Page 25 of Tempest

Kasen’s head snapped up, her eyes meeting mine. “Don’t be ridiculous,” she said, a hint of her usual fire returning. “We’re both adults. We can share.”

I nodded, not trusting myself to speak. As Kasen disappeared into the bathroom, I stripped down to my boxers and T-shirt, settling on one side of the bed. My body thrummed with awareness, every nerve ending on high alert.

When Kasen emerged, wearing an oversized T-shirt and little else, I had to clench my fists to keep from reaching for her. She slipped under the covers, her back to me, leaving a careful distance between us.

I had a feeling tonight was going to be a living hell, and I’d get little to no sleep.

Chapter Eight

Kasen

The roar of Tempest’s bike died, leaving an eerie silence in its wake. I got off, my heart pounding. The beach house loomed before us, a silent sentinel against the darkening sky. When we’d woken earlier in the day, he’d suggested a trip to Florida. It was my first time coming here.

Tempest’s eyes found mine. “You okay?”

I nodded, not trusting my voice. His presence, so close yet unreachable, set my nerves on fire.

He strode toward the house, muscles taut under his leather cut. I followed, drawn by an invisible thread. The door creaked open. Tempest’s hand brushed my lower back as he ushered me inside. Electricity coursed through me. “Take a look around.”

I stepped into the open living area, my fingers trailing along the back of a plush sofa. The ocean stretched endlessly beyond the windows, a canvas of blue and gold. My throat tightened. “It’s beautiful.”

Tempest grunted in agreement, his eyes never leaving me as I explored. I could feel the weight of his gaze, heavy and intense. I paused at a shelf lined with seashells, picking up a delicate spiral. “This place… it’s so peaceful.”

“That’s the idea,” Tempest replied, moving closer. “We can be whoever we want to be while we’re here. I made sure to book a reservation in a place that didn’t have any other clubs.”

I turned, startled by his proximity. His scent -- leather and something uniquely him -- enveloped me. This trip was much needed, and I knew it would either bring us closer, or make us realize we weren’t meant to be together. For a moment, the world narrowed to just us. Then Tempest cleared his throat, stepping back. “You should get settled in. I’ll grab the bags.”

As he strode out, I released a shaky breath. This sanctuary might feel like a safe haven, but who would protect my heart from Tempest?

The rhythmic crash of waves pulled me toward the sliding glass doors. I stepped onto the deck, the wooden planks warm beneath my bare feet. Salt-tinged air filled my lungs as I gripped the railing, drinking in the endless expanse of ocean.

Tempest’s presence materialized behind me, a silent shadow. He didn’t touch me, but I felt the heat radiating from his body. My skin prickled with awareness.

“Beautiful.” His voice was rough, barely audible over the surf. “It’s your first time seeing the ocean, right?”

I nodded, not trusting myself to speak. Whatever was happening between us, it made the very air feel scorching hot.

“Come on,” Tempest said, gesturing to a pair of Adirondack chairs. “Let’s sit.”

We settled in, the chairs creaking softly. The breeze tousled my hair, carrying away some of the nervous energy thrumming through me. Silence stretched between us, surprisingly comfortable.

Tempest shifted, his gaze fixed on the horizon. He’d asked if this was my first time at the ocean, but he hadn’t said it was his. I wondered when he’d gone to the beach before. I didn’t know as much about Tempest as I’d thought I did. Only what I’d observed myself or overheard when no one thought I was paying attention.

“What do you want, Kasen?” The question caught me off guard. “I mean, what are your dreams? Your hopes?”

I stared at him, pulse quickening. Was this really happening? The man I’d been infatuated with for years, asking about my aspirations?

“I…” I swallowed hard. “I’m not sure anyone’s ever asked me that before.”

Tempest’s eyes snapped to mine, intensity burning in their depths. “I’m asking now.”

I took a deep breath, the salty air steadying me. “I want…” The words caught in my throat. Tempest waited, his gaze unwavering. “I want to be my own person. And I’d really like to find a way to make things work between the two of us. I’m tired of letting other people decide who I can be with, what types of jobs I can work, or where I can go.”

“You like your job,” he said.

Not quite what I meant, but he wasn’t wrong. Still… the rest of my admission hung between us, heavy with implications. I rushed on, the dam finally breaking. “I’m tired of being Tank’s daughter, or just one of the triplets. I want to make my own choices, forge my own path. But I’m scared too. What if I fail? What if I disappoint everyone? I also understand why the others left. None of them were going to find happiness in this town, not with the entire club watching their every move. You saw how hard Akira had to fight to be with Logan.”

Tempest’s jaw tightened, a muscle twitching. For a moment, I feared I’d said too much. Then he spoke, his voice low and gravelly. “I get it. More than you know.”

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