Page 18 of Forever and Always #1
DARKE
W e’re settled into our seats, the soft murmur of the restaurant providing a gentle backdrop. A question had been brewing within me since we’d started dating, a query I’d been hesitant to voice. I didn’t want to pry, but the curiosity gnawed at me.
Taking a deep breath, I studied the menu, my heart pounding. “Bobby?”
His gaze lifted from the menu, a warm smile curving his lips. “Yes, Beast?”
My voice was steady when I spoke, but my heart raced. “Do you have parents? Who take care of you?”
The smile vanished, replaced by a stillness that spoke volumes.
He lowered the menu, his eyes searching mine.
His expression turned serious, tinged with vulnerability.
“I… uh… no, Darke. I mean, I have a mom, but she’s not really in the picture.
Addiction’s been a long battle for her. I’ve been on my own since I was a teenager.
Rachel’s been a guardian, a watchful eye. But parents? No, not really.”
A pang of sorrow and regret washed over me. I’d opened a wound I hadn’t meant to. Yet, his expression softened, and he reached for my hand. I squeezed it gently in return.
“It’s okay, Darke. I’ve learned to be self-reliant. But having someone like you looking out for me… it means a lot.”
A surge of protectiveness and love filled me. “I’m here for you, Bobby. Always. You’re not alone.”
The waiter arrived, interrupting the heavy silence. As we place our orders, my mind was elsewhere. I wanted to be his anchor, his safe harbor.
When we were alone again, Bobby’s gaze was distant. “When I came out as gay, my father… he left me. Shamed me for who I was.” His voice was barely a whisper, and his eyes filled with tears.
A wave of anger and protectiveness consumed me. No one deserved such cruelty, least of all someone as kind and loving as Bobby. “I’m so sorry, Bobby. You deserve the world, not to be rejected by your own family. You’re loved, you’re enough, and I’m here for you, always.”
I pulled him into a gentle embrace, his sobs muffled against my chest. I held him tightly, offering silent comfort.
“I got you, little prince,” I whispered, stroking his hair.
In that moment, I made a silent vow. I would be the family Bobby never had, the love he deserved.
* * *
With our appetites satiated, we made our way back to Bobby’s place. As we pulled into the parking lot, a sense of anticipation filled me. This was a new chapter, a deeper dive into our relationship.
Bobby reached for the door handle, but I spun him around, capturing his lips in a passionate kiss. The surprise in his eyes quickly melted away, replaced by a longing that mirrored my own. His arms encircled me as we deepened the kiss, a silent conversation of desire and connection.
A low growl rumbled in my chest as I claimed his mouth with possessive hunger. “You’re mine, little prince,” I murmured against his lips. “Don’t you ever forget that.”
We pulled apart, breathless and intoxicated. His eyes, filled with a tender warmth, met mine. “I needed that,” he breathed, resting his head on my chest.
I held him close, my heart swelling with love. “Me too,” I replied, the words a mere whisper against his hair.
For a long moment, we stood there, the world outside fading into insignificance. Then, with a gentle tug on my hand, Bobby led me inside. The loft was a haven of comfort and intimacy, the perfect setting for our deepening connection.
As we moved deeper into the space, the magnetic pull between us intensified. Our lips met again, this time with a fierce urgency. The world narrowed to just us, our bodies yearning for closeness. In that moment, I knew without a doubt that I had found my home, my safe harbor, in Bobby’s arms.