Ready For Love?

Chapter 16

I really, really need to just drink a lot of alcohol while relaxing in a tub now.

Am I really ready to date? I took my rings off... but, I don't know! I can’t rush it. I didn't want to rush it.... although, a holiday fling might actually be a good segue into dating though, but he is not meeting the kids.

I need to stand my ground and let him know that a fling is all he will get. take it or leave it.

He got up, stalking towards me before stopping only inches from my face. “I want us to get to know each other and see where it goes. I don't want just a fling." He cupped my chin before giving a linguine kiss to my forehead and walking off through the door to the side. "I’ll start the jacuzzi and show you how it works, then head downstairs to give you privacy.”

Whoa... I was not expecting such a big ensuite being hidden behind the door. It had a double vanity as you walked in, the toilet to the left, then to the right was a built in shower and the jacuzzi under another window. The window was high though, so one could see in.

“Grab the bag off my bed.” He said as he started the water, so I just nodded and went to grab it. It had bath salts and oils, a bottle of wine and a glass and, lastly, a couple of candles and a lighter.

I also rummaged through my bag and got out my pajamas and clean underwear. There was no way I was walking back into this room with only a towel on… or should I… that could be a way to get rid of my jidders. Him jumping my bones... yeah, like I have that much confidence. Good one!

I put my bag beside the bedside table along the wall so it wasn’t in the way and checked my phone one last time.

No more messages from my sister. I really have missed her.

Rip POV

I don’t want to play games, but she isn’t ready for the answers I want to give.

She’ll need to be eased into this, well, as much as I can in three weeks, with her keeping her kids away from me. Which is fair enough.

Kids. Two kids.

Sure, I interact and play with the club kids. I know how to handle most situations with them and enjoy having them around.

But two kids that will be my step kids, will be different. Step kids… I wonder what they like? How am I going to win them over, if I can win them over?

Two kids that have lost their dad and never had another father figure that I know of. I need advice on how to handle this. It isn’t going to be like any of my other missions, that’s for sure.

I finish running the water and grab the salts and oils from her, putting them in and showing her how to use the jacuzzi. I know the manual says some s**t about not putting the salts and oils in, but I don’t care if I have to get it replaced.

The jacuzzi was a must for me when asked what I wanted in my bathroom. I put in over five hundred grand to have the place updated ten years ago when I joined. It needed a freshening up as well as some extra things like the elevator, an updated kitchen and other upgrades here and there for new members with mobility issues.

For a club that caters to all past and present service members, it needs to properly cater to them. With quite a few members now with limbs missing, they need to be able to move about properly whether they are in a wheelchair or not.

No feeling… stuck or not being able to do what they used to, like simply living on the first floor.

Annie looked at me skeptically as I kissed her on the forehead again before walking out. I wanted to kiss her lips, but will enjoy that when I get back... hopefully. If she isn't ready, she isn't ready.

I just have to work out how to get her to say yes in 3 weeks. It may seem fast, but I know what I want and she's it. So that means me, married…

As soon as I made it into the big room Viking, Bones, Trigger, Keys, Spokes, Dog and a few others got up and headed into the office, motioning me to follow.

I followed them in with Viking sliding the folder to me.

“So, you serious?” He asked me as I opened the folder.

I looked back up, seeing all eyes on me. “Yep. Order the cut. I have over 2 weeks to convince her or follow her back for a while.”

“You been hit in the head or somethin’? She’s got kids.” I’d expect nothing less from Dog.

He was more than vocal that Scruff was an accident, then was flapping his gums about making sure there were no more accidents. You'd be surprised to know he’s actually a great dad, which is why Scruffs followed his lead into the Navy and the club.

“And?” I started skimming through the information.

Husband - was killed just over five years ago in a car crash. There is no way he would have got out alive, the car was almost in two f*****g pieces.

He had a life insurance policy that paid off a lot of their mortgage, and she kept the rest in a bank account to pay off bills where needed or holidays.

“Doesn’t look like she’s dated since her husband died and the ring has only just come off her finger.” Viking had read the file as expected. He needs to anyway, as the president.

“I know.”

Father – former Senior Constable John Robert Blake. Retired. Good service Record.

Mother – deceased. Helen Pearl Blake. Cancer. Primary school teacher.

Adelaide Thelma Fitzgerald. 11 Years old and the female version of her father except she has her mothers eyes. Good grades. Plays netball and soccer.

Ethan Cameron Fitzgerald. 8 Years old and the male version of his mother. Not the best grades, struggles to concentrate in class. Has started tutoring. Plays soccer and does ninja… what the f**k is ninja?

“So you're willing to become a stepdad?” Bones has three kids to two of his ex-wives.

He loves kids and would have no problem becoming a stepdad to more kids. He just has to learn to keep his d**k in his pants to keep a wife.

“Yep.”

Their house is a brick three bedroom on a small lot in a nice suburban area.

She’s worked for the same wedding venue for the last seven years. Her organization skills definitely showing in the kitchen earlier.

“What happens when you get called up?” I looked up at Trigger.

“I’ll be as honest as I can. Her dad was a cop.” Most nodded at that.

Having a cop as a father means she will understand a little of the commitment. Of the two separate lives I lead and having to keep them separate.

“You still gonna’ need a LOT of back up getting her signed up.” Trigger thinks out loud.

Fire’s already attached to Annie like I haven’t seen before and Trigger would love nothing more than for Annie to stay just for Fire’s sake.

“I’ve put in a few properties for sale close by with land for a horse. Anne used to ride, and she has inquired at a few equestrian places of late for her daughter.” Keys says as I get to the listings.

“Every little girl wants a f*****g pony.”

I ignored that comment and looked at the listings briefly before I looked back up at everyone. “Anything else?”

“You want her new road name on the cut, Anne or Annie?” I furrowed my brows, remembering what Gypsy said. I quickly got us away, because I needed to investigate if I liked it or if I would be shutting that s**t down. “Fire and Scruff came up with it, since she can’t be the First Old Lady…”

“She can if she wants.” Viking tries to rib me but I ignore him.

“They came up with the Death Defenders Momma Bear or Bear for short. They thought it was fitting she got her own road name.” That’s a first.

Not sure I like it though. She naturally gravitates to looking after everyone first, but that’s because she had to. When her husband died she most likely went into autopilot mode to protect her children.

When has she allowed herself to be her? Will the name make her feel trapped to look after everyone? That there is an expectation?

This weird feeling again makes me want to protect her from feeling like she can’t be just her as well.