Chapter 9 #2
Swallowing, I shrugged. “No. Mostly just live a normal life.” I didn’t bring up that I was currently living at my clubhouse.
This didn’t seem like the time or place.
And maybe this was a good opening to bring up the potential threats that could be coming our way—and since she was connected to me, her way as well—but I didn’t want to ruin the day.
I’d sit her down in the next couple of days and speak to her about my club and what we had going on.
I wasn’t sure exactly how much to tell her.
I didn’t want to freak her out. I hated that this was happening so soon into our new…
relationship, but that was life. All I knew was there wasn’t anything I wouldn’t do to protect her and my baby.
But that would be a lot harder to do if she was in the dark about what was coming. So, I’d tell her. Just not today.
Changing the subject, I chatted with her, flirting and getting to know more about her.
It wasn’t too long into the float when I noticed the first choke point coming up.
It was mostly us and families, though there were a few groups of college kids around, so most of Code’s suggestions weren’t really applicable. Though they could have been.
I noticed bubbles off to my left and grinned.
That was Merc. He’d dragged his dive gear down here and was waiting to see if I needed any help.
He’d been a Navy Diver in the military. His job had been focused on salvage, repair, and underwater construction mostly.
The fucker was like a seal in the water.
Dipping my hand in the water, I gave a thumb’s up, letting him know that everything was fine.
“Oh!”
My head snapped over in Devyn’s direction, looking for any kind of threat.
“Look, look!” She pointed over on the river bank where there were horses coming down to drink. “They’re so pretty. And look at the baby!”
There were wild horses all over this area and it was one of the main draws of the Salt River. You didn’t always see them, but if you were lucky you might spot them.
“I’ve never gotten to see them before,” she told me, her eyes shining with excitement.
“I’ve only seen them one other time,” I replied, smiling at how thrilled she was. “It’s pretty cool.” Movement caught my eye as we floated into an area that had a large rock wall on one side of the river. I paddled us away from that side and we watched as the group of younger guys scaled the rocks.
The river was deep enough in this spot to jump in from the cliff above. Not that I’d be suggesting we do that. I’d done it before, but I wasn’t taking any chances with Devyn. Even if she wasn’t pregnant, I’d be hesitant to do it. I didn’t want her getting hurt.
There were people on the little mini beaches, taking breaks, eating lunches, and playing in the water with their kids.
It was a perfect fucking day. I couldn’t wait to do this one day with our kid.
Pausing, I realized that my mind was already starting to shift toward family-man mode without even consciously knowing it.
The crazy thing was, it didn’t scare me. I genuinely liked the idea.
I watched Devyn as she looked around at the scenery. She’d only eaten a few small bites of the sandwich. She must have felt me watching her and she gave me a guilty smile. “It’s really good, but-”
“You don’t need to explain,” I told her. “Camila put a ton of things in here that are easier on the stomach if you want anything.” I took the sandwich from her and put it back in the cooler.
“Thank you. That was so nice of her.”
“She’s one of my brother’s old ladies,” I told her. “She’s excited to meet you.”
And I owe her for knowing to bring a variety of foods.
“I’m looking forward to it, too.”
There was a genuine smile on her face, so I knew she meant it. She was starting to relax around me, which I appreciated. I wanted her to feel comfortable enough to meet my families. Both of them. Soon, I’d introduce her.
Grabbing the side of her tube, I pulled her closer.
She watched me with a careful gaze as we bumped together.
I gave her plenty of time to move away or stop me, but she didn’t.
She just watched as I cupped her cheek and kissed her.
I didn’t go fast. It was a long, slow kiss.
One that made me glad my lower half was submerged in the water.
When I pulled away, she was breathing a little harder and her cheeks were flushed.
I liked seeing her this way. Letting go of her tube, I let her float back to the other side of the raft and just smiled at her as if nothing had happened.
I couldn’t push it too far, as much as I wanted to, or I’d scare her off.
Taking my time with her was going to be an important part of this plan.
But maybe one day I’d be able to bring her back here, find the perfect spot behind the vegetation along the river bank, lay down a blanket and do all the things to her gorgeous body that I wanted to right now.
Later. When she trusted me enough with her heart.
I pointed to another open bank and she gasped again as another herd of horses stood munching on patches of grass.
Seeing her like this, relaxed, smiling, having fun was exactly what I’d hoped for.
She looked so damn beautiful sitting there and I couldn’t wait to do more stuff like this with her.
There were probably some men who would think this—accidentally getting a woman pregnant—was the end of the world, but I already knew it was going to be the beginning of something new for me.
I’d only just started to realize that something was missing and without intending to, I’d found what that was.
I was ready for this step. Ready for her.
Ready for our kid. Sure, I had no idea what I was doing, but I’d figure it out.
Between my family and my club, I’d figure it out.
I had all the motivation in the world to make this work and it all started with the woman floating next to me.