Page 2

Kasen

I sat across from Connor, my fingers tapping a nervous rhythm on the café table. The chatter of other patrons faded to white noise as my gaze darted to the opposite sidewalk. There he was. Tempest. His dark eyes bored into me, intense and unwavering. I’d spotted him not too far into my date with Connor, except at the beginning, I hadn’t really thought of it that way. He’d made it clear after a few minutes this was more than friends meeting.

“So, how’s your dad doing?” Connor asked, his voice cutting through my distraction.

I snapped my attention back, forcing a smile. I’d forgotten I’d told him about my dad’s motorcycle accident. “He’s… improving. Slowly.”

My heart raced. Tempest hadn’t moved. I could feel the heat of his stare. I glanced that way again and saw him pull out onto the street and ride away. My heart felt like it dropped to my stomach.

You’re seriously screwed up, Kasen . Here I was with this super sweet guy, and all I could think about was the biker I shouldn’t want.

“That’s good to hear,” Connor continued. “I was thinking maybe we could --”

I nodded, barely registering his words. My mind drifted. I’d been in love with Tempest for a long time. Puppy love at first, but over the years, it had grown into something more. Not that I thought he’d ever see me that way.

“Kasen? You okay?” Connor’s brow furrowed.

“Yeah, sorry.” I shook my head. “Just tired.”

Lies. I was wide awake. Every nerve on edge. Why had Tempest been watching me? It wasn’t the first time I’d noticed. There had been other times I’d been in town and spotted him in the distance. Almost as if I had a personal bodyguard. I just didn’t understand why. Unless my dad had asked him to keep an eye on me.

Connor leaned forward. “As I was saying, there’s this new restaurant --”

I forced myself to focus. Nodded again. Smiled. But I couldn’t pay attention to Connor no matter how hard I tried. He just wasn’t… exciting. I doubted he’d ever ridden on a motorcycle or driven over the speed limit. I liked a man with rough edges. Probably because I’d grown up around them.

“Sounds great,” I managed, though I had no idea what I was agreeing to. I took a sip of water. Nearly choked.

Connor’s lips kept moving. I caught fragments. “Friday… pick you up… seven?”

“Sure,” I replied automatically. My mind elsewhere.

With the man who’d been watching over me. The one I couldn’t have.

The one I couldn’t stop wanting.

I somehow made it through the rest of my so-called date. I’d been so distracted I had no idea what we’d even talked about it. Which made me feel awful. Connor deserved better.

I stepped out of the café and saw my best friend waiting for me. Akira, Wraith’s daughter, waved at me. I walked over and smiled at her.

“You weren’t waiting long, were you?”

Akira shook her head. “Just got here.”

The honking of horns and the buzz of conversation surrounded us as Akira and I weaved through the crowded sidewalk. My heart still raced from the encounter at the café.

“I can’t take it anymore, Akira,” I blurted out, my voice strained. “Tempest was there, watching me the whole time I was with Connor.”

She held up a hand. “Wait. Connor is the guy you knew in high school, right? The one who just came back to town?”

“Yeah. Remember? I told you I ran into him at the bookstore, and he invited me to the café for lunch.”

“Right. Now back to what you were saying about Tempest,” she said.

“It’s like he’s everywhere.”

Akira raised an eyebrow, her hand resting on her slightly swollen belly. “And that’s a problem because…?”

I sighed, frustration bubbling up. “Because he’s Tempest! He’s intense and dangerous and… God, I want him so badly it hurts.”

“Then go for it,” Akira said, nudging me with her elbow. “You’re not a kid anymore, Kasen. You can handle him.”

I scoffed, sidestepping a rushing businessman. “You make it sound so easy.”

“It is easy,” Akira retorted, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “You want him, he clearly wants you. What’s stopping you?”

“Everything!” I exclaimed, earning a few curious glances from passersby. I lowered my voice. “The club, my dad, his reputation…”

Akira rolled her eyes. “Excuses. Trust me, if your mom managed to tame your dad, you can handle Tempest. We grew up overhearing those stories. Both our dads were total players before they met our moms.”

My stomach fluttered at the thought. “But what if --”

“No what-ifs.” Akira cut me off sharply. “You’re a strong woman, Kasen. It’s time you showed Tempest that.”

I bit my lip, considering her words as we navigated the bustling street. Maybe she was right. Maybe it was time to face this head-on.

We ducked into a quiet coffee shop on the corner, settling into a secluded booth away from prying ears. The aroma of fresh coffee enveloped us, but it did little to calm my nerves.

“It’s not just about me and Tempest,” I confessed, my voice barely above a whisper. “Dad’s still recovering. I can’t pile on more stress with my… personal drama.”

My fingers traced the worn edge of the table, memories of Dad’s pale face in the hospital bed flashing through my mind. The fear of losing him still haunted me. He was home, and mostly healed, but what if he got into another accident? What if I lost him?

Akira reached across, her warm hand covering mine. “Kasen, your dad’s tough. He wouldn’t want you putting your life on hold.”

I met her gaze, seeing the understanding in her eyes. She knew the weight of the MC world better than most.

“When Logan and I first got together,” Akira began, a soft smile playing on her lips, “I was terrified. Not just of him, but of what it meant for my family, for my future.”

I leaned in, hanging on her every word.

“But you know what?” she continued, her voice strong. “Loving him was worth facing those fears. It still is, every single day.”

Her hand drifted to her belly, and I saw the love and certainty in her eyes.

“The club life isn’t easy,” Akira admitted. “But neither is denying what your heart wants. Trust me, I’ve been there.”

I swallowed hard, her words hitting home. “How did you know it was right?”

Akira’s laugh was light, but her eyes held a depth of emotion. “I didn’t. I just knew I’d regret it forever if I didn’t try. Even if it meant defying my dad, and you know how scary he can be.”

I nodded slowly, letting her words sink in. The chaos in my mind began to settle, like dust after a storm. “Maybe… maybe you’re right.”

Akira’s eyes lit up. “Of course, I am. You’ve been pining for Tempest since you were sixteen, Kasen. It’s time to do something about it.”

My heart skipped. “But what if --”

“I told you. No what-ifs,” she cut me off, her tone firm but kind. “You’re stronger than you think. I’ve seen it.”

I took a deep breath, feeling a spark of resolve ignite in my chest. It was small, but it was there. “Okay. I’ll… I’ll talk to him.”

Akira grinned, triumphant. “That’s my girl.”

Suddenly, she leaned over and poked me in the ribs, making me yelp. “Life’s too short to be a chicken, Kase.”

I laughed despite myself, swatting her hand away. “Hey! I’m not a chicken, I’m… cautious.”

“Cautious, my ass.” Akira snorted, her eyes dancing with mischief. “You’re the daughter of Tank. The ex-Sergeant-at-Arms for the Dixie Reapers. Since when do you play it safe?”

I couldn’t help but smile, feeling the tension dissipate. “Fair point.”

“And as for your dad, he’s been through worse than watching his daughter fall in love.” Akira winked. “If my dad can come around and welcome Logan into the family, your dad shouldn’t have an issue with Tempest. As least he’s part of the club.”

I winced at the word “love,” my heart racing. “It’s not just that. You know how protective he is. If things go wrong with Tempest…”

“Then Tank will deal with it,” Akira said firmly. “Look, I know firsthand how the club works. Your happiness matters to your dad more than anything. Although, I’m sure he has an odd way of showing it sometimes. I think that just comes with being the daughter of a Reaper.”

I chewed my lip, considering her words. “How do I balance it, though? My needs and his?”

Akira leaned forward, her dark eyes intense. “You talk to him. Be honest. Tank’s not made of glass, Kasen. He can handle the truth, and he deserves to hear it from you.”

Her words hit home, and I felt a weight lift from my shoulders. “You’re right. God, when did you get so wise?”

She patted her belly with a wry smile. “Apparently, growing a human gives you superpowers. Who knew?”

We both laughed, the sound echoing in the quiet coffee shop. As our laughter faded, I reached out and squeezed Akira’s hand. “Thank you. For everything.”

She squeezed back, her smile warm. “Anytime, girl. Now go get your man.”

I glanced around. “We haven’t even ordered yet.”

She waved me off. “Go. I’ll order a smoothie or something and wait for Logan to get off work.”

As I stood and walked off, I felt a new determination coursing through me. The fear was still there, a quiet whisper in the back of my mind, but it no longer paralyzed me. I took a deep breath, tasting possibility on the air.

“I’m doing this,” I mumbled to myself.

The city blurred around me, the kaleidoscope of noise and color barely registering. My mind raced, replaying every moment with Tempest, every stolen glance, every time his presence had set my heart racing.

“Enough hiding,” I muttered.

A car horn blared, jerking me back to reality. I’d nearly stepped off the curb into traffic. Shaking my head, I forced myself to focus on my surroundings. The familiar streets of my hometown stretched before me. I got in my car and headed home, straight for the Dixie Reapers compound.

My phone buzzed. Dad’s face lit up the screen. I hesitated, then silenced it. Later , I promised silently. I’ll explain everything later .

The clubhouse loomed ahead, its weathered exterior as familiar to me as my own reflection. Music pulsed from inside. I paused at the edge of the parking lot, my heart thundering in my chest.

Tempest’s bike stood among the others, its chrome gleaming in the late afternoon sun. My breath caught. He was here.

“Now or never, Kasen,” I whispered, wiping my sweaty palms on my jeans.

I took one step forward, then another. The clubhouse door swung open, spilling laughter and the acrid scent of cigarette smoke into the air. And there he was.

Tempest stepped out, his massive frame filling the doorway. His eyes, hard as steel, scanned the lot before landing on me. I saw the flicker of recognition, the slight narrowing of his gaze.

My mouth went dry. Every instinct screamed at me to run, to hide, to go back to playing it safe.

I lifted my chin and met Tempest’s stare head-on. “We need to talk.” I called out, my voice steadier than I felt.

Tempest’s eyebrow arched, a hint of surprise breaking through his intimidating facade. He took a step toward me, and I braced myself for whatever came next.

“Talk?” His voice was gravel and whiskey. “About what?”

I swallowed hard. “Us.”

His eyes narrowed. “There is no us.”

“Bullshit,” I snapped, surprising myself. “You’ve been watching me. Following me.”

“It’s my job to keep an eye on things,” Tempest snapped back.

“On me, you mean?” I stepped closer, emboldened by anger. “I’m not a child anymore, Tempest.”

His gaze raked over me, leaving fire in its wake. “I know.”

The admission hung between us, electric.

“Then why --”

“You’re Tank’s daughter,” he growled. “Off-limits.”

I laughed, bitter and sharp. “That’s not your call to make.”

I could see the battle raging behind his eyes. “Kasen,” he warned, voice low. “Don’t push this.”

I closed the distance between us, close enough to feel the heat radiating off his body. “Or what?”

His control snapped. In one fluid motion, Tempest’s hand cupped the back of my neck, pulling me against him. His lips crashed into mine, hungry and desperate.

I melted into the kiss, months of pent-up desire exploding between us. My fingers twisted in his shirt, anchoring myself as the world spun.

When we finally broke apart, both gasping for air, I saw the raw need in Tempest’s eyes.

“Fuck,” he breathed.

I nodded, unable to form words.

“This changes everything,” he murmured.

I nodded, heart racing. “I’m counting on it.”

Tempest’s grip on my neck tightened, eyes blazing with conflicting emotions. Desire. Anger. Fear.

“You have no idea what you’re asking for,” he growled, his breath hot against my cheek.

I met his gaze unflinchingly. “Try me.”

“This isn’t a game, Kasen. The club, your father --”

“I don’t care,” I interrupted, my voice stronger than I felt. “I’m tired of pretending. Aren’t you?”

Tempest’s eyes darkened. In one swift motion, he pulled me around the corner of the clubhouse, away from prying eyes. My back hit the rough brick wall, his body caging me in.

“You want this?” he demanded, his voice low and dangerous. “You want to risk everything?”

I swallowed hard, pulse racing. “Yes.”

Tempest’s hand slid from my neck to cup my face, his touch surprisingly gentle. “There’s no going back from this. You understand that?”

I nodded, leaning into his touch. “I’ve wanted this -- wanted you -- for years, Tempest. I’m not backing down now.”

Something shifted in his eyes. Before I realized what was happening, his lips crashed into mine again, harder this time. Demanding. I matched his intensity, pouring years of longing into the kiss. My fingers tangled in his hair, pulling him closer.

Tempest groaned, the sound vibrating through me. His hands roamed my body, leaving trails of fire in their wake. I arched into him, desperate for more.

Suddenly, he pulled back. I whimpered at the loss.

“Not here,” he panted, resting his forehead against mine. “Not like this.”

Reality came crashing back. We were still outside the clubhouse. Anyone could walk by.

“Your place,” I suggested, breathless. “Now.”

Tempest nodded, his eyes dark with promise. “Lead the way, little girl.”

As we untangled ourselves and headed for his bike, I knew there was no turning back. Whatever came next, I was all in.