by Rue, Rebekah
I think over her ridiculous antics to lure me in. I do need a new bikini. Most of mine are shaggy from age or don’t fit because of all the hours I’ve put in the gym with Talon. This will be good for me. I can deal with some of my insecurities. There might even be a safe, nice guy there as well. Slowly, I start to feel optimistic.
“Ya know you girls are always welcome down at my family’s lake anytime you want. Me and a bunch of my boys are getting together actually this Tuesday. You should come out. Bring everybody! There are plenty of Jet Skis, or if you just want to lie out, there’s a large deck for that too!” Finn offers.
I smile at Maggie and Maggie grins at me. That sounds like so much fun.
“Okay, Lo and I are in.”
“Sweet!” Finn shouts, clapping his hands. “We’ll meet up around noon. I’ll text you the address later. I’ll supply everything, including the booze and food. Don’t bring anything but yourselves and all your smoking hot friends.”
“Great, we’ll be there,” Maggie says.
We parked close to where the heats are taking place so we’d have a good view. The downfall is breathing in the strong smell of burnt rubber, which makes me incredibly uneasy. I spot Talon standing in a circle of girls. One brunette in particular is all over him. I don’t know her name and he probably doesn’t either, but his arm is thrown around her waist, his hand tucked halfway down her shorts, and he’s caressing her skin with his thumb. She’s eating up the attention and his neck, seductively licking and biting anywhere she can reach. Evidently, he likes it because, when she hits a certain spot, his palm clutches her whole butt cheek. The other girls don’t care. They treat him as if he’s a god and their only focus is him. Why don’t they just feed him grapes and fan him with fronds too? The sight makes me want to pull away from him. I refuse to be one of those girls. Plus, I’m the one who wants to just be friends. I’m sure he’d fondle me too if I let him. These feelings are stupid, but I can’t just shut them off. Plus, it isn’t any of my business anyway. It’s what’s best for me. So I force myself to focus elsewhere.
Leaning casually against the grill of Maggie’s Jeep, I watch the races and occasionally chime in on the conversation flowing through the group, trying my hardest to keep my eyes from drifting back to him.
Every time we come down to the field my anxiety rises. I can’t control it, and it only gets worse when I know Talon has entered heats. The unmistakable roar of an engine pulls my attention like no other, kicking my heart up a notch. I know that roar; everyone does. We lock eyes through his car window as unspoken words pass between us. One of his hands comes off the steering wheel and captured between two fingers is one of my leather wrap bracelets. A huge smile pulls across my face that I can’t stop. Or maybe I don’t want to. Bikini Girl is standing in the middle of the starting line. On her mark, she holds the flag up in the air. Talon places a quick kiss to my bracelet, securing it and his hands back in position, focusing intently on the flag girl’s movements. He is in his element; this is him. His ripped forearms flex as he squeezes the steering wheel, ready to strike.
I’m holding my breath, listening to the two revving engines ready to get a jump on the other when given the signal. I can’t breathe, I can’t move, and I sure can’t look away. I hope the last lungful of air will hold me over long enough, I hope for my ass to not slip off this bumper, and I hope, win or lose, Talon comes back to me safely.
The piercing noise of squealing tires marks the take-off. Both cars shoot out like silver and black bullets. My eyes are locked, fists clenched, heart racing, and everything is solely focused on their movements. I watch until my view is obscured by a cloud of exhaust and burnt rubber. My ears feel like I have cotton in them. Maggie calls my name several times. The words coming out are mumbled, and then the words seem to clear up.
“Lo!” She inspects me with concern in her eyes.
Shaking my head, I jumpstart the blood flow, bringing me back to the here and now. “Sorry.” I blink a few times. “I’m alright.”
Great, I must look crazy. I shift my eyes, letting them fall on two beautiful women standing next to Maggie, holding hands. They both stand around 5’9” but seem totally opposite. Maya has long black curly hair and dark maple brown eyes. She is slightly exotic-looking. My guess would be that she is from Brazil. Then there’s Trixie. She’s sporting white-blond hair, cut sharp right above her chin, framing a pale face that houses soft baby-blue eyes. I think Pixie would be a more fitting name, considering her appearance. Their unique beauty is striking and makes me feel incredibly homely to say the least.
We shake hands in a kind introduction. Maya and Trixie have been partners for a couple years now. They try talking me into batting for the opposite team. I flush and politely decline. It slips out that I’m still a virgin, and they giggle, stating they could keep me that way if that’s what I wanted. I flush even deeper and everyone bursts into laughter.
“A virgin,” Trixie says wide-eyed. “My, I didn’t think Talon got mixed up with girls like that.” She gives Maggie a probing glance.
I cringe. “It’s not like that with us. We mainly hang out and hit the gym together. Strictly friends.”
Trixie doesn’t believe me, I can see that. “Ah huh, that’s what they all say until Talon sticks one in them, and then he’s not so friendly anymore.”
Maya chimes in next. “Don’t be naïve. Have you ever seen Talon with a girlfriend? I don’t want to sound mean, but look around. Do you see him treating any females like that? And if you do, you won’t see him with the same girl more than twice. He’s around just long enough to sample the milk then get the hell out of the pasture.”
I’m not stupid. I’ve heard that warning over and over, but it certainly makes me feel stupid. I feel like I know a different Talon from what they see. I could probably argue until the cows come home, and they still wouldn’t believe me.
Just as I’m deep in thought, I hear, more than see, Talon pull his Mustang right next to us. Rushing, he jumps out with a huge grin and wraps his big arms around my waist, lifting me up against his body. My arms and legs clamp securely around him as he spins us in a circle, laughing. Gently he sets me down on the warm hood of his car. “Did you see that?” He sings with happiness, beaming down at me. “I haven’t been able to beat Marcus in the quarter mile in years. Do you know what kind of money you won me? You and your bracelet are my good-luck charms.”
I just smile back, not knowing what to say, when a crowd of excited guys comes over, slapping Talon on the back, congratulating him on his big win. After they leave, Talon steps back and relaxes between my legs, placing a hand on each one of my thighs. We stay like this for another hour, talking to everyone. My arms grow tired from leaning on them, and not thinking, I casually drape them around Talon’s neck, resting my chin on the crook of his shoulder. He smells so good. I feel Talon either stroke my thighs tenderly or reach up and hold my wrist, hugging it up to his cheek. The whole night I dodge glances and stares. Too bad. In that moment, I don’t care. His happiness makes me happy and I’m proud of him. Screw them.
The night is coming to a close and everyone is leaving. Turning around, Talon hugs my waist in his hands and helps me off his hood effortlessly. I start making my way to the Jeep when a soft hand touches my inner forearm and slides down, hooking my pinkie finger. “Babe, you’re coming home with me, aren’t you?”
I eyeball Maggie, who is waiting expectantly in her driver’s seat, and I feel as if I’m choosing between good and evil. Logic tells me to go with Maggie, but my heart pulls me to Talon. I’m at war, but sadly the heart wants what the heart wants.
Releasing his hand, I smile. “Hold on.” He patiently waits while I walk up to the Jeep’s window.
“Don’t do it, Lo,” Maggie warns.
“Maggie, I’m not going to do anything. All my clothes are already over there; plus, he won’t have to make a special trip in the morning to get me for the gym.” That’s what I keep telling myself. I hope to convince her
as I convinced myself.
She exhales a sigh. “Okay, but if he does something you’re not comfortable with, call me! I’ll come over and rip that fucker’s dick off before he can say fellatio.”
I crack up, which makes Maggie laugh too. With one foot, I step up onto the step rail and give her a big hug. “I love you, Maggie. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Bye, babe. Be safe.”
When I turn back around, Talon is standing with the passenger-side door open, waiting to place me inside. I give him a friendly smile and step in, letting him shut my door. I watch him walk around the car, open his door, and slide in the driver’s seat. Pure satisfaction gleams in his eyes. He knows I won’t say “no,” and he’s never looked happier. Content.
We drive to his house. Evidently, Stone is already home because when we walk in the lights are turned low and we hear the sound of slapping flesh paired with . . . a dying cat? Boy, this girl is going Broadway with this production. I don’t know how Stone keeps his boner or is that what guys like? I freeze mid-step and peer up at Talon.
“Sorry, but you really don’t want to see that,” Talon says, grabbing my hand, pulling me upstairs into his room.
I walk in and throw my purse on his bed. The faint click of his door closing has me pivoting on my toes. He’s standing with his back against the door, staring at me from under his brows with heated smiling eyes. My eyes are not smiling because his expression tells me he wants to chew me up and possibly spit me out like the tons of other girls who have graced his door. That look has me shaking like an injured bunny waiting to be eaten. For some reason, this feels different from the many times I’ve been in here. Maybe it’s the look on his face or something subconsciously I want. Either way I feel the shift.
Talon approaches with the grace of a tiger, stopping right in front of me. “Are you hungry?” Breathe . . . then talk.
“Y-yeah.” I waiver.
“Pizza okay?”
I just nod.
“Go hop in the shower. You can use whatever you want in there. I’ll place the order. It should be here by the time you get out.”
I nod again, biting my lips together, moving to my clean laundry basket, and digging out something to sleep in. I don’t check to see what Talon is doing. I don’t need to. I sense him watching me until I seek cover in the bathroom.
The bathroom is decorated handsomely. The walls are painted a soft gray. The counter top is swirling black marble. All the accents and towels throughout are either navy-blue or white. I like it and . . . it’s actually clean. I make myself at home in Talon’s shower. Ripping off my dusty clothes and throwing them into a pile, I step in, closing the glass door behind me.
Ten minutes later I step out in a cloud of steam, a sparkling new girl. As I slide on my white cami and comfy cotton shorts, something stops me, my hand resting on the door handle. Will I walk in on Talon changing or will he be lying on his bed, expecting me? I don’t like either option, seeing how they make my stomach do jumping jacks. When I turn the handle, somewhat to my relief, the bedroom is empty. I listen as the doorbell rings.
One ring . . . two rings . . . three rings . . .
I’m sure it’s the pizza guy, and I’m sure Stone is in no position to answer the door. Quickly, I dig in my purse for my wallet and fly down the stairs, almost hitting my face with the front door as I swing it open. Sure enough there he stands: red hat, crater faced, and one steaming hot box of pizza perched on one hand.
“Hey,” the pubescent pizza guy says, giving me a grimy smile. “One large pepperoni extra-cheese pizza made for my lady”—he bows before me, offering up the box—“only $12.95.”
This guy gives me the creeps and I just want him gone, so I throw him a twenty and take the savory box, inhaling a good whiff of spices and garlic. I almost drop the pizza when a warm chest presses into my back and a possessive arm wraps around my middle from behind. “Sorry, bro, get your own. She’s all mine tonight.” Talon says, shutting the door in the guy’s face.
I spin out of his arms and push him away. How annoying. “Talon, what was that for?”
Now he’s holding the pizza. It doesn’t go unnoticed that he’s only wearing a pair of navy-blue pajama pants. The strings at the top are untied, and they’re hanging dangerously low, ready to slip off his toned hips. His chest is bare, and random droplets of water speckle his shoulders, making his toned muscles sparkle. And the sexiest happy trail. God! I try not to stare, but it’s masculine and sexy.
Talon cocks his head to the side in the cutest way, rolling his eyes down my body. “You should thank me. I was just saving you from that creeper.”
“Really, because that didn’t sound like you were saving me. You might as well have just peed on me.” I pause. “Plus, I had it handled.” I cross my arms over my chest.
He scoffs, wrinkling his forehead. “Enough of this nonsense, woman; the pizza is getting cold.” He grabs one of my hands and ushers me back to the bedroom. Stupid dominant man. We settle comfortably in the middle of his bed and watch trashy TV, downing pizza and cokes.
Talon cleans up our mess, and I lean up against the headboard, placing a comforting hand on my stuffed belly. When he comes back, he crawls up the mattress, sitting hip to hip with me. Only the flicker from the TV lights up the room.
I feel it first. From the corner of my eye, I watch Talon stare at me without a word, unsmiling. His eyes don’t move for what feels like forever.
Without looking at him, I do my best to keep a straight face. “Keep leering at me that way, and I’ll say you’re the creeper.”
That does it. He bursts open with laughter, firmly nudging my shoulder. Simple physics propel my small body sideways, throwing a blinding layer of hair over my eyes. The bed shifts and all of a sudden he is half on top of me, easily using his arm to brace him above me. I’m stirred and disoriented.
With one finger, he tenderly brushes away the sheet of hair. Bottomless pits of blue rain down unspoken mixed feelings. I try to remain unaffected, but every tiny thing he does affects me. Will he finally try to make a move? I want him to. I binge on the man above, devouring his tan skin, strong muscles, and eyes that go soft for me. He doesn’t think I notice, but I do.
We both remain still, and Talon takes a deep breath. Our long pause is getting awkward; he’s changing his mind. I should have pushed him away by now, but I can’t. But having something serious with him would be crazy. Stupid even.
“Lo, has anyone ever told you how beautiful you are?” His tone is raw and rough as it kisses my ear. “And you smell so damn good. You smell like me.” I painfully try to swallow down the boulder in my throat, gazing into twin blue eyes. “I want to do so much more than kiss you right now. But I’m going to be that gentleman I promised you I’d be.” Seconds tick by then, “Fuck it.”
In one swift motion, his lips possess mine. He’s all warm and energized; nothing in me wants to pull away. I want to pull us closer together and let my body have fun for once.
His hold is firm in my hair; his lips are sharp and desperate like he’s never kissed a girl before. Well, we both know that’s not true. Wrapping my arms around his neck, I press my body tightly to his chest, feeling his heart beating against mine. One of my knees draws up between his legs and nudges against his taint; with that, he eagerly pushes his growing bulge against me and groans.
Hands are everywhere: pulling at clothing, rubbing areas that aren’t usually rubbed. We desperately nip, suck, and play with each other without thought of the consequences. I guess this is what an explosion of attraction feels like, but then my mind bounces back to wondering if I’m just another new toy for him to break.
I notice us losing control when he starts to work the elastic band on my shorts down. With that, I roll away to the farthest end of the bed, still feeling him all over me. He’s the reason girls have broken hearts in the first place. He’s good, wearing his mask of love that can trick any girl into believing he’s sincere.
All we can do is stare a
t each other, both panting, trying to recover from that mess of a kiss. “I’m sorry,” he says in between heavy breaths.
I continue to study him and shake my head no. My lips feel funny when I reach up and touch them. They’re swollen. I bet they’re red too. This is a bad idea. How naïve am I to think we’d hang out in his bedroom and he wouldn’t take advantage of the situation. I just need to leave. Gathering my things, I avoid looking at him. When he realizes what I’m doing, he jumps up and takes my purse and shoes from my hands. “Whoa, wait. Where are you going? I don’t want you to leave.”
“Talon, I think it’s for the best.”
“No, it’s not. If I let you leave, you might never speak to me again. I just know it.” He pauses for a beat, pleading with his eyes. “Believe me. I’m disappointed with myself. I just hope I didn’t screw up our friendship.” I’m not confirming that. He didn’t screw it up; he just . . . complicated it. “I can see you want to leave.” He’s right. “You make me happy and confuse me all at the same time.” He gently tugs my hands in the direction of his bed, walking backwards. “Please, I just want to lie down with you for a few minutes. I’ll be good. Promise.”
He’s so cute, even when it’s blatant manipulation. We move back to the bed, and I lay my head in the crook of his arm, resting a hand over his beating heart. Talon pulls a blanket over us and strokes up and down the length of my arm. His touch is so comforting. I close my eyes and fight my body from pushing up and tasting his lips again.
Over time, his firm muscles relax, and his breathing evens out. I, on the other hand, can’t relax. With my body at peace, my mind goes to war. I don’t know what to feel. I can’t give in. What if I do and he changes his mind because the fantasy is way more exciting than the reality? Taking that risk of getting close . . . Well, that’s a tough fight I’m not ready to battle. My logic keeps telling me it’s too soon, that I need a little more time to heal. I have to be the guardian of my heart, a heart that’s barely being held together.