Chapter 25
I’ve Got You
Ciara
“Dylan,” I giggle as I try to get away from him tickling me.
I’m supposed to be packing for our trip. We leave in the morning. I already saw Ciarán off for his trip with Daliah and Vega. He was so excited.
They’re taking him to Universal Studios. I wish I could see Dimitri, Nashawn, and Ross in the theme park. I have no doubt my brother will be safe, but I’m sure it will be amusing to see those big guys trailing him and the girls.
I’m so happy Ciarán has so many people who love and care for him. I’m going to miss him this week. Dylan started tickling me because I’ve been moping as I pack.
“We can take him again on his next break,” he breathes into my ear.
“It’s not that I’m not going on the trip. It’s that I’m not going with him. I’m going to miss his little face.
“How could he be so happy to leave me behind? My heart hurts.” I pout.
Dylan stops tickling me and wraps his arms around me as he kisses the top of my head. His warm embrace begins to soothe me as he rocks us from side to side.
“He’s twelve, baby. He’s going to be homesick within a few days, and he’ll be calling you every five seconds. Right now, all that’s on his mind is all the fun he plans to have,” he says against my neck as he buries his face there and inhales.
I sigh. “I better hurry up. I should have done this by now, but I was too focused on making sure Ciarán had everything he needed.”
“Let me help you.”
“If that help comes with you keeping your hands off me, then sure.”
“Shit, in that case, you better get your ass to packing. You’re on your own.”
I burst into laughter and toss the shirt in my hand at him as he flops down on the bed. He catches the shirt and brings it to his nose to inhale. I roll my eyes and turn my focus back to packing.
“You and Ciarán’s shit always smells like fresh laundry. You have to show me how you do it.”
I laugh. “I don’t know, I can’t show you all my tricks.”
“Give me time, I’ll figure them all out,” he croons.
I pause and let reality hit. It’s been four weeks, I’ve already learned a lot about Dylan. I can’t say I’ve learned anything off-putting.
However, now that Ciarán isn’t here. It seems like things have slowed down in this moment and I have to wonder what we’re doing and where this is going. I frown and stare down into my suitcase.
Dylan reaches for the front of my shirt and tugs me to him. He then lifts my chin for me to look at him. I search his eyes as my thoughts race with all the things I should be focused on.
“What just happened?”
“Just thinking.”
“About what? Talk to me.”
“Maybe I shouldn’t go. I mean, I might need this time to myself to think.”
“Think about what?”
“Us, this, what I’m doing. Yeah, the chemistry between us is insane, but is that enough for this to last? This might be too good to be true. What happens when we disagree?
“Do you kick me and my brother out? Will you fire me from my job? I think I’m fucking up because you’re the most familiar thing in my life.
“You’re attached to a past I want desperately to remember and connect with. However, I’ve given you so much power in my life and I swore I’d never do that again. What if I’m caught up in a fairy tale that ends badly? I have more than just me to worry about.”
“Baby, first you need to understand I’m not an asshole. I would never leave you out on the street with nothing. Second, there’s nothing you could do that would make me so mad I don’t want you.
“If you need time to yourself to think—” He pauses and shrugs. “I want you to come with me, but I’ll give you the time you need. I’m going to miss you, but if you want to stay, that’s up to you.
“I have always belonged to you and always will. I’m here. I will remain in your life no matter what capacity you decide that will be in.”
“Gah, you know you’re not helping, right? You’re too perfect.”
He tugs me to him for a searing kiss. I climb onto the bed to straddle his lap. He palms my ass and deepens the kiss.
My thoughts and emotions settle as I melt into him. My safe place. With Dylan, I always feel like everything will be okay.
I’ve tried to fight that feeling, but his actions always justify my deeply rooted response to him. I’ve fallen so hard for him, and it scares me. As if he knows and understands this, he wraps his arms around me and holds me tightly.
“You’re the one who’s perfect. I love you,” he says against my lips.
I sigh. “I love you too. I better get back to packing.”
“If you hurry, we can go on a date.”
“I thought you would want to stay in. It’s the first time we’ve had the place to ourselves.” I wiggle my brows.
“Oh, I’ve thought of that. Trust me, I have. I have plans for later,” he says and winks at me.
Dylan
It started raining, so we opted to stay in for the night. I planned to cook for us, and I have a little surprise for Ciara. While sitting with her as she finished packing, I remembered the moment I knew I would love her for life.
It’s been playing in my mind so clearly. I want her to remember that moment, or at least the feeling. We were so young, but the way she looked at me and held on to me told me she felt the same.
I didn’t know the feeling as the love I have for her today, but I knew then that I would love her and protect her in any way I knew how. I’m lost in my thoughts as I get everything ready to start prepping dinner.
Right before Ciara finished packing, I drew her a bath to soak in while I came down to the kitchen. A text to Taegan and my plan is already set in motion. When we leave here in the morning, I want Ciara to have no doubts that I’m in this for the long run.
There’s a second entrance to the rooftop that doesn’t require coming through the apartment. Taegan and whoever she has helping her will be able to come and go without Ciara knowing. Thankfully the rain has slowed and the part of the rooftop I plan to use is covered for nights like this.
The design and attention to detail are what sold me on this place. Since Ciara and Ciarán have been here, it feels more like a home. Music is playing throughout the apartment, and I notice I have a smile on my face. I have everything I ever wanted and more.
The one thing that’s been nagging at me is how to fulfill the entirety of my promise. Her dad is gone. How do I fight him for permission to marry her?
I’ve trained my whole life for that fight. I want to keep my word, but I don’t know how to make that happen. I’m going to figure this out.
I’m thinking of ways I can keep my promise as I set the table for a candlelight dinner. There has to be something I can do. My father’s words ring in my head.
If ya make a promise, ya keep it.
“I plan to, Da. I plan to,” I say to my thoughts.
“Should I be concerned? You’re in here talking to yourself.”
I turn to find Ciara standing watching me with her arms folded over her chest. She’s in a pair of yoga pants and a tank top. I chuckle and shake my head.
My phone buzzes in my pocket, dragging my attention from her. I pull it out to find a text from Taegan. I smile as I read it.
Taegan: All done. Enjoy the rest of your night and have a safe trip. I’ll hold down the fort.
Me: Thanks. Buy yourself something on me.
Taegan: Don’t have to tell me twice. You don’t have to buy my loyalty, but it never hurts our friendship. Love you, Irish. This shit is so romantic by the way. Later.
Me: Love you more, tiny creature. Get home safe.
Taegan: Ha!
“Tell Taegan I said hi,” Ciara says, bringing my attention back to her.
“She’s gone for the night,” I say and shrug. “Come here.”
Opening my arms, I wait for her to come to me. She steps into my embrace and wraps her arms around my waist. I’m filled with so much peace in this moment.
“What are you making? Can I help?”
“Chicken and rice with creamed spinach. Come on, it might be fun to cook together.”
“I’ll be able to make sure everything is seasoned,” she murmurs.
“That happened once, and I told you I got distracted and missed a couple of things. It wasn’t that bad.”
“Bro, that shit was so bland I wouldn’t have fed it to the cat,” she snorts.
“We don’t have a cat, smart-ass.”
“But you would look so adorable holding a kitten.”
I reach to shove my hand down the front of her yoga pants and cup her pussy as I turn her into me, her back to my front. A gasp leaves her lips as I lean over her and suck on the back of her neck as I begin to finger her.
“Am I adorable now?” I breathe in her ear.
“Dylan,” she whimpers.
I bite my lip, loving the sound of her calling my name while she pants for me. I don’t stop until I have her soaked and shaking. Licking my fingers clean once my girl comes, I then get us started on dinner.
With our easy banter, dinner is finished in no time. I’ve set a romantic dinner for two in the dining room, and we eat and enjoy the night like a couple who’s been together forever, not just four weeks.
Ciara sighs and falls back in her seat. “That was so good. Want to watch a movie, or should we go to bed to get up for our flight?”
“Actually, I have something I want to show you.”
“Oh really?”
Standing from my seat, I then blow out the candles. I scoop Ciara up into my arms. She wraps her arms around my neck and kisses my cheek.
Holding her tight, I make my way up to the rooftop. I smile as the glow from the lights and candles comes into view. Once outside, I walk over to the tent I had Taegan purchase and set up for me. Then I place Ciara on her feet in front of the opening.
More lights and candles light the inside. There are also two sleeping bags. Ciara steps inside as I wave her in. I then duck in as best I can after her and quickly take a seat on one of the sleeping bags.
“What’s all of this?” she asks.
Then her gaze lands on the little ballerina with boxing gloves on. I had Taegan commission the piece two weeks ago, as I remembered her father giving her a similar item. His only played music and spun around on its pedestal. This is a figurine on top of a jewelry box.
It still plays music. “Time After Time,” just like her old one played. During our chat tonight, she mentioned liking to dance and how it sometimes helps her in the ring.
Her mother was the dancer, but Ciara took to fighting more than her dance classes. Her ma and mine would take her and Kate to dance. I wasn’t sure if the piece was ready, but I’ll have to thank Taegan because it’s the perfect touch.
Ciara reaches for her head and stumbles to take a seat across from me. Quickly, I crawl over to her and palm her face. I search her eyes as they seem to be a bit distant.
“Your brothers teased me and told me there would be snakes in my sleeping bag. I cried, but you were there, and you hugged me until I calmed down,” she says as she looks back into my eyes.
“Yeah, I did. That was the first time I realized I loved you and always would.”
“But … why did the ballerina trigger that memory?”
“Your dad gifted you one just like it that same day. I played the music from it while you calmed down and you fell asleep.”
“I carried her around with me all day, didn’t I?”
“Yeah. How is your head? I’m sorry, I wasn’t thinking about the headaches. We can save the champagne and strawberries for another time. If you want to go back inside, we can,” I say and kiss her forehead.
“No, no, it’s fine. My head is okay. It’s already passing.
“This is so romantic and cute. I want to stay. Thanks, Dylan.
“You just reminded me of the day you became my little hero. I think I might have known I loved you that day too.”
I crush her lips with mine and kiss her deeply. Everything else is forgotten as I make love to her in the tent on my rooftop. It’s one of the most amazing nights of my life.