Sean's Sweetheart

by Allie Kincheloe

  Aww, hell, what now?

  Her dad needed to lighten up. Talia was old enough to make her own decisions. The sooner Sam realized that, the better off they'd all be. It was annoying as fuck to have her dad treat her like a little kid with a curfew. It made him feel more pervy than dating a twenty-one year old did already.

  "I don't want you going out with this guy. If you want to go to the festival that bad, your mom and I will take you. Or hell, see if your sister will go with you."

  Talia squeezed her eyes shut and he could just about see the smoke billowing out of her ears before she rounded on her dad.

  This should be good.

  "I'll go out with whoever I want! I'm an adult, Dad! Keep fussing at me every time I leave the house with him, and maybe, just maybe, I won't live here anymore. Maybe I'll move in with Sean."

  Move in? Fuck.

  He sucked in a deep breath and let it out slowly. While he hadn't put much thought into the two of them moving in together, now that she brought it up, it seemed like a damn good idea. He could come home to her all soft and sleepy in his bed every night. Wake up to her sweet face on his pillow each morning. Except he lived in the slums and would be terrified to let her be home alone.

  And, oh boy, her dad didn't like that idea.

  Sam's face was purple and he advanced on Talia. She stood her ground. Sean was ready to step in if need be, but they needed to get this out. He wouldn't interrupt unless he had to.

  "You will not live with that man. I've seen that shitty apartment. My daughter will not live there and I refuse to support that sorry son of a bitch. You'll stay here where you belong."

  Sean bristled at Sam's words, but bit his tongue. Hard. His fists clenched at his sides. Stay out of it, he ordered himself. Stay out of it. But fuck, it pissed him off that Sam thought he needed supporting. He made more than enough money to support himself and her when the time came. He had money in the bank, no debt. He'd spent years getting his shit together.

  Talia turned toward him and his heart fluttered. The smile on her face and the extra sway she put in her walk looked like trouble. When she stopped at the edge of the steps, putting them almost at eye level, he braced himself. He had a damn good feeling what was coming. Talia wrapped her arms around his neck and plastered herself against him. He slipped his arms around her waist.

  She tugged his head down and kissed him. It was to piss her dad off. But when your girl kisses you, you damn well kiss her back. He pulled her close and when she sighed, he deepened the kiss.

  How could he resist?

  Her dad's growling behind her was enough to keep him from snugging her hips to his, but damn he wanted to. He wanted to do it just to prove a fucking point. But instead he found himself easing back on the kiss. If he wanted long-term with Talia—and he did—then he needed to somehow get her dad to accept him.

  He'd never cared what a girl's family thought of him before. Casey was the only woman he'd ever been serious with. Her family had been content that he had a full-time job and his own place, own car. That wasn't good enough for Sam Richmond. He wanted more for his daughter and Sean could understand why. Talia was amazing and deserved the world. But she wanted him and he wasn't going to give her a reason to change her mind.

  He slowly pulled away from Talia's kiss. Nuzzling her cheek with his nose, he whispered, "You trying to get me shot again?"

  "Nope." She giggled and tried to capture his lips with her own again.

  "Not in front of your dad." He led her away from her still bitching father, calling over his shoulder, "I'll make sure she gets home safe and sound."

  Sam's glare didn't end. Not when he tucked Talia in to the passenger seat. Not when he walked around to the driver's side. Not even when he backed out of the driveway.

  "Well, that could have gone better."

  "That's an understatement. Uh, about what I said."

  He glanced over to see her cheeks turning that gorgeous shade of embarrassed that he loved. He raised an eyebrow and waited for her to continue.

  "I, uh, I don't want you to think that I expect us to move in together. I was just riling my dad up some. Ya know, pushing his buttons."

  "I know. I figured that out myself." He reached across the console to grab her hand. Pulling it up to his lips, he murmured, "When the time is right, we'll talk about that. No worries."

  The beaming smile she rewarded him with filled him with happiness. He was glad he'd told her they'd talk about it later. Probably sooner than she was thinking at the moment even. He needed to find a better place to live. That had to happen first.

  They arrived at the festival and she slipped her soft little hand into his. He would walk across the sun for that small pleasure. He spent twenty dollars throwing baseballs at bowling pins to win her a bear. A bear he could probably get at a store for five. But she wanted it. And winning it for her earned him a hell of a kiss. So, in his book, that was twenty bucks well spent.

  They rode some of the rides at the carnival and she clung to his arm, squealing so much that he wondered if she would actually die on a real roller coaster. He didn't mind her clinging to him. Not one bit. Not when it smashed her pert breasts into his bicep. Maybe festivals weren't so bad after all.

  The sun was setting when they walked back to his car. He had several bags of what-nots she'd purchased from the vendors. Jewelry, some souvenirs for her family, even a T-shirt. The bear he'd won her was crammed under one arm while she snuggled in under the other. Damn, it had been a good day.

  He chucked their purchases in the trunk and helped her into the car. As he went to get in, he noticed a flyer or some shit under his wiper blade. He snatched it off to see that it was a photo of him and Talia. Someone had taken a picture of them dancing at Garden. He sank into the car reading the note on the back.

  She didn't get the point. Maybe you're smarter. Doubt it. The longer you fuck her, the longer I will have to spend erasing the feel of your touch from her shivering, naked body. End it now, and I may let her live.

  What the fuck? He glanced over at Talia and all the color had drained from her face. Her hand covered her mouth and she was shaking her head no. When the tears fell from her eyes, he leaned over and held her as best he could inside the car.

  "I thought he'd given up. I hadn't gotten a new note in weeks."

  "New note? How many of these have you got? You never said anything." Someone had been threatening her because of him? Sean closed his eyes and took a deep breath. If he got his hands on whoever had dared to scare her like this…

  "This is the third. This is why my dad insisted on the self-defense class. We should probably call Anna and tell her there was another note."

  "Do you have her number?"

  She nodded and pulled out her phone. She called Anna and left her a message about it. Sean laid the picture on the dashboard. Had he known what it was, he wouldn't have touched it. He'd probably ruined any fingerprints that were on it by touching it like he had.

  "Who's their prime suspect?"

  "I thought it was Caleb. But he denied it in a way that made sense. He's never been the note-writing type. He didn't even really text. He said he was more of the action type."

  "I don't trust a word coming out of that asshat's mouth though. Do you?"

  "Not really, no. He's lied to me before."

  Of course he'd lied before; he's a stupid abusive bastard. "Maybe I need to have a talk with the little fucker. Show him what it's like to be scared."

  Talia grabbed his arm and cried, "No, please. I don't want you to end up in jail over Caleb. He's not worth it!"

  The panic on her face got Sean to back down. For now. He pulled her close and held her until her heart rate slowed. Anna called while they were driving back to her parents' and agreed to meet them there. When they arrived, she put the picture into an evidence bag.

  "So that we're clear, my fingerprints are going to be all over it." It was probably overkill to explain something that simple. Considering it was found on his
car and all. But with his past, it was hard to be too careful when it came to cops.

  "Oh, I know, honey. I made a note of that in my report here." Anna patted him on the shoulder to reassure him.

  That did not reassure him. Cops touching him voluntarily was too fucking weird.

  Sam blamed him, of course. He stomped up to Sean, his hands fisted as his side. "If you'd never showed interest in her, none of this would have started. She'd be safer if you would just walk away."

  Sean took a deep breath. If he was to have any sort of future with Talia, he couldn't swing back if the older man took a shot. Anna came between them and put a hand on each of their chests. Sam swatted her hand down and moved to come around her.

  Sean was going to have to be the bigger man today. "Sir, I think we can agree we both want Talia safe. Tonight was the first I'd even heard of these notes. I want to get to the bottom of them as much as you do."

  "Doubt that." Sam shoved his finger into Sean's chest and poked. Hard.

  Sean looked to the ceiling and counted to ten. Then he did it again in Spanish. His jaw clenched so tight it ached. But he was not going to knock her dad's teeth out. It wasn't going to happen.

  "Sam, that's enough. Sean, maybe you should head out now, before things escalate here?" Anna laid her hand on his shoulder and wedged herself between his chest and Sam's.

  He could only nod. He'd leave. Not for Sam, but for Talia. If he stayed, he'd end up slugging her father and that could only create a problem for them.

  "Let me know if you find anything with that note?"

  Anna assured him she would. He trusted her word. She was a good cop. Good person. He hugged Talia and kissed her goodbye. Even though he'd have rather picked her up in his arms and taken her home with him where he could be damn sure he could protect her. But if he was going home alone, he was taking the long way. If that fucking Caleb left that note, he damn well would regret it.

  He swung by the house Talia had pointed out once as Caleb's. No way in hell was Caleb paying for this place alone. Guess it was okay for the son of a friend to be supported, just not someone with tats and a motorcycle. He pounded on the door until the scrawny punk opened it. Half-dressed and bleary eyed, Caleb wobbled when Sean stepped through the open doorway.

  "Dude, you can't be here. You hurt me and I'll have you arrested."

  Sean smiled when the little bastard's chin wobbled. He advanced until Caleb's back was against the wall. "I won't hurt you today. But if you leave one more fucking note on Talia's car, come by her house, or even breathe the same air as her, I will be back. Do you understand?"

  Caleb stared at him blankly until Sean grabbed his shoulder and shook. "Do you understand?"

  Sean's nose twitched as the overpowering smell of urine filled the air. He glanced down and a yellow stream ran down Caleb's leg.

  Taking a step back, Sean poked Caleb in the chest. "Mark my words, pissing your pants will be the least of your concerns if you come near the woman I love again."

  Caleb nodded. Satisfied with the outcome of their little conversation, Sean headed to the club. If he couldn't be with Talia, he might as well stay busy.

  Chapter Thirty-five

  Studying for summer finals sucked. It meant less time with Sean and more time with her nose crammed in a stupid psych book.

  Garrett had psych with the same professor, only at a different time, so they made arrangements to study together Saturday morning. They decided to study in Talia's room since Helen was baking downstairs. Karly had the summer off, but chose to hang out with them. She brought a book in and settled down to read quietly.

  Garrett and Karly spread out on the floor while Talia sprawled across the bed. Karly was using Garrett as a pillow when Helen peeked in with a plate of cookies for them. She gave Karly a questioning look, but didn't comment.

  "No Sean in the group today?" Helen asked her daughter.

  "He closed last night, so he's coming over later. Dad said it was okay for us to grill out. Sean's bringing some burgers and such when he comes."

  Helen nodded and went back downstairs, smiling.

  Giggling, Karly sat up and gave Garrett a quick kiss before repositioning herself away from him. "In case Daddy comes home early."

  They settled in to their respective studies, Garrett and Talia quizzing each other on the material for their upcoming final while Karly worked on her summer reading list. An hour or so later, the doorbell rang and Talia headed downstairs to greet Sean. He was talking to her mom and handing over a bag of groceries to be put in the fridge. When he noticed Talia watching, he gave her one of the big crooked grins she loved so much and she flew into his arms, kissing him soundly.

  He broke the kiss with a shy glance at her mom. Helen shook her head. "Get it out of your systems before your daddy gets home."

  Talia laughed at that and led Sean up to her room where they caught Garrett and Karly making out pretty heavily. Sean's laugh scared them apart. Garrett cracked his head on the dresser when he rolled away from Karly, which only made Sean laugh harder.

  "Shit. I thought you were their dad," Garrett grumbled, rubbing his head.

  "Nope. He wouldn't be laughing if he caught you kissing his daughter. Trust me."

  Talia flopped face down on the bed and patted the spot beside her. Sean's gaze was hot. Talia flushed and let her hair fall down to cover her face. Sean eased onto the bed next to her. He lay on his side facing her and reached up to finger her soft tresses. He fiddled with her hair for a moment before pulling it back away from her face. She smiled at him, feeling a little shy. He leaned toward her and brushed his lips softly against hers. Nudging her book toward her, he settled down to watch her study.

  His intense gaze warmed her. She wanted to kick Garrett and Karly out, lock the door, and have her way with him. When he ran his finger along the bottom of her shorts, she moaned.

  Karly and Garrett both sat up to look at them then. The eager expressions on their faces made Talia want to smack them.

  "Oh, shut up, both of you." She fussed when they both started laughing.

  Sean pulled her closer and kissed her, and she forgot about them being there. Fitting herself against his chest, Talia sighed. He used the sigh to deepen the kiss, his strong arms pulling her flush against him.

  "Talia…" Karly cautioned, her hand laying on her sister's shoulder. "Mom could come in anytime. And I'm hungry. Let's go start the burgers."

  With a groan, Sean ended the kiss, but didn't release her yet. He kissed her forehead and held her close. "Go on down and get the grill heating up, will ya? Talia and I will be right down."

  "Sean…"

  "Seriously, Karly. We'll be right down, okay?"

  Their reluctance was clear as they left the room. When they did, Sean kissed her once more. His hands slid down to cup her bottom and he pulled her snug to him. She could feel how turned-on he was and she wriggled closer, letting him deepen the kiss. He groaned when she ground herself against him. Her fingers tangled in his thick, dark hair.

  "Come home with me tonight?" he asked, his breath ragged as he finally pulled his lips away from hers.

  Talia nodded and he sat up, pulling her into his lap for a hug. After taking a moment to calm themselves, they made their way downstairs, hand in hand, before Karly could come looking for them.

  Chapter Thirty-six

  Sean expertly manned the grill. Garrett kept him company. Sean discovered he and Garrett had a similar sense of humor and got along well. Talia and Karly got the side dishes together while the men handled cooking the meat.

  Helen contributed cookies for dessert. When she went to leave, Sean insisted she join them. Karly glared at him and he merely shrugged. "Your dad hates me, so I have to get your mom on my side. Sorry if that screws your plans."

  Helen laughed and pulled Karly in for a hug. "I'm not stupid, you know. I know you and Garrett are dating and have been for some time now. I'm glad you finally decided to bring him around. Even if you are trying to pretend that he'
s only here to study with your sister."

  Sean lost it then. He couldn't help it. The look on Karly's face was priceless. His girlfriend's mom was awesome. He laughed until tears rolled down his face. "You actually said Garrett was just here to study with Talia? Oh, that's hilarious," he finally got out.

  Talia smacked him, which only made him laugh harder. Garrett looked like he was ready to bolt, while Karly's face said she was about to stab him. Helen laughed at them all.

  "If I was upset about you dating him, then I would have asked him to leave when you were using him as a pillow earlier, don't you think?" She raised a single eyebrow at Karly.

  Karly herself laughed then. Sean was glad to see her smile about it and stop hiding Garrett from her parents; secret relationships weren't his thing. Even though Talia's dad still hated him, he was glad that their relationship had been out in the open from the start.

  They made quick work of the cleanup and moved into the family room to hang out for a while. Karly plopped down in Garrett's lap and kissed him, taking full advantage of her mom knowing about their relationship. Talia sat next to Sean on the couch and snuggled in to him. He wrapped an arm around her and held her close.

  "For once, I'm actually hoping your father works late today. I have rarely said that during our marriage, but seeing you girls both happy makes me happy. And I know he will mess that up."

  Talia hopped up and pulled her mom into a big hug. Sean felt envious. He'd never had that kind of relationship with his mother and now he never would. Seeing Talia with her family gave him hope. Hope that one day he might be part of a family like this. Hope that he might even be part of this family.

  When Talia came back over to him, he smiled at her before pulling her in for a kiss. Mindful of their audience, he kept it light. When she snuggled back into his side, he buried his face in her hair, inhaling the vanilla scent of her shampoo. He closed his eyes and held her close, not speaking.