Alle Kapitel von Tales of Desire: Kapitel 71 – Kapitel 80

The team retreat was supposed to be two nights, one cabin per coach plus one extra for show, and I got stuck sharing with Jax. Administration thought it would sell the story harder, couple goals, bullshit. I packed my biggest hoodie, my thickest pajamas, and every pillow I owned like that would stop whatever was already happening between us.We drove up separately. He texted me the address. I pulled in after dark. The cabin was small, wood siding, porch swing, fairy lights someone had strung up for Instagram vibes. He was already there, leaning on the railing, arms crossed, watching me park.“Took you long enough,” he called as I climbed out.“Some of us have lives outside your soccer cult,” I shot back, grabbing my duffel.He jogged down the steps, took the bag from my hand before I could argue. “Welcome home, sweetheart.”“Don’t call me that. Here no one’s watching.”He smirked. “Habit.”Inside was one big room, bed in the corner, tiny kitchenette, bathroom barely big enough for one

I woke up tangled in Jax’s sheets. He stirred first pressed a lazy kiss to my shoulder murmured “Morning” “Morning” I whispered back voice hoarse from all the moaning all the whispering all the times I’d said his name like a prayer He rolled me onto my back hovered over me eyes sleepy but bright “You stayed” “I said I would” He smiled slow kissed the tip of my nose then my mouth soft at first then deeper I arched up into him already wanting more even though my body was deliciously sore We kissed lazy for a long time hands roaming slow no rush just rediscovering skin we’d claimed the night before his fingers traced the curve of my hip mine slid down his back feeling the muscles shift under my touch Eventually he pulled back propped on one elbow looking down at me serious now “We don’t have to keep pretending” he said quiet “The scandal’s dying down people are moving on to the next drama we could end it today tell everyone it was just a short thing that ran its course” My hear

(Kevin POV)The voice struck me hard, like someone had poured ice water down my back. I recognized it right away. It was Marcus. He had that same slow, lazy way of talking, the kind he used when he was deciding whether to keep the conversation going or just pull the trigger and end it. I tightened my grip on Lily, at the same time, I moved my body so she was behind me. My eyes scanned the opening of the alley. Two shapes stepped into the light coming from the street. Marcus was in front with his hands relaxed at his sides. The other man stayed a step back. He had a new face to me, but he wore the same cheap leather jacket and had the same empty look in his eyes.I kept my voice calm and quiet, just loud enough for Lily and them to hear. “Marcus. I didn’t know you started making personal deliveries. Business must be slow these days.”He gave a short laugh that sounded rough, like gravel under boots. “Business is good. You’re the one getting careless. Bringing someone who isn’t part of

[Lily's POV]Kevin stared at the phone screen for a long moment after he showed me the photo and the threat. His jaw worked like he was chewing on words he didn’t want to say out loud. Then he set the phone face-down on the counter, walked over to me, and pulled me into his arms without a word. I buried my face against his chest and listened to his heartbeat, steady but faster than usual.“We’re ending this tonight,” he said quietly into my hair. “No more running. No more waiting for them to make the next move.”I pulled back enough to look up at him. “How? We don’t even know where the backup drive is, and they have people watching us.”“I know exactly where it is,” he said. “And I know exactly what Marcus wants. He thinks he has leverage now because of you. That’s his mistake.”He kissed me once, quick and fierce, then stepped away to grab clothes from the floor. “Get dressed. Something dark, something you can move in. We’re going to the old dock warehouse on the east side. That’s wh

His mouth crashed back onto mine before I could draw another breath. This kiss was filthier with teeth scraping my lip until I tasted the faint metallic tang and tongue shoving deep like he wanted to devour every sound I made. I arched up into him with thighs spreading wider and hips rolling instinctively to chase more contact. The silk of my dress twisted uselessly around my waist now and the torn thong was long gone. Every shift of fabric against my skin reminded me how exposed I already was.He broke away only to drag his open mouth down the column of my throat and bite just hard enough to leave faint marks. "You taste like cocktails and desperation," he muttered against my pulse. "How many guys tried to take you home tonight before you ended up knocking on my door?""None," I gasped when his teeth closed over the soft skin above my collarbone. "Just dancing. Just feeling restless.""Restless." He sucked a bruise into the upper swell of my breast hard enough that I hissed. "That is