Page 17 of Forever and Always
Darke nods, his jaw clenched. “Yeah, I was in for a few years. I made some mistakes, little prince. But I’ve paid for them.”
I’m a little surprised I’m dating a law enforcement officer, who went to prison.I hope he didn’t kill anyone.
I reach up my hands, tracing the tattoos on his biceps. “They’re beautiful,” I say, my voice filled with sincerity. “And they suit you.”
Darke’s eyes soften, and he smiles, his hands resuming their gentle stroking of my hair. “Thanks, little prince,” he says, his voice deep and filled with love. “That means a lot coming from you.”
We lay there in silence for a moment, the only sound the gentle rustling of my hair under Darke’s fingers.
Ask him, Bobby!
“So then how did you get into law enforcement if you’ve been to prison?” I ask.
Darke’s expression turns introspective, and he takes a deep breath before answering. “It’s a long story, little prince, but I’ll try to keep it short. I was young and stupid when I went to prison. I made mistakes, but I learned from them. When I got out, I wanted to turn my life around. I worked hard, got my GED, and then went to college. I studied criminal justice, and Iknew I wanted to be a cop. I wanted to make a difference, to help people.”
He pauses, collecting his thoughts.
“It wasn’t easy, of course. My record made it tough to get hired, but I persevered. I did ride-along, volunteered, and eventually, I landed a job at a small department. I worked my way up, proved myself, and eventually, I got hired by Norton PD here in Massachusetts.”
Darke looks at me, his eyes serious. “I know my past isn’t perfect, but I’ve worked hard to redeem myself. I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished, and I hope you can see that, too.”
I nod, touched by Darke’s sincerity and determination. This man went through rough times, and for some reason, I’m happy he turned his life around.
“I’m proud of you,” I say in a whisper, putting a hand on his stubble cheek.
Darke’s eyes soften, and he smiles, his face relaxing under my touch. “Thanks, little prince,” he says, his voice filled with emotion.
He turns his head, nuzzling my palm, and I feel a rush of affection for this complex, rugged man. His stubble tickles my skin, and I trace the contours of his face, feeling a deep connection.
Then, he wraps his strong arms around me. I cuddle against his chest.
I look up at his brown eyes. His eyes are watery and shining.
Darke’s eyes lock onto mine, and he whispers, “I’m falling for you, Bobby. My little prince.”
My heart skips a beat, and I feel my pulse racing. I smile a little, my voice barely above a whisper. “I’m falling for you too, Darke. My beast.” And I mean it with all of my heart.
16
DARKE
As Bobby slept soundly against my chest, a quiet introspection washed over me. A question, as old as the doubts that had haunted me, surfaced: did he truly love me? The man behind the gruff exterior, the man who had carried the weight of a troubled past.
My fingers traced gentle patterns through his dirty blonde hair, a rhythmic motion that soothed my own troubled mind. And then, a realization dawned upon me. In this quiet moment, with Bobby’s trust as a silent guardian, I understood that I had found something rare, something precious: someone who cared.
His soft breathing against my chest was a lullaby to my soul. It was in these quiet moments, when the world faded away, that I truly saw him. Beyond the tough exterior, I found a man who accepted me unconditionally, whose empathy knew no bounds. He didn’t seek to fix me, to change me; he simply loved me, flaws and all.
Memories of our conversation surfaced, his words echoing in my mind. He had listened with a depth of understanding that had shaken me to my core. In that moment, I realized I had found more than a lover; I had found a confidant, a partner, a sanctuary.
As sleep began to claim me, I held Bobby closer, a sense of peace washing over me. In this quiet haven, surrounded by the warmth of his presence, I knew I had found something extraordinary, something that transcended the complexities of life.
* * *
Morning sunlight painted the room in soft hues as I awoke to the sight of Bobby’s gentle smile. His arms were wrapped loosely around me, and his breathing was slow and steady. “Good morning, beast,” he murmured, his voice husky with sleep.
A wave of contentment washed over me. “Good morning, little prince.” I glanced at the clock. 8 AM. “I should probably get going. I have to be at the station.”
Bobby’s eyes flew open. “Oh shit! It’s Monday! I have to get to the office!”
