Page 236 of Titus

“What do you mean? You walked out on the other life,” I said, shrugging my shoulders.

“More like, ran away from the other life,” Mark confirmed with a laugh.

“I get it.” Sebastian nodded. “Just come fucking visit every now and then,” he said with a smile. “You don’t get to come out of hiding just to save this dipshit’s ass,” he nudged me, “and then fall off the face of the earth again.”

“I’ll do what I damn well please,” Mark said, clinking his glass to Sebastian’s. “But if it means anything, yes, I’ll visit more. I’ve got to make sure those kids like me better than John, anyway. The Best Uncle Ever competition is gonna get ugly, just so you know.”

“Jake and I are over here with broken hearts, and all you care about are some stupid babies?” Collin teased.

“I’m sure your wives will keep you company while I’m gone,” Mark teased.

We fell into more ridiculous conversations, and it felt damn good to talk about nonsense after my mind had been locked up for the last two weeks, running scenarios and fearing my uncertain future.

It was the perfect way to end the night. Well… a perfect way toward the perfect ending I had planned with Catalina.

Three hours later, Catalina and I were walking into my penthouse suite.

“Care to join me on the balcony?” I asked her.

“I’d love to,” she said, her smile unwavering since hearing earlier today that I was exonerated.

“Give me a moment,” I said, turning to find the remote for the outdoor stereo. I switched on the music and selected the same song I’d had the cellist play the first night she joined me on the yacht—Bésame Mucho.

I clicked the button that electronically opened the wall of windows, allowing the evening breeze to flood into the suite.

“Come,” I said, her eyes glassy as she quietly followed me to the pool area, where lit candles in hurricanes flickered all around.

My staff had truly outdone themselves by accommodating my requests to ensure my entire balcony was covered in lit candles, with champagne and glasses waiting.

I pulled her into my arms for a slow dance, our eyes never leaving each other. “Do you remember this song?”

She smiled. “Of course I do,” she said. “It was the song we first danced to.”

“And I first kissed you soon after,” I said.

“Yes,” her arm ran up my side. “Are you going to kiss me again?”

“I’m going to do more than kiss you, mi amor,” I said with a soft laugh. “But before that, I want to ask you something…”

I paused when her eyes widened. I stopped our dance and brought her knuckles to my lips.

“I’m not expecting you to say yes, as I know it’s very fast,” I began, my eyes never leaving hers. “But I would love for you to consider moving in with me. You and your sister are both welcome. More than anything, I just don’t want to waste another day without you waking up by my side.”

She smiled as tears filled her eyes. “Do you realize this is dangerously close to a marriage proposal?”

I grinned, taking both of her hands in mine and kissing the backs of them. “I do, but this is not a marriage proposal, preciosa, as I know it is too fast for that.”

She reached both of her hands to my face. “You’re the best man I have ever known. Do you know that?”

“Only when you tell me,” I answered.

“Then I’ll gladly tell you every morning that I wake up with you,” she beamed. “Yes, I would love to spend my mornings and evenings in your arms, Titus Hawk.”

Before another word was spoken, I cradled her face in my hands and captured her lips in a kiss.

I kissed her slowly, gratefully. The woman who somehow walked into my life and turned it upside down.

The woman I’d nearly lost.