Chapter Sixteen

Adalee

I loved being on the back of Fade's motorcycle. The roar of the engine, the wind whipping past, and the feeling of his solid presence in front of me—it was intoxicating. I had never really thought about riding a motorcycle before, but now that I had experienced it, I didn't want to travel any other way. The journey felt like freedom, an escape from everything else.

We pulled into the parking lot of the clubhouse and parked at the end of the row of motorcycles. Garett and Mark's cars were already there, a reassuring sign that they had arrived safely. Fade killed the engine, and I reluctantly let go of him, already missing the contact.

He got off the bike first and then helped me down. I watched as he grabbed my duffle bag from the compartment and slung it over his shoulder. His other hand found mine, intertwining our fingers. It felt so natural, so right, and yet I was surprised by how willing he was to put whatever we were on display.

We headed into the clubhouse hand in hand, and I couldn't help but wonder what the others would think. Fade was known to be private, keeping his personal life close to the vest. Yet here we were, walking in together, clearly more than just friends. I was going to be staying in his room, and everyone would know that we were doing a hell of a lot more than sleeping.

I had walked through the doors of the clubhouse countless times before, but this time, it felt different. This time, I had Fade by my side. The sense of belonging, of being part of something bigger than myself, was overwhelming. I felt like I was truly part of the club and not just a bystander.

We stepped into the common room, expecting the usual crowd. To my surprise, it was deserted. I laughed, trying to shake off the slight disappointment. "Well, that was lackluster. Normally, everyone is just hanging out."

Fade pushed his sunglasses on top of his head, glancing around. "I'm sure they are around." He nodded toward the camera in the corner. "Is it crazy to say I forgot about those?"

"It's not crazy at all because I had forgotten about them, too," I admitted. I worked for the TV show, and I had somehow completely forgotten about it. "Oh no!" I stepped back and bumped into the closed door. "I'm going to be on camera now."

Fade laughed. "Yeah, cupcake."

I shook my head. "That is not going to be a good thing." I closed my eyes and gulped. "Don is going to see this."

Fade tipped his head to the side. "Who the hell is Don?" he asked.

I looked around frantically. I knew that these cameras didn't pick up sound very well, but I still didn't want to have this conversation with Fade here. "Let's go to your room. "I'll tell you there," I promised.

Fade glowered, but he grabbed my hand. He hauled me through the common room and down the hallway to his room. He pulled out his keys and unlocked his door. He pulled me inside and shut the door. "Spill, cupcake. Who the hell is Don?" he demanded.

I didn't even have a chance to look around Fade's room before the weight of my thoughts came crashing down on me. "Don is one of the producers of the show, and..." I trailed off, unsure how to continue.

"And what?" Fade demanded, his eyes narrowing. "Are you dating him or something, and you don't want him to know about us?"

I wrinkled my nose and cringed. "God no," I gasped. "Don is sixty-three, and my father."

Fade reared back in surprise. "Your father? Why the hell do you call him Don?"

"Because Don and I don't have the best relationship, and I like to keep it on the down-low that he is my father. Mark and Garett don't even know." The history between Don and me was complicated. Rocky didn't even begin to cover it.

"So, just tell your dad about me and call it a day."

"I disappoint my dad daily just by being me, Fade. I'm not looking to pile on being a bigger disappointment."

"How the hell are you a disappointment?" Fade asked, genuinely perplexed.

"Because I'm twenty-seven years old and only a production assistant. By the time he was my age, he was heading up production and climbing the ladder. The difference between the two of us is that I don't want to do this for the rest of my life. He got me this job when what I really wanted to do wasn't panning out."

"What do you want to do?" Fade asked, his tone softer, more curious.

I chewed on my bottom lip, feeling a wave of vulnerability wash over me. I had never really talked to anyone about my true aspirations. "Uh, I was a cake decorator. I wanted to have my own business, but I couldn't cut it in LA. He gave me five years to make a go of it, and then he told me I needed to grow up and get a real job." I motioned around, feeling the weight of my reality. "Enter me becoming a production assistant."

Fade's eyes softened as he listened. "Cake decorator, huh? That's pretty cool. Everyone likes cake."

I shrugged, feeling the sting of past failures. I plopped on the end of the bed. "It was my passion. I loved creating edible art, making people happy with my designs. But the business side of things... it just didn't work out. LA was too big. I was treading water, not even able to pay my bills."

"Why didn't it work out?" he asked, genuinely interested.

"LA is tough," I said, sighing. "Competition is fierce, and I made some bad decisions. I wasn't prepared for how cutthroat it would be. My business floundered, and eventually, I had to close shop."

Fade sat beside me on the bed, his presence comforting. "That doesn't make you a disappointment, Adalee. You tried to follow your dream. That's more than most people can say."

I looked at him, feeling a mix of gratitude and lingering self-doubt. "Yeah, but my dad doesn't see it that way. To him, I'm just wasting my potential."

"Your potential is still there," Fade said firmly. "You haven't lost it. You're just in a different place right now. That doesn't mean you can't go back to what you love."

His words stirred something inside me, a flicker of hope I hadn't felt in a long time. "Maybe," I said quietly, not quite ready to believe it but wanting to.

Fade leaned in and kissed my forehead. "You deserve to be happy, cupcake. Whether that's with cakes or something else, you should follow what makes you happy." He laughed lightly. "And now I know why you were so surprised when I called you cupcake."

I nodded. "Yeah, I thought you somehow could see into the past and knew what I used to do." I sighed and felt a weight lift. "So, now you know that we can get back to figuring out what we will do about the cameras."

"I don't think we need to do anything. You guys are here to capture our day-to-day, right?" He wound his arm around my waist and pulled me onto his lap. "My day-to-day just changed to having you in it. And in my bed. And wherever else I want to have you."

"You're crazy, Fade. I'm pretty sure you and I dating is going to be a huge conflict of interest." I could already hear Don yelling at me, demanding I get back to LA. It would be a miracle if I had a job when the dust settled.

Fade shrugged. "You wanna be with me, or make your dad happy?" he asked.

Even if Fade and I weren't a thing, my dad wasn't going to be happy. "I'm not saying we can't be," I motioned between us, "I just don't know if I wanted it to be broadcasted on TV."

"Welcome to my world, cupcake," Fade laughed. "Time to be on the other side of the camera with me."

Fade moved me so I was straddling his waist, his strong arms wrapping around my waist as I rested my hands on his chest. The warmth of his skin and the steady beat of his heart under my palms were comforting and exhilarating all at once.

"That would make things pretty real between us," I pointed out, trying to ignore the heat rising between us.

He thrust his hips up, making me gasp. "Pretty sure this is fucking real, cupcake."

I threaded my fingers into his hair, loving how his eyes darkened with desire. "You know what I mean. Hard launch. No hiding."

"No fucking clue what you are talking about. If you're trying to say we'd be together, then yeah, hard launch this shit."

A laugh bubbled from my lips. "You're making this pretty easy."

"Never understood why relationships were supposed to be hard. To me, if it's hard, let that shit go." His hands squeezed my ass. "I like things easy."

I cocked my head to the side, curious about his perspective. "The relationship you mean."

He pulled me close until we were chest to chest, his breath hot against my lips. "Yes, cupcake. Not talking about my dick, though, for reference, if that is hard, you better fuck it."

His words sent a jolt of desire through me, and before I could respond, he pulled me in for a hard, passionate kiss. Our hips ground into each other, creating friction that made my mind foggy with need. His hands roamed over my body, gripping and caressing in all the right places.

A loud knock sounded on the door, shattering the moment.

"We're busy," Fade shouted between trailing kisses down my neck.

"I'm coming in if the door isn't locked," the person on the other side responded.

Fade pulled back, his eyes connecting with mine. "Shit." Of course, we hadn't locked the door. No one was here when we walked into the clubhouse. Now it seemed they were going to come to us.

The door opened, and I looked over my shoulder to see Sloane and Dove standing there, their expressions a mix of amusement and curiosity.

"Well, well, well," Sloane drawled, crossing her arms over her chest. "Looks like we interrupted something."

Dove chuckled, shaking her head. "He did tell us they were busy."

"I'd say more like he has his hands full," Sloane snickered.

"What the hell do you two want?" Fade asked. He didn't pull away from me. He didn't try to act like nothing had happened between us.

He acted like he was pissed we were interrupted and that as soon as Sloane and Dove disappeared, we were going to pick up right where we had left off since he had two handfuls of my ass.

"Yarder wanted to know if Adalee wanted to be in the meeting he's about to have with Garett and Mark." Sloane looked at Fade's hands, which hadn't moved.

I tried to squirm out of his hold, but Fade didn't budge.

"He can handle the meeting," Fade informed them. "Adalee already knows everything."

Dove nodded. "Got it."

Sloane and Dove didn't budge.

"Did you guys need anything else?" Fade asked.

"We're planning lasagna for dinner. Are you guys going to be… available to join us for that?" Sloane asked.

My cheeks heated with embarrassment. I knew everything Sloane was seeing; she was going to report back to her author friend. Winter something. "I love lasagna," I chirped. "I'll be there. Do you need any help?"

Fade squeezed my butt.

"No, no," Dove insisted. "We got it under control. We're even going to make a cake for dessert."

My ears perked up at cake.

I didn't get to do much baking since becoming a production assistant. I was always traveling, and the places I normally stayed only had a microwave.

"Adalee will be out later to help with the cake," Fade offered.

"Later when?" Sloane asked. "Are we talking like an hour or…" she trailed off.

"Later," Fade grunted. "She'll be out when she's out."

Sloane held up her hands defensively. "Okay, okay. We'll see you two… later." She threw us a wink, and they both backed out of the doorway and shut the door.

"Maybe we should lock the door," I suggested, my voice barely above a whisper.

Fade didn't respond with words. Instead, he pulled me in for a hot, searing kiss that left me breathless. His hands roamed over my body, gripping me tightly. "Fuck it. A god damn tornado could come through, and it's not going to stop me from fucking you," he growled against my lips.

His words sent a wave of heat coursing through my veins, igniting a desperate need for him. I moaned into his mouth, my hands fumbling to get his shirt off. The urgency of our movements grew as our clothes flew off in a flurry, landing in a scattered mess around the room.

Fade's hands were everywhere, worshipping my body with every touch. I pushed him back onto the bed, and I gasped as I felt his hard length press against me when he flipped me over so he was on top of me. He paused for just a moment, looking down at me with a raw hunger that made my heart race.

"You're so fucking beautiful, cupcake," he murmured before kissing me again, his lips moving with an urgency that mirrored my own.

I arched my back, grinding against him, desperate for more. "Fade, I need you," I breathed, my voice trembling with desire.

"You're going to get all of me, Adalee," he promised, his voice rough with need.

He moved down, positioning himself between my legs, and with one swift motion, he thrust into me. I cried out in pure ecstasy. He set a hard, relentless pace, each thrust driving me closer to the edge.

His hands gripped my hips, pulling me closer with each movement. "You're so tight, so fucking perfect," he groaned, his eyes locked onto mine.

I could barely form words, my mind consumed with the sensations he was creating. "Fade, don't stop," I managed to gasp, my nails digging into his back.

He shifted slightly, lifting one of my legs over his shoulder, allowing him to go even deeper. I cried out again, the new angle sending shockwaves of pleasure through my body.

"Fuck, Adalee," he growled, his pace never faltering. "I want all of you."

His words drove me wild, and I felt my orgasm building, my body tensing with anticipation. He must have sensed it because he increased his pace, driving into me harder, faster.

"Fade, I'm going to..." I couldn't finish the sentence as my orgasm crashed over me, my body convulsing with pleasure. He followed moments later, a guttural moan escaping his lips as he found his release.

He pulled out briefly, turning me over onto my stomach. "We're not done yet, cupcake," he murmured, his voice filled with dark promise.

I felt a shiver run down my spine at his words, my body already tingling with anticipation. His hands caressed my back, trailing down to my hips, spreading me open. I moaned, pressing my face into the pillow.

Fade didn't rush. He took his time, kissing his way down my spine, his lips leaving a trail of fire in their wake. When he reached my ass, he paused, squeezing my cheeks before spreading them apart. I felt his hot breath against my entrance, and my body trembled with anticipation.

"You're so fucking beautiful," he murmured, his voice sending vibrations through my skin.

I gasped when I felt his tongue, warm and wet, flicker against my entrance. He started slowly, teasing me with light touches, circling around the sensitive skin. I couldn't help but moan, my hips lifting slightly, wanting more.

"Fade," I moaned, my voice barely a whisper. "Please."

He chuckled, his tongue pressing more firmly against me. He licked and sucked, his hands holding me steady. The sensation was unlike anything I had ever felt before, a mix of pleasure and taboo that made my head spin.

Fade's tongue worked its magic, exploring every inch, making sure I was thoroughly prepared. My body was on fire, every nerve ending alive with sensation. He licked deeper, his tongue pushing inside me, and I couldn't stop the moans that escaped my lips.

"You taste so fucking good," he growled, his voice muffled against my skin.

I writhed, my body craving more. His hands gripped my hips, holding me in place as his tongue continued its assault. The feeling was intense, a mixture of pleasure and pressure that left me breathless.

"Fade, I need you," I gasped, my fingers gripping the sheets.

He pulled back slightly, his tongue replaced by a finger. He pressed it inside me gently, preparing me further. I moaned, pushing back against him, wanting more.

"Patience, cupcake," he murmured, his voice a soothing contrast to the intensity of his touch.

He added another finger, stretching me, getting me ready. The sensation was overwhelming, a delicious mix of pleasure and anticipation. My body was on edge, every touch sending waves of ecstasy through me.

"Please," I begged, my voice trembling. "I need you inside me."

Fade didn't need any more encouragement. He pulled his fingers out, positioning himself behind me. I felt the tip of his cock press against my asshole, and I moaned, pushing back against him.

"Ready, cupcake?" he asked, his voice filled with a mix of desire and tenderness.

"Yes," I whispered, my body trembling with need. "I want you."

He pushed inside me slowly, his cock filling me completely. Pleasure and pressure that left me gasping. He paused, letting me adjust to the feeling, his hands caressing my back soothingly.

"You feel so fucking good," he murmured, his voice filled with awe.

I moaned, pushing back against him, wanting more. He took the hint, pulling out slightly before thrusting back in. The rhythm was slow at first, each thrust deliberate, building the intensity.

"Fade," I moaned, my voice filled with need.

He picked up the pace, his thrusts becoming harder, more urgent. The sensation was overwhelming, waves of pleasure crashing over me with each movement. I could feel my body tensing, the orgasm building, ready to explode.

"Come for me, cupcake," he growled, his voice rough with desire.

That was all it took. My body convulsed, the orgasm ripping through me, leaving me breathless and trembling. Fade followed moments later, his release sending shudders through both of us.

We collapsed onto the bed, our bodies spent and trembling. Fade pulled me close, his arms wrapping around me as we caught our breath. "God damn," he murmured, pressing a kiss to my forehead. "That was fucking amazing."

I snuggled into his chest, feeling a contentment I hadn't known before. "Oh yeah," I whispered, my voice filled with emotion.

We lay there in silence for a while, the only sound our ragged breathing slowly returning to normal. I couldn't believe what had just happened, how incredible it had been. Fade's touch, his words, everything about him made me feel alive in a way I never had before.

"Maybe we should lock the door next time," I said with a small laugh, breaking the silence.

Fade chuckled, his chest vibrating against mine. "Yeah, probably a good idea," he agreed, his voice warm and teasing.

I was just glad he agreed there would be a next time.