by Annie Buff
“Please,” he murmured against her mouth and Poppy nodded. She would keep the baby, and she and Darius would be a family.
“You’re sure Darius? This is kind of a big deal.”
It was a big deal, this was bringing a new life into the world but he had never been more sure of anything in his life. He would be the Father he should have had. Pretty Boy would make sure of that.
“Red needs to know, but not at the clubhouse, too many ears so I’m going to ask him to stop over here okay? I have to go, I’m late for temple. Keep the door locked and the gun out, if anyone other than me or Red comes through the door you shoot to kill. Understand?”
She nodded, smiling for the first time in weeks. Darius was one surprise after another.
Temple was tense to say the least, Snowman and Pretty Boy stared each other down the entire two hours Red kept them. There was some regular business and some new, but neither one heard anything. They each spent the span of temple contemplating how to kill the other.
Pretty Boy could visualize pulling the intestines from Snowman and wrapping them around his neck, pulling tight enough to turn him blue. That thought put a smile on his face, even though he knew Poppy would be angry at him for the violence.
He still took contracts, he needed the outlet. His father still haunted him, the son of a bitch was dead and gone but he was still very much alive in Pretty Boy’s dreams. All the men he had passed him around to, all the nights spent tied to a bed.
“Darius, are you listening?” Red asked him as the temple room cleared. He hadn’t heard a word and Pretty Boy knew Red was mad, he could see it on his face. He and Snowman were the only two left, that was intentional on Reds part. Pretty Boy knew Red wanted this mess finished with Snowman and so did he. Poppy was having a baby and that meant she didn’t need any stress, he didn’t know much about pregnancy but he knew that.
Red tried to get them to make peace but it wasn’t working. Snowman still thought he had claim on Poppy no matter what Red had said.
“She made her decision Snowman, and you never made it official so now she’s free to see anyone she likes. That includes Pretty Boy here, and it seems to me he cares for her more than you ever did.” Red knew that would sting but it was true, he saw how Darius looked at her. He was a man in love.
“Bitch is mine and I’ll get her back in my bed where she belongs. He can’t even fuck her, he’s not a man. That’s my piece of ass and I’ll make sure she understands that.”
That small statement had Pretty Boy over the table with a knife to snowman’s throat before Red could react. “I can and have, she’s mine! I asked her to be my old lady and she said yes, so don’t you ever let her name pass your lips again!” He growled with the knife still against Snowman’s throat.
Red put his hand over the knife and looked at Pretty Boy, silently letting him know to back down.
Pretty Boy had no intention of giving up his blade, it felt too good being pressed against Snowman’s jugular. All that was needed was a little more pressure and he would slice right through the toughened skin of his enemy. He knew how easy it would be, he had done it before and it felt good. He could faintly hear Red talking him down.
“Darius, think of Poppy. Snowman isn’t worth losing her. She loves you Darius, don’t do this. Give me the knife.” Red’s words got through. Pretty Boy caved and let Red have the knife. He walked towards the door, he had to get out of there. He did still need his President, needed to talk alone.
“You still coming for dinner Red? Poppy has been cooking all day.” Red cocked his head for just a minute, and then understood what Pretty Boy meant. He had things to say to his President and it needed to be done in private.
“Yeah Kid, see you both in about an hour.”
Pretty Boy arrived back at Poppy’s to find her in the kitchen, she really was cooking. The house smelled like an Italian restaurant and he was sure he had drool on his chin.
“Wow! What are you cooking?” Whatever was smelled like heaven and he was going to enjoy every bite.
“It’s just chicken cacciatore, it’s really easy and I need to put something in my stomach. You know with a baby in there and all.” That made him smile, she was feeding the baby.
“Can I touch your tummy? I mean I’ve never been around a pregnant woman before and I really want to touch you.”
Poppy nodded, baring her middle so he could lay his hands on her. She watched the smile stretch across his face. The shock was when he started talking to the fetus.
“Hi baby, it’s Darius and I’m gonna be your Dad. I’ll be good for you and your Mom I promise. And oh, can you be a girl that looks just like Poppy?” He looked straight at her as he was talking, she knew he meant every word. Darius was hell bent on being the baby’s father and being a good one.
Red made it in the hour he said he would and as they sat down for dinner he knew whatever this was had to be big. He had never had a meal with Darius and being invited over tonight wasn’t your run of the mill invite.
“Okay you two, what gives? I know this has to be important to get a dinner invite.”
It was important, maybe the most important thing Darius had ever said to his President. “Yeah Red, it’s important. Poppy is pregnant and I want to raise the baby as my own. Snowman can’t know about this. Not yet anyway, he would try to hurt her just to get to me. I will kill him without hesitation if he even thinks of hurting her.”
Red shook his head, he had to laugh. The change in Darius in just a few weeks was extraordinary. He was sure Darius hadn’t spilled all his secrets yet, but he would in time. Poppy was exactly the medicine needed to start to heal him.
“Damn! You’re a good man Darius. Very few men would do what you’re doing, and yeah of course I’ll help you keep it quiet.
“Poppy, you’re going to need some security. I don’t trust Snowman. Even when Darius had a knife at his throat he was still spouting about getting you back.”
Poppy needed to know what happened in temple but she also knew Red wasn’t going to tell her. Temple was private, patched brothers only and she was just the girlfriend.
The men left the table, needing some private words.
“I haven’t slept with her yet. I just said that because that fucker pissed me off. I know I won’t hurt her though, no one has ever meant to me what she does. Red she just accepts everything I tell her like it’s nothing. Poppy has held me through so many nightmares and she doesn’t flinch. Nothing can happen to her. Do you know what I would do if something did?”
Red was well aware. He had seen his handy work before. If Poppy was hurt in any way nothing would stop Pretty Boy.
Pretty Boy walked Red out to his bike. Once his President had growled off into the night, he sat on the steps to smoke his cigarette. With Poppy being pregnant he wouldn’t light up inside any longer. She brought him a gin and tonic and had a mug of cocoa for herself. He put his arm around her and just let his emotions free. There were things he needed to say to her tonight. He desperately wanted to be with her, making love to Poppy had been on his mind for so long and now that he knew he wouldn’t hurt her he wanted it.
“Poppy I really want to make love, but there are things you need to know first.”
She nodded against his shoulder. Poppy knew whatever it was had to be from his past. She didn’t care, she had fallen in love with him and nothing would ever change that.
“You know you can tell me anything Darius. It won’t change my feelings for you.”
He did know, after holding him through his nightmares he was sure she would care for him no matter what. “I’m scarred Poppy, like down there. And it’s bad, really bad. It’s why I haven’t ever been with a woman who wasn’t a prostitute; they don’t care what I look like. They’re paid to make me feel good, that’s it. So my scars weren’t a big deal to them.”
“What happened Darius? How did you get those scars?” This was the part he was terrified of, saying it out loud. Never once had he ever told anyone what ha
ppened to him that summer, but it was time. He needed to say it out loud and Poppy was the one he felt most comfortable with.
“Some of it is from my father, some from his fucking sicko friends.” He took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. “I was twelve and had started to understand how wrong all that was, and I refused to be touched anymore. That’s when my father poured acid on me, the whole left part of my pubic area has no hair, it should but he burned it off. I had massive chemical burns from that and wasn’t allowed to have any medical treatment. I was still refusing to touch them or let them touch me so his friend took a hunting knife and started cutting. My dick has scars on it all down the shaft and he cut off my left nut. I have one testicle and I’m scared to death you’ll see and be grossed out. That once you see me you won’t want me to be anywhere near you. Poppy I am so in love with you; it would kill me if you couldn’t stand the sight of me.”
She couldn’t believe what she was hearing, his father had intentionally scarred him. Poppy was sure every time he showered he remembered that day, looking at himself. Maybe that’s what his dad wanted, for Darius to never forget that day.
“Darius, I could never think you’re anything but beautiful. Show me.” She stood extending her hand. He took it and followed her inside to her bedroom. He was still completely terrified at how she would react to actually seeing how bad it was.
Poppy sat on her bed, making him stand in front of her as she slowly unbuckled his belt. Letting it slide through the loops before she dropped it to the floor. Next was the popping of the button on his jeans and the hiss of the zipper sliding down. She leaned forward, kissing his waistline. Darius needed to know how she felt. That no matter what, she loved him. Poppy hooked her thumbs in the loops and pulled. The denim hit the floor and he stood in nothing but red boxer briefs. Just from the outline of him, he was blessed. Poppy could tell he was thick, even without being erect his size was apparent.
“You’re beautiful Darius.” She told him as she slid his boxers to the floor. He wasn’t kidding about the scars but she didn’t care. He was her man and she adored him. She kissed his burn scars, silently letting him know she accepted everything about him. Her fingers traced the marks on his dick, which hardened instantly as she continued to put her lips on the burns. Poppy could hear his labored breathing, wondering if anyone had ever done this to him. When she put him in her mouth she knew no one ever had. The reaction was incredible.
“Oh God!” He choked out as his knees started to wobble. He tasted like a man, and smelled musky and masculine the way a man should. The deeper she swallowed him, the more he shook and the more he spouted out words.
“Oh baby, dammit that feels better than I ever imagined it would. Please don’t stop, ah fuck, dammit no!” He was trying so hard to hold off but this new sensation took over and his body won, spilling himself in her mouth.
Poppy held him tight and continued to lightly suck until he stopped shaking. She graciously swallowed what he had given her. He looked down at her, wondering if he should apologize but after seeing her face Darius knew she wasn’t angry.
“Christ Darius, that was the most amazing thing ever. You’re perfect, and your scars are nothing. Darius, I love you. And I love your scars. Please don’t ever think you have to hide anything from me.”
He leaned her back and took her mouth with his. The passion of the kiss prolonged the feeling of the orgasm. He had never had a woman do that to him and he wanted to return the favor. Darius had never done that either but he understood the mechanics of cunnilingus, he’d watched enough porn. His only concern was her and giving her what she had given to him.
He kissed her mouth like it was the first kiss he’d ever had. Darius gave it everything he had, Poppy needed to feel him letting her in. Him giving to her all the love he felt from her every day. His mouth left hers and he kissed a trail down her body until he ended between her legs. She was bare aside from a tiny strip of golden brown curls and just being able to look at her had him hard again.
His kisses continued on her thighs until he couldn’t wait any longer, he had to know what she tasted like. The first lick had her digging into his shoulder and the sharp intake of her breath told him he was in exactly the right spot. He licked again, this time parting her so he could have perfect access to her clit.
Poppy had a scent and flavor all her own and he was high on the pheromones rolling off her body. She was sweet, like sugar and Darius knew this would become a habit. One he never wanted to give up. With each swipe of his tongue she moaned loudly and bucked against his mouth wanting more. He would give her everything he was just to make her happy. She was his world.
As he feasted on her clit a single finger slid into her warm, wet pussy and that was all she needed. Poppy went over, screaming his name and shuddering against his mouth and hand. He held her tight, letting her ride it out before he crawled back up her body to kiss her again.
“Poppy, damn woman that was beautiful, thank you for being my first… and my last. I love you and I want inside you, will I hurt her? The baby, will I hurt the baby?” She shook her head; their baby was safe and secure.
Darius was still worried so he went slow, inch by agonizing inch until he had no more to give. He didn’t move for a minute, just let himself feel the barrage of emotions coming from himself and from her. When he started moving inside her it was a slow, deep thrust. Sex had just been that, sex. This was so much more, it was a deep emotional connection and Darius wasn’t in a rush like he’d been in the past. This feeling of utter bliss was something he wanted to prolong for as long as possible. Her body was swallowing his and nothing had ever felt like Poppy.
He was teetering on the edge oblivion, so close to orgasm it was borderline painful but he knew she needed to be first. Once he felt her start it would be okay for him to let go, but not until. Darius could feel her body and how she responded to him, Poppy was close. She was on the edge with him and all it took was two more deep pushes to have her arching her back as her orgasm hit. The blinding white light clouded her vision as ecstasy rocked her body, she couldn’t control the spinning of the earth.
Darius let his body have control, his peak hitting hard. The grunts came loud as he spilled his seed, filled her with his essence. He held on to the woman he loved through shock after shock. He leaned up to look at her, his breathing still labored, and his heart pounding in his chest. The look from her said everything, Poppy was his woman and always would be.
He didn’t separate from her, but he kept most of his weight off her body.
“Now the baby is mine, it’s my seed inside you Poppy and I love you.”
Moving Forward
Poppy’s pregnancy had progressed normally and she was showing. Her tiny baby bump made her look more beautiful in Pretty Boys eyes. So far, they had kept it quiet but now that she was showing, it was bound to come out. The only concern that Darius and Red had was that Snowman would do the math and figure out he was the biological father.
That would be unacceptable to Darius, she was his woman and that was his baby. Poppy was just far enough along they would be finding out the sex of the baby in just a few days. She was due in December and Red told him he would do whatever needed to be done to ensure a delivery without any trouble.
The day of the ultrasound found not only Poppy, but Darius and Red in the Doctor’s office too. They were all excited to see baby Monaghan. Even though he wasn’t the biological father, Darius was just as proud as if he were.
They all watched as the Tech measured the bones, and length of the baby. Checking the heartbeat and movement, then she asked the question.
“Did you want to know the sex of the baby?”
Darius nodded with tears in his eyes. Just watching the fetus move inside Poppy had gotten to him. Even Red had a tear or two.
“You have a very healthy little baby, and you’re having a girl.”
He hit his knees, thanking God for granting him the one thing he asked for; a daughter.
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��She’s right on time with her due date, so you should expect your bundle around the twentieth of December.” After that he didn’t hear anything, all he knew was he was having a daughter with the woman he loved.
Ghosts
Pretty Boy was still doing his thing as a mercenary, he still needed it. When the pain rose inside him the kills lessened it. Having Poppy at home and not working, it provided enough extra cash to handle anything that might come up. He was sure she knew what he was doing when he would leave late in the night but she never once asked. That was a fact he was glad for, he wasn’t proud of what he had to do but to dull the pain he was willing to do what needed to be done.
He had been overly quiet for most of the week and Poppy knew something was going on inside the head of Darius Monaghan. He had been out on his bike most of the day and she assumed he was trying to work out whatever was troubling him. She hadn’t pushed him to talk, Poppy knew it wouldn’t work anyway. Darius would open up when he was ready, he had told her so many things that she knew were painful.
Whatever this was had to be one of those things, possibly worse than the normal. She heard the bike coming up the road as she sat on the porch stoop, hoping his ride had helped. Something really special had happened this day and she wanted to share it with the man she loved.
He parked the bike, seeing her smile from the stoop. Darius felt he could finally tell her what had him so distracted all week long, but with her waiting for him she might be angry.
“Am I in trouble? You look pissed.” Poppy had to laugh, for whatever reason anytime she was on the stoop he thought he was in trouble. Darius had become the most attentive man she had ever been with. Poppy wasn’t sure if it was him changing, being in love or the baby but she really didn’t care.
