by Kacey Shea
“No. That’s not how it is.” I inch a little closer, worried he might actually jump. Fuck, I cannot lose him.
He wipes the wet sleeve of his hoodie across his nose. “You don’t know what it’s like for everyone to hate you.”
“Actually, yes, I do.” The surge of emotion hits my chest like one of the ocean’s waves. “I almost killed my best friend. You know that?”
Tyler’s gaze lifts, his eyes wide.
“I almost killed myself and my best friend.”
Any openness in Tyler’s features shut down. “But you didn’t.”
“No. I paralyzed him instead. He’ll never walk again. Never get to dance with his fiancé at their wedding. Never work in the profession he loves—the one we both loved. And it’s all my fault. And everyone hated me. At least that’s what I thought.” I scoot closer, my voice growing with the storm around us. My tears get lost in the rain, but I can’t hide the torment from my words. “I did something unforgiveable. I took away something precious with my disregard for my own life. My reckless, stupid fucking choices. But I was wrong, because not everyone hated me. And my life matters. And I’ve been granted forgiveness I don’t deserve, so you’re wrong.”
I point toward the shore. “Back inside the community center there are dozens of people who would be devastated if you weren’t on this earth. I would be ruined. I know you can’t see it now, because you’re in a dark place, and I say that because I’ve been there, but the world needs you. I need you. So take my hand and let’s get the fuck out of here. Yeah?”
His eyes dart around, as if he’s seeing his precarious position for the first time. His body stiffens with fear.
“My hand,” I yell above the howl of wind. “Take my hand.”
He places his long slender fingers in mine, and I lock my grip with his. I stand and tug him to my side. Using my body as a shield, we make our way down the dock, one unsteady step after another. Wind whips by in rushes that push our bodies from one side to the next, and rain pelts my face so hard I swear it’ll leave marks. But my focus is on one goal. Nothing can sway me from getting this kid back to the center.
A creak of metal sounds from behind, almost as if it’s coming apart at the seams.
Tyler glances over his shoulder. “Shit!”
I turn to see a full-size boat tipping, careening toward the dock not ten feet away. The same dock we’re still standing on. “Run, Tyler. Run!” Keeping a tight grip on his hand in case he slips, I race toward shore. I stumble on a loose board and my shoe snags, slowing our retreat. I yank it free.
The boat behind us smashes into the dock with the rise of another powerful gust. The splintering of wood cracks like thunder. Ripping metal, the same sound as the night I wrapped my truck around a tree, roars in my ear. We’re almost to the shoreline, and another twenty yards to Tom’s truck. I glance back over my shoulder to see the boat rise higher than before and brace myself as it slams down on the dock.
“Chase!” Tyler yells, his body lurching out of my hold. Inches from the edge of the weathered dock, and one slip from toppling into the churning ocean, he stumbles to his knees. His fingers dig for purchase, but everything is too wet. All it will take is one wave to send him crashing into the tossing tide. If that happens, he’s as good as lost.
“I’ve got you!” I shout, crouching and crawling toward him. “I’ve got you, Tyler!” My hand reaches for his arm and I drag his body to mine. In three strides we’re back on land. We’re both drenched and his body shakes uncontrollably. From the storm or fear, I don’t know.
“I’m scared,” he says through chattered teeth.
“I know, man. I know, but we’ve got this. See my truck over there? We just have to make it to the truck.” I point, already picking up our pace.
“I’m sorry. I was so stupid to come out here.”
“None of that.” I shake my head. “We all make choices. It’s how we handle the aftermath that sets us apart from the rest.”
“I’m not a hero like you.”
His words hit like a strike to my gut. How many times had I looked up to my dad and the guys he worked with at the station—idolizing them, viewing them as gods amongst men, as heroes. I don’t feel like much of a hero, haven’t for some time, but I’ll do whatever I can to save this kid.
“You’re stronger than you think. Let’s go.” Wrapping his arm around my shoulder, I push forward, bracing myself against the wind. My chest is tight, my muscles on fire, but somehow we make it to the shoreline. Branches and debris whip by, and by some fucking miracle we don’t get hit.
“We’re almost there.” I squint against the pounding rain. With the dark sky it’s almost impossible to see, but I’m confident I’ll be able to steer the truck back to the center. At the truck, I yank open the door and gesture with my free arm. “Get in!”
Tyler stumbles, the soles of his worn shoes slip off the running boards and he goes down. His head slams against the inside of the door.
“Fuck.” I fight against the wind to keep the door from blowing shut. If I weren’t using my body to keep it open, the damn thing would crush the poor kid. “You okay?” I reach under his armpits and help him to stand.
“I’m good,” he says, touching his face and wrinkling his nose as if it hurts more than he’s letting on. He pulls his hand away and it’s covered in blood. Fuck.
“You sure?”
He crawls over the center console, sniffing a little. “Just a bloody nose,” he says, catching my stare.
I open my mouth to answer, but Tyler’s eyes widen, filling with alarm.
He shouts, but I don’t hear his words. The blinding strike of lighting and the immediate crack of thunder reminds me to get my ass in the truck. Something crashes against the door as I swing it closed. My pulse races. My hands shake. That was too close.
I reach for the keys, still in the ignition. A branch whips by in front of the truck. It’s half the size of this vehicle, but the wind tosses it as if it were a tiny leaf. Another foot closer and it would’ve pinned the truck in place. Another few and it would’ve smashed through the windshield. Fuck. There’s too much rain. Too much wind. I don’t know how we’re gonna make it back.
65
Alicia
Where the hell is he? He should be back by now. If Tyler was anywhere to be found, they’d be back. I pace the length of the small entry, back and forth, my worries unfurling with the rage of the storm. I want to keep watch, but with every window boarded and the storm’s center approaching, it’s not safe to look outside. Which only makes my anxiety grow. With each measured breath, each passing moment, I envision the worst, all the things that could go wrong.
Am I proud of him for going after Tyler? Yes. But selfishly, I can’t bear the thought of losing them. I offer up more silent prayers. Please don’t let his bravery be in vain. Bring them back. Bring them both.
I’m not the only one keeping vigil. After Chase left, I found Laura and we recruited every person in the center to search for Tyler. Janice rocks in her seat, her eyes shut and lips moving with her whispered prayers. Charlie, Tom, Bailey, and even Hunter join us as well; their worried eyes flick to the door with the same urgency I feel.
The blare of a horn from outside the door sends my pulse racing. At first, I wonder if I imagined it, but it sounds again, louder this time.
“He’s back!” I shove at the door, not caring that it sends a gust of wind and rain over me and into the center. It takes all my strength to keep the door from slamming shut.
The headlights pull forward, the truck jostling right up to the center’s door. Chase cuts the engine and the cab lights illuminate the shadows of two profiles. Oh, thank God. “They’re here!” I scream over my shoulder. My heart roars with so much relief, I could cry.
“Tyler!” Janice’s anguished cry carries over the storm.
He climbs out of the truck and rushes forward. “Mom!”
Janice pushes past me and tackles Tyler in a hug. “Oh, God. Thank you. Tyler,
” she says, holding him tight. Their reconciliation is as heartbreaking as it is sweet.
Chase pushes them toward the door, his arms guiding them the short distance with a protective stance. His gaze is stoic, steady, and hell, he might as well be the next Marvel hero. His clothes are soaked, sticking to his muscles in a way that’d be downright explicit if we weren’t in such a stressful situation.
I hold the door for Tyler and Janice, but Chase presses his palm into my side, ushering me back inside with him following close. As soon as he lets go of the door, it swings shut with a slam.
“Tyler,” Bailey says, her face stained with tears. “I’m so happy you’re back.” It’s clear she cares, and I hope that helps him understand how scared we all were.
“You’re freezing,” Janice says, rubbing her hands over Tyler’s.
“Come on,” Tom says. “Let’s get him out of those wet clothes and warmed up. We have an off-duty EMT who can check him out.”
“It’s just a bloody nose,” Tyler says, his teeth chattering. “I’m fine.” But he shuffles forward, keeping pace with Tom’s lead.
“I’ll get a change of clothes,” Janice says.
“Hey.” Chase touches her arm and pulls her to the side before she heads down the hall. “Don’t let him out of your sight.” His somber stare catches her complete attention. “He was feeling pretty low out there.” The intent of his warning resonates with the note we found.
“Of course.” Her chin lifts with a jerk, her eyes filling with unshed tears. “I understand.”
“Come get me if you need anything. Anytime. He’s a special kid.”
“Yeah,” she says, then turns away and rushes to catch up with her son.
“You should get checked out, too,” Charlie says to Chase. “After you change.”
“I’m fine.” Chase waves them off. He appears fine, but something tells me he wouldn’t admit if he weren’t.
An irrational wave of anger fills my lungs. How can he appear so relaxed when seconds ago I was pacing this hall, worried I’d never see him again? “Chase. Can I have a moment?” My tone is sharp, propelled by the storm of feelings that rushes through my veins.
He meets my stare and nods.
I march away to somewhere private, knowing he’ll follow. I’m prepared to give him a piece of my mind. Does he not realize my pulse is still racing? That while he was gone I experienced a dozen heart attacks? I yank my keys off the lanyard around my neck and shove the correct one into my office door. With shaky hands I turn the key and push open the door. Chase’s footfalls echo off the flooring, the only sound other than my shallow breaths. It’s quiet back here. There aren’t any residents in this section.
I hold the door, waiting for him to come inside before shutting it behind him. I don’t reach for the light switch or light up the room with my phone, instead allowing the darkness to blanket us. My eyes adjust with a few blinks and I stalk forward.
The urge to reach out and touch him is too much. I take another step and press my palms over his chest, needing to feel his heart pound. I have to know if it’s racing like mine. All the anger, frustration, and worry I’ve been holding inside unleashes. “Don’t you ever do that to me again.” The threat breaks from my mouth on a sob.
“What?” He exhales on a gasp.
“You,” I accuse. My hands rove over the wet fabric of his shirt. I fist the soaking material, wishing I had the strength to rip it off. He infuriates me. Challenges me. Cracks open my soul and makes me feel new in ways I’ve never known. We’re a certain disaster and it’d be so much easier if I could just walk away. But I can’t. I ache for him. I can’t stop. Fuck, I want him. “You made me doubt you.” I lift his shirt up his body and greedily rake my hands over his bare skin. I take a step closer to soak in his heat. My voice cracks, unsteady as I remember the last hour. “Made me wonder if you were ever coming back.”
“Damn it, Alicia,” he says on a growl. His arm bands around my waist, the other curling around my neck and hauling me forward. In another breath his mouth slams over mine, his kiss demanding. Punishing. Alive. It’s full of fury and hate, and also adoration.
I want him. Need him. I’m desperate to connect in the way we do so well. In a flurry of rushed movements and rough touches we strip down until there’re no more barriers. He reaches for the door, turning the lock before stalking back to my pliant lips.
“I need you.” He cups my sex.
“Yes.”
“This what you need?”
“Fuck me, Chase.”
He spins me to face away and bends me over the desk, pressing his palm to the center of my back. “That’s right.” He delivers a slap across my ass.
The sharp pain grounds me. To him. To this night. I welcome it, arching my back for more.
“This is what you want, isn’t it?” He leans over my body, his hard cock pressed between my ass cheeks. His breath is ragged at my ear, his hand at my nape. “Tell me.” His body is bigger and stronger. He could press inside, force himself, but he won’t. He needs my total consent and permission. “Alicia. Tell me what you need. I’ll give it. I’ll give you everything.”
“Fuck me. Please, Chase.” My plea is desperate and tormented. I can’t help it after almost losing him. After pushing him away and shutting him out when I should have held him close. Guilt and regret consume my thoughts. They make me frantic. Needy. Wanton. I need him now more than I ever have. With him, I may never stop.
66
Chase
Alicia has been and always will be my undoing. After the last few days, I promised myself I wouldn’t do this. That I wouldn’t let my desire for her rule my actions when we ended up alone. Because there are things we needed to hash out. Not just for the future, but for my own self-worth. I am done playing the part of her dirty little secret. If we’re going to be together, it needs to be honest in every way.
Yet here we are. Naked and aching for each other. Wild with passion and hopped up on adrenaline. There were moments on that dock with Tyler when I wasn’t sure I’d survive. Scared I’d never get this again. Maybe that’s why I didn’t stop her when she stripped me naked. Life is precious and we’re not guaranteed a single second. I’m not wasting any more of those apart.
“Chase, fuck me.” Her body arches underneath my chest, her ass cradling my dick and begging me to slide home.
It takes all my damn willpower to not ram my cock inside with one powerful thrust. My body is on fire, throbbing for her slick heat. But I need this to be good for her too. The last few hours have frayed my nerves and wavered my resolve. “Fuck, I like you like this.” I tighten my hold on her neck and push her legs apart. Shoving another hand between her legs, I pump my fingers inside, fucking her like my cock aches to do. “This what you want?”
“No.” She moans when I brush one of my fingers over her clit.
“No?” I smack her ass again, loving the way it makes her squirm. It feels good to relinquish some of the energy pulsing inside my veins. Tonight isn’t about languid lovemaking or drawing out pleasure. We don’t have a lot of time. There’s so much uncertainty. She could push me away tomorrow, but for now I’m going to hold on to her like she’s my lifeline. I’m going to brand her with my touch and fuck her so she never forgets. “Tell me what you need.”
“Your cock. Fuck me with your cock.”
Yes, please. I spread her legs wider, grip my throbbing cock, and line myself up at her center. In one hard thrust my cock is buried in her heat. Fuck, yes. She grabs the desk’s ledge, holding tight, her back arched as I do it again. Again, and again, and again I slam into her. Taking her higher, losing control. Her breathy moans spur me on, my hips moving with purposeful deep thrusts.
My hands are on her ass, spreading her wide, my thumb grazing the sensitive puckered flesh. “I want this ass,” I whisper, pressing my thumb against it. “You want me to fuck you here?”
My dirty talk turns her on, her body squeezing my dick as I nail her to the desk.
&nbs
p; “Yes,” she pants. “Come on it. Come all over my ass.”
“Fuck, yeah.” I pound her harder. The sound of my body slapping against hers as we come together is the most erotic sound. “You look so fucking sexy like this. Milk my cock and I’ll come all over your ass.” My grip on her tightens, my fingers pressing into her skin as my hips piston faster. Harder. Demanding. I reach around to rub her clit, determined to make this good for her before I lose control. “I want you to come. Come on this cock.”
“Yes. Yes. Yes,” she chants, and her body spasms with her orgasm. Her heat is tight around my cock. Her muscles grip me. Oh, fuck, is this good. I stay inside her for as long as I can stave off my ejaculation, but it’s not long.
I pull out and aim for her ass as ropes of thick cum paint her skin. She’s gorgeous. The most erotic sight, all splayed out and bent to my will. I rub along her shoulder blades, soothing her as she comes down. I press a kiss to the nape of her neck, breathing in the scent of her shampoo, and desperate to hold on to this moment. “I think we made a mess,” I whisper at her ear.
She glances back, shaking her hips and jiggling her ass. “I think you’re the one who made the mess.”
“True.” I grin and step back, searching the floor for my wet shirt. “Sorry, this is gonna be cold.” I swipe it over her backside.
“Chase!” she shouts, and laughs when I do it again. “That’s really cold!”
“I warned you.” I run a hand over her now-clean skin and give her ass a squeeze.
“I should probably get back.” She pushes off the desk and walks to the far corner. With the flashlight on her phone, the room comes alive. Her suitcase is open and she quickly dresses in dry clothes.
“I, uh,” I stammer and run a hand down my body, suddenly feeling more than a little self-conscious what with me being the only one naked in her office. I’m also getting cold. “I’m gonna need my clothes.”
“I’ll get them for you.” She twists her hair up and ties it back. “Where are they?”