Page 54 of Tempest

“I’ll give you longer,” Savior said. “Hell, maybe we all need a night or two. Who knows how many of us will come back alive from this shit storm.”

Chapter Sixteen

Tempest

I closed the clubhouse door behind us, theclickechoing in the stillness. Kasen’s eyes met mine, a flicker of something unreadable passing through them. The tension from the last few hours still coiled tight in my muscles. “Ready to go home?”

She nodded and followed me to my bike, getting on behind me. I rode slowly through the compound, needing those extra minutes to calm myself.

We pulled into the carport and I turned off the engine, then helped her off the bike. As we entered the house, I flicked on the lights and scanned the interior, making sure no one had slipped in while we were gone. I didn’t think the cartel could breach the compound, but I wasn’t taking chances.

“You think the plan’ll work?” she asked, breaking the silence.

I grunted. “It has to.”

She nodded, worrying her bottom lip. My eyes tracked the movement.

“Tempest, I --”

“Don’t.” The word came out harsher than I intended. I softened my tone. “We can’t afford distractions. Not now.”

Kasen’s eyes flashed. “Is that what I am? A distraction?”

Fuck. I scrubbed a hand over my face. “You know that’s not what I meant.”

She took a step closer, determination written across her features. My breath caught as she reached for my hand. Her fingers were soft against my callused skin.

“I’m here,” she said quietly. “Whatever comes next. I’m not going anywhere.”

Part of me was proud of her for standing beside me, giving support to me and the club; the other part wanted me to send her far away from here. I needed her safe.

“They got their hands on you once. If they manage to take you again…” I couldn’t even finish the thought, but I knew she understood what I was trying to say.

“Getting kidnapped terrified me, but not enough I’d run away from you, or what it means to stand by your side. Even if I’m shaking inside, I will do my best to remain strong and face my fears.”

I lightly touched her cheek. “I know, baby. And I love you for it, but the thought of you being caught in this mess again scares the shit out of me.”

I pulled her to me and kissed her, my touch gentler than I’d ever allowed myself to be. My fingers brushed a strand of hair from her face, tucking it behind her ear. Our eyes locked, and in that moment, everything else fell away. The club, the danger, the years of restraint -- none of it mattered.

Kasen’s gaze held mine, a universe of unspoken promises passing between us. My heart thundered in my chest, a stark contrast to the stillness of the room.

“Tempest,” she breathed, her voice barely audible. “Rick.”

I couldn’t hold back any longer. Slowly, deliberately, I leaned in. Our lips met, and the world ignited.

The kiss started soft, exploratory. But like a match to gasoline, it quickly blazed into something more. My hands cradled her face, thumbs stroking her cheeks. I was used to violence, to anger, to the harsh realities of club life. But with Kasen, my touch turned tender, reverent.

She pressed closer, fingers curling into my cut. A low growl escaped me as the kiss deepened. My mind raced, torn between desire and the ever-present awareness of the dangers we faced.

“We shouldn’t,” I murmured against her lips, even as I pulled her tighter against me. With the threat hanging over our heads, I needed to be focused on the club right now.

Kasen pulled back just enough to meet my eyes. “We should,” she countered, her voice steady. “Life’s too short for maybes. Especially in our world. We lost Gears and Bats. What if that had been you? We have no idea what’s coming next, or if we’ll lose anyone else.”

I guided us toward the bed, our movements fluid, almost choreographed. My heart pounded, a mix of desire and the ever-present edge of danger that never quite left me. As we moved, my cut slipped from my shoulders, falling to the floor with a softthud.

Kasen broke our kiss, holding up a hand. “Wait,” she whispered.

My body tensed, old instincts kicking in. “What’s wrong?”

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