Chapter 88

Chapter 88
Jordan's POV

The news hits us a few days later. We are walking out of class when my phone buzzes. It's from my dad. I read the message, then look up at Kaelen with wide eyes.

"Vince has been formally charged with kidnapping for ransom and attempted murder. His case doesn't look like he is escaping prison," I say slowly.

"What about Rocco?"

"Back in prison for violating parole."

"Finally!" Kaelen lets out a shaky laugh and pulls me into a tight hug.

The fear that has been sitting on our shoulders for weeks, that the brothers might return to finish what they started, is gone. It feels like the end of one nightmare, even if there are still things left to face. We let ourselves celebrate the small victory.

Elise finds us outside the dining hall, practically bouncing on her toes. "I'm guessing you just heard the good news?"

"Right this minute," I say waving the phone. "We were thinking about celebrating."

"Speaking of," she says, looking at both of us in turns. "There is a party tonight at one of the houses. Some guy from my psych class invited me, but Tessa has a date outside campus and I really don't want to go alone. Please come with me?"

Kaelen glances at me, a small smile playing on his lips. "What do you think?"

I grin. "I think we have earned a night out."

The party has already started when we arrive--- music pulsing through the walls, colored lights sweeping across the crowd, the air thick with laughter and the smell of cheap alcohol.
Kaelen leans in and kisses my temple. "I'll grab us drinks. Be right back." He is gone before I protest. I remind myself it's just drinks he can handle it, and relax.

As soon as he disappears into the crowd, I turn to Elise. The guilt I have been carrying bubbles up.
"Have you told him yet?" I ask quietly. I don't need to say what "it" is. She already knows.

Her expression softens. She shakes her head. "Not yet. I will soon, I promise. Just... not tonight. We are finally celebrating something good. I don't want to drop that on him right now."

I nod, but the unease sits heavy in my chest. Kaelen and I are just starting to find our way back to each other. Keeping something this big from him feels wrong, like I'm carrying a secret between us again. At the same time, I can't betray Elise. She has been there for me in ways almost no one else has.

"I get it," I say. "Just... soon, okay? He needs to know sooner than later."

"I know," she says softly, squeezing my arm. "I'll tell him. I swear."

Kaelen returns a moment later with three cups, handing one to Elise then me with a bright smile. I push the conversation to the back of my mind and focus on him.

Elise spots the guy who invited her almost immediately and excuses herself. "I'll be over there. You two have fun but you are my wingmen if I need a rescue."

"Always," I say with a mock salute as she moves away.

We grab drinks and slowly make our way into the main room. At first we just dance near each other, letting the music move us. But the longer we are there, surrounded by people who don't know our history, the bolder we become. Kaelen's hands find my waist. I press back against him, rolling my hips to the beat. The heat between us builds fast.

His breath is hot against my ear when he speaks. "You smell so good, babe," he murmurs, lips brushing my skin.

I turn in his arms and we are kissing, slow at first, then deeper and hungrier. His hands slide down my back, pulling me flush against him as the crowd moves around us. We grind together to the rhythm, lost in each other, the bass vibrating through our bodies. Every touch feels electric after not being able to do this for so long.

Eventually I pull back, breathing hard. "I want you," I say against his mouth. "But not here. Can we go home?"

Kaelen's eyes shine with want under the lights. "Yeah. Let's go."

We find Elise quickly. She is laughing with a group of people and waves us off with a knowing smile when we tell her we are heading out.

Halfway across campus, Kaelen pulls me behind a tree and kisses me like he is starving. His hands roam under my shirt, mine grip his hips. We almost lose control right there, grinding against each other, our breaths ragged, until a flashlight beam sweeps nearby and campus security calls out.

"Hey! You two!"

We burst out laughing and run, hand in hand, giggling like idiots the whole way back to the dorm. By the time we slam our door shut, we are both breathless and desperate.

We don't even make it to the bed at first. Kaelen pushes me against the door, kissing me all over. Clothes come off in a messy trail until we are skin to skin. I'm careful with his side, but he is just as desperate, his hands roaming everywhere he can reach.

I kneel down and take him into my mouth slowly at first, savoring the weight and heat of him on my tongue. He groans low in his throat, fingers threading gently through my hair. I work him deeper, hollowing my cheeks, my tongue swirling around the head every time I pull back. His hips twitch, but he holds back, breathing ragged.

"J... fuck," he gasps, his voice wrecked.

I stroke him with my hand in time with my mouth, faster now, until his thighs start trembling and his grip tightens in my hair.

"Come here," he pants, pulling me up.

We shift onto the bed. I climb over him carefully, straddling his hips. I reach back, line him up, and sink down slowly onto his cock. The stretch is perfect; tight, full, and almost overwhelming. We both moan as I bottom out. For a moment we just stay like that, foreheads pressed together, breathing each other in.

Then I start moving. Slow rolls of my hips at first, grinding down in deep circles. Kaelen's hands grip my thighs, eyes locked on mine. Every time I sink down, a soft, needy sound escapes him. I lean forward, bracing my hands on his chest, and ride him harder, chasing the angle that makes pleasure spark up my spine.

"It feels so good," I whisper, my voice shaking. "I missed you inside me like this."

Kaelen's head falls back against the pillow, his lips parted. "Jordan... fuck, baby—"

He forgets himself for a second and thrusts up sharply. Pain flashes across his face. He winces, his hand flying instinctively to his side.

"Shit!" he hisses.

I slow immediately, cupping his face. "Easy. I've got you."