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

by Ren Alexander

  I sigh. “I kind of miss you already.” Talia bites her lip and opens her car door., and I ask, “Where do you want to eat? We’ll drop your car off and drive somewhere. It’ll be fun. A date.”

  Again, her eyes open wider. “A date. Um…I…We haven’t gone on a date.”

  “It’s about time we do. You know, time to ourselves before the kids arrive,” I tease, but tears fill her eyes, and she quickly turns back to her door. Grabbing her arm, I look around before whispering, “Hey? What’s the matter?”

  She puts distance between us and looks to my waist. “Are you carrying?”

  “No. Why?”

  “Why aren’t you?”

  Confused, I smirk. “I thought you didn’t like it when I do.”

  “I sure as hell liked it last night at the hotel.”

  I roll my eyes. “Me too. But it’s still in an evidence locker at the precinct. Besides, I was with Gwen, so…”

  “Right. Dinner. Nothing fancy.”

  “My favorite kind. I’ll meet you at your place, and then we’ll go from there.”

  As if in a stupor, Talia gets into her car without another word and leaves me the lot. I can’t imagine what Omar’s death is doing to her, though she claims to be glad he’s gone.

  I give Talia a few minutes and then follow. Instead of pulling into her driveway, I wait on the street. When she finally emerges from the front door, her hair is down, and she’s wearing a black-and-white checkered dress with a white sweater. Getting into the passenger seat, only her perfume greets me. I again ask, “Everything okay?”

  Talia nods and visibly swallows before looking at me, forcing a smile. “Just a little tired.”

  I lean over to kiss her, but she turns her head, and I kiss her cheek. Disappointed, I sit back, check the street, and pull away from the curb with a sigh. “It’s not surprising when you work two jobs. You don’t have time for anything else.”

  “I go to dance classes sometimes.”

  “That’s good.” I look over at her. “Your boyfriend misses the hell out of you.”

  Talia glances at me. “We only just started…this, Dylan.”

  “So? We had to start somewhere to get to where we want to be.”

  “And where’s that?”

  “Just together. That’s all I want for now.”

  “For now?” Talia’s eyes find mine when I look from the road and back to her.

  I study her still shining eyes and the worried expression on her pretty face. “I’ll want more. Won’t you?”

  “I don’t know what that is.”

  “We’ll figure it out.” I know what I want. I reach over and take her hand, and she laces her fingers with mine.

  Talia nods, watching our hands together. “I want that for us. I’ll do anything for you, Dylan.”

  I chuckle as I merge onto the freeway, looking over my shoulder and checking my mirrors. Turning to her, I tease, “So if I asked you to rob a bank, you’d do it?” I laugh more because now I’m being an ass.

  However, Talia doesn’t laugh or smile. “Yes.”

  I squeeze her hand. “I’d never ask you to do that, you know. It was a joke.”

  Her inhaled breath is shaky. “But I would.”

  “We’re not Bonnie and Clyde.” I bring our hand to my lips. “Did people ask you about what happened?”

  “Some.”

  “And?”

  She shrugs. “Nothing more to say. You saved my life.” Talia sighs, but it suddenly turns into quiet sobbing.

  Watching the road, I frown. “I’m sorry. Going out was a bad idea.”

  Talia emphatically shakes her head. “No. I want to be with you. Anyway. Anyhow. Anywhere. Just don’t leave me.”

  “I won’t. We’ll get through this.”

  Her crying escalates, and I pull her toward me as much as the seatbelt allows. “You’re okay now. I won’t let anything happen to you.”

  “I know that.”

  Talia leans on me, crying off and on, with her left arm wrapped around my right arm, for the rest of the drive. It probably isn’t safe, but I won’t push her away, either.

  I pick a small, uncrowded pizza place, and when I park, Talia reluctantly releases me. I offer, “We can do this another time.”

  Talia removes a tissue from her purse and sternly answers, “No.”

  I sit and wait for her to be ready. Talia turns to me but doesn’t look at my face. I lift her chin, seeing her red eyes. “I’m here for you. Maybe you should talk to a therapist, though. Omar put you through some major shit.” I dry her cheeks with my fingers and lean over to kiss her, but Talia abruptly pulls away and leaves the car.

  Sighing, I meet her at the front entrance. Taking her hand, I lead the way into the pizza joint. Her trembling hand squeezes mine in short bursts as we’re taken to a table. Sitting, I pick up the menu and say, “No lobster or prime rib. I don’t get paid until Friday.”

  “Really?” Talia halfheartedly asks as she observes other people at their tables.

  “Yeah. But it sucks that NASA only pays in moon rocks,” I quip, tearing a page out of Taggart’s playbook.

  “Okay,” Talia mutters, frowning, as she continues to look around, not registering that one, either.

  “What kind of pizza do you want? I hate Hawaiian pizza. If you pick that, we’ll have serious problems.”

  “I don’t care what you order.”

  I look up from the menu to see Talia’s eyes still wandering. “Well, I do.”

  She briefly glances at me before she peruses the menu. “I like pineapple.”

  I drop the menu and sit back. “Are you kidding? Didn’t you just hear a word I said?”

  “Honestly, no. I’m sorry. Do you like pineapple?”

  “Only if it’s in the trash.”

  She nods with a ghost of a smile. “Got it. Anchovies?”

  “You’re breaking my heart.”

  Talia’s slight smile disappears, and she drops her gaze to the menu. “Cheese and pepperoni, I guess.”

  Talia continues to read the menu, and I wonder if it’s to avoid talking. I reach across the table and grab her hand. She looks around at neighboring diners, and I whisper, “Hey.” Talia sends her attention back to me. “You’re so pretty.”

  Taken aback somewhat, Talia gapes. “Why me?”

  “Why you, what?”

  “What do you see in me?”

  I grin. “Your ass at first.”

  Talia weakly smiles, painfully squeezing my hand. “Try again.”

  “Your smile. Your eyes. Your laugh. Your sass. The total package.”

  Her smile evaporates. “You never hesitated, though. No matter what our differences are, you don’t care.”

  A bored-looking high schooler chomping gum asks what we want to drink, and I release Talia’s hand. When he leaves, I say, “Our differences aren’t a big deal. It’s good to be different, right?”

  “It’s not just our ages.” She again looks around at other people, making me frown.

  With my elbow on the table, I prop my chin in my hand. “There’s nothing I’d change about you.”

  Talia smiles, and I smile for making her smile. But when I stare too long, she fidgets with her purse strap until our pizza is delivered. And even then, the quiet continues, but it’s better than her crying. It’s hard watching her cry. I wish I could fix all of her problems.

  On my fourth piece, I nod at her plate. “Aren’t you eating more?”

  “I’m full.”

  “One piece?”

  Talia stands, so I do too. “I need to use the restroom.” She leaves in a hurry, walking fast and turning into a hallway. As I sit, trying to figure out what I can do for her, I hear a high-pitched dinging like a pinball machine. When I lean forward, I hear the sound emanating from Talia’s purse.

  When Talia returns, walking slower this time, she sits, and I say, “Someone really needs you.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Your phone went nuts.”
/>   “Oh.” She removes it from her purse only to glance at the screen and then shoves it back into the pocket.

  “Everything okay?”

  Without looking at me, she mumbles, “Yeah. It’s just Lynn.”

  “Please tell me she called off for tonight.” I laugh, but Talia is impassive again. Sensing she wants to leave, I ask for a box. “Maybe you shouldn’t go into work tonight.”

  “I need to, Dylan.”

  “Don’t they have a heart?”

  “It’s my choice.”

  “Okay, but I’m worried about you.”

  “Don’t. I can take care of myself.” Standing, she leaves the building, leaving me to gather the box and walk out alone. Fucking Omar. Wouldn’t leave her alone when he was alive, and he’s haunting her from beyond the grave.

  Unlocking the car, I set the pizza on the back seat, knowing it’ll probably land on the floor at some point. Starting the car, I look at Talia, who now leans against the door, far away from me. What did I do to her? I sift through everything I said so far today, but nothing sticks out. Do I somehow remind her of that bastard? I’m nothing like him. Deep down, I hope she sees that.

  Even though she’s inches away, Talia remains far from me and is again remote for the ride home. I don’t attempt jokes or to hold her hand.

  Arriving at her house, I ask, “Do you want me to come in? I can stay for half an hour. Taggart wants me to start at eight o’clock to experience criminal behaviors at various times of the night, when, apparently, Joy Springs rages.”

  “But you’re unarmed,” Talia suddenly blurts as worry etches her face.

  “I still have my service pistol, and the rifle’s in the cruiser. Why?”

  “Oh.” Talia looks to her hands folded in her lap, muttering, “Nothing,” before exiting my car. I watch her go into her house, leaving the front door open. Having not answered my question, I err on the side of caution and follow. Inside, Talia paces in short, distracted, loop in her living room.

  Shutting the door, I don’t go far into the room, feeling unwelcome. “What are you doing?”

  She stops long enough to say, “Someone might see your car here.”

  “Uh, yeah.” I observe her like she’s a wounded deer. “Are you sure you’ll be okay? I’ll call off work.”

  “No! I’m fine!” Her tawny skin glows in the kitchen light, which also reveals the tears on her face.

  “Talia, I can’t leave you like this. Maybe Marilou can come over.”

  “I don’t need help. I just…” High-pitched dings again assault her phone in rushed frequency. Talia looks toward her purse on the chair and then to the floor.

  “Why is Taggart bothering you so much? I’m about to text her to fuck off.” I’ll worry all night enough on patrol, with goddamn Taggart sitting next to me, and I can’t tell her why I’m fucked up.

  “She cares.”

  “And I don’t?”

  Talia steps closer to me, and shadows darken half of her face. She stops feet from me, and her silent grief screams. I step toward Talia, but she takes a step backward, stopping me. Sighing, I lean against the wall. Shoving my hands into my jacket’s pockets, I say, “I can’t help you if you don’t let me. You were okay last night, but the shock has worn off. It’s okay if his death upsets you. I would never deny you that. Are you mad at me because…because I shot him?”

  Talia shudders, letting her tears fall to the carpet as she marginally shakes her head.

  Glancing at the clock on the wall behind her, I ask, “Do you need something? I want to be everything to you, but I don’t know how.” My voice cracks and my eyes burn. “How am I supposed to be a goddamn police officer if I’m useless to you?” Talia’s misery is mine, but I can’t do a fucking thing to help her.

  When she hears me sniff, Talia moves toward me with apprehension. She whispers. “Just love me.”

  “Baby, I do love you.”

  Her faltered gasp and fearful eyes constrict my throat. Talia’s voice wavers. “No matter what? I need your word.”

  My voice is scratchy and clipped. “I promise you.”

  “I need more.”

  “Need more of what? A promise? What more can I give you?” I clear my throat, trying to catch my breath.

  She watches me scrub my wet eyes, and Talia whimpers, “I need…Make me…yours. Inside and out.”

  “You are…I thought.”

  As tears drip down her cheeks, I resist touching her. I hope she knows I’m better than that asshole. Talia pleads, “I need you to be with me.”

  “I am.” I throw my arms out to my sides but let them fall. I don’t know how to reach her pain.

  As Talia walks closer, her voice is low and desperate. “How much do you love me?”

  Through my blurry vision, I meet her brown eyes. “I would kill a monster for you, Talia.”

  Talia’s ragged breaths spiral, and she rasps, “I would die a thousand deaths for you.”

  “And I’d take each bullet for you.”

  Talia tearfully whispers, “Dylan.” She then launches herself at me, knocking me against the wall next to the door. She shoves her hands into my hair, gripping handfuls. Headlights from the street flash through the window, and in the dim living room, the light illuminates the panic overwhelming her face. With her hands steadfast in my hair, her lips crash into mine, and I instantly match her feral kiss.

  Her fervor pins me to the wall as she stands on her tiptoes to keep up with me. I grab her ass through her shin-length dress and pick her up. Talia writhes against me as we kiss, and I shift her so she’ll have something to grind on. When her crotch aligns with mine, she moans, and I lift her up and down, giving her the friction we both want.

  Talia returns a hand to my hair while the other goes to my face. Amid our moans, our heated kiss and grinding escalate the more I push her hips into mine. Behind Talia, on a chair across the room, more dings from her phone punch through our heated panting and our lips smacking. I’d love to chew out Taggart for the harassment.

  Talia abruptly straightens her legs, and I put her down. She leaves my lips long enough to push me backward, which confuses me momentarily as I expected to go upstairs. Over my shoulder, I see her floral couch. Reaching into my pockets, I toss my phone and then my wallet onto the end table. Clutching Talia’s waist, I take her with me as I drop to sit on the cushions. Talia spreads her legs over mine, and her hands go to my jeans. Wasting zero time, she unbuttons the tab and yanks down my zipper. As her tongue invades my mouth, more passing headlights pour into the room as if we’re the main event.

  Her hands cup the sides of my face as mine go to the front of her dress. Yanking down the elastic material, I discover she’s not wearing a bra. Pleasantly surprised as our kiss becomes more frantic, I glide my fingers over her tits, but Talia puts her hands on mine and moves them fast and rough. I suddenly remember what Omar had said about her liking it rough. Holy fuck. Is it something she likes or did he force himself on her, and she fought back? I don’t want her to compare me to him and think I’m the same kind of prick. I don’t regret shooting him, and if Talia hadn’t been there, I would’ve enjoyed watching his slow and painful death for what he did to her. And that’s not my inner cop saying that where I’m expected to play by the rules. No, that’s Dylan McGrath—enraged boyfriend seeking vengeance.

  I’m hesitant for a split second before I go with her, kneading them beneath my fingers. Talia releases my hands, and I leave her mouth to suck ravenously on her right nipple, and then I bite, caught up in our thirst for each other. Above me, she whispers, “Fuck, yes.” So, I sink my teeth into her again. Not enough to draw blood, but enough to make her moan, “Dylan.”

  Suddenly, Talia grabs my head, tearing me from her tit to plunge her tongue into my mouth. My hands dive beneath her dress, and I’m shocked when her wet pussy greets me. I never thought she’d willingly ditch her underwear. I groan and finger her. She’s slick, and I hear my fingers sliding into it. Fuck, I need her on me. Talia t
ugs at my waistband. In my head, I hear my cruiser’s sirens blaring, code three. However, when Talia drags her pussy against my shaft and rides the tip, I nearly forget my name as it pillages all reasoning and cares.

  Raising my ass from the couch with her still straddling me, I shove down my jeans and underwear, uncaring they’re only to my knees. One of my hands goes to the back of Talia’s neck, and with my other, I impatiently yank her closer.

  Talia pants, and we look into each other’s eyes. Hers shine from passing headlights. I warn, “I don’t think you need a disclaimer…” She shakes her head as her clit sweeps my dick. “Fuck it. I’ll pull out.”

  Talia’s smile is unexpected. “My rebel.” I tug on her neck, bringing her mouth to mine before I thrust upward.

  It ignites us, and we say, “Fuck.” There are no more words before we’re doing that. And it’s determined and frantic. It’s…everything. We fuck like there’s no tomorrow. I don’t know what either of us is trying to prove. As good as this feels, it’s a lot to process at the moment.

  We claw and grab each other, but it’s still not close enough. Talia shifts her hands from my shoulders to the back of the couch, and she eagerly fucks my dick. I return the favor, lifting my hips and grinding into her more, again giving her the friction she needs and allowing me to go deeper.

  Talia and I try to kiss, but with our jarring movements, we only bump lips. I pant, “I love you, baby.”

  “Call me that again.”

  “Talia, baby. Baby, baby.” I stop thrusting to kiss her, inundated with the knowledge our relationship is changing at this very moment. I don’t know how, but it’s tremendous.

  Returning my kiss, Talia moans, “Dylan, baby. I love you. Only you.”

  An unexpected rush consumes me, and I frantically push Talia’s upper body. “Talia, move. I’m going to come.”

  Instead, Talia falls forward and pins me to the back of the couch. She doubles down, her tight pussy engulfing me. Burrowing her face into my neck, I feel her heated breaths. She whispers, “God. I fucking need it. Be with me, Dylan.”

  I again try to move her, pleading, “Stop,” but it’s too late. Talia rams me over the limit, and in freefall, I groan, pumping a hot shot into her. It’s fucking euphoric. I think it is for her, too, because it leaves us both breathless. Since we pushed the envelope into a raging inferno, I urge her hips. “Now, give me yours.”