Chapter 117 117
DAISY POV
The Rolls-Royce glided smoothly through the streets like it was floating on air. I kept my hands folded neatly in my lap, afraid to touch anything. The leather seat was so soft it felt like butter, and the faint scent of expensive cologne mixed with new-car smell made everything feel unreal.
Diesel drove with one hand on the wheel, the other still holding mine. He looked completely at ease behind the wheel of this half-a-million-dollar car, like he did this every day. Meanwhile, I was trying not to stare at him in that black suit. The way the fabric stretched across his shoulders whenever he turned the wheel made my stomach flutter.
I kept stealing glances at him. The sharp jawline, the styled hair, the hint of tattoos peeking from his collar — he looked like someone who belonged in a boardroom or a high-stakes poker game, not the president of a motorcycle club. Yet here he was, taking me out like I was the most important person in his world.
“Where are we going?” I finally asked, my voice soft.
Diesel glanced at me, that small smirk tugging at his lips. “Somewhere quiet. Good food, nice view. Just us.”
I smiled, warmth spreading through my chest.
The city slowly gave way to greener roads. Tall trees lined both sides, and after about twenty minutes, we pulled up to a beautiful lakeside restaurant. The building was elegant but not intimidating — wooden decks stretched over the water, fairy lights strung between posts even though it was still daytime. A few couples sat outside, talking quietly.
Diesel parked and came around to open my door. When I stepped out, he offered his arm like a proper gentleman. I slipped my hand through it, feeling a little giddy.
Inside, the hostess greeted us with a warm smile and led us to a private table by the large windows overlooking the lake. The view was breathtaking — calm blue water, ducks gliding across the surface, and distant hills in the background.
As we sat down, I couldn’t help but run my fingers over the crisp white tablecloth. Everything felt so… normal. And yet so far from the life I had known before Diesel.
“You okay?” he asked, watching me closely.
I nodded quickly. “More than okay. This place is beautiful. I’ve never been somewhere like this.”
He reached across the table and took my hand again.
The waiter brought menus, and I tried not to look overwhelmed by the prices. I had no idea what half the dishes even were. Diesel noticed my hesitation and leaned in.
“Order whatever you want,” he said quietly. “Don’t worry about the cost.”
I ended up choosing a creamy pasta dish with chicken and some fresh juice. Diesel ordered a steak, medium rare, and a bottle of wine for the table. When the food arrived, it smelled incredible. The first bite made me close my eyes for a second — rich, perfectly seasoned.
We talked easily as we ate. He asked about little things — my favorite colors, the kind of music I liked, silly childhood stories. I told him about the time I tried to bake a cake with my mum when we were younger and nearly burned the whole kitchen down. He laughed, a deep, genuine sound that made my heart feel light.
For once, he opened up a little too. He told me about how he got the scar near his eyebrow during a bad fight years ago, and how the club had become his real family after he lost his parents young. He didn’t go into heavy details, but it was more than he usually shared.
The conversation flowed so naturally that I almost forgot to feel nervous.
Halfway through the meal, Diesel set his fork down and looked at me seriously. His eyes held mine with such steady intention, like every word he was about to say had been carefully weighed and meant everything to him.
“Daisy,” he said, voice low, “I know things have been crazy since you came into the club. But today… I wanted you to know you will forever have me by your side.”
My throat tightened with emotion. I tried my best to fight back the tears that were already stinging my eyes, blinking rapidly so they wouldn’t spill over. “Thank you,” I whispered. “This means more than you know.”
He lifted my hand and pressed a soft kiss to my knuckles. The simple gesture sent warmth all the way through me.
After we finished eating, we took a slow walk along the lakeside path. The sun was warm on my skin, and a gentle breeze made the water ripple. Diesel kept his arm around my waist, holding me close. Every now and then he would point out something small — a bird on the water, the way the light hit the trees — like he wanted me to notice everything beautiful around us.
I leaned my head against his shoulder as we walked. For the first time in a long time, I felt completely safe and… happy. Not just surviving, but actually happy.
Diesel suddenly stopped and turned me gently to face him. His hands settled on my waist as he looked down at me, eyes dark and intense.
“You know,” he murmured, “you’re making it really hard to keep this date ‘normal.’”
Before I could ask what he meant, he leaned down and kissed me — slow, deep, and full of everything we hadn’t said yet. My hands came up to rest on his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart under the fabric.
When he pulled back, I was breathless, cheeks flushed.
He rested his forehead against mine. “Best decision I’ve made in a long time.”
I smiled up at him, heart full. “Mine too.”
Time stretched lazily as the afternoon melted into evening. The sky turned soft shades of orange and pink, then deepened into night. We stayed longer than I expected, talking quietly, sharing dessert, and simply being together. By the time we finally headed back to the car, the fairy lights along the deck had come on, twinkling like stars over the dark water.
I settled into the passenger seat with a contented sigh, my body pleasantly tired from the long, perfect day. Diesel started the engine, and I expected the familiar route back toward the clubhouse.
But after a few minutes, I realized we were heading in a completely different direction. The roads were getting quieter, the city lights fading behind us. My brows pulled together in confusion as I looked over at him.
Diesel kept his eyes on the road, one hand still loosely holding mine.
I studied his profile in the dim glow of the dashboard lights. “Diesel… this isn’t the way back to the clubhouse.”
He glanced at me briefly, his expression calm. “I’m not kidnapping you,” he muttered, a hint of amusement in his voice. “It will take a while. You should rest.”
Before I could ask anything else, he reached over and pressed a button on the center console. The back of my seat began to recline smoothly, turning the luxurious leather into something closer to a comfortable lounge chair.
I leaned back, surprised but too content to argue. The gentle hum of the engine and the soft glow of the passing lights made my eyelids grow heavy. With Diesel’s hand still warm around mine, I let myself drift, wondering quietly where he was taking me but trusting him completely.
Whatever came next, I knew I was safe.