back of a crowded room, wanting to be ignored, she’ll walk over to him, so he isn’t alone.
“People overwhelm him,” she tells me one day during a walk. “Even as big as he is, Dean doesn’t feel safe sometimes.”
Violet isn’t wrong. Though on edge in many situations, he’s getting better. Like the way he practices his daddy skills with Shane’s sons or River’s daughter. Or how he listens to Desi babble about the most mundane things. And when he helps Max get stuff from top shelves as she’s cooking. For the first time in his life, Goliath is part of a real family.
I insist on a party for his fortieth birthday. He doesn’t want the drama, but I blow off his bitching. This is a man who means everything to me and has helped people in various ways over his life. No one ever gave him nearly enough appreciation. A birthday party at the house is nothing compared to what he deserves. I know under his growling and dark frowns that he enjoys feeling valued.
Goliath spends half of his party being bossed around by Iggy and bored to death by Desi. Yet he loves every fucking second of it. His only worth with the Skullz came from his size and violent nature. Having small people think he’s harmless but also interesting is good for his ego.
He’s so protective of the kids, much like he is of the guys in the club. That’s his job as SGT-at-Arms. River thinks big picture, focused on people making money for the club. Shane watches River’s back. Maverick fucks up people. Goliath, though, watches out for the men. Are they happy in their position? Are they bored? Is money tight at home? Do they think the club is going in the right direction? He’s the one keeping them in line and making them feel heard by their president.
“You’re a smart man,” I say when he talks about moving guys around in their positions to keep them invested in the overall health of the club.
“I know.”
“Do you?” I push while straddling him on the couch at our rental house. “There are a lot of men in the club, but you’re one of the few that River listens to the most. Never forget your worth isn’t just about your size. He appreciates what’s in here too,” I say, kissing his forehead.
Goliath frowns at my coddling, but he fucking loves it. That’s why he stopped visiting his mom. He knows how loving should feel now, and her version wasn’t cutting it anymore.
“She’s wild tonight,” Goliath says as I sit on this lap, and he rubs my belly where Kirby kicks her daddy’s hands.
“It’s okay if you cry when you first see or hold her.”
“I ain’t crying,” he mutters, rolling his eyes.
“I know, but if you did, that would be okay. You’re going to share something special with Kirby.”
“How you figure?” he says, uneasy now.
“Well, I loved men before you. My dad, Shane, River, Maverick, plenty of other family-type men in Ellsberg. Though you’re my first romantic love, you weren’t my first love. But with Kirby, you will be the first man she ever loves. I know you have the other kiddies swooning over you. Iggy thinks you’re his private treehouse, but he loved Shane first. Desi jumps up and down when she sees you after a long day at school, but she loved her daddy first. With our baby girl, though, you’ll be the man she first falls head over heels over.”
Goliath’s gray eyes don’t hide any of his feelings. If he were a weaker man, he’d be bawling right now.
“So, if you get misty-eyed over seeing your daughter for the first time, no one can blame you.”
Unable to deal with feeling all gooey and soft inside, Goliath needs a good fuck to keep his head on straight. That’s okay. I’m so in love with this man that I’ll drop my drawers any time he wants. Hell, I think I’m crazy enough over him that I’ll one day get ditch my hang-ups about blowjobs. With Goliath, I want no barriers or secrets between us.
My sexy giant teddy bear deserves nothing less.
OH, BY THE WAY, FROM THE WEIRDO
On the evenings when the men and Taylor are at the club, the group in the Victorian breaks off into smaller clusters. Max and Ramona—besties forever—hang out in one room with their little ones. Kelsi often joins them.
Maude and I chill in another room, cooking our babies. Desi is usually too busy