A/N: Again sorry everyone for the long awaited update! Hope you all enjoy this chapter. Thank you all for the kind reviews while I was away again.
Monday seemed to come agonizingly slow for Serena. She had managed to dodge all of her friend's prying questions and suspicions on what happened on that Saturday evening. They pried on why she was so late and looked out of place a bit but she dodged every question with random excuses. Her mind all of Sunday went back to that kiss she couldn't stop thinking of him and the way he touched her and held her. However with time to think she was also given the opportunity to ponder into the fact that Darien was still married, twenty four, had a child, and the one that made her stomach churn most if she hadn't shown up he was going to sleep with someone else. She didn't know why that last bit bothered her so much maybe it was jealously and she really couldn't stand the thought of Darien in another woman's arms even though ironically he was married. Yet she hadn't ever seen Beryl and Darien together once so maybe it was mentally okay for her to accept Beryl currently.
Her classes seemed to drag on and even Seiya her new found friend could sense something was up with the blonde as he waited in line to get lunch with her.
"Are you going to tell me what's got you up in wonderland?" Seiya asked.
Serena sighed she wanted desperately to tell someone. She couldn't trust the girls but she believed she could trust Seiya if she left out some key details. Such as Darien being married.
"C'mon I will tell you," Serena said grabbing his wrist pulling him to a secluded spot out in the courtyard.
The two sat down underneath a large oak tree away from earshot of everyone and especially out of sight and earshot of Serena's friends.
"So what's going on that you can't tell me publicly and you have to drag me off to some secluded spot? Are you on drugs? No wait you're pronouncing your love for me," Seiya teased.
"No I am not on drugs and I don't love you, at least not like that more like a friend," Serena sighed.
"So then what's going on?" Seiya asked.
"I don't know what to call it I am not seeing someone yet I made out with this guy I have liked for a long while," Serena let out.
"So who is it?" Seiya asked raising his brow wondering if he knew him.
"Well that's the tricky thing you have to keep quiet on, he is the father of the kid I am babysitting," Serena looked down avoiding any judgmental stares from her friend.
"He is not like thirty is he?" Seiya asked concerned.
"No but he is in his mid-twenties."
"Well that's not too horrible but Serena seriously be careful I don't want you to get taken advantage of," Seiya said concerned.
"I just really like him a lot and it's a complicated situation," Serena said twirling her hair in her fingers.
"Well I say go for it, if you are crazy about this guy and he kissed you chances are he is into you too and if you need a cover for your parents just let me know," He smiled.
"Thanks Seiya," Serena smiled feeling slightly relieved now especially since he didn't pry into the situation instead he offered only offered acceptance and help.
The rest of Serena's classes seemed to drag out till finally the final bell rang and Serena now had to go pick up Hotaru. She made her way towards Hotaru's daycare excited to see her young friend but nervous realizing her time to see Darien was getting nearer.
"Bunny!" Hotaru shouted running up to her.
"Hey kiddo," Serena smiled hugging her, "What do you want to do today?"
"I was actually hoping you could take me to my friend's house?" Hotaru smiled.
"Sure let me double check with your dad and let's get you something to snack on," Serena smiled leading the little girl back to the house.
Serena shot Darien a text making sure it was alright for Hotaru to go the friend's house with the kid's parents numbers included in the text. While she waited for a reply she prepared a bagel with peanut butter and bananas for Hotaru.
While Hotaru chowed down on the bagel Serena heard her phone beep.
'That should be fine. But please stay after you drop her off, need to talk.'
Serena gulped feeling a pit of butterflies begin to form in her stomach. Her mind couldn't help but wander to the fact maybe he didn't want to proceed with whatever this was with her, maybe he would fire her from this babysitting job, or so much more. Serena swallowed a hard lump and turned to Hotaru and brought a smile to her face so the girl wouldn't notice anything odd.
"So you dad said it was fine for you to go, so go get ready and I will take you over there," Serena smiled at the girl.
Hotaru nodded quickly and began to get ready to leave. She quickly returned with her shoes and in her hand one of her favorite pony dolls.
"Finish your bagel and then we will leave," Serena smiled down at her.
"Can I eat on the way?" Hotaru begged eager to see her friend.
"Fine but let me carry your doll so it doesn't get sticky peanut butter on it," Serena said.
Hotaru nodded in response and handed Serena the doll and grabbed the remainder of her bagel while the two headed out the door to the address Serena was given to Hotaru's friend's house. It was just up the street so if something happened Hotaru wasn't too far.
"Alright kiddo we are here, have fun and be safe and have your friend's mom call me when you are ready to come home alright?" Serena said looking down at her.
Hotaru nodded with a bright smile and took her doll from Serena and ran up to the door where Serena assured she was safe by waving at the other young girl's mom before leaving.
Serena made the short walk back to Darien's house where she plopped down on the couch and turned on the TV. It would be a while before Darien would return from work and Serena usually hated being home alone not to mention in someone else's house.
She hardly paid attention to the TV it was more of background noise for her. She was far more fixated on her thoughts. Her mind wandered back to that night. Darien's lips on hers again. This time not by mistake this time he kissed her knowing every predicament of their situation. Not like at the club which was just a coincidence.
Her fingers traced her lips where his pressed onto her. She wished she had memorized the feeling just in case tonight would go horribly wrong. In her mind she had made up her mind that if he would have her she would be his although she was still unsure if he wanted to continue on having her even as a babysitter.
What felt like minutes of being in her own thoughts she was brought back to reality realizing a few hours had pondered on and the locks of the front door were unlocking. She stood up from the couch not sure what to do now. She wasn't sure how to act knowing Darien was here now. Her heart beat hard in her chest like a drum as she heard the front door close lightly and familiar footsteps of Darien's nice work shoes hit the tiled floor.
"Hey you waited," Darien smiled as he put down his briefcase on the counter.
Serena nodded pushing down a hard lump in her throat again still unsure how to act, she analyzed him he didn't seem mad in the slightest but that didn't stop the panic and fear come over her.
"Are you going to fire me?" Serena squeaked out feeling suddenly overwhelmed with so many emotions. Admiration. Fear. Panic. Lust.
"What? No!" Darien spoke out now approaching the blonde.
He took note at how flustered she looked. He had been excited to see her all day. He wanted to kiss her again and ravage her. The thought pondered in his head all day at the office making it quite hard to concentrate on anything but her.
He wrapped her in his arms and held her close while she began to tremble.
"I was so scared," Serena whispered against his chest.
"Why would you be scared Bunny?" Darien said into her hair taking on his daughter's nickname for the girl.
Her heart fluttered when he called her that.
"I don't want you to get rid of me. I am sorry I kissed you," Serena whispered again nuzzling into him.
"I wouldn't ever get rid of you." Darien said gently.
"Are you mad," She whispered in an almost inaudible tone.
"Never," He whispered moving closer to her ear sending shivers down her spine.
He gently placed a kiss behind her ear lobe. He felt her tense in arms. Her arms began to prickle with goosebumps from the electricity of the small loving act.
Serena was unsure what to do at this point so she froze still in his arms. Her skin began to feel warm while his hands traced up the back of her shirt.
"How do you feel about this Bunny?" Darien asked placing another gentle kiss lower on her neck.
Serena remained mute feeling completely entranced into her senses from Darien's hands placed on her back where she could feel the heat of his palms on her skin through her shirt and his lips tracing her neck causing her to have a mini stroke with each gentle peck.
"Answer me Bunny," He taunted now.
"I…" Serena struggled.
"You what?" He smirked against her neck, "Tell me how you feel about me."
He loved watching her struggle to remain control of herself and emotions. She had such an innocent nature to her. She excited him in many ways past lust now.
"I like you," Serena breathed in an inaudible tone.
"You what?" Darien said now removing his lips from her neck causing Serena to pout a bit.
"I like you okay." Serena said a bit louder now regaining control of herself.
"I hope you have more feelings than just liking me," Darien teased now pushing himself on top of her causing her to gasp while they fell onto the couch where he pinned her down into the cushions.
"You tell me first," Serena stared into his eyes where she began to fixate on the color. How could she have missed this brilliantly midnight blue their first encounter no matter how dark it was you would think she wouldn't forget those brilliant dark blue eyes that stared into in her soul.
"I am infatuated with you to a point where I don't know what you are doing to me anymore," Darien said looking straight into her eyes now.
Her heart skipped a beat at his words, "What exactly am I doing to you?" Serena smirked playing his game.
"You my Bunny, are a minx. You are driving me to madness I thought about you all at work or wherever I go for that matter," Darien smirked back while Serena blushed at his words and then lowered his lips down to hers finally where she eagerly waited for him.
Their lips met in a flurry and their hands began to ravage each other. Darien dominated her lips and pressed her further into the couch trapping her under him. Serena's hips grinded unknowingly against his causing Darien to groan against her lips from the friction. Serena reached for Darien's tie trying her hardest to get it off him she felt the need to feel his skin on her hands. Darien chucked against her lips and pulled away from her hovering over her small frame.
Serena let out a groan of disappointment that Darien pulled away from her. He knew he needed to speak with the underage girl before continuing on. He needed to make sure she felt safe with him or where they stood in general.
He chuckled, "We should talk first."
Serena nodded in compliance slightly wondering what he meant by they should talk. He removed himself from on top of her and moved himself so he was sitting next to her on the same couch now.
"Serena considering your age," Darien paused looking at her, "I don't want you to feel pressured to do anything you don't want to do. I want you to set boundaries, for our.. uh well.. relationship," Darien finished pondering what to just call what they were doing. Was it a relationship? He was fine with that if that meant the blonde would remain his and only his to keep that is if she confirmed she was okay with it.
"Is this a relationship?" Serena asked first speaking what they both thought.
"If you want it to be then yes," Darien half smiled hoping she wanted that.
"I do but this is such an unromantic way to confirm that," Serena let out a laugh.
"Well given the situation I am more concerned how you feel and what you're comfortable with first. I will improvise romantics later," Darien said and kissed her cheek lightly.
"So we are dating then?" Serena asked smiling now feeling butterflies fill her gut and her heart pound out of pure joy that he was speaking the words she wanted to hear since Saturday.
"It would seem that way yes," Darien said now reaching his hand towards hers and holding it gently between his hands. He was over the moon that she had accepted to be his. He wasn't quite sure how relationships worked to be honest with himself he felt bad for the lack of romantics as Serena had stated but he was used to sleeping around and the last girl he chased was his dreadful wife now, so it was fair to say this was new territory he was excited to approach.
"But that still doesn't answer all my questions, do you have any boundaries?" Darien asked again.
"Well I am not sure what you mean," Serena blushed having a slight hint what he meant but she still wasn't sure this was her second relationship and Darien was far more experienced and probably expected more out of a relationship than Andrew ever did.
"Well where do you want me to stop with you, what am I allowed to touch, what am I allowed to do?" Darien inquired staring now at the blonde.
Was she really this innocent he thought to himself. Their first encounter led him to believe otherwise with the way she was dressed to the way she walked up so cool and confidently up to him and the way she demanded a kiss, that attitude to her attitude currently didn't add up now. Not that he minded in the slightest it made him more intrigued with the blonde. It made him want to protect her and hold her close to him. It made her different than all the other women he slept with it made her something special to him.
"Uh Darien," Serena's face turned a bright new shade of pink. She felt flustered she wasn't quite sure how to answer. She wasn't sure with what she was okay with and what she wasn't. She enjoyed kissing him and feeling his hands run up and down her body but other than that she wasn't sure with what she was ready to allow or not allow.
"It's okay," Darien smiled trying to reassure from the subject now realizing her innocence wasn't an act he was going to have to be exceptionally careful with her. He didn't want to overwhelm her. Also given that he was an adult and whether he liked it or not she was still a child so it might be a while till the subject would be okay with her which would only torment his mind but he felt a strong loving pull to her and the need to keep her happy and safe any way possible even if it meant a slight torture to him.
Serena let out a breath, "For now I am okay with kissing," she said calmly as she could.
"That's fine don't worry, I want you to feel comfortable with me," Darien smiled and kissed her forehead now.
The next thought that crept into Serena's mind she couldn't help herself but ask him, "What about your wife?"
Darien let out a sigh knowing eventually they needed to speak about that situation.
"Well for some time now I had contemplated about getting a divorce with her. I just had always wanted to wait till Hotaru was a bit older so she could understand what it was like to have a unified family and not have to torn homes. But now I met you and when you turn eighteen I will get everything in order for a divorce," He told her the truth and all of it. He knew she had been bothered for some time now on the subject.
"I don't want to be the cause that Hotaru has a broken home! She will blame me for the rest of her life," Serena frowned.
"You aren't the reason at all. I would have gotten a divorce anyhow but instead I am speeding up the process to do so, Hotaru will never blame you either she adores you," Darien said attempting to soothe the blonde.
"What are we supposed to do about your wife in the meantime then?" Serena asked frowning still not sure how she liked breaking up a marriage.
"Well Beryl returns in a week so for now we enjoy the week and then from there we will go with the flow of things, I don't want Beryl to know about you or to ever blame you," Darien said.
"Fine," Serena sighed out.
"Are you mad?" Darien asked her concerned.
"Yes but no.. I am mad because you are allowing me to break up your family but yet I am not mad because I haven't felt these feelings for anyone and I have been fighting it since we met again here. I want to be with you and I hate fighting it," Serena said cuddling up against Darien.
"You aren't breaking up my family. Beryl did. And I am glad you aren't completely mad because I adore you," Darien smiled down and wrapped his arm around her.
Suddenly the phone rang out; Darien quickly stood and retrieved the landline from the other room leaving Serena on the couch with a huge grin on her face. She felt so at home next to him and in his arms. She couldn't believe when she saw him again she denied feelings for him.
"Hey I have to go pick up Hotaru would you like me to drive you home?" Darien asked.
Serena nodded wanting to spend any extra time she could with him.
Both got into Darien's car and headed for her house. After the short drive they pulled up to her driveway.
"I want to see you again tomorrow," Darien smiled.
"You will," Serena winked and hopped out of his car and made her way up to her front door and turned around and waved goodbye to him before heading inside and up to bed.
A/N: There you guys go! Please let me know what you think about these two's budding relationship and what you thought in general! Hopefully will have a new chapter tomorrow or the next day! Thank you all!