lack of ring to tell me that; the shock that flashed across his face the second the words fell from his lips was enough.

  I smile to myself as I replay it over and over before my second alarm goes off, telling me that I really need to get moving if I'm going to get to work on time.

  My muscles pull as I sit myself up. The first thing I notice when I push the sheets away is the ink on my leg. Seeing it this morning takes my breath away just as much as it did the first time I looked at it yesterday evening.

  It's stunning, easily the best bit of skin art I've ever seen. He really is talented.

  I want to pick the wrapping off to see it properly, but I figure I should probably shower first. I don't really know the first thing about aftercare; I kind of hoped that Dawson would be here to tell me, but I can't be too disappointed. He'll have had to get home for Emmie. I can hardly begrudge him for looking after his daughter.

  Ripping my eyes from his handiwork, I find a note on my bedside table.

  Baby girl,

  Thank you for yesterday. It's made the top of my 'best day ever' list.

  Don't prepare any lunch. I've got you covered.

  I'll see you soon.

  Dx

  Despite the fact that the rain was torrential when I left my flat this morning, I couldn't wipe the smile off my face.

  Somehow, by some miracle, I've managed to find everything I ever wanted.

  I spent years wondering what Dawson was doing, wondering if he'd found someone else—I could only assume he had—and if he was happy.

  I always hoped he was, although deep down there was a part of me that hoped he missed me as much as I did him. The day I walked away, it was like I left a part of me behind, and it's not since finding Dawson again that I realise just how huge that piece was.

  When I smile now, it feels real. When I laugh, I mean it.

  I'm not sure one person should hold that kind of power, but I have no control over it. Finding Dawson again meant finding a part of myself, and I’m whole again. Something I haven't felt for so long.

  My smile is something Lisa notices the second I run into the building from the Uber that delivered me to school. I didn’t have the energy after last night to even contemplate getting on the tube. I must have done a better job than I thought I did with my makeup, because she doesn’t comment on my obvious lack of sleep.

  The morning drags. With the memory of his note filling my mind, I not so patiently wait for the clock to tick around to lunchtime.

  When the bell rings, I damn near bolt from my chair in my need to go and find him, but the second I stand, my phone rings.

  Seeing Henry's extension, I reluctantly pick it up. Movement out my window catches my eye, and, as he chats away about the antics of a few members of the football team, I find myself looking at him through our office windows.

  I blow out a breath as he chatters on about the prank they played on a few unsuspecting students this morning.

  On a normal day, I'd probably find it amusing, but right now, I've got a lunch date, and I'd much rather be listening to him than Henry.

  A knock sounds out on my door, and my heart jumps into my throat. Looking over, I expect Lisa to come bounding in, but when the door opens I find another body filling the doorway—a much bigger, more ruggedly handsome one.

  The smile that lights up my face makes his eyes twinkle with delight. I point toward the seat in front of me, but he doesn't take it. Instead, he walks around my office as if he's making himself at home.

  "Who are you talking to?" he whispers.

  Discreetly, I point to Henry, who I know is watching us curiously.

  "Ah," Dawson says, walking over to the window. Henry pauses as they stare at each other. I know Dawson recognises Henry instantly from the way his shoulders tense. I can only assume Henry knows who he is too. Dawson doesn't exactly blend into a crowd.

  My eyes widen when Dawson lifts his hand and waves at Henry before swiftly turning and dropping the blinds.

  I gasp as Henry's voice gets deeper over the line.

  "Well, it looks like you have a more pressing issue than what I'm telling you about. Just remember there are kids about."

  "What exactly are you suggesting, Henry?" I snap, irritated that once again he's questioning my ability to do my job.

  "N-nothing. Bye."

  He hangs up while my chin is still dropped in shock. What does he think I'm going to do? Let Dawson fuck me over the desk while the kids come and go?

  I blow out a long breath and slouch back in my chair.

  "Is he being a problem?"

  "Henry? No, I think he's just... jealous," I admit with a wince.

  "Hmm... maybe I should have left the blinds up, really give him something to be jealous about." Dawson steps toward me, cradles my face, and lowers his lips to mine. "Missed you," he whispers before plunging his tongue into my mouth.

  I moan into his kiss, already desperate for more but knowing I can't have it.

  He kisses me for long minutes, but, in the end, he breaks away and drops a kiss to my nose.

  "I'm sorry I snuck out," he says, resting his arse back on my desk and tangling his fingers with mine.

  "You had to get back for Emmie, I
understand."

  "I hated doing it, but you looked too peaceful to wake."

  I smile up at him. "I'm assuming you brought food? I'm starving."

  He chuckles before walking around my desk and lifting up a bag I totally missed when he first arrived.

  "Sure did." He proceeds to lay out everything he brought.

  "You really do have a thing for picnics, don't you?" I ask with a laugh as he pulls out a quiche, followed by sausage rolls, some salad, and a bottle of dressing.

  "Yeah, but I like to think this one is a little more sophisticated. I even have real plates," he says with a laugh, pulling them out of the bag.

  "You're a nut."

  Shaking his head at me, he sets about dishing up.

  "A girl could get used to this," I say, accepting the plate he pushes my way.

  "I'm not sure your boss could."

  "Ignore Henry. He's a good guy really. You'll find out soon when you come in for Emmie's progress meeting."

  "It's with him?"

  "Well, it will be with her tutor, but he'll be there. And I have a feeling he'll want to talk to you."

  "Great. I can tell him everything he's missing out on now you're mine."

  "Dawson," I chastise him.

  "What?" He throws a sausage roll past his lips and chews. I pause with my fork halfway to my mouth and watch his lips move, wishing they were on me instead. "You're the one who's going to get yourself in trouble if you keep looking at me like that."

  "What? I'm not..."

  "Sure."

  Silence falls between us for a few minutes as we eat. Although every time I glance up at him, he's staring at me as if he can't believe I'm really here.

  "Did last night really happen?"

  "You mean, did I really ask you to marry me?" he asks, his lips pulling up at the side.

  I nod.

  "Then yeah. That was real."

  "It's insane, Dawson. We only met again two weeks ago."

  "Baby, are you trying to tell me you're changing your mind?"

  "What? No. No way. I'm just saying we're crazy."

  "Never claimed to be anything else."

  I laugh at him lightly, but I can't help the weight of what's developing between us pressing down on my shoulders.

  "Out with it," he demands, clearly sensing my concern.

  "What happens now? This isn't as simple as us just getting engaged, is it?"

  "Is this because I didn't have a ring?" he asks jokingly, but I know he's just trying to lighten the mood.

  "You've got a daughter, Dawson. One who goes here. Your priority now should be her, not me. Then there's the small issue that your father will probably kill me the second he learns I'm breathing, let alone that I've agreed to marry you."

  "We'll sort it," he says, reaching for another sausage roll like it's nothing.

  "You make it sound so easy."

  He blows out a breath and stares at me for a beat. "Piper, none of this is going to be easy. Honestly, I have no idea how I'll deal with my father, but there's no question about us not being together. He'll have to accept it, accept that you didn't do what you did out of choice, or..."

  "Or..." I prompt.

  "I don't know. We leave, maybe."

  "We can't do that. Emmie has just started here. You can't pull her out before she's even settled because of me. I won't allow it."

  "That's the worst case, baby. Dad wanted your father, not you. You were just caught in the crossfire. I'll talk to him. I'd like to think my happiness comes above the club." I raise a brow because we both know all too well that often the club comes above all else. "We'll figure it out." He reaches across the table and takes my hand in his. "This is meant to happen, baby. We were meant to meet again."

  "You really believe that?"

  "I do. It's why we've never found anyone else. It was written in the stars."

  I smile at him, my heart tumbling in my chest.

  "I'll talk to Emmie. She already knows there's something going on anyway, and I'm pretty sure she won't care. Then we'll deal with my family in the next few weeks or something. I just want to enjoy you first."

  "Okay." I want to say I feel lighter, but until we know which way it's going to go with his family, I know I'm going to be uptight about this.

  Obviously, I don't want myself in any danger—but more than that, I don't want to cause Dawson or Emmie any issues.

  "Stay with us this weekend?"

  "You sure?"

  "Baby, I want you to be my wife. Of course I'm sure. If I didn't already know that you want to take things slow for Emmie, then I'd demand you move in right now."

  "I don't even know where you live, Dawson."

  "Huh, I guess this was all a bit fast." He laughs, and I can't help but join in with him.

  The bell rings out, signalling our time together is over.

  "What are you doing for the rest of the day? I ask, knowing that it's his day off.

  "I might head into town and start jewellery shopping."

  "You are not," I joke.

  "I guess you'll just have to wait and see," he says, pulling me into his hard body the second I round the desk

  "I guess I will."

  "I wish I didn't have to work every night."

  "Me too," I say, sliding my hand up his chest and wrapping it around the back of his neck.

  "Pack a bag and I'll pick you up the second I finish work on Friday night."

  "Okay," I breathe, excitement already starting to swirl around in my belly.

  Our noses brush and his lips press against mine a second before he captures them in a bruising kiss.

  By the time he pulls back, I'm a panting ball of need.

  "You don't play fair,” I complain.

  He takes my hand in his and slides it down his body until my fingers brush over his hard length. "And you do? I've got to walk out there and get accosted by your friend with this."

  I can't help but laugh. Lisa would be all over that if she knew.

  "Aw, she's harmless really." He raises a brow at me.

  "If you say so. I'll call you later, yeah?"

  "If I don't answer, it's because I've passed out. I didn't get much sleep last night."

  "Is that right? Some hot man keeping you up?"

  "Yeah, so hot you wouldn't believe. Now get out of my office, I have important work to do."

  He shakes his head, drops a kiss to my brow, and then slips from my office.

  It feels cold the second he closes the door behind him.

  I finish up clearing my desk of the remnants of our lunch and pull the blinds back up. Henry is no longer in his office, but I'm sure he's got a few words to say when he catches up with me.

  To my amazement, I have a quiet afternoon. Not even Lisa appears to find out some gossip, which I find odd.

  The second the bell rings out at the end of the day, I discover why.

  "That was the longest meeting I have ever been forced to sit through," she whines, inviting herself into my office and flopping down at the desk. "Oh, sausage rolls, can I?" Her eyes light up when they land on the tub.

  "Of course.”

  "Finish up," she mumbles around a mouthful of food. "We're going for dinner. I want to hear all about yesterday's big date."

  "He proposed," I blurt out.

  "He what?" she squeals at a pitch I'm sure only dogs should be able to hear. "He actually asked you to marry him? Oh my God, Piper. That is epic."

  "It is, yeah," I say, but apparently my face doesn't show the level of excitement it should.

  "What's wrong? Don't tell me you said no."

  "What? No, of course not. Things are just... complicated."

  "Things that involve a man, of course they're complicated."

  "It's more than that, Lis."

  "Then even more reason to pack up your shit so we can go and hash it out over a cocktail or ten."

  I'm exhausted, and all I really want to do is curl up on my sofa with a bowl of pasta, but I can't deny that a
night out to talk through all of this doesn't sound good right now.

  21

  Dawson

  "You told her everything? How'd she take it?"

  "Honestly, she was totally dumbfounded to start with. She had no idea MCs existed outside of TV dramas and novels."

  I can't help but laugh, it's not the first time I've heard similar words. The way I was brought up, the way my family live their lives, is like an entirely different world sometimes. They have their own rules, laws and rituals. It's easy to appreciate how outsiders struggle to understand the reality of it.

  "So what was her advice after she got over the shock?" I ask Piper on our late-night phone call.

  I was half expecting the call to ring out after her warning that she might be asleep, but I was pleasantly surprised when she answered and explained that she'd actually only just got in herself.

  "She told me to trust you. That if you care about me like you seem to then you'll ensure I'm safe." Guilt twists my insides as her words come down the line. The memory of my phone call to my grandparents’ solicitor this afternoon to tell him about my engagement fills my mind.

  I need to remember why I’m doing this. It’s for Emmie. To give her the future she deserves.

  "Maybe she's not so bad after all," I say, my voice rough with emotion and guilt. But thankfully Piper misses it—or at least, she doesn’t comment on it.

  "She's not bad at all, actually."

  "That's because she doesn't look at you like a piece of meat."

  "Well, she knows you belong to me now, so hopefully she'll stop it."

  "I belong to you. I like the sound of that," I growl down the phone, imagining her squirming on the other end.

  "How'd the shopping trip go?"

  "I can't possibly say," I joke. Actually, I got exactly what I wanted in the first shop I walked into.

  "Tease." I hear her move about on the other end. "What are you doing?"

  "Just getting a drink."

  "Boring."

  "Did you talk to Emmie after school?"

  "I did," I confirm.

  "And..."

  "She's fine about it, baby girl. Wants to know when you're moving in."