Ice (Regulators MC 1)

I walk past him without saying a word, back to his daughter’s room where I can keep myself out of trouble. When a woman gets it as good as I do, you definitely do not want to get cut off.

After hours of watching Brooke and Mady do hair, makeup, get dressed, and giggle like crazy, we are finally ready to head out. We get there to find the high school is packed with parents and students excited for the journey ahead. The Regulators are all in attendance, Harleys lined up in the parking lot.

Getting out of Ice’s new SUV, I smile at the two girls as I watch my man proudly wrap his daughter in a hug.

“Ice!” I hear called out from our left.

Both Ice and his daughter look over, and then Brooke screams, “Uncle Shooter,” and takes off running.

A tall, built man with short, spiked blonde hair hugs her as a gorgeous brunette stands behind him with a young boy holding her hand. Grabbing my hand, Ice tugs me along to meet the man his daughter is talking to.

After they do that man half-hug, back slap thing, the blonde man smiles at me.

“Shooter, this is Morgan,” Ice introduces us.

“Damn, never thought I’d see the day someone melted that permafrost around your heart. Congrats, asshole,” Shooter jokes while extending his hand to me.

I give his hand a quick, friendly shake before stepping back next to Ice. My man made it clear a long time ago he did not like other men touching me. That includes innocent gestures, even from his friends, like the one who is giving me a knowing smile now at my actions.

“Fuck you!” Ice replies in jest while wrapping his arm around my shoulders.

Shooter also steps back and wraps his arm around the woman he brought with him. “Brooke, Ice, this is my ol’ lady, Tessie, and our boy Axel.”

“Nice to meet you in person after talking on the phone so much.” Brooke bounces excitedly. “I can’t believe you’re actually here, Uncle Shooter.”

“Wouldn’t miss it for the world, baby girl.”

“She’s got the ring, so when are you givin’ her the name?” Ice asks Shooter, nodding at Tessie’s left hand.

“As soon as she gives me a day and time to show up,” he proudly answers. Nodding my way, he says, “You better move that one in before someone else swoops in and snatches that prize right out of your hands.” Shooter gives me a playful wink.

“Just needed to get these two graduated. After today, that’s a definite, brother.”

Did he just say what I think he said?

My jaw drops open in surprise for a second while I turn my head to face him and poke him in the chest with my finger. “Excuse me. I’m not moving in with you.”

“Why the fuck not?” Ice asks, and I can hear Madyson and Brooke start to laugh behind us.

“You haven’t even managed to tell me you love me, and we’ve been together for over a year; why in the hell would I move in with you?”

His entire demeanor changes from one of joking to complete seriousness. He turns to me, cupping my face in both of his hands, forcing me to meet his stare. “I’m a man of actions because they speak louder than words. Sweetheart, you want the words, you need the words, you got them. I told you, once I see something I want, I don’t let it go. Morgan, I love you. I love you yesterday, I love you today, I love you tomorrow, and I will love you for the rest of my days.”

The world around us seems to disappear. All I can see is the way his eyes glow with the depths of his emotions. Tears pool in my own eyes at hearing him say exactly what I have needed, what I have longed to hear for months now.

Forgetting that we are surrounded by hundreds of people, including our family and friends, I fist his shirt in both of my hands and rise up on my tiptoes so we are standing nose to nose. “Kiss me.”

“No. Say yes first,” he argues back.

“Yes to what?” I challenge.

“Moving in.”

“I like it better when you tell me what I’m doing,” I reply, sassily, with a wink.

He smirks at my innuendo at his bossiness in and out of the bedroom.

Not wanting to ruin our moment, yet knowing it needs to be said, I give him the truth. I have to look out for my family, no matter how much I love the man in front of me. “It’s not just me, though.”

As always, what he says next surprises me. “Sweetheart, my house is big enough for you, your sisters, my daughter, and the babies you’re gonna give me. Why the hell do you think I bought the SUV? I needed somethin’ big enough to tote all my girls around in.”