Reckless Temptations (Tempted #4)(78)

“I can’t believe you’re having a kid with Bianci’s sister,” he mused.

“Yeah, it kind of threw me for a loop too,” I replied sarcastically.

“Noticed you’re not sleeping at the Dog Pound anymore, guess things are working out for you two,” he coaxed.

“Just trying to do what’s right,” I said automatically, running my fingers through my hair that had grown back.

Whatever the fuck that is anymore.

I stared at Lauren from across the room, our eyes meeting and she smiled widely. I stopped myself from walking over to her, from wrapping my arms around her and claiming what was mine. I’ve been doing that a lot lately, slamming my foot on the brake every time I wanted more from her. It wouldn’t be fair to take more, not now, not with this threat looming in the air.

I battle with myself on a daily basis, thinking I’m doing the wrong thing by staying with Lauren, getting close to her and actually learning what it is to be a dad. I argue that she and the baby need me that I can save them from the unknown but when I’m alone I know the truth. I look at Blackie struggle with his wife’s death. I look at Jack, constantly worried something is going to happen to Reina or Lacey and know every minute I’m with Lauren is a risk, a gamble I’m taking with her life.

But still, there’s a shred of hope inside of me that overpowers the truth, and I tell myself it’s okay. I can protect her. I can protect Pea.

I love my life.

Or I did.

I thought being a part of the Satan’s Knights was my calling, my destiny, a goddamn saving grace.

I guess that was before I had something to lose—before them.

“Twenty bucks says it’s a girl,” Jack said beside me, as everyone shouted pink or blue and little Luca pulled the tape from the box.

Anthony crouched down beside his son, helping him as he opened the box and a bunch of pink balloons escaped. He pulled Luca into his arms and reached for Adrianna.

He did it.

He got the girl and the kid, even managed to keep them.

“Fork over your money, Richie Rich,” Jack teased, holding out his palm as he polished off the rest of his beer.

“The rich kid jokes are getting old man,” I complained.

“Hey,” Lauren said as she laced her arm through mine. “Mind if I steal him away for a minute?” She asked Jack.

“He’s all yours, girl. Good luck with that,” he winked, chuckling to himself as he walked away from us.

“Congrats,” I said, taking Lauren’s hand in mine. “A niece.”

She sank her teeth into her lower lip, staring at me thoughtfully before she shook her head and blinked.

“Thanks,” she muttered, as she glanced around the room and led me away from the crowd.

“Where are we going?”

“I can’t take it anymore,” she hissed.

“What’s the matter?” I asked curiously, as we walked through the kitchen, turning into a hallway. Lauren glanced around, a mischievous smile on her face as she opened the door that led to the garage and pushed me through before closing it behind her.

“Kitten,” I started, unable to help the smile that formed on my mouth as I stared at her.

“No time for small talk, Tiger,” she whispered, taking my hand and leading me toward the car parked in the center of the room.

Did I mention pregnancy was the best thing ever? Lauren was insatiable, wanting my dick morning, noon and night. How could I ever deny her?

She hopped onto the hood of the car, spreading her legs and crooked her finger.

“Whose car is this?” I asked, as I walked toward her.

“Victor’s, the man has no use for it where he is and I always wanted to take it for a ride,” she whispered, grinning as she gripped the ends of my cut in her hands and pulled me between her legs. “So, I’ve got this fantasy…one that involves this car, you and me.”

She leaned in, peppering my lips with kisses as her hands traveled down my chest.

“Kitten, you’re going to be the death of me,” I whispered huskily, as I gripped her hips and pulled her further onto the edge of the car. She locked her legs around my waist and I groaned.

“Would that be so bad? I mean there’s worse ways to go, right?” She cupped my face and those crystal blue eyes stared into mine.

Shit.

I was lost.

In the abyss known as Lauren Bianci.

I wish I had seen her coming.

Maybe if I had had a warning, I would’ve stood a chance.

“No I guess not,” I replied.

“Ask me about my fantasy, Riggs,” she ordered, her hands still holding my face.

“What’s your fantasy, Kitten?” I urged, my voice sounding gruff.

She leaned her forehead against mine.

“Don’t look at me like that,” she pleaded, her voice barely audible.

“Like what?”

“Like I’m a dream,” she whispered.

“Starting to wonder if you are,” I admitted, pushing back the threats, the bad vibes, all the things that could turn this thing we had into a nightmare. I pushed back the truth because the lie was the dream.

“You know what dreams are don’t you, Riggs?” She questioned, as she unbuttoned my jeans and drew down the zipper. Liking where this was going, I reached behind me and retrieved my gun from the waistband and laid it gently against the roof of the car. “They’re the things you’re too afraid to go out and grab. A dream is a subconscious plea, it’s a taunting voice telling you to grab your balls and take what you want,” she explained, lifting her eyes back to mine. “Do you ever dream?”