Page 15 of Tempest

He led me through the crowd, and out the door. The cool night air hit my flushed skin.

Tempest released me once we’d gone a few feet from the building, crossing his arms. “Talk.”

I opened my mouth, but words failed me. How could I explain the storm of emotions inside me?

“I can’t do this anymore,” I finally blurted. It hadn’t come out the way I’d meant, which I knew when he spoke.

“Yeah, you made that clear when you took off the other day. Go home, Kasen. Before someone tells your daddy you’re here talking to me.”

Before I could say anything else, he went back inside, leaving me alone in the parking lot. I hadn’t even had the chance to explain what I meant. The ache in my chest grew, and I had a feeling I’d just destroyed my relationship with him before it even began.

Chapter Five

Tempest

I pushed through the heavy doors of the sports bar, the sound of the TVs and chatter so loud it made my damn head hurt. My eyes locked onto Kasen immediately, her hair catching the dim light as she leaned in close to Connor, laughing at something he’d said.

Red clouded my vision as I strode toward their table, patrons scattering out of my path. The crowd parted like the Goddamn Red Sea, whispers and curious glances following in my wake.

“Fuck,” I mumbled under my breath, trying to rein in the jealousy threatening to explode out of me.

Kasen. I kept reminding myself she was Tank’s daughter, and totally off-limits. But seeing her with another man made my blood boil.

I balled up my fists. The urge to grab Connor by the throat and throw him across the room was almost overwhelming.

“Get it together,” I muttered to myself, drawing in a deep breath.

But it did nothing to calm the storm raging inside me. Every step closer to their table stoked the flames of my anger higher. By the time I reached them, I was a powder keg ready to blow.

I slammed my hand on the table, making their drinks jump. “Connor,” I spat, my voice sharp as a blade. “Didn’t expect to see you here.”

I wouldn’t have had a fucking clue who this prick was, except I’d done a little digging. After I’d seen Kasen with him more than once, I’d decided it was best to find out who the hell she was hanging out with. We’d run across too many guys who looked like upright citizens only to find out they were total scum.

The kid’s eyes widened, fear flashing across his face. Good. He should be afraid.

Kasen’s head snapped up, her blue eyes meeting mine. For a split second, surprise flickered in their depths before being replaced by a steely defiance that made my blood sing. She leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms over her chest.

“Tempest,” she said, her voice steady despite the tension I could see coiling in her shoulders. “What brings you to this neck of the woods?”

I ignored her question, keeping my gaze locked on Connor. “You got business here, boy?”

My fingers itched to wrap around his scrawny neck. I flexed them against the tabletop instead, the wood creaking under my grip.

Kasen’s eyes narrowed. “He’s here because I invited him. Do you have a problem with that?”

The challenge in her voice sent a jolt through me. Part of me admired her fire, while another part wanted to throw her over my shoulder and carry her out of here.

I leaned in closer, my voice dropping to a dangerous growl. “Yeah, I got a problem with that.”

Connor squirmed in his seat, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he swallowed hard. Sweat beaded on his forehead, and he couldn’t seem to meet my eyes. The kid knew he was out of his depth.

“I… uh… I didn’t mean any disrespect,” he stammered, his voice barely above a whisper.

I ignored him, my focus zeroing in on Kasen. Her defiance only stoked the fire in my gut. I leaned in close, my breath hot against her ear.

“You’re Dixie Reapers’ property,” I growled, each word dripping with possessiveness. “And it’s time everyone knew it.”

The words hung in the air, heavy and charged. I felt Kasen stiffen beside me, her breath catching. For a moment, the world narrowed to just us two -- the heat of her body, the scent of her perfume, the sexual tension sizzling between us.

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