I picked up the pace, dragging my suitcase and leaving the airport with her.
As soon as we stepped out of the hall, we were met with a crowd of people waiting to pick up their loved ones.
"Let's head to the right. I had the driver park in the VIP lot, about three hundred feet from here. There's a shuttle waiting for us at the intersection," Catherine said, perched on the suitcase.
"Got it," I replied with a grin.
Following her lead, we walked to the right. As soon as we hit the intersection, a white van rolled up to us.
The driver recognized us as VIPs and pulled over.
I lifted Catherine off the suitcase, one arm around her shoulder, and pushed the suitcase towards the driver with the other.
"Thanks," I said to the driver.
"You're welcome, Sir," he nodded, taking my suitcase and loading it into the back of the van, then motioned for us to get in.
We settled into the back seat. I held her close, one arm around her shoulder, my fingers gently stroking her skin.
It had been a while since Catherine and I had been close. When my fingers brushed her smooth skin, she shivered, like a jolt of electricity ran through her.
"What? So sensitive? It's only been a short while since we last met." I teased, whispering in her ear.
Catherine blushed instantly.
"We're in public, don't say stuff like that," she murmured, her cheek pressed against my chest.
I tightened my hold, lifting her and setting her sideways on my lap.
Maybe I used too much force, pulling on my injury. Before I could stop myself, I let out a muffled groan in pain.
Catherine looked at me seriously and asked, "What's wrong?"
"It's nothing," I said quickly, not wanting her to worry. "Maybe you've put on a little weight, and I need to use my voice to muster up some extra strength."
Catherine wasn't buying it. She looked at me sternly and said, "Spill it! Or you're not coming to my room tonight."
"No, please." I quickly hugged her waist, pulling her close. "I'll tell you the truth, okay? Just don't be mad."
"Talk first, then I'll decide if I'm mad or not."
Catherine wasn't falling for my tricks.
The reason I came to Catherine was to be with her. Even though I hadn't been lacking in company during her absence, no one else gave me the same feeling she did.
Something always felt off when I was with others. Maybe it was Catherine's innocence and purity, or her unique charm.
"Alright, I'll tell you," I said, taking a deep breath. "Last night, there was a commotion at the bar. Some guys were harassing our waitress, trying to force her to serve them. I couldn't just stand by, so I stepped in. A woman on their side was the wife of a special forces officer and brought a bunch of bodyguards. I ended up getting into a fight with them and, well, got a little banged up."
Catherine stared at me for a moment, then gently touched the corner of my lips where there was a bruise from the special forces officer's punch the night before. My skin was tough, so the injury wasn't too severe and was barely noticeable without intimate contact.
"Does it hurt?" Catherine asked softly, her eyes full of concern.
Even though I knew she was worried about me, seeing her caring expression made my desire for her even stronger.
I even felt like having sex with her right there in the car.
"I didn't feel the pain during the fight because I was pumped with adrenaline. But after I got home, when no one was there to care for me, the pain really kicked in. Now that you're here to care for me, I feel a bit of pain again and need you to take care of me properly later," I said, leaning in to peck her soft, fragrant, sweet cheek, a taste I had missed every day.
Catherine held my face and leaned in to kiss the injured corner of my mouth.
"I'll listen to you tonight," she whispered in my ear.
Her response caught me off guard. I looked at her in disbelief and asked, "Aren't you angry?"
"No." Catherine shook her head and smiled. "You know, stepping in to defend a colleague like that shows what a good person you are. And taking on special forces officers without getting seriously hurt? That's impressive. I'm not mad at all. Actually, I'm really proud to have such an awesome boyfriend."
At that very moment, an overwhelming desire to marry her seized me, and I genuinely believed I could devote my entire life to loving Catherine and only her.
This unconditional trust, which I had never experienced before, moved me deeply and caused my once hardened heart to melt.
"But she's the wife of a special forces officer. You fought with their subordinates. Won't they come after you?" Catherine asked, concern etched on her face.
"If you ever get into trouble because of this, you can tell me. You're my boyfriend, and we should face all difficulties together," Catherine added, holding my hand and looking at me seriously.
I felt that everything I had done in her absence was despicable, a pang of guilt striking me as I realized how much I needed to apologize for.
I caressed her head softly and said, "It's okay, Catherine. I got myself into this mess, so I should deal with it. I don't want to drag you into it. And the special forces officer's wife has already talked to me. She saw how I handled myself and asked me to be her bodyguard. But she only needs the bodyguard when she travels to our city for business. Since she's a military officer's wife, it wouldn't look good if she had a whole squad of special forces with her."
I still didn't have the courage to tell her the truth about Nancy and me. She was such a good girl, and if I told her, she would definitely leave me.
"Alright," Catherine nodded.
The tour van had arrived at the VIP parking lot by then.
"We've arrived. Let's get off. The driver has been waiting for a while." Catherine struggled to get off my lap, but I held her tightly.
I reached my hand around her leg and lifted her horizontally.
"I'll carry you. I've missed you so much after all this time," I said.