Page 14 of Tempest

“Kasen?” Connor’s voice snapped me back to reality. “You seem distracted.”

I plastered on another fake smile. “Just tired,” I said. “It’s been a long week.”

I stood up, grabbing my purse. “Thanks for tonight, Connor. It was… nice.” The word felt hollow, but I forced it out anyway.

Connor rose, his smile genuine. “I had a great time, Kasen. Can’t wait for our next date.”

My stomach twisted. I nodded, not trusting myself to speak. We walked to the restaurant exit, the cool night air hitting my face as we stepped outside.

“Let me walk you to your car,” Connor offered.

“No need,” I said quickly. “I’m just over there.”

I gestured vaguely, already backing away. Connor looked disappointed but didn’t push it.

“All right, drive safe. I’ll text you.”

“Sure thing,” I mumbled, turning away.

With each step toward my car, Tempest’s image grew clearer in my mind. His brooding eyes, the tension in his jaw, the raw power he exuded. My heart raced, and it had nothing to do with the man I’d just left behind.

I collapsed into the driver’s seat, letting out a shaky breath. The silence in the car was deafening.

“What the hell am I doing?” I whispered, gripping the steering wheel.

I closed my eyes, seeing Tempest’s face. The way he looked at me when he thought I wasn’t paying attention. The electricity crackling between us whenever we were close.

But then reality crashed in. He was the club’s Sergeant-at-Arms. Dangerous. Volatile. My dad would lose it if he knew how I felt.

I started the engine, my mind a battlefield of desire and doubt.

“I can’t keep living like this,” I muttered, pulling out of the parking lot.

As I drove home, all I could think about was Tempest. I needed to talk to him, but what would I say? After the way I’d run off, what if he’d decided he was done with me? It would break my heart if he rejected me, even though I’d essentially done that to him the day I’d driven off from his house. Technically, I’d said we needed to slow down. Then he hadn’t done anything more than follow me around. Not once had he tried to talk to me about our relationship. Living in this limbo was slowly killing me.

I turned toward the clubhouse. Whatever happened next, I needed to know where I stood with him. If I’d completely blown it, or still had a chance. The familiar rumble of motorcycles grew louder as I approached the clubhouse. It looked like Owen was showing off his new ride to Atlas and Reed. Naturally the three had to rev their engines, trying to see who had the bigger dick.

My hands shook on the steering wheel. What was I doing? This was insane.

I parked, heart pounding. The lot was full of bikes. Music and laughter spilled from inside. Looked like the guys were cutting loose.

I stepped out, legs unsteady. A few Prospects lounged by the door, eyeing me curiously. They’d only recently joined. Lucas, Caden, and Landon. All three were a bit younger than me. Since it was club business, I wasn’t entirely sure why they’d been allowed to prospect, but I wondered if it was the club’s way of making sure the Dixie Reapers would never die out.

I lifted my chin, striding past them with more confidence than I felt.

Inside was chaos. Bodies everywhere, drinking, laughing, yelling over the blaring music. The air thick with smoke and tension. Looked like more than just Reapers were present tonight. I saw a few people I didn’t recognize, and they weren’t wearing cuts, which meant they’d likely come from town. But if they were allowed inside, then Wire or Lavender had vetted them and Tempest had given his permission for them to come through the gates.

My eyes scanned the crowd, searching. There -- by the bar. Tempest.

He stood alone, nursing a beer. His posture rigid, eyes alert. Always on guard.

I pushed through the throng, pulse racing. Tempest’s gaze locked on me. His eyes widened, then narrowed.

“What are you doing here?” he asked as I approached.

I swallowed hard. “We need to talk.”

He set down his beer, grabbing my arm. “Not here.”

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