Page 16 of Forbidden Vow

5

Darius

Darius grinned as he entered the master suite. He’d held Lexi in his arms until his son had drifted off to sleep. It was surreal; not eight hours ago, he was reeling from his father’s death. Yet, by some miracle, his father had brought him a sense of peace on the worst day of his life. He didn’t understand it, but he was grateful to have Raven and Lexi with him. He found Raven at her vanity, removing her makeup. He gripped her hand and hauled her up into his arms.

"You’re amazing, Raven. You gave me a precious little boy.” Whom Darius didn’t deserve. No, he was as unworthy as he had accused Raven of being all those years ago.

"No, Darius. You threw away what I had to give."

"How the hell can you say that? I didn't even know he existed until today. He’s perfect, by the way.” He smacked her on the butt, pleased when he got a little jiggle. “You do good work.”

Instead of responding, she just looked at him, a far away expression on her face. She’d given him time alone with Lexi, but he’d wanted her to stay. The moment he learned he and Raven had created a life, he knew they belonged to him. His to protect. His to love.

“Hey,” she rumbled, “hands off.”

“What about my tongue?” he teased, “there’s a big bed calling your name. Raven,” he whispered, “here puss, puss.” Raven didn’t smile.

“Not interested.”

“Raven,” he sighed, “I’m sorry. About-everything. I fucked us up with my bullshit accusations.”

“And not listening,” she added, not acknowledging his apology.

“There’s that. But we could work.”

They had before. In fact, he’d worked her in every room of his penthouse. She withdrew from his touch.

“The truth is…you didn't want to know about Lexi, Darius. You walked out of my life, period. You didn't care what happened to me. If it weren't for your father…never mind…”

"What?” His irritation at her inability to see he had changed his mind after learning about Lexi was evident. “You want me to beg?”

Not in this fucking lifetime. Shit, any woman would be happy to crawl in his bed.

"No," she ground out. "I wanted your trust. For you…to love your son and me. But, it’s too late for that.”

He froze. Then he narrowed his eyes. “I’m here now. You and Lexi—we’re a family.”

She looked up at him with sadness in her eyes. “He’s yours, Darius,” she said, her voice sure and steady, “I am not.”

Well, it would probably be a little awkward if he proposed marriage. The thought had crossed his mind more than once while holding his son. He was even about to say it, but something in her eyes, the vulnerability, the open rawness of his heart, told him it would be a bit too far.

She’d trusted him before. It was possible to earn her trust again, but they needed to be together for him to show her he could change.

“Move in with me. You and Lexi.”

Raven’s face filled with fury. “I didn’t move back then; I won’t do it now. We have a life, and it’s not here.” She pushed at his chest. Darius didn’t budge. Not physically, not mentally. They belonged with him. Just like she did five years ago.

“You are not taking my son out of the fucking state.” He clutched her shoulders. “Raven,” he warned, voice dropping low, “get that shit out of your head.”

“I have to make money, Darius,” she fumed.

“What the fuck for? My father just gave you a fortune. You might have to write me a damn check before this shit is over,” he railed.

They both started laughing. The vise around his chest loosened at the lighthearted sound.

“Oh, that will be the day. The great Darius Kent being led around by a woman, dependent on her generosity for his basic subsistence.”

He winked. “It could happen.”