Chapter Three

The Past

The hallways of Hanging Cove High buzzed with students rushing to their classes. Locker doors slammed and laugher echoed through the air.

Cassie took her books from her locker, surrounded by her clique of friends. As Breaker's daughter, she was practically treated like royalty by most of the locals in town.

Emma and Madison dished out the latest gossip while Cassie eyed the students in the hall. As she caught sight of Randall Coleman, Cassie smoothened out her skirt and straightened her hair. As usual, in moments like these, her heart furiously thumped painfully.

Then she sauntered to his locker, well aware her friends followed behind like hungry hyenas.

She gave Randall a smirk. "Look who we have here, guys. Little Randall, the charity case."

Her friends snickered and started piling on. Her heart sank a little as Randall's eyes flickered with undisguised hurt and anger. Had Cassie crossed the line this time? She kept waiting for Randall to crack, to cry "uncle," but he never did. He always reacted the same way.

Randall stared at her defiant eyes and his fists clenched to his sides. If Randall was built like Josh, her boyfriend and the school's beloved quarterback, Cassie would have been more afraid of him. Of course, Randall was still the same skinny boy with the hand-me-down clothes she and her friends endlessly liked to tease.

Emma once asked her why Cassie always zeroed in on him. Cassie recognized the cruel glint in her best friend's eyes and knew she had to lie or Emma would find out the truth. That some part of Cassie did find Randall cute.

"What do you want, Cassie? Can't you find someone else to pick on?" Randall demanded.

"Don't get all defensive, Randall. I'm just here to remind you of your place, in case you forgot." Cassie and her friends circled him.

Emma and Madison continued slinging taunts at him. They tormented Randall on such a regular basis that all their insults seemed to do was bounce off whatever phantom armour Randall had developed.

"Your father might be the President of the Death Seekers MC, and thanks to him, you have money and popularity, but that doesn't make you better than anyone else. One day, you'll wake up and wonder why your life is so hollow," Randall said in a quiet voice.

Madison and Emma laughed at him. Cassie parroted her friends, because she didn't want Randall to know how much his words bugged her.

"This is boring. Let's go, we'll be late for class," Emma suggested.

As Cassie walked with her friends, she gave Randall one last look over her shoulder.

Randall remained where he was, staring fixedly at his locker. His shoulders were slumped and he wore such a depressing and utter look of defeat on his face, Cassie halted. She could walk up to him and apologize for all the times she and her friends were nasty to him.

Where would that leave Cassie? If anyone overheard her apologizing to Randall Coleman, it would be social suicide. The perfect image Cassie struggled to build all her life would crumble to dust.

"Cassie, you coming?" Madison asked.

"Yeah," Cassie answered distractedly.

****

The Present

"I'm fine," Cassie gritted out through her teeth.

She turned on her side of the bed, exposing her back to Rage. Her heat beat like the nervous wings of a hummingbird.

Tension mounted and she wondered what would happen next. They wasn't much space in the bed to move. A proper gentleman would offer to sleep on the floor but Rage had proven he was nothing but. He was Grade-A jerk, there was no denying that, but Cassie couldn't ignore the warmth emanating from his body.

If he was a little more pleasant to her, Cassie would have boldly suggested they huddle together, share some warmth.

"Then let's get some sleep. We have a long ride ahead of us tomorrow," Rage said.

The mattress creaked under his weight. He turned on his side of the bed as well. Cassie pursed her lips together. Stubborn, unbearable man. She squeezed her eyes shut.

All she had to do was spend one night with Rage. She could manage that. Then tomorrow, she would be back home in Hanging Cove. She wouldn't need to speak with Rage again. Cassie could just ignore him, pretend he didn't exist.

Her stomach turned as she thought of finally speaking to Breaker after all these years. What would he say to her? That conversation was certainly going to be unfordable and Cassie was dreading it already.

Restless and unable to sleep, Cassie looked out the window. Neither of them remembered to close the curtains. Jagged bolts slit the night sky. Her chest tightened and Cassie clutched at the thin blanket that hardly offered any warmth or protection.

The thunder that followed was a deep rumble that resonated through her bones. She shrieked, unable to help herself. Don't wake up, she silently thought, squeezing her eyes shut.

Thunder boomed again and Cassie tried pulling the blanket over her eyes. She hated how she always reacted to a thunderstorm. Cassie was a grown woman, for crying out loud.

"What's going on?" Rage asked, sounding irritated.

"Nothing, go back to sleep and don't hog the blanket," she whispered.

Cassie tugged at the sheet again, this time half-expecting Rage to start playing a little tug of war with her, but he didn't. She curled into herself as the storm intensified. Cassie let out a muffled moan, silently hating the fact that Rage could see her in such a vulnerable state. Heck, Cassie expected Rage to laugh at her now. Her heartbeats spiked, her breathing hitched.

No way. She was really going into a panic attack with her hated energy only inches from her? Cassie could already imagine Rage telling his biker friends how pathetic Breaker's daughter was. A grown-ass woman terrified of a little thunder and lightning.

Without warning, Rage wrapped his strong, muscled and inked arms firmly around her body. Rage pulled her close to him. Her relief was so palpable, she didn't fight him. Cassie merely sagged against him. Rage was a solid wall behind her back. An unmoving fortress. Momentary sanctuary.

"Breathe," he whispered, his breath warm against her ear. "In and out. That's it. Good girl."

Good girl. For some reason those two words filled her with ridiculous pride. She was safe. That was all she cared about. It didn't matter she was taking solace in the arms of a man who always reminded her he hated her guts.

Rage breathed with her and some of Cassie's sanity returned. They remained like that, locked in each other's arms until the storm finally subsided.

Maybe Rage felt brief pity for her but it wouldn't last. Still, he didn't let go. Rage pressed his face into her hair and Cassie didn't have the heart to tell him to stop.

She suddenly became aware of the fact that they both had no clothes on. They were touching, skin-to-skin. Cassie could feel his cock pressed up against her and part of her almost wished he'd stopped playing at being a white knight and take advantage of her, even just a little. She wouldn't mind one bit. Maybe it was her emotion talking but how would he react if she rubbed herself against him? One night. That was all. They could pretend nothing happened the next day.

Crazy thoughts. That road led to nowhere good. Cassie shook her head. One moment, she wished Rage was more of a gentleman and now she wanted him to be the beast? What was wrong with her?

If Cassie had to be honest with herself, it felt good to be held like this. In those few moments, Cassie had a wild thought. She could pretend Rage was her man and she was his queen. She wondered what it would be like to be loved by someone so fiercely, that he wouldn't hesitate to protect her from anything, including a storm.

Then that illusion shattered because she remembered Rage probably would never want anything to do with her. Rage and her. That was a terrible idea anyway. Most of the time, they'd bicker, disagree about everything, but Cassie bet the sex would be hot.

"You good?" Rage asked.

Was he going to ask her why she reacted that way? Rage thankfully didn't press and for that she was grateful.

"Yeah. Thanks. You can let go of me now," she said.

She grimaced, glad Rage couldn't see the expression on her face. Cassie didn't want him to let go, but she didn't want Rage to know how needy she was either.

"Don't want to," Rage said, tightening his grip on her body.

"Okay," Cassie answered, wondering if Rage heard the relief in her voice. She was too tired, both psychically and emotionally, to get into a fight.

"Try and get some sleep, Cassie," Rage told her.

Cassie didn't think she would be able to, but her eyelids finally felt heavy. Her body grew languid in Rage's arms.

True to his word, Rage didn't release her. Feeling safe and protected, Cassie allowed herself to fall into the realm of dreams.

****

Adrenaline surged through Cassie's veins as she darted through the chaotic city streets, her heart pounding in her chest. Dark alleys and dimly lit corners offered momentary refuge, but the roar of engines and the thunderous footsteps of heavy boots echoed ominously behind her.

She knew she had to keep running, keep evading the menacing bikers who pursued her relentlessly.

Cassie's breath came in ragged gasps as she weaved through the maze of obstacles. Her long hair whipped behind her like a tattered banner, and her eyes, filled with determination and fear, scanned her surroundings for any means of escape.

The distant neon lights flickered, casting eerie shadows as she pushed her body to its limits, her legs aching with every stride.

"Don't run too far, pretty girl. We're going to get you eventually," one of her pursuers yelled behind her.

Cassie gasped awake. Just a terrible nightmare, she reminded herself. She opened her eyes and found herself in an interesting predicament. Rage regarded her with unconcealed interest, his face startlingly close.

They had squeezed themselves in a narrow bed, and somehow Cassie found her limbs entangled with his. Last night's memories came back to her. Rage's rude rescue. The storm and how they both ended up in this motel.

Cassie would also never forget the way he'd offered her comfort last night. He simply held her, as if he knew that was exactly what she needed. Another man would've taken advantage of her but he didn't. Cassie thought he hated her but maybe she was wrong.

"Nightmare?" Rage asked. He tucked a wayward strand of her hair behind one ear.

"Yes," she admitted. Cassie didn't know what drove her next actions. Maybe she was still riding the high from last night. Cassie rested one hand over his warm, muscled chest.

Then she leaned in and kissed him. She only wanted a taste. Surely, one taste wouldn't hurt. Cassie didn't think it would open the floodgates between them. Rage slid his hand around her neck, resting it over her nape and effectively locking her in place.

Cassie found she didn't mind Rage taking the lead. He kissed her back and boy, this was exactly how she imagined he would kiss. Rage plundered her mouth, sucking fervently on her bottom lip. He thrust heat down her throat, making her nipples tingle, her pussy wet. All Rage had to do was slide a finger inside her heat to know how damp he made her.

When Rage pushed his tongue between her lips, she let him through. When he deepened the kiss, she sucked down on his tongue. Rage pulled away, looking smug as hell. Cassie didn't know whether she wanted to punch his face or kiss him again.

The latter seemed like a better option so she did it again. Rage took that as permission to explore, to touch. A muffled moan slipped from Cassie's lips as Rage massaged her left breast, before giving her nipple a pinch.

Cassie let out a cry as Rage moved his mouth from her lips to her tits. He lavished attention on both. He kissed her right nipple first, sucking on it, before biting down. The mix of pain and pleasure made Cassie arch her back. Rage did the same with her left and by then, Cassie was practically begging him to take her.

"What did you say? I didn't hear you," Rage asked, pausing from his task.

Cassie felt her cheeks and neck turn red. She knew he heard what he said but maybe he got off from hearing her beg. Truth was, she got off on it as well.

"Fuck me," she said, a little louder this time.

"Since you asked so nicely," Rage trailed off, moving his fingers down the length of her body until he reached the crevice between her legs.

Cassie whimpered when he slid two digits inside her tight heat.

"So wet for me already," Rage murmured. He sounded pleased with himself. Rage slid off the bed, then stood at the edge. He patted the space in front of him. "Come here. Turn over."

Momentary embarrassment overcame her, then Cassie shed it off easily, the way a snake did with old skin. She obeyed, crawling to where he was. Cassie got on her hands and knees and parted her legs for him. Rage didn't take her right away. He seemed to take his time, admiring her ass and pussy.

Her face flamed as he ran his fingers possessively down her spine, the cleft of her buttocks. "Do you know how long I've been dreaming of this moment?" Rage asked.

What? Cassie couldn't talk anymore. Rage gave her ass a sudden slap. Too shocked by how turned on she was by that action, Cassie only parted her legs even wider as Rage traced her slit with his fingers. Then he rubbed her clit. Cassie almost came then, but was glad she managed to hold out, even for a little while longer.

Rage gripped her hips and she could feel his cockhead brushing against her entrance. Then he swore.

"What's wrong?" she asked him.

"I don't have any condoms with me," he answered.

"I'm clean. I took a test recently. The result's on my phone," she added.

"I'm clean as well."

"I trust you. Now fuck me."

Rage chuckled. "Demanding little lady."

Before she could give him a retort, Rage pushed in. All logical thought fled from Cassie's mind. She caught sight of his impressive package the night before but the real deal was a lot bigger than she thought. She gasped as he made his way slowly inside her, until he was fully in.

Cassie nearly forgot to breathe. "You good?" he asked.

"Yeah," she answered. "Please continue."

"Please. I like that word on your lips. You should say that to me more often," the gorgeous jerk said.

Then Rage started to ride her and Cassie soon forgot about the initial ache of his entry. What came after was pure ecstasy.