Page 55 of Tempest

She smiled, a gentle curve of her lips that eased the sudden tension in my chest. Without a word, she bent down, carefully picking up my cut. Her fingers traced the patches, lingering on the Sergeant-at-Arms rocker.

“This is part of you,” Kasen said softly, draping it over a nearby chair. “It deserves respect.”

The simple act hit me harder than any punch. This woman understood me, understood the life I’d chosen. Of course, she damn well should, considering who her dad was. I pulled her close, burying my face in her hair.

“Kasen,” I breathed, my voice rough with emotion.

She reached for the hem of my shirt, her touch light but purposeful. “Can I?”

I nodded, lifting my arms as she peeled the fabric away. Her eyes roamed over my chest, taking in the scars and tattoos that told the story of my life. The way she looked at me made it feel like this was our first time.

“Your turn,” I said, reaching for her.

One by one, I undid the buttons on her shirt, revealing smooth skin beneath. Kasen shrugged out of the garment, letting it fall beside my discarded shirt.

“Beautiful,” I murmured, tracing the curve of her collarbone. “No matter how many times I get to see this sight, I’ll always be in awe.”

Kasen’s breath hitched. “Rick, I --”

“Shh,” I cut her off gently, pressing a kiss to her shoulder. “No more words. Not now.”

She nodded, her hands moving to my belt. Theclinkof metal seemed impossibly loud in the quiet room. I stepped out of my jeans, then helped Kasen with hers.

Standing there, vulnerable in more ways than one, I felt a rare moment of uncertainty. This wasn’t just sex. This was Kasen -- my woman. The one I’d desired for far too long. Now she had my property patch, and she’d be by my side the rest of our lives.

“You okay?” Kasen asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

I met her gaze, seeing my own mix of desire mirrored there. “Yeah,” I answered honestly. “You?”

She smiled, reaching for me. “Never better.”

I laid Kasen down on the bed, my rough hands a stark contrast to her soft skin. Every touch was deliberate, gentle in a way I’d rarely allowed myself to be. My fingers traced the curve of her hip, the dip of her waist, memorizing every freckle and scar. I wanted the moment to last forever.

I looked up, meeting her eyes. The vulnerability there matched my own, and for once, I didn’t fight it. Her hand cupped my cheek. I leaned into her touch, savoring it.

I leaned down, capturing her lips in a kiss that spoke volumes. It was slow, deep, conveying everything I didn’t say out loud. My hands continued their exploration, reverent and careful, as if she might disappear at any moment.

Kasen’s fingers trailed down my back and my arms, tracing the ink on my skin. I shivered at her touch, marveling at how she could make me feel so exposed and vulnerable. Not two words I typically associated with myself.

As we came together, it was with an intensity that took my breath away. There was no need for words; every caress, every gasp, every shared look said more than enough. She met my thrusts, as eager as I was. I pressed my forehead to hers as we moved as one.

The world outside ceased to exist. There was only Kasen, only this moment, only us.

When she came, my name was on her lips. The feel of her pussy squeezing my cock was enough to trigger my own release. I thrust into her, not stopping until every drop of cum flooded her pussy. We hadn’t discussed children, but at this rate, we’d probably have one or two soon enough.

I traced lazy patterns on Kasen’s skin, savoring the warmth of her body against mine. But the afterglow couldn’t keep reality at bay for long. My mind raced, calculating risks, mapping out strategies. As much as I wanted to stay here, in the moment, with her, I had other responsibilities. Not to mention the guilt over losing Gears and Bats. They’d died because I’d been careless.

Kasen stirred, her fingers ghosting over my chest. “I can hear you thinking,” she murmured.

I exhaled sharply. “Can’t shut it off. The cartel --”

“I know.” Her voice was soft but firm.

“You could still be a target. They had you before and may intend to grab you again.”

Kasen propped herself up on an elbow, eyes flashing. “I’ve always been a target, Rick. Comes with being Tank’s daughter. It’s not the first time I’ve been placed in harm’s way. I may not have been in the hands of the bad guys before, but it could have happened.”

“It’s different now,” I said, frustration bleeding through. “They’ll use you to get to me. They have to be pissed I took down their men, freed you and those other women. I essentially took money from their pockets. The cartel isn’t going to let that go.”

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