Rebel Rook: An Everyday Heroes World Novel (The Everyday Heroes World)

by Ren Alexander

  I shrug. “I might.”

  “Is it with Natalia Welch?”

  “How do you…? Grant.”

  “He saw you and Natalia looking chummy at Dinah’s. Is there something going on between you two?”

  “Chummy? She took my order.”

  “Come on, now. I may look stupid, but you know how that goes.”

  “We’re friends. I asked her over for dinner. No big deal.”

  “You’re no good at bullshitting, Dylan. Your last girlfriend was Audrey. You’re not the type to hump around.”

  “Hump? I haven’t heard anyone use that this century.” I cross my arms, resenting Grant for blabbing to my brother. “Why’s it matter, anyway?”

  “Because Art Perry is her father.”

  “So?”

  “Art Perry was a dirty cop who got messed up in a drug ring with a side of prostitution. A jury put him away for thirty years.”

  “Oh. Okay…”

  “I want you to be careful.”

  “She has a clean record.”

  Dalton smirks as he looks around the living room. “Investigating the girlfriend?”

  “We’re not that far yet.”

  Dalton cocks an eyebrow. “I don’t know how close she is to her dad. She was only a kid when he went down.”

  “How do you or Grant know all of this?”

  “It was headline news in Sunnyville and Joy Springs, but it also made the news in Sacramento and beyond. Maybe the entire state. He wasn’t a shoplifting cop, Dylan.”

  “Her dad shouldn’t matter.”

  “But he does, especially if he’s still in her life. She could talk to him about you, or maybe he pulls her strings. You don’t know her that well yet.” Dalton sighs as he leans against the kitchen doorway. “And Lynn Taggart was his FTO.”

  “Oh, shit. Really?”

  “Yep. Her first recruit.”

  “But she said no officer has failed on her watch.”

  “He didn’t go rogue until finishing training. He started by taking bribes, and then it escalated from there. She was the one to take him down in a sting at the direction of…Guess.”

  “Uncle Colin?”

  “Bingo. Taggart and Natalia are close, probably because she felt guilty. But I’m ninety-nine percent sure that Natalia doesn’t know Taggart took down her dad. They never released the undercover cop’s identity, and I doubt Taggart told her. Natalia was young, so she probably kept it from her and continues to do that. I know she cares about Natalia a lot.”

  “Why didn’t Grant tell me, instead of sending you?”

  “He thought it’d be better coming from me.”

  “So, you had to come here? You have a phone.”

  “Like I said. I had your shit.”

  I reluctantly say, “Natalia also dated an ex-cop. Omar Ruiz? She had to get an EPO against him. He showed up at the diner yesterday and tried to talk to her.”

  Dalton sighs. “I wouldn’t get mixed up in her mess.”

  “I’m not. I like her.”

  “But associating with her isn’t a good look for a recruit trying to make it through training. Does Taggart know you’re dating her?”

  “No.”

  “Do not tell her. From what you told me about Taggart, she will hold it against you and may take her past out on your present.”

  “What am I supposed to do, Dalton? Natalia isn’t just another date for me. I care about her.”

  “I highly suggest you keep your relationship with her quiet until maybe after training. Drawing attention to your association with her will only bring more scrutiny and possibly weigh against you in your review.”

  “You don’t know her?”

  “But I’ve heard her story and seen pictures of her.”

  I’m instantly pissed off, surprising myself. “Is this because she’s Black or Hispanic? What? She’s not good enough? Let me tell you—”

  “Damn it, Dylan. Chill out. That has nothing to do with it. I have nothing against her personally. She’s hot.” He grins, and I could take him down and strangle him in ten seconds flat. “It’s about her father and her bad-news ex—both are dirty ex-cops. You don’t want them in your life.”

  A knock at the door makes me a nervous wreck. Dalton laughs, and I say, “You’re leaving.”

  “But I’ll miss the action,” he whines.

  I glare at him before opening the door and see Talia is dressed in a gray sweater-like dress and black boots that show off her legs. Her upswept hair and pink-lipped smile greet me. “I’m sorry that I’m late. My phone died, and I had to dig out my GPS. Then I spilled water all over myself and had to change.” She frowns and shifts on her feet, looking somewhat unsettled.

  I grin. “No worries.” I open the door further and take a step back. As she passes me, her perfume tantalizes my nose and twists my nuts. Still, I want more of it, so I follow closely behind to try and ward off the requisite onslaught of greetings and nosy questions.

  Before I can introduce her, Dalton offers his hand. “Hey, I’m Dalton, Dylan’s big brother. You must be Natalia.”

  “I am.” Talia’s smile falters some as she shakes his hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Dalton.”

  “No, no. The pleasure is all mine.”

  “Dalton was just leaving. He’s late for a mani/pedi.”

  He rolls his eyes and says, “I’m going.” Walking through the doorway, he turns around and mouths, “Call me,” before I shut the door in his face.

  Turning to Talia, I grin as my gaze travels over her. She puts her hand on her hip and asks, “What’s wrong?”

  I trail my gaze back to her face. “You look great.”

  Talia smiles. “Thanks. I dressed in a hurry. I was afraid you’d say I look rough.”

  “You didn’t need to hurry. And just so you know, I like it rough.”

  She gasps, which turns into a laugh. “Warm me up first.”

  “Oh, I will. I’ll fit.”

  Talia’s mouth opens, and I want to tongue it. Instead, I laugh and nod to the kitchen. “You hungry?”

  “Maybe a little.” She removes her jacket, and I take it from her to drape it over the armchair.

  “Well, Natalia Marjani Welch, let’s eat.”

  She giggles, surprised. “You said my name right. Hardly anyone does.”

  In the kitchen, I offer her various sodas and then take the pizza into the living room. Tristan would complain if he were here, but I live here too. When we sit, Talia asks, “Are your parents in Richmond?”

  “Yeah. My mother is an assistant district attorney there, and my dad is a mailman.”

  She grins. “Oh, yeah? My mom was a postmistress. I always thought that sounded weird, like she was a post office hooker, right?”

  I laugh. “Well, their similar professions are creepy.”

  “Your brother, Dalton. You said he’s a cop?”

  “A state patrol officer.”

  “Is everyone in your family police officers?”

  “No, but my brother-in-law is also a cop.”

  Talia nods as she sits, but something seems off with her as she studies Tristan’s ostentatious style. He only wants the best furniture and décor but still lives in an average apartment on the less joyous side of town. Talia shifts as she toys with the hem of her dress. “Why am I really here, Dylan?”

  My immediate response is to laugh. “Like I had an ulterior motive to invite you over?”

  Talia shrugs. “It wouldn’t be the first time that happened to me.” Shit, I didn’t expect that.

  I drop the grin and stutter, “I want to get to know you better. That’s all.”

  “You’ve seen part of my dark past with Omar. What’s your ex like?”

  “How do you know I have an ex?”

  “Seriously? You’re…handsome. There’s no way you’ve been single forever.”

  “Oh. Yeah, there’s an ex. It ended before I moved here.”

  She bites her lip, and her dark eyes nearly glow. “Did
she break your heart, or did you do the breaking?”

  “She did.”

  “You loved her?”

  Tracing my finger over the rim of my can, I’m quiet until I finally say, “I thought I did, but maybe I didn’t know what I was missing.”

  I concentrate on my finger as it moves along the rim to calm my hammering heart. When Talia doesn’t say more, I ask, “Are you and your dad close?”

  “No. He wasn’t in my life for long, but he always ensured my mother, and I had everything we needed. The last time I saw him, I was seventeen.” Since she doesn’t mention her father is in prison, I leave the topic alone for now.

  Before I can stop myself, I ask, “Did you love Omar?”

  Talia sighs as she observes the room, probably to avoid me. “I thought I loved him enough, but he was an asshole. So, no, I wasn’t in love with him. He never fit.”

  Feeling somewhat reassured by that, I relax some and notice Talia does the same because she angles more toward me. Still, we try not to look directly at each other, but ultimately, we do, and I’m mesmerized that she catches me off guard, saying, “You look so different out of your uniform.”

  “I had to wear something, or I’d be naked.”

  I laugh as her lips part and her eyes flutter. “Well, that’s a visual.”

  Propping my arm on the back of the couch, I grin. “I hope it’s a good one.”

  Talia nods and drops her gaze to my chest, whispering, “Oh, so good.”

  Her eyes search mine, and I whisper, “It would be so good.”

  Talia leans closer and tilts her face closer to mine. “You promise? Because I really need to hear that.”

  Unable to stop myself, I move closer to Talia. “I swore to protect and to serve.”

  Her smile is even prettier this close. “But only after you polish your badge.”

  I slowly shake my head, rubbing our noses and sending electricity through my body. “I want you to polish my badge.”

  “I’ll polish it until it shines like a supernova.”

  I tentatively send my hand resting on the back of the couch to her neck. When Talia closes her eyes and lightly moans, I ask, “Talia, you ready now?”

  Her eyes fly open, alarmed. “For?”

  Without overthinking it and unable to hold back anymore, I clutch the sides of her head and drop my mouth to hers. We’re slow for the first five seconds and then catch fire, is just as Talia as eager as me. After kissing for ten or fifteen minutes, I rest my hand on her thigh, not realizing what I did until it’s too late. However, when I don’t move it, Talia pushes my hand to the hem of her dress. The hard-on I’ve been trying to avoid is now inescapable.

  Surprising me, Talia sits up and then straddles me without interrupting our kiss. I didn’t have many expectations for tonight, but I totally didn’t expect this.

  While our tongues dance, Talia hikes up her dress to her hips. Trapped in my jeans, my dick is in agony. Unsure of what she wants me to do, I follow my urges, and my hands go to her ass, bringing her closer to me. She moans, and over my lips, she whispers, “You’re so fucking sexy, Dylan.”

  “You’re pretty hot, too.” We return to fucking each other’s mouths. Audrey and I didn’t kiss much with our tongues, and it sure as hell was never like this. Fuck, I need to get her out of my head, but kissing another woman is weird and somewhat jarring after being alone for a year.

  My hand returns to her neck, and I bury my fingertips into Talia’s hair while I lean back, pulling her with me. We kiss forever or for minutes. Time doesn’t exist in our world, as lame as that sounds.

  When I grip her ass again, I push her into the hard-on straining in my jeans. Apparently, I hit the right spot because she ends our kiss to pant over me. Seeing her reaction, I do it again. “Dylan, fuck.” Talia then moans and grinds against me harder, and I lose my breath.

  I whisper, “Jesus. That feels so good.” She leans to my ear as she rides my dick through my jeans and kisses down my jaw. I grip her head as I pant, fighting the need to unzip my jeans. It’s the only thing stopping me from begging for a fuck.

  She giggles against my throat. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I came here to eat dinner with you, not to do this. You’ve changed everything.”

  “I have?”

  Talia sits up and looks into my eyes, repeating, “Every fucking thing.”

  Leaning my head back, I whisper, “I only want you fucking one thing.” I then lift my hips, pushing my hard-on between her legs, and she eagerly rubs against me.

  “Oh, my God. I swear I’m not an easy slut.”

  I pull her hips against my dick, “And I’m no manwhore, but I’ll be anything you want.” I grind harder into her underwear. I gave Audrey her first orgasm doing this with her, which led to her giving me her first hand job, and I came in her hair.

  Talia begs, “Please, we need to stop.”

  I grin and kiss her throat as my hands creep up her ribs to cup her tits. “Why? You don’t like it?” Her nipples grow hard beneath my fingers, which magnifies the pain between my legs. God. I’m in dire need for her to fuck me senseless.

  She loudly sighs, which turns into a moan. “I love it, but I want more.” I watch her face as I drop my right hand and glide my fingers up her inner thigh. She quietly squeals but stops my hand again. “You’re getting me so close.” She bites her lip and looks at my chest.

  “Just from this?” I tease, pushing her onto me again. She moans but pushes off my lap and scoots away from me.

  “Dylan, you don’t get it.” She stares at me and then unexpectedly lunges for my lips. When I lick her lip, she giggles. “I can’t stay off you.”

  “Good.”

  Her forehead goes to the side of my cheek as she calms her breathing. Without looking at me, she whispers, “I’ve never had an orgasm through sex, but you almost gave me one through your jeans. I want you to…You’re the… God. I sound stupid.”

  I move so her head falls from mine, and I tilt her chin. “You don’t sound stupid. But that’s…” I laugh, but when I see her worried expression, I warn, “I might not live up to the hype.”

  “You will. I know it. I can’t explain it, but it feels different with you.” Talia’s gaze falls, and she opens her mouth to say something, takes a deep breath, and shuts it. I sweep hair on her cheek that escaped from the top of her head, and she smiles. She finally glances at me. “I’m sorry. I got in way too deep with that.”

  I groan. “Fuck, that’s where I want to be.”

  Talia’s eyes light up, and she stutters, “I don’t sleep with men like this.”

  I laugh. “Okay. Good to know.”

  She nods at nothing but then looks me in the eye, desirous but fearful. “Let’s go to your bedroom. I need to feel you inside me.”

  Shock tightens my throat, but I stammer, “I…I need to feel you too. I want to make you come.”

  Talia swiftly returns to my lips, and I clutch her tits through her sweater dress with one hand while I slide my left up her dress to the crease of her thigh. Talia’s hand grabs mine, and she whispers, “If you touch my pussy, we’ll fuck right here. I want to be naked with you.” Talia bites her lip as she pushes my hand down her thigh and moves off me.

  “I won’t argue.”

  Putting some distance between us, she says, “Shit. Do you have any condoms? I don’t. I’m not on birth control.”

  Now seeing this was too good to be true, I drop my head to the back of the couch. “No.”

  “Fuck,” she mutters and puts more distance between us.

  We both try to catch our breaths and silently mourn this missed opportunity. Swallowing, I ask, “Your birthday is April eighteenth?”

  She groans, but not in a sexy way. “You can find out anything about me.”

  “Not everything. Just basics.”

  “Great.”

  I grin. “The big three-oh? It’s hot. My birthday is December eleventh. So now you know.”

  Talia’s eyes widen. �
��Oh, damn. That’s what I’ve wanted to ask you. I can’t believe I almost fucked you without knowing your damn birthday or age.” But then her hands go to her mouth, and she giggles. “You’re probably a year younger than me, right?” I laugh, but her giggles simmer when I don’t answer. “You’re older than me?”

  “Not quite.” I laugh, still imagining her naked and wishing I knew if Tristan had any condoms.

  Her laugh hits the skids, and she mumbles, “Shit. Two years younger?”

  Running a hand through my hair, I crook an eyebrow. “No.”

  The hesitation turns into full-blown fear. “Dylan. Oh, my God.”

  “What?”

  Her body stiffens and not in the way I want it to. “Don’t play me.”

  “I’m not.”

  Her hands return to her face. “I’m afraid to hear it.”

  I laugh and put my hand on her knee. “What’s the big deal?”

  Behind her hands, she mumbles, “How old are you?”

  “I’m not a minor, for fuck’s sake. Twenty-two.”

  Talia’s hands fall as her horrified gaze meets mine. “Say you’re kidding.”

  “You just told me not to play around.”

  Physically moving further from me to the end of the couch, her hands tremble as she fidgets, undecided whether to sit or stand. “You just turned fucking twenty-two?”

  “Yeah. So?”

  Her mouth falls open as her eyes tear up. “I should have known with Taggart’s and Grant’s jabs thrown at you. It’s just wrong.”

  “What’s wrong? Us?”

  Talia stands and straightens out her dress, growing more panicked. “I knew you were too good to be true.”

  “How’s my age change anything?”

  “Are you serious?” Tears fall down her cheeks, and I get up. “Again, you changed everything.”

  “I’m no different from ten minutes ago when we almost had sex.”

  “Oh, God. I can’t believe this.”

  “What is the big fucking deal? I don’t care about age.”

  She furiously wipes her face and glares at me. “You lied to me.”

  “I didn’t lie about anything. We never talked about it.”

  “But you knew mine and didn’t tell me yours.”

  “Because I didn’t know I had to issue that byline.”