The attendant finally leaves, giving us a few moments of privacy, though I know he's waiting just outside the door to, what? Chastise us?
The thought makes me laugh out loud as Kaiden pulls from me, and he gives me an odd look. I shake my head, and bite down on my lip for a moment.
"I think this is the first time anyone's ever caught us being bad together," I giggle, and Kaiden begins to laugh as well.
"Yea, you were always so good at not being caught, Princess," he says, trying to keep his tone light as he turns on the tap, washing himself off. "And this time here you are, screaming like a banshee."
I titter nervously as I quickly wash myself as well, and we make our way past the judgmental stare of the gas station employee, both of us laughing like kids.
I have a little bounce to my step, and I know I should be embarrassed at being caught having sex in a public bathroom, or at least feel like I need a shower— which I do—but I just feel so great. All of that aggression and worry and lust all built up and just had to erupt.
And holy wow did it erupt.
I look up at him, smiling and expecting to see the same look on his face, but he looks... different somehow. Maybe it's just the pain of his wounds, and I know we need to get to a pharmacy at the very least, but it's not the same. Not even the same as last night, when he was in plenty of pain.
I slow down, standing near his bike, and tug his hand.
"What's wrong?" I ask, glancing back at the building and checking that no one had been following us.
He shakes his head, patting my shoulder gently.
"It's nothing. I just need to get to the store and get some bandages," he replies, but I know there's more to it. He's holding something back, but he gives me a look that warns me to drop it.
We climb back on his bike, but suddenly it doesn't feel the same. It doesn't feel as comfortable, as safe. I'm not sure what just happened between the time that we were rutting on the bathroom floor like animals and now, but there's definitely something off.
I wrap my arms loosely around his waist as he starts us off. I'm not sure where he's taking us, but I'm too exhausted to protest. The sun is starting to set off in the distance, a few clouds dulling the light and making it seem almost ominous.
We can't really talk with the roar of the motorcycle between us, so I rest my head against his spine, listening to the rapid beating of his heart.
What did he have to do to rescue me? What is it that's bothering him?
My heart begins to beat faster, matching the pace of his, and I go over the options in my head. That he escaped, that he came back and rescued me, without anyone getting in his way. But I know that's not what happened.
The huge gash along his stomach didn't come from nothing, barely bandaged with an old t-shirt.
But I'm too scared to think of the other options.
Did he hurt someone?
Or worse?
The thought makes my blood go cold.
How could I have someone's murder on my hands? How can I live with myself knowing someone else died for me?
I shake the thought out of my mind. I know Kaiden. I know he wouldn't do that, wouldn't kill someone in cold blood. He beat up bullies, he was always in a fight, but he'd never kill someone, I'm sure of that.
But the way he's grown so cold since our quickie...
It's an hour later, and we're in another town about a hundred miles away from where Kaiden lives and about fifty miles from where we grew up.
I vaguely remember driving through on my way in, and Kaiden pulls up next to a bank that looks to be closed. He turns off the ignition, then reaches into his pocket, handing me a small key.
"This is the place the money is, Princess. Come here tomorrow, show them the key, and tell them you have a safety deposit box you need to open. Six, five, three, one. You got that, Princess?"
I nod, my eyes moving over his. There's no spark there, no fire, just... shadows.
"Six, five, three, one," I repeat back to him, and he nods, leaning in and kissing my forehead.
He turns on the motorcycle once more, and a few moments later, we're pulled up next to a pharmacy where I see a strange sight.
My car. Sitting in the parking lot, abandoned and in the dark. How did he get that here from Axel’s place?
I furrow my brow, not quite sure what to make of it as Kaiden dismounts.
"I have to get some stuff for my wounds, Princess, but..."
I stare at him, dread hanging heavy in my heart.
"Don't," I say, my voice sounding so soft and scared. The parking lot is dimly lit, and I can see the pain in his expression as he shakes his head.
"Princess, this is it... I can't be the man you deserve," he says, and the words cut through me like a knife.
It's like he just ripped out my heart and threw it on the ground, and I clutch my chest. I'm not able to breath, my throat constricted, and he reaches out instinctively to lay a hand on my arm, helping me stand straight.