The convertible Brook drove purred along at an even speed along the traffic-free streets. Michelle wondered where Brook was taking her for the second part of her birthday and why it was outside town. But Brook didn't drop any clues, only giving her furtive smiles whenever she asked. He wanted it to be a proper surprise for her.

Pretty soon, they left the city and hit the open roads along the desert with no sign of life for miles and a string of mountains forming a backdrop as far as the eye could see. But instead of feeling stranded, Michelle felt excited being alone in the middle of nowhere with Brook and wondered where he was taking her.

"I feel kinda bad for leaving the others behind," she said.

"Nah, don't worry about them, they'll be fine. They were looking for an excuse to get wasted anyway," Brook said with a wink. Michelle giggled.

"So what is this big surprise we're driving to?" She asked for the tenth time. "Please, Brook? At least tell me where we're going."

"Well... when I asked you out today, it wasn't just for your surprise birthday party," Brook replied. "I wanted us to have some alone time too. And that's gonna be awfully difficult when we're in two trailers." The words 'alone time' already set a fire in Michelle's heart and she turned to him with heavy-lidded eyes and a little smirk.

"So that entails..." she trailed off expectantly. Brook gave her a crooked smile.

"There's something I want to show you first. After that, it's just gonna be just you, me, and the whole night ahead of us." Michelle almost hummed in excitement at the thought. Brook drew the car up to a stop in what appeared to be the middle of the desert.

"Er..." Michelle looked around, unsure of what to expect. Brook lowered the top of the car down.

"Am I supposed to see something?" Michelle asked.

"Wait for it," Brook said, glancing at his watch. In exactly ten seconds, bright lights burst out in the sky above them, raining across the heavens. Michelle gazed upwards in delight, her mouth open in awe.

"Shooting stars!" She exclaimed. "Oh Brook, how beautiful!" She watched the meteors glaze across the sky like falling diamonds, their long light tails trailing along behind them.

"I've never seen shooting stars before, this is so amazing!" Michelle said, her overflowing joy making her clap her hands together.

"Yeah," Brook responded distractedly. She turned and saw his eyes fixed on her, not the sky.

"Starstruck?" She teased. He smiled at her pun, taking her hand.

"With you? Every time. It amazes me how you captivate me every second that I'm with you Michelle..." his expression became somber for a second.

"Michelle, I know you're not happy about—well, everything that's happening. But I want you to know the reason I'm going through with the race and this fight is for us. I don't want us to keep running away for the rest of our lives. I want a life with you, where—"

"Shh," Michelle hushed him, placing a finger on his lips. He kissed it softly.

"None of it matters anymore, Brook," she said, gazing at him with her heart in her eyes. "I don't care what we have to go through. Let the world bring it on. As long as I'm with you, I couldn't be happier." Brook captured her lips in a heavy, needy kiss after an age of holding back. All their senses came alive as their proximity and seclusion made them more aware of each other and the growing need to touch each other brewed within them. All was still and silent for miles; only the sound of their lips connecting in the dark and the low sound of the radio in the background could be heard while shining meteors continued to arc above them. Brook had left the station on a romantic channel and a low, sultry beat flowed out, egging their senses on.

"Michelle..." Brook withdrew slightly to catch his breath. The familiar blue flames in his eyes told Michelle that he was just as aroused as her, her own eyes reflecting a flaming desire for him.

"This is extremely inconvenient..." she said pertly, glancing at the armrest and tunnel console between them. Brook chuckled and opened his arms wide, inviting her to sit on his lap. She unhesitantly climbed across, spreading her legs over him on either side so that she was straddling him while her skirt flared out on his knees, a satisfied smile spreading on her face as she settled herself in his lap.

"This brings back memories..." Brook whispered fondly, massaging his hand against her bare arm.

"As I recall, we didn't talk much last year when we did this..." Michelle whispered huskily, making Brook grin. He smiled before tugging her up against his chest, reconnecting their lips in a hot blaze of fire. Their arms wrapped around each other, entangled each other until they couldn't tell one from the other. Their fingers operating on a power of their own explored each other's bodies with fervid desire, slow at first, then fast as bits of bare skin became more exposed, and then slow again as their fingertips activated fiery trails on each other's flesh.

"There's something I have to tell you..." Michelle whispered against Brook's lips between kisses. He looked up expectantly at her.

"I love it like crazy when you talk Spanish..." she admitted to him with a playful smile. He chuckled softly, sending shivers of electricity through her body as she felt his chest vibrate with mirth against hers.

"Oh really?" He asked, looking thoughtfully into her eyes. He massaged her back for a minute before he spoke.

"Te amaré por el resto de mi vida, y te quiero con todo mi corazón," he said in a melodious voice. Michelle fanned herself.

"What does that mean? Whatever it was, it sounded super sexy," she said with a laugh. Brook's eyes became hooded as he gazed at her.

"I will love you for the rest of my life," he said, pausing before continuing in a tone that sent electricity running through her blood. "And, I want you with all my heart." Michelle rested her forehead on his, taking in his deep, heady scent.

"You are mi amor, Michelle," he continued softly. She didn't have to ask him what that meant.

"You're mi amor too, Brook. I love you," she said breathily. "So much." His only response was to pull her crashing back onto his lips while his hands roamed under her dress, as the pent-up passions released between them. The thin fabric of her dress drove him to distraction while her bare shoulders begged for his kisses. Each of his hands caressed every inch of her with tender affection, one across her thigh and the other across her hip. Her responsive moans told him she was enjoying it as much as he was.

"Mmmm, Michelle..." his lips trailed down her neck to her shoulder, guzzling her sensitive nerve endings with his lips. She closed her eyes and threw her head back in a loud moan, losing herself in the feeling. She was glad they were parked in the middle of nowhere where no one could hear them. She clutched his shirt but soon felt the need to feel his bare chest. She automatically began to unbutton his shirt.

"Always so impatient..." Brook chuckled huskily, making no move to help her. She frowned as the buttons didn't come off as easily as she wanted.

"I don't want to tear it but if I don't get that shirt off you now, I'll scream," she said aloud. Brook laughed again, the husky sound sending heat waves between both of them.

"Oh, I can think of a few better ways to make you scream," he whispered darkly. He dived under her neck and sucked hard at a spot on her neck, making her gasp and shudder. His hands traced her contours and he felt her arch against him.

"Oh, Brook!" She cried out in sheer delight.

"Not yet, baby, I'm just getting warmed up," he teased. One of his hands continued to play under her dress, feeling the bare skin of her leg. He circled his calloused hands on her skin in slow, tantalizing motions, sending surges of electricity through her. She moaned and tightened her legs around him. Not wanting to miss out on the fun, she slipped her hands inside his half-open shirt, feeling the curves of his muscular chest and abs with seductive fingers. He groaned.

"Michelle, baby, you're not playing fair!"

"Who said this was a game?" she teased. He gripped her needily.

"Don't push me over the edge, Michelle," he begged. "I don't know what I'll do if I lose it."

"Why don't you tell me?" Michelle challenged. He met her eyes with fiery ice-blue orbs, his fingers idly playing with the strap of her dress as though longing to pull it off.

"If I made love to you... you wouldn't stop screaming my name until daybreak," he rasped against her shoulder. Red hot flames danced beneath her skin as his words aroused her even more while his tongue danced on her skin at intervals.

"If I had my way with you—it would be like you and I are the only two people in the world—I'll make you forget everything else," he continued as he soaked kisses into the flesh below her neckline. She moaned out his name.

"Oohhh, Brook!"

"When I make love to you—everything will be perfect," he said, finally returning with renewed fervor to her lips. She squeezed her arms around his neck, tugging his hair in pleasure.

"But I told you... not here Michelle. When we're in bed... When I can call you mine forever... That's when I'll give you the perfect night." He kept whispering in her ear, sending butterflies riveting through her stomach. "But I won't stop giving you a taste of what you'll get..."

She paused for a moment, panting heavily and trembling a little. She tried to get back a semblance of control before speaking.

"Only one perfect night?" She asked, twiddling his long hair between her fingers. He smiled in a way that made her shiver with anticipation.

"Oh, there will be countless nights, believe me," he promised roguishly. Michelle let her lips play between his, exchanging feathery pecks as they slowed down to simply enjoy each other's taste. Their breaths mingled together to a single sweet scent, making each other addicted to the aroma.

"I'll count the days until then," Michelle continued, desire evident in her voice. Brook cupped her face in his hands, twirling his thumb against her cheeks.

"We haven't set a wedding date..." he whispered.

"How about—as soon as possible?" Michelle suggested audaciously. Brook grinned.

"Deal. Just promise me you won't go with Paige to pick out a wedding dress."

"Deal." They resumed their exploration of each other with their fingers and lips as the hours slipped by in unchecked bliss.

"You know, I really don't want to go back tonight and sleep in a trailer away from you..." Michelle said wistfully.

"I had a feeling you wouldn't. So I came prepared." Brook smiled up at her. Michelle looked confused.

"But we need to settle down for the night—"

"I got it covered. I packed a sleeping bag for two, water bottles, and a few snacks in case you get hungry in the trunk. All we need for a night under the stars."

"Brook, did you really? You're the best!" Michelle squealed, hugging him tightly. He smiled.

"I aim to please mi amor," he said with fond pride. "We don't have to go back till morning."

"What the heck are we doing in this cramped car then?" Michelle asked, scandalized. "Let's get the sleeping bag out, there's more room to make out in there!" Brook laughed heartily at that before his gaze became hooded at her again.

"You and me, in one sleeping bag. Imagine the possibilities..."

Linus LaCroix sat alone in a luxurious suite in the Waldorf Astoria Hotel, Vegas. The sheer magnificence of the interiors, the breathtaking view of the city skyline outside the window, and the tempting tray of exotic dishes in front of him, a compliment of the hotel, all should have been enough to distract anyone from their grievances. But LaCroix brooded in an armchair with a destructive gleam in his eye and a vindictively clenched jaw. In his hand was a small cell phone. He seemed to be waiting for a call as he kept glancing at it every minute. The moment it burst into rings, he slowly raised it to his ear.

"Updates."

"The Night Blazers appear to have vanished after the race, can't find 'em in any of the nearby hotels." Jada's voice came through the phone, making LaCroix nod thoughtfully.

"Keeping off the grid... a smart move. But they cannot hide forever."

"They may already suspect you and might be avoiding any unwarranted acquaintances. But they'll have to show up for the last stage in Vegas, what're you planning?" Jada asked.

"It's time to move in for the kill. I intend to close the trap on these Night Blazers soon, and the place where they let innocent blood spill is the perfect place," LaCroix said speculatively. "Drop the bait. It should lure those criminals into my clutches, one by one." Jada pondered that for a moment before going on.

"You're gonna try and split 'em up?"

"I don't have to try at all. From what you told me, they have already done a good job of letting their solidarity slip through the cracks. Divided, they'll blindly fall into their demise."

"And the Mao You gang?" Jada asked pointedly.

"Don't concern yourself with that mangy pack, I plan to hire their top dog for a very special job, something just up his field of work." LaCroix paused before going on, "As they say, you'll catch more flies with honey and you can't train an old dog with new tricks..."

Michelle yawned, feeling sleepy but forcing herself to stay awake. She was seated by the campfire outside the trailer, a blanket around her shoulders and a mug of coffee in her hand. She had taken a nap earlier but the clean fresh air of the open lands was too restful and kept lulling her into a state of slumber. And after a wonderful night mostly staying awake with Brook in the middle of the desert by a campfire, it wasn't easy keeping her eyes open. 

After waking up, Michelle had stayed up working hard on her laptop to update the 'Trail Blazers' website and social media posts. Even though the game wasn't getting massive traffic, it was doing pretty good. And it gave her something productive to do.

"Michelle stayed out all night... I wonder what she did..." Paige trilled in a sing-song voice as she joined her. She had been singing that song all day since Michelle and Brook had returned and kept mum about what they did last night.

"Cut it out Paige, or I'll tell Payton exactly what criteria you had in mind while picking out lingerie," Michelle threatened.

"Who's askin' for me?" Payton asked, appearing. He and the rest of the boys including Soriano had gone fishing all day for some guy bonding time and returned only a few minutes ago with bucket loads of trout and bream. Leslie had gone to buy a few extra provisions by herself since Paige disliked fish and their stock had run out since the last time they bought groceries—and Brook and Michelle had finished all the Oreos and beef jerky the previous night, much to everyone's amused annoyance. The open-air certainly stimulated everyone's appetite.

"I was just saying—" Michelle began, but Paige slapped her hand against her mouth.

"That you're probably a lousy fisher!" Paige said quickly to cover up the sentence. Michelle pushed her hand away.

"Don't insult your boyfriend just because you're not eating the fish he caught," she said with a grunt.

"I'm not insulting him! He's a sexy fisher!" Paige said hotly. Payton laughed out loud and pulled her towards himself.

"You should have seen me shirtless then," he said only for her to hear.

"Oh I caught it," Paige winked at him. "It was a good show. Would've been better without the pants too." Michelle winced in their hearing vicinity.

"You guys want to go do that in the trailer?" Michelle asked with a raised eyebrow. Paige snorted.

"Look who's talking, Miss-I-stayed-out-all-night," she teased.

"You know, Paige is really into see-through—oh!" Michelle was cut off as Paige flipped her blanket over her face to shut her up.

"Hey, don't harass my girlfriend!" Brook came up with a bucket of fish. He slowly uncovered Michelle bit by bit, revealing just her eyes above the blanket, and smiled at her.

"Hey," he said playfully.

"Hey," she replied, a dreamy look on her face before Brook pulled the rest of the blanket down. Leslie came out of the trailer and smiled.

"I have never seen so much love in one place with you guys before," she stated, glancing between Payton and Brook. "And I practically raised you boys."

"I know, it's like they matured after they started dating," Soriano said, joining them. Reece and Jett were still by the shore, splashing water at each other like five-year-olds.

"Well, there's an exception to every rule," Paige said cynically, staring at the childish way the two of them were playing. When they finally joined the camp for dinner, they were smelling of lake water.

"Ew, Jett, get away, you stink of fish!" Paige said in disgust.

"It's not that bad!" Jett protested.

"It's probably the fish in front of you," Reece said, rolling his eyes. Paige wrinkled her nose.

"Why don't you like fish, Paige?" Michelle asked.

"Long story," Paige said curtly.

"Why don't you tell it, Jett?" Reece prompted mischievously. Jett grinned.

"Once, when we were being chased by some Inferno Ghosts—" he began.

"Jett! You fish that story out and I'll stuff this fish down your pants!" Paige warned, holding up a fat bream between her finger and thumb at an arm's length. But it was too late as Jett went on.

"We had to hide near some docks—"

"No!" Paige got up to grab him but he sprang up like lightning and began to run around the camp.

"We had ditched our cars but we were not out of sight—" Jett continued breathlessly as he ran.

"Shut up!" Paige shouted, chasing him. Everyone began to laugh at the comical sight.

"We hid among some barrels—" Jett went on, "Only the barrel Paige chose was half full of dead fish!"

"Argh!" Paige groaned angrily, almost grabbing Jett's shirttail but missing by an inch.

"When we came out, Paige was a walking sushi! One fish even ended up inside her shirt!" Jett finished with a laugh.

"And you're getting a fish down your underpants!" Paige roared and chased him even harder. Michelle and the entire crew were doubled over in laughter, watching the whole thing.

"That's not all. Paige got so sick with the smell she puked all over the place. After that, it took her a month to get over it. She used to bathe four times a day in vinegar," Reece continued the story with tears of laughter.

"That's not true!" Paige protested, those her cheeks went red.

"Poor Paige!" Michelle said in sympathy.

"Now she avoids fish like the plague," Payton said. "She could never get over the smell of fish."

"You've never even tried a Macdonald's fish-o-filet?" Michelle asked Paige.

"Not in this lifetime," Brook replied for her. She was still too focused on catching Jett—everyone looked up when she finally succeeded and made him yell as she stuffed fish down his pants.

"What a waste of perfectly good fish!" Leslie said reproachfully.

"I'm not eating that again," Reece said with a shudder, making a barfing noise.

"Good thing we caught plenty more," Brook said, taking a fish on a stick out of the fire. He pinched a piece, blew it, and held it to Michelle's mouth. She bit into it, savoring the fresh, mildly seasoned flavor.

"Hmm... fish taste better when you catch it," Michelle said demurely. Brook smiled.

"We gotta do this more often then," he replied, his fiery blue irises glowing in the light of the campfire at her.

"I know it's been a few years since we did this—but I'm glad we can do this all together, again," Soriano said. Jett came back just then, having changed his pants and whining because his last pants got ripped.

"So heartless..." he muttered but closed his mouth as Paige shot a dangerous look at him.

"So are we finally gonna talk about it?" Payton asked, sounding more sober. Everyone immediately straightened up.

"Talk about what?" Michelle asked.

"The elephant in the—camp," Reece said after a halt.

"Mr. Cross," Soriano said, and an ominous atmosphere replaced the merry one that filled the air just minutes ago.

Hot... Hot... Must cool off... 🥵🔥🥰 Writing that car scene again  with a new tempo was just the icing on the cake! Hope you drooled over it like I gushed writing it.

I'm taking the Night Blazers new places so really really wanna hear your feedback on this! Whatcha think about the camping scene? Did Paige's tales bring a laugh out of ya? 

Until ch 27, hasta la vista! 😘