Chapter 4

I wake up the next morning to my good morning text.

M: Good morning mi Beleza.

C: Good morning my outlaw. How did you sleep?

M: Better knowing that I get to see you tomorrow.

C: I know. I'm a little nervous.

M: Why sweetheart?

C: Just worried you're not going to like what you see.

M: Not possible. It's going to be fine. I promise.

C: I hope so. I better head to work.

M: I'll text you later Beleza.

C: Be safe.

I head into work and straight to Mandy's desk. "You have to help me get ready for tomorrow." I tell her. "What's tomorrow?" she asks. "I'm meeting him in the park for coffee at eleven." I tell her. "Holy shit. That's great." she tells me. "Yeah. But I don't know what to fucking wear. I think I'm going to have a fucking panic attack." I tell her and I start freaking out. She starts laughing and says "Honey, I know this is a big step for you but it's going to be fine." she tells me and I start to calm down a little. We finish out the work day and she follows me to my house to find something to wear. "You need something that is...well...you." she tells me. Looking through my closet, she pulls out a pair of skinny jeans and a purple sweater and my black boots. "You think this looks okay?" I ask. "Yeah and leave your hair down and do light makeup like you normally do. Let him see you." she tells me and I start to calm down.

My phone rings as she sees herself out. "Hello." I say. "Hola." he says. "Hey Michael." I say. "How was your day Beleza?" he asks. "Better now." I tell him. "You okay?" he asks. "Yeah. Just had a little freak out about tomorrow." I tell him. "We can hold off if you're not comfortable with it." he tells me. "No. I'm ready for it. Just a little nervous and overthinking things. I'm good." I tell him. "Good because I'm really looking forward to this." he tells me. "Me too." I tell him. We talk a little more before we say our good nights.

The next morning, I get up and get ready and head to the park. I get there about fifteen minutes early and am sitting on a park bench. I told Michael what I was going to be wearing so that he would know it was me. I am sitting there, looking around a little when a man walks up holding two coffees. "Carrie?" he asks. "Michael?" I ask and he nods. Handing me my coffee, he takes the seat next to me. "Wow." he says. I look down at the cup in my hands and he says. "Prettier than your pictures Beleza." I look up at him and he tucks a piece of hair behind my ear. I let out the breath that I was holding and he says "Absolutely perfect." I smile softly and say "You're not so bad yourself." and we both start laughing. I notice his kutte. "Mayans?" I ask and he looks down. "My uncle was a member of the Ramblers back home. Never seen a tighter family unit." I tell him. "It doesn't bother you?" he asks. "Nah. You're still my outlaw. Now the nickname just makes sense." I tell him. Putting his arm around me, I move a little closer to him and we just talk. "Feeling better?" he asks. I look up at him and say "Honestly? I think so. I think I was more worried about you seeing me and running for the hills but seeing as you're still here? I think I might be okay." I tell him. "Good. I only want you to be comfortable." he says. I put my hand on his leg and ask "This okay?" but don't look at him. Kissing my temple he says "Yeah. It is Beleza." We go on talking for a while and finish our coffees when his phone rings. "Yeah...Okay...Be there in ten." he says before ending the call. "Club calls." I say and he nods. "I'm sorry." he tells me. "Don't be. I get it. Just be safe and call me tonight." I tell him. He looks at me and smiles. We just look at each other and I don't know where the courage comes from but I softly grab the front of his kutte and stand up on my toes and softly kiss his lips. He returns the kiss and when we pull apart he says "I really want to see where this goes." I nod and say "Me too. Be safe and call me later." He nods and kisses me one more time before heading towards his bike and heading to the clubhouse after making sure I was safely in my car. Wow. That went better than I thought it would.