40. Kage

Chapter 40

Kage

M y eyes flung open. I stared into the darkness for a moment, then turned to check the time. It was three in the morning. What had woken me? Next to me, Camille whimpered, her sweat-drenched body thrashing beneath the sheets.

“No, please!” she cried out.

“Hey, you’re okay,” I whispered, gently stroking her cheek. Her eyes fluttered open and she stared at me, full of anguish and fear. “It was just a bad dream.”

“It felt so real,” she sobbed. “We were back in the car, only this time, Dante was there too. Ty showed up. H-he was supposed to help us, but he pushed the car off the cliff instead.” She turned to me, her eyes wet with tears. “It felt so real,” she whispered again.

“But it wasn’t real,” I assured her. I leaned down to kiss her forehead and pulled her into my arms. Her heart was racing so fast I could feel it. “I’m here, and you’re safe. I’d never let anything happen to you, Rebel. You’re really worried about him, aren’t you?”

She nodded, knowing I was referring to Ty. “You didn’t see his face when he realized his parents were involved in all of this… I just wish I knew where he was.”

“He'll be back. There's no way he could keep away from you. And when he's back, we'll be here for him. Trust your gut and keep pushing him. You’ll eventually break through. In the meantime, just be prepared for him to bite back.”

It was a defense mechanism I knew well. Keep your walls up and never let anyone in. It was something Ty and I had in common until I met Camille. She had changed everything. Even before we’d gotten together, back when she was just my sister’s friend, I’d been drawn to her, watching her every chance I got. I’d wanted to get to know her. But at the same time, the last thing I’d wanted was to drag her into my mess of a life, so I had tried to keep her at arm’s length.

I wasn’t exactly thrilled about her lingering feelings for Ty, but I wanted her happy. I also knew despite the dark shit he was fighting, Ty cared for her. If Ty was ultimately able to give her what she needed, especially when I was gone, fuck it, who was I to deny it? She deserves someone to protect her, to worship her, always. She'd get that in Dante, but if she could have it with Ty too...

I pushed a strand of sweat-drenched hair back behind her ear as I gazed at her for a moment, searching for the words to tell her what was really on my mind.

"What is it?" she prompted, sensing something was off.

“I’ve been thinking about... after. How you'll be with Dante. And might even be with Ty," I admitted. "They'll be able to have you when I can’t.” I stopped, the thought almost too much for me. “I hate it. I hate them. Most of all, though, I hate myself.”

God, it drove me crazy thinking about everything I’d miss out on that they would get to experience. But I had to put her first. That meant letting them into her life. And me eventually exiting myself from hers.

She rolled on her side and kissed me softly. “What can I do to make you feel better?” she whispered.

“Let me spend the weekend with you. The two of us in the city,” I suggested, before I could stop myself. “My friends are throwing me a birthday party and I want you there.”

Camille’s face lit up. "It's your birthday coming up?"

I nodded. "This Saturday. I'll be twenty-two."

"Why didn't you tell me sooner! Now I'll be rushing to get you a gift. But yes, I'd love to spend the weekend with you."

God, she was so perfect. I knew I was crossing lines, bringing her further into my world, but I couldn’t help it. I needed her near me. I needed a connection with her that didn’t include Dante or Ty.

“One more thing,” I murmured, eyeing her.

“Yes?” she said, waiting expectantly for my answer.

“I want to worship your body and make you squirm while screaming my name. And I want it all on my terms. Can you give me that?"

She wet her lips and then nodded. “Kage, you can do whatever you want to me.”

“Oh, Rebel, those are dangerous words.”

Camille

Later, after my class ended, people around me chatted quietly, the topic on most people’s minds being the announced location for the annual winter ball just before Christmas break. It was going to be at the school president’s mansion. Though I’d never been there, I’d heard it was beautiful, with a massive ballroom with high ceilings, stained glass windows, and a stunning hardwood floor.

I wondered if Kage or Ty would want to go. Obviously, Dante wouldn’t be able to come with me since he was faculty, but maybe he’d still be there as a chaperone or something.

As I packed up my books, my phone pinged. I pulled it out and saw a message from Dante, asking if I was free. I bit back a smirk as I replied.

You have a copy of my schedule. You know I am.

Dante: I’m aware that I’m one of your many distractions. I didn’t want to be presumptuous.

Yes, I’m free. What did you have in mind?

Dante: How about I pick you up at your place and surprise you?

Can’t wait!

I tucked my phone away, feeling excited about spending the afternoon with him. It felt like it had been ages since it had been just the two of us. As I walked out of the lecture hall, I ran into Simone. She didn’t even look up. She just muttered an apology and kept walking. I reached out and grabbed her arm, causing her to spin around, startled.

“Oh. Hey, Cami.”

“Are you okay?” I asked my friend. I’d never seen her look so subdued.

She forced a smile that we both knew wasn’t real. “Sure. I’m fine.”

“Do you want to get a drink or something?” As much as I was looking forward to seeing Dante, I also wanted to make sure my friend was okay. I wasn’t used to seeing her so quiet; normally, she was the one perking me up in the face of something heavy.

Simone smiled again and shook her head. “I’ve got class in a few minutes. Maybe some other time?”

I nodded, peering at her. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

She put her hand on my arm and gave me a reassuring smile, this one more convincing. “Just some boy troubles.”

“Oh?” This was news to me. She was seeing someone? Or crushing on someone? I bit my lip, holding back my questions, but Simone smirked and rolled her eyes. “Go ahead. Ask.”

“Anyone I know?”

“I doubt it. He’s a motorcycle bad boy. Like Dante. But also, not.”

What did that mean? Dante’s not , when it came to being a motorcycle bad boy, was that he was smart, caring, kind… “What’s his name?”

“Jasper.”

She was right. I’d never heard of him. Now I was imagining all kinds of crazy things. Like her having troubles with a truly bad guy. I thought of Serpent, the asshole who’d grabbed me at Devil’s Engine weeks ago. But Simone was smart. And she had taste. She wouldn’t be attracted to someone like him.

“He’s not hurting you, is he?” I asked, unable to hide the worry in my voice. “Do you want me to ask Dante to talk to him?” And by talking I meant beat his ass if he was hurting Simone.

“No, nothing like that.” Simone said quickly. “Please don’t tell Dante, okay? Jasper is from out of town, in a different MC than the Devil’s Outcasts, and I don't want to start any drama. Besides, he might be a little rough around the edges, but he can be really sweet. At least to me.”

“So, the troubles you talked about?”

“He’s just a little protective. Possessive. Surely you can understand that.”

Boy, could I.

“He wants to know where I am all the time. Sometimes it feels like he doesn’t trust me but like I said, it’s because he’s being protective. Seriously, I don’t want anyone else to know we’re seeing each other.”

“Okay,” I said reluctantly. “I’ll keep it to myself. But don’t take shit from him. If you need me, just call. Any man who messes with my Simone will have a world of hurt coming to him. Dante doesn’t have to kick his ass. Heck, Bianca would be happy to do it. If push comes to shove, so can I.”

Simone laughed before giving me a big hug. “You’re the best, Cami. But I really do have to get going now. We’ll talk later, okay?”

I hopped on the back of Dante’s bike, secured my helmet, then wrapped my arms around him as we rode off. I expected him to take me to the lookout, but instead, he pulled up outside a gated house on a huge property fifteen minutes out of town.

“What is this place?” I asked him, watching as he put a code into the keypad. The gates slowly opened.

“It’s the vacation home of a friend of mine,” he explained, flashing me a grin. I felt a tingle rush down my spine at the thought of being alone with him out here—I couldn’t help but wonder what Kage would think of this, given what he’d admitted to me about wanting me all to himself this weekend.

“This is their vacation home?” I muttered, taking in the beautiful surroundings.

If this were my place, I’d never leave it. I didn’t even need to look at the house because I was in love with the lush sprawling lawns and perfectly manicured gardens. There was even a private lagoon with a small waterfall surrounded by trees.

“They have a lot of land and spent a lot of time and money making it into a little, private oasis. I helped them out a while back, so they let me come here to meditate.”

“Is that why we’re here, to meditate?” I eyed the lagoon, which looked very inviting. “Are we allowed in the water?”

He grinned at me. “We don’t have swimsuits.”

“You really think a little thing like that is going to stop me?”

He laughed and laid out a blanket near the water and began unpacking a picnic. “I was hoping you would say that. But let’s eat first.”

We gorged on the feast Dante had packed for us until we couldn’t fit anymore in—cheese, fresh bread, wine, pastries, everything. I groaned and laid back, feeling both full and satisfied. Dante chuckled and lay on his side, facing me.

“How about that swim?” I suggested, raising my eyebrows.

“We just ate. We need to wait at least half an hour, or we’ll get cramps,” Dante told me.

“Is that really true?” I wondered. “I always thought it was something adults said to kids to spoil their fun.”

“Maybe, but better safe than sorry. Besides, there are other things we can do to pass the time…”

He leaned closer and kissed me, his lips soft and warm against mine. I sighed, losing myself in his touch as his fingers caressed my waist. He raised his eyebrows when I shifted positions to try and stretch my neck.

“Sorry,” I said, making a face. “My neck and shoulders are sore.”

“Are you fishing for a massage?”

“I wasn’t, but if you’re offering…”

“Come over here,” Dante nodded at me and motioned for me to scoot closer.

I climbed into his lap, making myself comfortable. He began to rub my shoulders. I groaned. The moment his fingers started digging into the knots in my back, I was in heaven.

“Holy fuck, that feels amazing,” I groaned, inadvertently pressing back against him. I bit my lip as I felt him stiffen, his cock pressing against my back.

“Is that your phone, or are you just really happy to see me?” I quipped, shooting a look over my shoulder at him. Out here, in the middle of nowhere, it was all too easy to forget about the rest of the world.

He nibbled at my ear. “I’m always happy to see you,” he murmured softly, gently grinding himself against me. “You’re so tight, Peaches.”

“That’s what he said,” I joked.

Dante chuckled. “Seriously though, you’re holding onto so much tension. You really need to find a way to relax. Have you ever tried meditation? Yoga?”

I shook my head. “I can’t switch my mind off long enough to meditate and I’m definitely not flexible enough for yoga,” I mumbled, shivering as his muscular hands worked my neck.

“Oh, I think you’re more than flexible enough,” he murmured. I felt his cock stiffen even more, and I grinned, loving how dirty his mind was.

“Why do I need to bother with meditation or yoga when I have my own personal masseuse at my beck and call?” I said, releasing another moan as he dug into my collarbone. “But seriously, I feel like I should be paying you for this. It feels incredible.”

“You can repay me by giving meditation a go.”

“Fine, I’ll try it, but I promise you, I’ll suck. I’m not good at that kind of thing,” I warned him.

When I glanced over my shoulder at him, I expected him to be grinning back flirtatiously—but instead, something seemed to have crossed his mind.

“What is it?” I asked, worried.

"I... there’s something I have to tell you," he said. "And I’m worried how you’re going to take it."

“There’s a phrase that never ends well,” I joked—or half-joked. Deep down, his serious look and soft voice had me worried. “Are you going to tell me you’re secretly a murderer? No wait, a drug dealer!”

Something flashed through Dante’s eyes that I couldn’t read, but then as fast as it was there, it was gone. He looked down, his fingers entwining in mine as he summoned up the courage to tell me whatever it was that was on his mind. I decided to lighten the mood by getting something off my chest first.

“Can I tell you something first?” I asked.

“Sure.” He looked relieved for the interruption.

“I just wanted to thank you. Kage forces me to be stronger—which I need. Ty brings out the darker side of me, which I also need. But you…” I wet my lips, suddenly feeling shy about what I was saying to him. “You let me be who I am. I feel so calm and relaxed around you because you don’t expect anything other than what I want to give you.”

Dante smiled and kissed my hand. “Then you’re welcome.”

“What was it you wanted to tell me?”

“That I love you,” he murmured. His gaze was fixated on me, soaking up my reaction. I smiled, unable to hold back the feelings of joy his words gave me.

“Why would telling me that worry you?” I murmured softly.

“Because it’s a lot,” Dante admitted, stroking my cheek. “Because of Kage and your feelings about him. I know our situation is complicated, but I needed you to know how I feel. You don’t need to say anything back to me. No pressure.”

Regardless of how strongly I felt toward Dante, I wasn’t ready to tell him that I loved him yet. I wanted to, but something stopped me—a feeling of guilt that somehow, I’d be betraying Kage if I did. I was, however, ready to show him how much I cared about him. Leaning closer, I kissed him, sucking on his lower lip. He slipped his hand behind my neck, his fingers pulling me closer to him as he kissed me back with a sense of urgency.

He lifted my shirt off, his strong hands running over my bare skin. I shivered, relishing his touch, then I reached behind me and unclasped my bra. I tossed it aside, running my hands through Dante’s thick hair as I guided his mouth to my breasts.

Tilting my head back, I groaned as he sucked my nipples, his magical tongue flicking and twirling until they were stiff. His hands moved beneath my skirt and roughly grabbed my ass cheeks.

“Fuck, you’re so sexy,” he muttered, eyeing me like he wanted to devour me.

With a mischievous grin, I reached down and unbuckled his pants, then tucked my hand inside his boxers to free his cock. It sprang out, hard and ready for me. I leaned down and kissed him, grinding my hips against his dick.

“Can I ride you?” I asked, biting my lip. I didn’t even care that we were outside, in the middle of someone else’s private gardens, or that someone might see us. If anything, that added to the excitement.

“You can do whatever the fuck you want to me,” he murmured. "But first..." He pulled a condom out of his pocket and put it on. Earlier, I’d made an appointment with the doctor to get on the pill. I couldn’t help but think about Dante fucking me bare, like Kage had. It felt good, Kage being inside me flesh to flesh.

Slipping my panties aside, I angled myself over his cock then eased myself down. He groaned, gripping my hips and driving me down hard on his length. I gasped as my pussy swallowed him, contracting around his thick cock.

My hands around his neck, I gently rocked myself back and forth, riding his cock. With a groan, Dante grabbed my hips, lifted me up, then slammed me down on his length, pushing himself deeper inside me. I screamed in pleasure, his use of force both unexpected and welcome.

“Fuck baby, your pussy is so tight,” Dante hissed in my ear.

He spread my legs apart, causing me to sink down harder on him. He groaned and arched his back, pumping his hips in rhythm with mine. His lips found mine in a desperate, searching kiss. I whimpered, savoring his taste as he thrust deeper, the friction of his shaft rubbing against my clit, making pleasure twist inside me. I let out a strangled cry, clenching around his cock as my orgasm overtook me.

“Come for me, Peaches. Come all over my cock like a good fucking girl,” he ordered. His voice, deep and throaty, was far removed from the soft, gentle man I’d known all this time—and the sound of it was all it took to push me over the edge.

Ecstasy rushed through me, pulsating through my veins. Nothing else mattered in that moment but Dante and me. I kissed him, biting down on his lip as I rode out the last of my climax. Both of our bodies glistened with sweat as we collapsed on the blanket, entangled in each other’s arms.

Dante smiled down at me, his fingers stroking my cheek. I smiled back and snuggled against him, enjoying the rawness of the moment we’d just shared.

“Can I say it again?” he murmured, kissing me softly on the lips.

“Yes,” I nodded, unable to keep the smile from my face. "Please, do."

He tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear as he gazed into my eyes.

“I love you, sweetheart. I always will."