Damaged and the Bulldog (Damaged #6)

“I don’t know,” I said then added, “I never thought I’d like a guy until I got to know Dylan.”


Lark smiled. “He’s a tricky fucker. I used to dread seeing him since he was his dad’s attack dog. Once he blew off Larry, he’s really become a sweetie. He’s even nice to Raven and those two are like water and vinegar.”

Sharing her smile, I decided to pump her for information. “Did Dylan date a lot?”

“I guess. He went on dates, but I never met anyone. I never heard him talk about a girl. Since I met him, he’s never had a girlfriend until you.”

My smile widened. “We’ve gone on a few dates away from the house and spent a lot of time together on the back porch. Now, I want to spend the night with him, but I’m really scared. I’ve never, you know, been with a guy in a real way. I want to with Dylan though.”

“What are you most scared of?”

“Being touched. I’m afraid when he touches me that it’ll feel like when…”

I didn’t finish, but Lark understood. “You two have kissed. Did that make you feel bad?”

“At first, yes.”

“Then go slow. Basically, do the opposite of me and Raven. We slutted out the first chance we got with our guys.”

I smiled. “Well, Aaron and Vaughn are hot.”

“So is Dylan. You know, for a step brother.”

“I have fantasies,” I said, embarrassed to admit as much, but something about Lark made sharing easy. “I never really see me in the fantasies though. If I put me in them, I want to puke.”

“You need to take it slow and lead up to the good stuff. Kissing leads to cuddling leads to under the shirt action leads to…well you get the picture.”

“Ooh, what am I walking into?” Aaron said, peeking out from the house.

Lark’s face lit up. “My sexy cobra is home along with the hot guy attached to him.”

Aaron faked offense at her comment as he settled in next to her on the couch. While his lips caressed hers, his hands were doing the same with her baby bump. I looked away, giving them privacy. The way they were so casually intimate with each other made me hunger to see Dylan. I wanted his arms around me, his lips on mine, his hot breath on my skin, my name whispered in his hungry voice.

Desire scared me as much as sex, but I craved everything about Dylan. I wanted to share with him what Lark had with Aaron.

“I didn’t mean to interrupt, but today was slow at the shop. Everyone wants Jade to do their tats. I know she’s talented, but I sensed they just want the hot chick,” Aaron said then added quietly, “I’m hot too.”

Lark cuddled next to him. “If I wasn’t on bed rest, I’d fuck that pout right off your face.”

“Don’t worry, babe. I’m keeping track of every time you say that, so you can make it up to me after the babies are born.”

Smiling, Lark glanced at me. “We’re planning to ditch the babies with other people a lot, so we can have alone time. You should prepare for that.”

I grinned. “I can’t wait to see your babies.”

“Me either. I hope they have curls like Aaron.”

Aaron sighed. “Please, let the boy have straight hair. Trust me that the Shirley Temple look doesn’t work on boys.”

Lark rubbed his head. “Hey, Winnie and Dylan are together. Isn’t that great?”

Aaron smiled at me. “Have you seen his bulldog tat?” When I shook my head, he nodded. “He got it before the shooting. I doubt he’s been walking around shirtless much since then.”

“It’s a beauty,” Lark said, smiling at her husband. “Aaron is so talented that the dog looks real. Pouty too. Kinda like Dylan in a bad mood.”

Even curious about the tattoo, I focused on my job. “Do you want me to make you lunch?” I asked, standing up. “Lark was planning to have a sandwich.”

“Oh, and steamed veggies,” Lark added, faking excitement. “Soft carrots, Aaron. Can you imagine?”

“I won’t have to. I’ll have what she’s having,” he told me then knelt on the ground to kiss the baby bump. “This is Leo. This is Phoebe. I can tell by how they kick.”

Lark looked at me and rolled her bright green eyes. I still smiled at how excited Aaron was about his babies.

As I made them lunch, I remembered when Dylan asked about kids. We were cuddling on the back porch when he brought up the subject. Dylan hoped for at least two because he didn’t like growing up an only child.

“I don’t know if I’d be a good mother,” I told him.

“Of course you will.”

“I have moods where I’m not good for anything.”

“We all do. That’s why we have each other.” When I stared at him, Dylan finally understood. “Do you not want children?” he asked.

Staring into his dark hypnotic eyes, I let myself dream of a future where Dylan and I were together. If I learned to be close to him, I could learn to be close to a child.