Without Boundaries (the Without series)

by CJ Azevedo

  “Is she ok? What did you do Talon?” She looks exasperated, like a mother about to scold her child.

  “I didn’t do anything. She just said she needed to leave, so I’m making sure she gets home safely.” I don’t wait for a response to that before I go to the bar to pay her tab. I look down the bar towards the front doors to find Bailey. She’s leaning against the far end of the bar talking to Steve, in what seems to be a pretty serious conversation. I’m going to have to remember to tell Steve to back the hell off if I can get her to come back with me again. After I pay I walk down to her. Their conversation stops abruptly as I reach them.

  “Ready Bailey?” I’m trying to come off relaxed and unconcerned, but I’m afraid the daggers I’m shooting Steve are not going to be missed by either of them.

  “Um, yes I am,” she answers as she stands up straight then turns to Steve and shakes his hand. “It was nice meeting you Steve. And please trust me on this…,” she waves her hand and looks around as if she’s searching for the right words. She continues as she blows out a huff of air, “Situation. I promise it’s not what you’re thinking.” Steve nods with a tight-lipped smile and tells her to have a good night. He nods one more time in my direction then walks away shaking his head. I follow Bailey outside. It’s cold enough that the bouncer is staying inside the door so when we get out there we are the only ones.

  “Steve’s already called for a cab since we’re kind of off the beaten path over here. I didn’t think we could just hail one.”

  “Good, they don’t typically stay put in this area.” I’m standing a little too far away from her for my liking, with both hands shoved in my pockets. “Can I ask what that was about back there?”

  “Hmm?” She turns to me like I just pulled her back to reality. “Oh! My conversation with Steve?”

  “Yes.”

  She smiles a controlled smile and tries to brush it off with another wave of her hand. “It was nothing, really.”

  “Bailey.” I say her name with a little more force than is necessary. I know that I have no right to intrude, but I physically can’t stop myself right now. This girl is doing something to me that I can’t quite grasp, but I feel almost possessive over her. This is not good.

  She takes a minute to answer. She’s just staring right at me, and then takes a couple steps closer to me.

  “He thought you were responsible for my mood change. He assumed I was here with you.”

  “Am I?”

  “Are you what?”

  “Responsible for your mood change.”

  “No! I mean, yes, but it’s not your fault.”

  She’s stammering through this and I can’t resist reaching out to her; I don’t want her to be uncomfortable around me. I want to be the person she runs to, the person she trusts with anything and everything. I want to be the guy that makes all of her problems go away. I take the extra step to close the space between us and I cup both of my hands on either side of her face. She lets me and closes her eyes, her breath is coming in short spurts. As I say her name she opens her eyes; they flick to my lips for a split second, then she bites her bottom lip and looks up at me.

  “Bailey, what happened in there?”

  She closes her eyes again and backs away from me. “Nothing Talon, I’m just crossing a line with you that I shouldn’t be crossing and I’m sorry about that.” Of course the cab decides to show up at this point.

  “No, you’re not Bailey, no lines crossed, no harm done. Can I ride back with you? I’d feel a lot better knowing you made it home safely.”

  “That’s probably not a good idea, but thank you, I appreciate it. I’ll send Kali a text and let her know when I make it inside. It was nice meeting you.” She ducks her head in the cab and closes the door. I open the front door and handed the cabby a fifty. “This will more than cover her fare and your tip for making sure she makes it inside her building safely.” He agrees before driving off. I stand there and watch until I can’t see the cab any longer.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  BAILEY

  I wanted to dance with Talon so badly I couldn’t resist him. And I’m pretty sure I have never had such a sensual dance partner. It was amazing, and if I let it go any further I might not have gone back to my place. Ever. So I threw on the brakes and ran. Like a coward. I was getting the feeling that he doesn’t know I live with my boyfriend, or maybe that I have a boyfriend at all. I wonder why Kali wouldn’t have told him. I wonder why I hadn’t told him. Ok, maybe I actually know why I hadn’t told him. Because I’m selfish.

  I get to my empty apartment and am left alone with my thoughts. Thoughts of Talon. Thoughts that torment me with all of the “what ifs”. What if he does feel for me what I feel for him? What if I’d met him before I met Hollister? What if he knew my deepest, darkest secrets? What if I can’t forget him? What if he actually pursues me the way I need and definitely want to be pursued? And the ‘what ifs’ continued on until I saw him behind my closed eyes.

  I’m standing on a block of ice in the middle of an oval lake. I stand there and watch all of the beautiful butterflies fluttering around me. I can’t see them flying anywhere else around the lake except for around me. Suddenly Talon is walking towards me on the ice block. He is so beautiful, like angelic beautiful. His dark hair slightly lifting in the breeze and his smile captures my heart immediately. He comes right up to me; pulls me close to him and whispers in my ear. It takes me a minute to decipher what his mouth is whispering to me.

  In West Philadelphia born and raised

  On the playground where I spent most of my days

  Chilling out, maxing, relaxing all cool…

  WHAT?? Why is he reciting the Fresh Prince of Bel Air?

  That brings me out of the best sleep I have had in months. The sun is shining through my window as I rub my eyes and realize that I can still hear the FPofB lyrics. OH! I must’ve been drunker than I thought! I remember now changing my ringtone in the cab on the ride over. The cab driver agreed that it was a great show and got me feeling nostalgic so I changed my sister’s ringtone. I can’t for the life of me remember why I was even thinking about that show. I reach over to the bedside table and grab my phone, my arm still covering my eyes from the morning sun.

  “Hey Cheyenne,” I say with a sleepy voice.

  “It’s Hollister Bailey.” Oops! I guess I was close, I tried for Cheyenne in my contact list, but apparently I ended up with Hollister instead when I changed the ringtone. I really didn’t need that second drink.

  “Oh hey, how are things with the family?” I really don’t care all that much, but I am supposed to and he definitely doesn’t sound chipper this morning.

  “They’re fine but I’m going to have to stay a couple more days. Where did you go last night Bay? I tried calling but you weren’t answering.”

  “I went out with Kali and her friends. Remember? We talked about it just yesterday morning.”

  “I know, but where did you go? And why didn’t you answer any of my calls? You know I hate when I can’t get a hold of you.” He should sound as if he was worried about me, but he doesn’t. He sounds pissed.

  “I’m sorry about that. I did see your missed calls but by the time I saw them I was afraid I would wake you. We just went to this little karaoke bar but it was so loud in there I didn’t hear my phone ringing.”

  “Please don’t do that again. I really don’t need to be worrying about you over there when I have all of this going on over here.”

  I really wanted to scream at him that I am a grown woman and I don’t need him to check up on me. Besides, I know exactly what he was worrying about and it wasn’t about my safety, I guarantee you. When it came to me, his jealousy would win out over kindness every time.

  “I won’t, Hollister. Just take your time and take care of your family.”

  “I will, so what do you have planned for the day? Are you going into the office at all?”

  “No, I’m actually just staying in today. I have a really hectic wee
k ahead of me, so I plan on just relaxing.”

  “Alright then. I’m going to go; I’ll talk to you soon. I Love you Bailey.”

  “Yeah, me too.” I hang up before he gets any ideas about berating me for not saying the actual words. I stopped being so forth coming with those three little words the day he showed me a side of him I never knew existed. It took him a few months but he finally realized I hadn’t been telling him that I loved him and started questioning me about it. I played oblivious.

  I stayed in bed pretty much all day. After my call from Hollister, I took a long hot bubble bath with Adele on my iPod. When the water turned cold for the third time, I decided it was going to be a romantic-comedy-movies-in-bed kind of day. That’s exactly what I did. I ordered way too much Chinese and had it delivered for lunch then continued to eat it throughout the day and night. I fell asleep feeling blissful from a very full belly and lots of beautiful men baring their hearts to the women they love. And Talon on my mind. He had been there all day and I didn’t foresee him leaving anytime soon.

  ****

  I dreamt of him again, only this time we were dancing and dancing and dancing. He kept leaning in and whispering in my ear as we swayed our bodies together. I didn’t know this time what he was saying, but those butterflies from last night’s dream kept creeping around in my stomach. I wanted to murder my alarm for waking me from a perfect dream. Not only did I get dragged away from Talon’s arms in my sleeping state, but it was Monday. Perfect.

  CHAPTER SIX

  TALON

  I still don’t know what happened to Bailey to make her run the way she did Saturday night, but it was about to drive me crazy. I asked Kali what happened and she said that Bailey told her on Sunday that she just had too much to drink and needed to get home. I don’t believe her. Something happened. We were having an awesome time dancing. At least I know I was and judging by the way she was grinding up on me and reaching for my neck and chest I would bet she was too. I also know that if I don’t find out what happened I will go batshit crazy trying to figure it out.

  ****

  I had no idea what I was going to say to her when I got there. I just couldn’t get past the fact that I had no idea when I would see her again if I didn’t go down to her office this morning. So I have a million different scenarios running through my mind on the cab ride over to her. Why didn’t I just get her number from Kali and call her? I have no clue why I didn’t call; it just never crossed my mind I guess. So now I’m walking through the massive glass doors to her office building and second guessing my even being here. I know I don’t want to turn around and walk out but I can’t form a solid conversation or even a reason as to why I am here to be able to tell her.

  There’s a pretty blonde sitting behind the front desk of the lobby and she’s noticing me behind the glasses that are perched on the end of her nose. Those glasses can’t be doing a thing for her eyesight. That thought makes me chuckle to myself and apparently put a grin on my face because the girl’s smile just spread across her own face.

  “Good morning Sir, may I help you?” she says cheerfully.

  “Good morning, I’m, uh, here to see Bailey Hayes.” Her smile fades a bit as she reaches for the phone.

  “Ms. Hayes you have a guest.” She nods her head one time. “I will do that.” She hangs up the phone then looks at me and tells me to go to the third floor and exit to the left and she will be the fourth door on the right. So I thank her and follow her directions.

  The walk to her office is almost torturous. I am a ball of nerves. When I see her office door I freeze for just a minute and try to collect my thoughts enough to not sound like a stammering fool. The hall is empty and there is music coming from her office. I am really impressed with the building and her name on her office door. These are big signs of accomplishments as far as a career goes and I really want to know how she got here, how she came to be someone so successful at something I can only assume she loves to do. I clear my throat and give a firm two knocks on the door.

  I hear a soft “Come in” so I do just that. Bailey is stunning. She’s leaning over some boxes she has on a coffee table in front of a wall full of floor to ceiling windows. Her hair is pulled up on top of her head, she has on another one of those pencil skirts. This time it’s black with a dark purple button down shirt tucked in perfectly. She’s wearing heels that showcase the beautiful long tanned legs that I have been dreaming of for the past two nights. She has reading glasses on but not like the woman downstairs. Bailey’s look like they belong, and it is sexy as hell. The thought is having me take a deep breath to try and calm myself. She straightens up to see who is standing in her office and her eyes go wide. She looks shocked that it’s me standing here.

  “Talon,” she says breathlessly. I can’t make out the expression on her face. Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea…

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  BAILEY

  What is he doing here? In my office? Why did I say his name like that? Oh god, I must have sounded like a complete idiot right now! Get out of your head!

  “Good morning.” He’s grinning a shy lopsided grin, like he’s not sure if he should be smiling or not.

  “Hi. Good morning,” I reply, snapping out of the swimming thoughts in my head.

  “You have a fantastic office. I’ve heard you are good at what you do, but this,” he sweeps his arm out gesturing to my office while nodding his head, “is really impressive.”

  “Thank you very much. I definitely don’t complain about the space that’s for sure.”

  “George Straight?”

  I have no idea why he would say that right now. Was I so caught up in thoughts of him that I missed part of our conversation? I have no idea how to respond, so I do the brilliant thing and just raise my eyebrows in question. Oh no. There’s that smile, this guy is going to be the death of me. A slow, mind blowing, torturous death.

  “Your music, it’s George Straight. I just didn’t peg you for the country type.”

  Oh that.

  “Oh yeah!” I laughed because that didn’t even cross my mind. “Um, yes. Country girl, that’s me.”

  “You don’t look like any country girl I’ve ever seen.” He’s flirting. He’s flirting with the sexiest voice I’ve ever heard. And now he’s closing the space between us. I clear my throat to get rid of whatever is lodged there and making it difficult for me to breathe.

  “Wh-what are you doing here Talon?” That sounded rude. Crap. “I’m sorry that came out like that. I just meant I wasn’t expecting you and I guess I’m just curious as to why you came.” Ok, that sounded a bit better.

  “Yeah, I apologize for showing up unannounced. I didn’t have your number and felt weird asking my sister for it so I googled you. But now that I’m here I guess I kind of look a bit stalkerish. Which I’m not. Stalking, I mean. I swear.” His face is twisted like he had no intention of saying any of that. It is adorable. I laugh.

  “That didn’t even cross my mind. I thought maybe I left something behind on Saturday.” Now he laughed lightly.

  “Actually you did kind of leave without something.” He’s staring right in my eyes; I’m completely lost in them.

  “I did? I haven’t even noticed I was missing anything. I knew I shouldn’t have had that second whiskey.” I try to be light-hearted but he is totally serious.

  “You left without giving me an explanation as to why you up and left the way you did. What happened?” His voice is deep and seductive with a hint of gruffness to it. My knees are weak. I can’t find my voice, and I’m sure once I open my mouth he’s going to be able to tell how much he is affecting me right now. Deep breath. Deep breath. Breathe Bay.

  “I just haven’t gone out in so long, it was getting late and I drank my drinks too quickly. I just felt like I needed to go home, so I did.”

  “Yeah, that’s what Kali said, but the thing is, I just don’t believe you.” He takes a few more steps towards me and comes around the table so he’s standing inches a
way from me. My heart is pounding out of my chest. He is now acknowledging the lack of space between us by whispering in a husky tone. “I know I was having a good time with you and I’m fairly certain you were having a good time with me. Am I wrong Bay?” Pretty much everyone calls me Bay, they have my whole life. But Talon saying it is making my body react in a way it never has before to the nickname. I am caving, I am opening my mouth to tell him he was not wrong at all. That I was having the best time ever with him out there on that dance floor. That I came home and dreamed of him for the last forty eight hours. Night and day thoughts of him consumed me. At that exact moment, Drea, my best friend and co-worker, comes barging through my door.

  “Bay! I found the last two-” she says, then stops mid-sentence. She looks to me then to Talon and back again with huge eyes. I know that with how close he is standing to me she is putting the pieces together. She silently asks, “Who the hell is this?” I laugh. Because that’s what I do when I get nervous. Talon doesn’t move a muscle. He doesn’t look like he was just caught red-handed, he looks… amused.

  “Drea, this is Talon McAllister.” I clasp my hands together, take a step back and look at Talon. “Talon, this is Drea Bryant.” Talon walks over to Drea and extends his hand to her.

  “Drea, pleased to meet you.” He gives her a killer smile and I see the faintest blush come across her cheeks.

  “Likewise. I’m sorry to interrupt, I didn’t realize Bailey was… busy.” She breathes out that last part and then turns from Talon to look at me. “I just wanted to let you know I found the two contracts from last quarter. But we can go over that after lunch. I’ll just leave you two, to, continue,” she clears her throat, “whatever it is you were doing.” She smiles and then nods at Talon and walks out of the door backwards.