ASHES & PAIN
Chapter 21
SURRENDER
She froze the instant she heard Lane say her name.
Her hand never made it to the doorknob.
For a second…
She couldn’t breathe.
“Kait.”
Closer this time.
She closed her eyes.
Just once.
Then she turned.
Lane stood right in front of her, a few raindrops rolling down from his from his shoulders and face.
Diablo stopped behind him. Smiling.
“Sup, Toast?”
Half the charter spilled into the foyer, conversations dying one after another.
Nobody said a word.
Lane just looked at her.
Like he wasn’t entirely sure she was real.
“Found one.”
Alejandra came hurrying back down the hallway with a towel in her hands before stopping short.
Her eyes moved from Kait…
…to Lane…
…then around the suddenly silent foyer.
She walked over to Kait anyway and held out the towel.
“Here. You’re soaked.”
Lane looked at Kait.
“What are you doing here?”
Kait pointed at the boxes.
“The optics and patches you asked for.”
Lane looks at the boxes then at her.
“Thanks… why did he send you?”
“No idea. But… everything should be there. The patches too. Mag says hi, by the way.”
Kait tried to turn again.
“Wait…”
Lane froze. He couldn’t think of what to say.
Diablo stepped in before the silence could grow any heavier.
“There’s a hurricane warning, Toast. You can’t leave. You won’t be able to see a thing.”
Kait was looking at all of them.
Lane, Diablo, Alejandra, Melanie, the boys in the back…
“I’ve driven in worse. I’ll be okay. Thanks.”
She handed the towel back to Alejandra.
Lane didn’t move.
“I’m supposed to be back tonight.”
Diablo with the save again.
“Roads are already flooding. We passed three low-water crossings on the way back from dinner. They ain’t getting any better.”
Kait glanced toward the windows again.
The rain had only gotten worse.
“I’ll take it slow.”
Lane shook his head.
“No.”
His voice wasn’t loud.
It didn’t need to be.
“It’s dangerous.”
Another crack of thunder rolled over the clubhouse.
The lights flickered.
Every head instinctively turned toward the windows.
The rain was coming sideways now.
Diablo let out a low whistle.
Lane never took his eyes off Kait.
“Call Dryden.”
She looked at him.
“Let ‘em know you’re staying here tonight.”
Silence.
“If the weather clears in the morning, you head home first thing.”
Kait hesitated.
“I don’t want to impose.”
Diablo snorted.
“You ain’t imposing nothin’”
Lane finally looked toward the room.
“Somebody grab that box and get ’em into the armory.”
Two Koils stepped forward without a word, grabbing the optics and patches.
Lane turned back to Kait.
“You’re staying.”
It wasn’t a demand.
It wasn’t a plea.
It was the only decision that made sense.
Kait looked at the rain one last time before letting out a quiet sigh.
“…Fine. I’ll call now.”
Lane gave a small nod.
“Good.”
She reached into her pocket, pulled out her phone and stepped off to the side.
It rang twice.
Kolton answered immediately.
“Hey.”
“Hey.”
“You make it alright?”
“Yeah. I dropped everything off.”
“Good.”
She looked through the glass doors at the storm.
“…I have to stay.”
A brief pause.
“Really? Damn, is it that bad?”
“They’re saying the hurricane got here faster than expected. Roads are already flooded. They don’t think it’s safe.”
Another short silence.
“Well, shit, babe. Then you gotta stay.”
“I really wasn’t trying to.”
“I know. You didn’t even wanna go in the first place.”
She huffed a quiet laugh.
“I’ll head home first thing tomorrow if it clears.”
“That works.”
“I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“I love you.”
“You too.”
They hung up.
She slipped the phone back into her pocket and walked over.
Lane looked at her.
“Everything good?”
She only nodded.
Lane nodded back.
“Good.”
He glanced toward the room.
“Come on.”
She followed him deeper into the clubhouse.
The conversations slowly picked back up as they entered.
Lane looked around.
“I don’t think you need an introduction but, this is Huntsville.”
A few of the younger guys who hadn’t met her in person straightened up.
Then the higher flashers.
VP Konway shook her hand first.
“Konway. Good to finally put a pretty face to the name.”
Jackknife, Huntsville’s Road Captain nodded.
“Jackknife. Good to have ya. Heard a shit ton about you.”
Kait smirked.
“It’s all bullshit.”
A few chuckles rippled through the room.
Lane looked toward Melanie.
“Grab her something to drink.”
Before Melanie could answer, Alejandra spoke up from behind the bar.
“I got you, Toast.”
She looked at Kait.
“Your usual?”
Kait smiled.
“Yeah.”
Alejandra smiled.
She reached beneath the counter and grabbed a bottle of vodka along with a clean shot glass.
“I figured you weren’t gonna ask for sweet tea.”
That earned another laugh.
Alejandra poured a generous shot and slid it across the bar.
“There you go.”
“Appreciate it.”
Kait took a sip as Lane leaned against the bar beside her.
He cleared his throat.
“How you been?”
“Busy.” She nodded toward him. “Sounds like Huntsville has too.”
“We’ve been doing alright.”
Koa grinned.
“President’s been working us, hard.”
Lane didn’t even look at him.
She looked around the clubhouse.
“And looks like y’all have grown quite a bit.”
“How’s Dryden?” Diablo asked.
Kait took another sip.
“Good. Making money… Construction started on Slither.”
That got everyone’s attention.
“We’ll definitely stop by once it opens.” Trace said and everyone cheered.
Alejandra gave Diablo a dirty look and he stopped.
Lane only looked at Kait.
“Did you get a good price on the repairs?”
“Yeah, I hired Marcos again.”
“Marcos from the—”
Kait interrupted before he said lakehouse.
“Yeah.”
An uncomfortable silence settled over them.
They were both thinking about the same thing.
Kait took her shot and set the shot glass down.
“Where’s your restroom?”
Melanie immediately answered.
“Go down this hall, take a—”
“Here. I’ll show you.”
Lane was already pushing away from the bar.
Melanie’s words died in her throat.
Kait looked at him for a moment.
Without another word, Lane started down the hallway.
She followed.
The chatter behind them slowly returned as they disappeared around the corner.
For several seconds…
Neither of them spoke.
They reached the guest bathroom.
Kait slowed, reaching for the handle.
Lane kept walking.
She frowned.
“There’s one right here.”
He glanced back.
“No. Use mine. It’s cleaner.”
She shook her head under her breath and followed him farther down the hall.
Lane stopped at the last door and pushed it open.
“After you.”
She stepped inside.
The room was exactly what she’d expected.
A neatly made bed.
A wooden dresser.
A nightstand with a lamp and an alarm clock.
His leather jacket hung neatly from a hook beside the closet.
His boots sat perfectly aligned beneath it.
Nothing out of place.
Nothing unnecessary.
A bookshelf… with actual books.
He pointed toward another door.
“That’s the bathroom.”
“Thanks.”
She disappeared inside, closing the door behind her.
Lane closed his eyes and let out a slow breath.
He rubbed the back of his neck and looked toward the rain beating against the bedroom window.
A minute later, Melanie appeared at the door. She looked around for Kait.
“What are you doing here?”
“I was just wondering where she was going to sleep. So I can set it up for her.”
Kait stepped back out.
“She’s sleeping here.”
“What.”
Kait and Melanie said it at the same time.
Lane looked at Kait.
“Well, I’m not gonna have you sleep in the bunkhouse or with the snake—”
“The bunkhouse is fine.”
Melanie nodded and smiled politely.
“Okay, I’ll get you all set up.”
Lane glared at her.
“Yeah, go do that.”
Melanie looked at Kait then at Lane and left.
“I should just go with her I guess.”
Lane looked up.
“You’re not sleeping in no bunkhouse, Lokken. You’re sleeping here.”
“But she—”
Kait waved him off.
“There’s no way I’m taking your room. You know what… I think it’s better if I just go.”
Lane frowned.
“You’re not leaving. That’s final.”
Kait let out an annoyed breath.
“I know you’re the president here and all—”
“You’re goddamn right.”
“But you don’t get to tell me what to do.”
“In my clubhouse…”
He took a step closer.
“I sure as fuck do.”
Kait’s nose began to tingle and she couldn’t stop it.
…Ah-choo.
Lane smirked.
“Bless you. You need to get out of those wet clothes. You’re gonna get sick.”
“You know what, yeah… I’ve got clothes in the truck, I should go grab them.”
She walked toward the door and he stepped in front of her to block her.
“You think I’m stupid?”
She looked at him in the eye.
“Keys.”
“Seriously?”
Kait frowned then felt another sneeze coming.
Ah-choo.
Lane wanted to laugh but he knew she would get even more mad.
“Bless you.”
Lane leaned into the hallway.
“Prospect.”
Boots hurried across the floor.
A young prospect appeared almost immediately.
“Sir?”
“Get her backpack from the black Chevy outside.”
“Yes, sir.”
The prospect hurried off.
Kait rubbed her nose.
“Can’t believe this shit.”
Lane looked at her.
“You were gonna get in that truck and drive off.”
“You blame me? I’m sure you don’t want me here either. So you can stop treating me like I’m your guest.”
“You are a guest in my clubhouse. So I’m gonna make sure you’re comfortable.”
“Okay, fine.”
Kait looked to the side and sneezed again.
“You should take a hot shower, so you don’t get sick.”
“No. It works out great because that way I can go to bed right after and go home first thing in the morning.”
“It’s only eight.”
Just then, the lights flickered.
Once.
Twice.
The wind outside howled louder than before.
Something heavy scraped across the roof.
A few seconds later, footsteps pounded down the hallway.
The prospect stopped at the door, drenched from head to toe, Kait’s backpack raised in one hand.
“This it?”
Kait nodded.
“Yep.”
Lane took the backpack and the truck keys.
“Appreciate it.”
“Yes, sir.”
The prospect hurried back down the hall.
Kait looked at Lane.
“You gonna hold my keys hostage now?”
“Yes.”
She exhaled through her nose.
“That’s ridiculous.”
“No, you trying to drive in the middle of a hurricane is.”
Lane handed her the backpack.
“Come join us when you’re done.”
She looked at it.
“For what?”
“Just hang out. You don’t have to stay in here by yourself.”
“No, thanks.”
“Well, being cooped here would pretty fucking rude. Considering all those guys look up to you, and I’m sure my hatchlings would love to pick your brain about shit.”
“I don’t feel like socializing.”
“Why are you being so difficult?”
“Because I don’t wanna fucking be here.”
“Well tough shit. Now go take your shower…”
Lane stepped into the hallway.
“And we’ll see you in a bit.”
He pulled the door shut behind him.
He’d barely made it halfway down the hall when—
Ah-choo.
He stopped for a second.
Then chuckled and continued down the hallway.
Lane stepped back into the bar area.
The conversations picked right back up.
Diablo looked over from the bar and immediately caught the expression on his face.
He walked over.
“Well?”
Lane grabbed the glass Alejandra slid toward him.
“Well what?”
“She’s here.”
Lane took a sip.
“No shit.”
Diablo leaned an elbow on the bar.
“So… where the fuck is she?”
“Taking a shower.”
Diablo blinked.
“In your room?”
“Yeah.”
Another blink.
“Whoa, that fast?”
Lane rolled his eyes.
“No, she was soaked and freezing her ass off.”
“But still… you’re telling me Toast is naked, in your shower right now…”
He looked down the hallway.
“…and you’re out here?”
Lane just looked at him.
“Yeah.”
Diablo let out a slow whistle.
“Why?”
Lane shook his head.
“Nothing’s gonna fuckin’ happen.”
Lane took another drink.
“Not unless you go right in there and make it happen.”
Lane stared into his glass.
“Yeah right, she’ll probably punch me in the fucking throat.”
“Nah… she may elbow you in the face though.”
Before Diablo could say another word, hurried footsteps crossed the room.
Melanie.
She stopped beside them.
“Hey, Kount.”
He looked up.
“I got a bunk ready for Kait.”
“I’m actually sleeping in the bunkhouse.”
“But—”
“Kait’s staying in my room. She’s taking a shower now.”
She hesitated.
“Oh.”
Lane nodded toward the kitchen.
“Grab her laundry and make sure she gets whatever she needs.”
Melanie looked over.
“Okay, you need anything?”
“No.”
Lane nodded once.
As soon as she disappeared into the hallway, Diablo looked back at him.
“I don’t think she likes the idea.”
“I don’t give a shit.”
Lane kept his eyes on the hallway.
Steam still lingered in the bathroom when Kait stepped back into the bedroom, one towel wrapped around her body as she rubbed her damp hair dry with another.
She stopped when she saw Melanie standing beside the bed.
“You’re… here again.”
She smiled politely.
“Yeah. Kount asked me to grab your laundry, so it’ll be washed and dry before you head out in the morning.”
A small nod.
“Oh, yeah, they’re on the floor.”
Kait wasn’t sure what to make of it.
Melanie went into the bathroom and picked up Kait’s jeans, draping them over one arm before looking back at her.
“So… How you been?”
Kait shrugged.
“Okay.”
“I heard you’re opening a strip club just like The Dirty Alley.”
“Working on it.”
A brief silence settled between them.
Melanie tucked Kait’s shirt on top of the pile.
“That’s awful about Dulce.”
Kait dropped the towel on the bed
“Yeah.”
“We didn’t get along all that well but…”
Kait nodded once.
“Yeah. I’m gonna get dressed now.”
Melanie smiled again and shifted the clothes in her arms.
“Yeah, of course. I’ll get these washed.”
She started toward the door before stopping.
“If you need anything…”
She gave the room a quick glance.
“…just let me know.”
“Thanks.”
Melanie nodded and quietly let herself out.
The door clicked shut.
Kait stood there for another second.
Something about the interaction felt… odd.
Finally, she shook it off and got dressed.
Back in the bar area, Bled for Days was pounding through the speakers.
Lane shook his head.
“Nothing is gonna fucking happen, Andrade, so shut up already.”
“Damn, not the last name. You know I have PTSD.”
“No you don’t.”
As soon as Lane put down his beer bottle, Kait came out.
Faded blue jeans, black thermals, and her kutte.
Her hair still damp.
Diablo leaned over.
“I got you, Westfall.”
He nodded at Kait.
“Hey, there she is.”
“Sup, Diablo.”
Conversations slowed for a split second.
Then they resumed.
Alejandra looked up from behind the bar.
“Here you go.”
She slid a shot of vodka across the counter before Kait even sat down.
“Thanks. Get me a beer too, please.”
Lane caught the tiny smile that tugged at the corner of Kait’s mouth.
She took the stool beside Diablo while Lane leaned against the bar on the other side.
It didn’t take long.
One of the newer hatchlings, Hunter finally worked up the courage.
“…Toast?”
Kait looked over.
“Yeah?”
The kid couldn’t have been older than twenty.
“So…”
He rubbed the back of his neck.
“…is it true you offed four guys in the same night?”
A few heads turned.
Kait shook her head.
“No. just three, the other one was earlier in the morning.”
“Oh, shit.”
Diablo laughed.
“Told you.”
Another voice came from farther down the bar.
Konway.
“Did you really take the Bite twice?”
Kait found Lane’s eyes for a split second.
“Yeah. But the second time was an accident.”
Lane cleared his throat.
“Alright, y’all. Let her breath.”
Kait rested an elbow on the bar and took a long drink of her beer.
“What’s Denmark like?”
She thought about it.
“Smaller. Colder… bloodier.”
They all looked at each other.
“And the beer sucks.”
The guys laughed.
The room loosened.
Questions kept coming regardless.
More about Denmark.
About Europe.
The Kriger.
Every answer Kait gave was short.
Honest.
Never trying to impress anyone.
Ironically…
That impressed them even more.
Lane watched quietly from the other end of the bar.
Diablo nudged him with an elbow.
“They like her.”
Lane never took his eyes off her.
“Yeah.”
“They’re gonna be talking about tonight for months.”
The boys laughed again at something Lane and Diablo didn’t catch.
At that moment, Melanie walked over carrying a folded blanket under one arm.
“Kount?”
He turned.
“I switched your things at the bunkhouse.”
He nodded once.
“I gave you the bed by the window. The mattress is better.”
“That works.”
She smiled.
“So… is there anything else you need?”
Lane glanced around the clubhouse.
“No. We’ll be alright for the rest of the night.”
She hesitated.
“You can go to bed. Gotta get up early tomorrow anyway, there’s gonna be a lot to pick up.”
The smile on her face faltered just a little.
“Yeah…Okay. Goodnight y’all.”
“Night.”
She quietly disappeared through the back door.
Konway whistled over to them.
“Darts?”
Diablo looked up immediately.
“Oh, now you’re talking.”
Within minutes, the center table had been pushed aside.
The dartboard on the far wall became the night’s entertainment.
Teams formed naturally.
Diablo insisted Kait throw.
“I haven’t played in years.”
“So?”
“So I’m sure I suck at it now.”
“We’re about to find out.”
She rolled her eyes but accepted the darts.
The first one landed just outside the triple twenty.
A whistle echoed through the room.
“Not bad.”
Her second buried itself beside the first.
The third…
Bullseye.
The room erupted.
Diablo threw both hands into the air.
“I knew it!”
Kait laughed despite herself.
“I got lucky.”
Hunter pointed at Lane, who was leaning against the wall.
“Pres is not allowed to play, he hits bullseye every time.”
Lane pushed off the wall and stepped up.
“Bullshit.”
Thunder rolled across the sky.
The clubhouse windows rattled.
Nobody paid it much attention.
Lane threw the dart.
Then—
The lights flickered.
Once.
Twice.
The room went completely dark.
Every bulb in the clubhouse blinked out at once.
The stereo cut off in the middle of Days of the New’s Enemy.
The only sounds left were the wind screaming outside and rain hammering the roof.
A chorus of groans filled the room.
“What the hell?”
“Power’s out.”
Lane looked at the emergency lights.
“The generator didn’t kick. Get some flashlights.”
Within seconds, flashlights clicked on one after another, thin beams cutting through the darkness.
Lane was already moving.
“Everybody relax.”
The room quieted.
“Diablo.”
“Yeah.”
“Take Jackknife and Trace and check the generators.”
“You got it.”
The three of them grabbed rain jackets by the door.
The second the front door opened, the wind shoved it inward.
Rain blew halfway across the floor before they forced it shut behind them.
Lane looked around the room.
“Stay inside until we get it fixed.”
A chorus of nods answered him.
Alejandra lit a couple of lanterns behind the bar.
The warm glow spread across the room.
People settled back into conversation.
It wasn’t the first power outage they’d lived through.
Kait watched Lane moving around and giving instructions.
Another member stopped him.
Everyone wanted a piece of the president.
Good.
She quietly slipped away.
Nobody noticed.
She moved down the hallway, boots barely making a sound against the wooden floor.
Lane’s room.
The backpack was exactly where she’d left it.
She swung it over one shoulder.
Turned… and stopped cold.
Lane stood right at the door.
One shoulder rested against the frame.
His arms were crossed.
He’d simply been waiting.
Neither of them spoke for what seemed like an eternity.
Then Lane slowly shook his head and jingled the truck keys.
“You were not gonna get very far without these.”
Kait’s jaw tightened.
“I was just gonna hotwire the truck.”
Lane scoffed.
“Unbelievable.”
He kicked the door shut behind him.
“I said you weren’t leaving.”
“And I said I didn’t wanna be here.”
“You gave me your word.”
“I changed my mind.”
“You can fucking die out there, Lokken.”
“I’ll be fine. Give me the keys and get out of my way.”
He took a slow step toward her.
“Oh, you’re gonna give me orders now?”
“Give me the keys, I wanna get the fuck out of here right now.”
“You’re not driving off in the middle of a damn hurricane.”
“I don’t have to listen to you.”
“You are under my roof, so you do what I say.”
“You’re not my president.”
“Stop acting like a child.”
She laughed bitterly.
“I knew this was a stupid idea.”
Lane frowned.
“You didn’t have much choice.”
“I’ll just sleep in the truck.”
“That’s fucking stupid.”
“I’ll manage.”
“You always think you can.”
She pointed at him.
“This is bullshit.”
Lane’s expression hardened.
She held out her hand.
“Keys.”
“No.”
“Lane.”
“No.”
She stepped closer.
“Give. Me. My. Keys.”
He held them up just enough for the metal to catch the faint glow coming through the window.
“Shut up, Lokken.”
She lunged.
His hand shot back.
The corner of his mouth twitched.
“So you do need your keys after all.”
She reached again.
He caught her wrist before she could grab them.
“Let go.”
“You let go first.”
She shoved against his chest.
He barely moved.
“Move.”
“Stop it.”
She grabbed for the keys again.
He twisted away.
She caught his forearm.
He caught hers.
The keys jingled wildly between them.
She tried to pull free.
He held on.
She reached with her other hand.
He caught that one too.
“Lane, come on.”
“You see how stupid this is?”
She threw her weight forward.
He stumbled one step backward.
His shoulders hit the bedroom door with a dull thud.
Before either of them realized it…
She was pressed against him.
His back against the wood.
Her hands trapped between them.
The room was completely dark.
Only flashes of lightning gave them brief glimpses of each other.
Neither of them moved.
Neither of them spoke.
Their breathing was the only sound between the thunder outside.
A knock broke the silence.
Three quick raps against the bedroom door.
“Hey, Pres?”
Konway.
“You in there?”
Lane never took his eyes off Kait.
“…Yeah.”
“The clubhouse generator’s fried. Bunkhouse generator’s still running. We’re gonna see if we can get this one going.”
“Alright. Have everybody move over to the bunkhouse for the night.”
“You got it.”
Footsteps faded down the hallway.
Kait took a step back.
“Just let me go home, okay?”
Lane studied her for a moment.
“Why do you wanna leave so bad?”
She didn’t answer.
Instead, she shoved against him.
“Let me get though.”
Lane barely budged.
He let out a quiet chuckle and shifted just enough for her to get the bedroom door cracked open.
She started to squeeze through.
Lane pushed the door shut.
The edge caught her finger.
“Motherfucker!”
She jerked her hand back, cradling it against her chest.
“Hey.”
Lane’s expression changed instantly.
“You alright?”
“Fuck off.”
“Lemme see.”
He reached for her hand.
She tried to pull away, but he caught it gently.
“Let me see.”
Softer this time.
Another flash of lightning spilled through the room.
For an instant, His eyes met hers.
He turned her hand over, checking her finger.
“You okay?”
“Yeah.”
“Does it hurt?”
She shot him a look.
“Yeah, it fucking hurts.”
A grin escaped before he could stop it.
She narrowed her eyes.
“You asshole.”
His smile only grew.
“I’m sorry.”
“No, you’re not.”
She pulled her hand free.
A quiet huff escaped her despite herself.
The storm rumbled overhead.
She shook her head.
“I’m outta here.”
She tried to go to the door, but Lane caught her by the wrist and turned her.
“Enough.”
Lane had her pressed against the door now.
Kait took a deep breath.
“You’re not leaving.”
“I need to go home. I wanna go home. I don’t want to be here.”
“Well, I don’t want you to go, alright?”
“Why not?”
“Because I fucking miss you.”
Those words hit Kait harder than anything. She felt a tug in her chest, and her eyes began to water.
She couldn’t speak. She could only look at him.
“Stay here… with me.”
His hand cupped her face.
“Lane…”
“Stop fighting me.”
His thumb brushed away the tear she hadn’t realized had escaped.
“And just stay.”
All the months.
All the anger.
Every lie she’d told herself.
Every time she’d convinced herself laying with someone else would push him out of her head.
It all came crashing down.
His eyes glistened in the darkness.
“I’ve missed you every damn day.”
Silence.
Only rain.
Only thunder.
Only the sound of two people finally running out of reasons to keep pretending.
Another tear slipped down her cheek.
“I swear I didn’t choose him… It was never like that.”
Her voice was barely above a whisper.
“I know… I know.”
Kait was trembling.
“I should have told you. I should have said it… maybe that would’ve made you understand.”
“Tell me what?”
She looked at him for another heartbeat.
Then, before she could think herself out of it…
She grabbed the front of his kutte and pulled him down to her.
Their lips met with months of frustration behind them.
It wasn’t tentative.
It wasn’t careful.
It was everything they had refused to let themselves feel.
Lane’s breath caught.
For a second, he simply stood there, almost afraid to move.
Then his hand found the back of her neck, and he kissed her back with the same desperation she’d been carrying.
The world outside disappeared.
There was only the sound of rain against the windows.
Only thunder rolling somewhere beyond the walls.
Only the warmth they’d both been denying themselves.
She kissed him again.
Harder this time.
As if making up for every argument they’ve had since.
He answered without hesitation.
His arms settled around her, pulling her closer until it became hard to breath.
She could feel his heartbeat.
Fast.
Just like hers.
“I don’t wanna fight anymore.”
His voice was barely audible.
“I don’t either.”
He kissed her again.
Longer this time.
Slower.
The urgency that had driven them together softened into something deeper.
His hand lingered against her cheek.
Her fingers traced the line of his jaw as though reminding herself he was real.
That he was right there.
That neither of them was dreaming.
Outside, lightning flashed through the curtains, bathing the room in silver with whips of light.
Neither of them noticed.
Neither of them cared.
The argument was over.
Not because someone had won.
Because they had both surrendered.
His hands found her waist, drawing her against him.
She answered without hesitation.
Her fingers slipped beneath the collar of his kutte, pushing it off his shoulders.
Leather hit the floor with a dull thud.
Neither of them cared.
His T-shirt followed.
Then her kutte and thermals.
Gone.
Every kiss lingered longer than the last.
Every touch carried the weight of months spent pretending they’ve moved on.
He paused only long enough to look at her.
Her silver eyes were looking right through him.
He had missed that too.
Her hands sliding up and down his chest setting his senses on fire.
Lane couldn’t help but smile against her lips.
Not amusement.
Relief.
She was in his arms again.
His forehead rested against hers for only a heartbeat before she kissed him again.
Without breaking the kiss, his hands slipped beneath her thighs.
She came up effortlessly, her legs wrapping around his waist as naturally as before.
Her arms circled his neck.
He held her closer.
The storm rolled across the Huntsville sky.
Rain battered the windows.
Lane carried her the last few steps, never once letting her drift farther away than a breath.
When he reached the bed, he lowered her onto it with the same care he’d always shown her.
As they looked at each other, nothing else mattered.
Not Kolton.
Not Loraine.
The lies.
The distance.
Kait reached for him first.
Her fingers dragged down from his neck down to his chest.
He grabbed her hand and kissed it.
The moment felt too heavy for any smiles or any talking.
So they kissed.
Then her hands found his hips, and she guided him. Pulling him closer.
His mouth opened in a gasp as soon as he felt her warmth.
His breath began to shake.
It only felt that way with her.
Only with her.
With each push, the last barriers between them disappeared, forgotten where they fell.
Kait held on to him as hard as she could.
Months of longing had finally run out of room inside them.
There was nothing left to hide behind.
Nothing left to prove.
Only each other.
It wasn’t too long until his eyes searched hers.
Asking.
Begging.
She answered by clenching her teeth and nodding.
The storm on that bed raged harder than the storm outside.
They groaned and moaned louder than the wind fighting its way through the pines.
A couple of minutes later, they slowed down and finally smiled at each other.
“Hey, beautiful.”
Kait smiled bigger.
“Hi, handsome.”
“You alright?”
Kait smiled again and nodded.
“Yeah. Finally.”
A couple of minutes later, Lane lay on his back, staring at the ceiling.
Kait rested against him, her head beneath his chin, one hand tracing slow figures on his chest.
“You heart’s beating so fast.”
“I know.”
Kait pushed herself up and kissed his lips once.
Lane squeezed her hard once and Kait went back to resting her head on his chest.
She kept listening to the steady beat of his heart.
The same heartbeat she’d missed every day she’d spent convincing herself she’d be fine without him.
He let out a quiet breath.
“It won’t be like last time. I’m never going through that again.”
Kait held him tighter.
“No.”
He leaned down and kissed her forehead.
Kait settled against him, sliding her leg between his beneath the sheets. Lane pulled her closer, his hand moving slowly along her bare back.
Neither of them said anything else.
They didn’t need to.
Rain continued beating against the windows. Wind pushed against the old clubhouse hard enough to make something outside rattle, then groan.
Kait listened to it for a while.
A few hours ago, she’d been standing at the front door ready to walk straight into it.
Now she was warm beneath the sheets, Lane’s arm around her, her cheek against his chest.
His fingers moved lazily through her hair.
Slower each time.
Until they stopped.
Kait smiled.
She stayed there listening to him breathe.
Listening to the rain.
Listening to his heart.
She tightened her arm around him and closed her eyes…
While outside, the hurricane kept raging.
