by L. A. Casey
“Do you understand me?” I repeated. “Let me hear you say it.”
“How can I not be embarrassed?” she asked. “Ye’... ye’ just did that to me, and then ye’... ye’—”
“Licked your cum off my fingers?” I finished. “Yeah, I did. So what? It tasted great, and I’m already looking forward to seconds.”
If I thought her face was red before, it went beet red now.
“Dominic!” she scowled. “Don’t say stuff like that to me. I’ve never done anythin’ like this before, ever. Well, except for the times we almost had sex in your bedroom, but still, this is huge for me, and I don’t know how to process what I’m feelin’—”
“Baby, you need to take a breath and calm the fuck down. This is natural. You had an orgasm, an orgasm that I made you have. Big fucking deal. It made you feel incredible, so why should you be embarrassed about that? I’m your boyfriend; this is what I’m good for. It’s pretty much all I’m good for.”
I watched her process my words, and I knew that in her mind, she was talking herself down.
“Besides,” I continued, “I’m so fucking happy no one else has done that to you before. And I’m panting to be the first to have sex with you. I literally dream about it, pretty girl.”
Her eyes flicked to mine.
“Ye’ do?”
“Every night,” I responded. “Ever since you told me you were a virgin that day in my house after I fought Jason, I can’t get it out of my head.”
She swallowed. “Is it hard to believe?”
“Only because you’re so beautiful. I’m just surprised no one else has gotten here before me.” I winked. “I’m glad, though, because your virginity is mine.”
Her lips twitched. “It’s yours, huh?”
“I’m the boyfriend, so yep”—I grinned—”all mine.”
“I thought I said you’re on a trial basis with me before I put a title on us?”
I tugged her closer to me.
“Yeah, well, I’m promoting myself to boyfriend because I made you feel drunk on an orgasm. You’re welcome, by the way.”
She playfully rolled her pretty green eyes. “I don’t know why I bothered even sayin’ you’re on a trial basis with me. As soon as I said I’d take a risk with ye’, ye’ pretty much took up root that ye’ were me fella, right?”
I shrugged one shoulder. “Pretty much. I was going to let you think the ball was in your court and that you had all the power, but as you already found out, I have all the power in the world right here in my fingertips.”
Her eyes widened as I wiggled my fingers at her, which made me laugh. I hugged her to me, knowing we would have a lot of ups and downs in our relationship, but I had her now, and I wasn’t ever going to let her go. She fit into my life like a puzzle; she was a piece of me that I didn’t know I was missing. The thought of living my life with her by my side made the future that much more exciting, and I knew a relationship with her would be more than worth it.
Nothing could take her away from me.
Nothing.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Present day ...
* * *
“Daddy?”
I looked at the doorway of the living room where my daughter lingered. Her big green eyes were as wide as saucers, and her hands were clasped together. She was nervous, and I knew it was because her mother had sent her to speak to me. She rarely called me ‘daddy’, so I knew she was worried. I hadn’t sought her out all day, and that went against everything she knew about me as a father. Usually after an argument, I would go and clear the air with whoever I argued with because I hated fighting with my kids. But I didn’t do that today because I wanted Georgie to know just how much trouble she was in.
“Come in, baby.”
She entered the room, her eyes locked on the glass of whiskey in my hand. It was almost six in the evening, and I felt like a needed a drink. I had never been a big drinker—I was usually the one who watched other people get drunk—but tonight, I needed something to calm my spiked nerves. I heard people say parenting drove parents to drink, and never realised how true that statement was until my babies grew into teenagers.
“Are ye’ drinkin’ that ‘cause of me?”
I set my glass down on the side table.
“No, but I’m not gonna lie, it helps.”
“I’m sorry I lied to ye’ about goin’ out with Indie,” she said, her big green eyes glazing over with unshed tears. “We’re only goin’ out a couple of months. It’s just ... ye’ love me to death, and I know it’s hard for ye’ to let me grow up.”
“While that’s true, Georgie, you didn’t tell me about Indie because deep down you knew your relationship with him is not what it should be for kids your age. You’re fifteen, and Indie just turned thirteen.”
Most people probably wouldn’t think thirteen-year-olds had an interest in sex, but having lost my virginity at that age, I knew all too well how possible it was.
My kid cringed. “It’s just a two-year difference, not even a full two years, just twenty months.”
I stared at her, and Georgie sighed.
“I talked to Ma, and I understand everythin’ that both of ye’ have said, and I agree. I don’t know why Indie bought those condoms because they weren’t for us to use. Maybe he just wanted to be prepared. I’m not stupid, Da. I’m too young for sex, and I know that ... I don’t even know how it all fully works. I mean, I know how it works, but at the same time, I don’t.”
Her face was burning red as she spoke, and while I knew she was embarrassed, the relief in my chest made me almost cry. She wasn’t having sex, and she didn’t want to have sex. That was all that mattered to me.
“Look.” I sighed as I leaned forward and rested my elbows on my arms. “I know you get angry about how differently I treat you compared your brothers sometimes, but you have to understand that the world for a boy and girl are very different places. It’s unfair, but that’s the way it is, and to protect you from the fallout, I’m going to be overbearing.”
Georgie nodded. “I know. I accepted that years ago that all of ye’ were goin’ to drive me crazy.”
Me, my brothers, her brothers, and all her cousins adored her.
I managed a smile. “We all love you.”
“I know,” she said. “I love ye’ all, too.”
“Even Jax?”
Georgie looked up at me with raised brows. “Of course, I love Jax, Da.”
“You told him you hated him today.”
My daughter lowered her head in shame. “I was so mad at ‘im, but I didn’t mean it. I really didn’t.”
“I know that,” I said, “but you’re still to go over to his house this evening and apologise. He adores every hair on your head, and it hurt him when you told him you hated him today.”
Georgie swallowed. “I’ll make it right with ‘im. I promise.”
I leaned back in my chair. “I’m sorry that I reacted with anger earlier when Jax told me that you had a boyfriend. I never want to make you feel like you can’t talk to me. All the secrets were exactly why I got angry, but I shouldn’t have, so I apologise for that.”
“Thank you,” she said. “I’m sorry for keepin’ Indie a secret. I just ... it was just nice to have someone like me even though they know a bunch of lads would kill ‘im for lookin’ at me that way.”
I tilted my head to the side. “He doesn’t care about your brothers and cousins?”
“Since some of them are his cousins, no, he’s cool about it. He’s worried about Locke, though. They’re best friends, and he didn’t tell ‘im we were datin’ because I told ‘im I wanted no one to know. They might fight over it, and then Indie might fight me over that.” She put her head in her hands. “You’re right. Relationships are too much to deal with.”
I managed a laugh. “Well, you’re in one now, and I’ve never known you to take the easy way out of anything.”
Georgie looked up at me, and for a moment, she looked exactly like Bronagh.
“I thought ye’ said that I couldn’t have a boyfriend anymore.”
I stared at her, and I knew if I made her break up with this boy, it would push her away from me. She wasn’t a little girl anymore, and while she was still a minor, she had to have some independence and experience life.
“Listen to me, and listen carefully. You can continue to date him, but the relationship is not, in any shape or form, to become intimate until you’re an adult. That means eighteen years old at the very least. There is more to a relationship than sex. Not everything that is special has to become physical.”
Georgie’s green eyes widened as she jumped up and flung herself at me.
“Oh, thank you, Da!”
I caught her and hugged her tightly. When we separated and she was stood in front of me, my damn heart broke in two. She was gorgeous. The purest beauty I had ever seen. She was the spitting image of Bronagh just with my smile and dimples. She was a young woman, and I hated it.
“This is hard for me,” I said, my voice rough. “You know that, right?”
“I know, Da, but I promise ye’ that I haven’t even kissed Indie yet, and I won’t be doin’ anythin’ like what you’re scared of until I’m a lot older. I swear.”
She said that now, but wait until she was in a situation with this little Collins fucker that made her want to try the things she swore not to do. I knew I would be the last damn thing on her mind when this little punk had her attention.
“I want you to promise me that you’ll think very hard about decisions when it comes to kissing and everything that follows. Consider every single aspect of it, okay? And number one, do not be afraid to say no. Respect yourself, and do not give any boy the time of day if he doesn’t give you the same level of respect. Do you understand me, Georgie Slater?”
“Yes, Da, I do.”
I nodded. “I want to meet him.”
Georgie smile vanished, and her already fair skin paled. “Ye’ already met ‘im loads of times.”
“I never knew he was your boyfriend then, though.”
She swallowed. “Ye’ won’t scare ‘im, right? Because he is already wary of Jax, and he hasn’t even tried to scare him off yet ... except for when Jax punched ‘im yesterday. Indie text me earlier that when he was over at Jax’s house with Locke, Jax just stared at ‘im without blinkin’. It was enough to freak Indie out, and they’re cousins. And I know Beau, Enzo, and Alby are goin’ to lay it on thick with ‘im now, too.”
I fucking loved my sons and nephews.
“I won’t scare him, but I won’t be his friend either.” I said firmly. “I want him to know that you’re my life, and if he ever hurt you in any way, I’d end his. That’s all.”
“Da!”
I shrugged. “I’m just telling you the truth.”
Georgie sat back down and sighed. “Okay, I guess that’s fair.”
“Tell him to come by tomorrow afternoon. I want to be sad tonight that you’re growing up. I’ll get over it by then and enter a new stage of parenting that requires me to scare your boyfriends into submission.”
“Daaa,” she said with a shake of her head but with a smile on her face. “I love ye’ so much.”
“I love you too, but remember what I said earlier. You’re grounded for your outburst this morning and for what you said to Jax. No electronics for a week, and you’re to pick up extra chores around the house.”
Georgie nodded, accepting her punishment. “Okay, Da.”
She hugged and kissed me once more before she said, “I’m goin’ to go up to me room and text Indie about tomorrow, then I’ll put all of me stuff on your and Ma’s bed so ye’ can lock it away in your safe. I’ll walk over to Jax’s then.”
I watched her leave the room, and I felt damn proud of her for accepting the situation in front of her with her head held high. I picked up my glass, drained its contents, then closed my eyes.
“What are you thinkin’ of, big man?”
I opened my eyes, watching as Bronagh silently entered the room and walked towards me. Her hips seemed to sway in slow motion, and my mouth all but watered. When she sat her ass down on my crotch and snuggled against me, my arms automatically encased her and held her body to mine. I loved the feel of her, the smell of her hair. I loved her.
“I was just thinking about when I was a kid, then about how I met you and our life together so far.”
She smiled. “We’ve had a great twenty years, right?”
“And the best years are yet to come.”
She ran her fingers through my hair. “Tell me what’s on your mind.”
“I love you, that’s what on my mind.”
She sat up straight and looked at me with admiration and love in those big green eyes of hers.
“I love ye’ too, fuckface.”
I snorted. “You better, fat ass.”
Bronagh grinned. “How are ye’ holdin’ up after everythin’ with Georgie?”
“I’ve considered whether or not you and the kids could survive without me if I went to jail.”
“And what conclusion did ye’ come to?”
“That’d you guys would miss me too much.”
“We would.” Bronagh nodded. “I’d prefer if ye’ stayed home with us. If ye’ don’t mind benchin’ prison, that is.”
Smartass.
I sighed. “If I have to.”
She smiled, and my heart thudded against my chest.
“You’re so beautiful, Bronagh.”
Her cheeks flamed, and it drew a chuckle from me.
“After all this time, you still blush when I sweet-talk you.”
“Hush up.”
I smiled, tugged her head to mine, and kissed her until her body melted against me.
“Hmmmm.” She hummed against my lips. “I’ll never get tired of your kisses.”
“Good,” I said, relaxing. “‘Cause I plan on giving you kisses for a very long time.”
My wife smiled. “I know our girl hurt ye’ today. She hurt me too.”
I rested my forehead against hers.
“I’m terrified of her growing up, Bronagh. I’m not ready for it to happen yet.”
“I know, love. It’s snuck up on us. Yesterday, she was a baby, and today, she is a young woman.”
I squeezed her body. “This is fucking shit.”
Bronagh laughed. “Think of it, though, we get to watch her grow into a woman. We get to see her start a career for herself, fall in love, get married, and have babies of her own. We raised good kids, Dominic. She’s gonna do us proud. I know she is.”
I nodded and closed my eyes. “She’s my only daughter, and I just ... I just want ... I want her to be the best she can be. I want her to make mistakes, but I want to her take responsibility for them, like she did tonight. She’s perfect to me, Bronagh. She’s an extension of you. All my babies are an extension of you.”
Bronagh brushed her fingers over my lips. “They’re all extensions of you, too. Our boys look just like you and your brothers. Georgie has your smile and your strength.”
My chest warmed.
“D’ye feel better after speakin’ to ‘er?”
“Yeah,” I answered. “But I’m still scared because she says she won’t do anything grown-up until she is older, but we both know that can be bullshit. What was I doing to you when I was eighteen and you were seventeen?” I asked with a frustrated shake of my head. “I didn’t just kiss you in that hospital room when you sprained your hand. My fingers got very intimate with you, if I remember it correctly.”
My wife hummed. “Oh, I remember, husband.”
“Not now, wife.”
“Ye’ made me body yours,” she continued.
“Exactly,” I whispered. “Do you remember what I did to you when we were kids? I touched you, licked you, sucked you, and fucked you so hard you sometimes forgot to breathe. Jesus, Bronagh, I’d have jumped through hoops just to have your body before I even knew you. Georgie is shaped like you, so I know this
little prick will have a mind like I did, and he will want to—God, I can’t even say it.”
“Dominic”—my wife chuckled—”ye’ can’t really think she will be a virgin forever.”
“Christ, Bronagh,” I almost whimpered. “You have no idea how much I can’t talk about this. She is my baby girl. No punk will ever be good enough for her. She is above everyone in this world. I love her more than life itself, and this ... this is just fucking hard, okay? She was five yesterday asking me for piggy back rides and telling me boys were icky, and now she has a damn boyfriend. Fuck!”
My wife’s arms came around my neck, and her head rested against mine.
“Our babies are growin’ up.”
“At least Axel is only seven.” A lump formed in my throat. “I’m going to baby him so much his head will spin.”
Bronagh vibrated with silent laughter.
“Georgie passed me on the stairs and said ye’ want to see Indie tomorrow.”
I nodded. “I’m gonna scare him but a normal amount. I know if I make her break up with him, it will ruin her trust in me, so I have to let her have this, but I made her promise to keep intimacy out of everything until she is older. She promised, and I can only hope she sticks to it.”
“She will, babe. She’s respects ye’ too much to break her word.”
I hoped so.
“I’ll accept this, I will, but tonight, I want to just be upset that she’s growing up.”
My wife kissed my cheek. “Normally, I’d suggest ye’ go trainin’, but I don’t think that’ll help ye’. Go to the pub with your brothers; they’ll make you feel better.”
I tightened my hold on her body. “You can make me feel better.”
“I will make you feel better when you come home tonight.” She winked as she got to her feet and walked out of the room. “For now, I’ll look after the kids, so you go to the pub and let it all out.”
I didn’t have to be told twice. I dug my phone from my pocket and dialled Damien’s number. He answered of the fifth ring.
“Do you want to hit up a bar or ten with me?”
Damien groaned. “What did you do?”