I knew that. Neither of us could move forward without him.
We needed him as much as he needed us.
I didn’t know if I had it in me anymore. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t get Catarina’s or Colin’s welfare out of my head. I needed to know that they were both safe. While I had Catarina, my thoughts were constantly on our son. I worried about him, and I hated that the club wouldn’t just let me go get him.
I understood what they were saying about needing to do things a certain way, and before, I wouldn’t have a fucking problem following orders. But this was my son. My flesh and blood. I meant what I said about giving them one chance to do it the legal way. If it didn’t work, I would go get my son with or without the club’s help, and when he was back in his mother’s arms safe, I was going to make sure nothing ever harmed them again.
I knew deep down what I would have to do. I knew it the moment I heard that Catarina was at the clubhouse waiting for me, and it only solidified my decision when Reaper ordered me to stay instead of letting me go to her.
It wasn’t something that I ever thought I would do, but my life was no longer my own. I had a family. They needed me more than anyone here, and for the first time since I became a member of the Golden Skulls, I was not willing to die for anyone except Catarina or Colin.
Not even my brother, Dwayne.
Coming to this decision wasn’t easy, but I knew it was the right one. I loved my brothers. All of them. They were all there for me when I needed them. They each helped me become the man I was today, but like any child, they eventually needed to move on and become something more.
And that was precisely what I was going to do.
“Reggie?”
Hugging my woman closer, I nestled my face against her neck, taking a deep breath of her sweet-smelling shampoo. I would never get tired of having Catarina in my arms. She was the most loving, kind, gentlest woman I had ever known, and just knowing that she was going to be mine forever filled my heart with joy.
I couldn’t wait to start our life.
I wanted to give her the world.
But mainly I wanted to know when I walked in the door every day of our home that she would be there. That she would be happy and know that she was loved.
I know it all sounded simple, maybe trite even, but that’s what I wanted. It wasn’t much, and I didn’t need much, but I knew I needed her.
I didn’t stop her when she rolled over to face me. Her soft hand tenderly stroked my face. “What is it?” she asked, concerned.
“I just love you so much, Catarina, and I can’t stop telling you how sorry I am for not being there for you. God baby, I’m so sorry.”
“Reginald,” she whispered. “You have to stop punishing yourself. I do too. Neither of us knew what would happen. We were both so young, so naive, innocent, if you will. What happened to us was none of our faults. The main thing is that we are now together. We need to focus on that. We need to move beyond our pasts and concentrate on our future. We need to forgive ourselves.”
“I don’t think I can do that,” I whispered.
“Then I will help you,” she said before her lips touched mine.
The moment our lips touched I felt the instant warmth of her surrounding me like a warm blanket. I felt needed and wanted. The sounds of the night faded away as she softly moved across my lips. Pressing her chest into mine, showing me what she wanted.
I couldn’t take it anymore.
I wanted her, and I wasn’t strong enough to deny her.
Never breaking the kiss, I reached around and rolled her on top of me. Her long slender legs straddled me as I kissed her deeply.
I savored the taste of her lips. My hands gently held her face as I trailed soft little kisses across her mouth. Sighing at the littlest touch, she gave in to me willingly. Her hands seductively moved up my hips and around my waist, sending a burning trail from her touch. She parted her mouth as I gently tasted every inch of her. She tasted of sweet sorbet and coffee, and I wanted more.
I shivered as her tiny fingers moved up my back until she had me completely wrapped in her embrace. I was strong but gentle as I took my time exploring her mouth. I had never felt this way with anyone but her. Each time we’d been together was new and exciting. Laying there, in my bed with her in my arms, I felt a wave of passion that was growing and evolving into something more, something deeper, something profound. I feared someday it would consume us.
She was so damn intoxicating, I wanted to get drunk on her.
Taking my time, I wanted to feast myself on her body. I wanted to reacquaint myself with every part of her. There was so much I missed when we were first together. So eager to finally be with her when I should have been more patient, gentler with her. Our second time was about finally reuniting, the joy of being together once again. Now, it was more. I wanted her to know the man who loved her. Who worshiped her. Who only wanted to spend the rest of his life with her. I wasn’t like the other men in the club. I didn’t use women for my own personal needs. I believed that being with a woman meant something, and I wanted to show Catarina what it meant to me.
Her hands moved up my chest as she moaned into my mouth.
God, I loved hearing how responsive she was to me.