by CJ Azevedo
****
Last time I checked there was a population of over 8 million in New York City. So the odds of me running into Talon once are low, but running into him twice? Impossible. Except tonight, apparently it is possible, because he is here. At the bar. Looking sexy as ever.
How? How do I approach him? Casual? Seductive? Accidentally on purpose? Gahh! I’m so freaking nervous all of a sudden. My brain is freaking out on me. Maybe I should just approach him happily. Maybe, just maybe, if I don’t show my nerves, if I just exude happiness he’ll have a more difficult time rejecting me right away.
He’s standing near the bar talking to a couple of guys I’ve never seen before. He’s standing tall and confident and again in a tux. His body does something to my insides I don’t believe anyone else has ever caused. I miss him so much. I’m not sure I will be able to walk away from him tonight. I’m also not sure if I’m ready to admit to him that I’m single and that I am completely and utterly in love with him.
Time to go find out, I think to myself as I slowly approach him from behind. I notice as I get closer that I get the attention of the guys he’s speaking with. Neither of them are hiding their appreciation for what they are looking at but Talon doesn’t seem to be catching on.
Right as I step up to his back it dawns on me what I should say, so before thinking too much on it I just quietly blurt it out. “Hey there doll.” I run one hand up his right shoulder as I speak to his left ear. He instantly tenses but to his credit, he recovers even quicker and spins around with a throaty laugh as he remembers the blonde Texan woman referring to him as doll. “Well, hey there beautiful.” He gives me his heart stopping smile and my breath catches. “You will never let me live that down, will you?”
Feeling a little more relaxed now I laugh along with him, feeling like I just might burst that he doesn’t hate me. “Not a chance,” I say as I slightly shake my head no.
“You know, you could just call me. You don’t have to stalk me Bailey.” And there is that sexy grin. It seems that he has all but forgotten that he was in the middle of a conversation before I interrupted. I really don’t care to remind him, so I don’t.
“Oh no? Well, that’s good to know, now I can stop dressing in these ridiculously fancy gowns.” I sweep my hand down in front of my body indicating the gown I’m wearing. His gaze works its way from my face all the way down to my Chick Flick Cherry toes and very slowly up again. My body reacts with a heat rush that follows his gaze.
His broad shoulders and thick chest lean in close to me and he breathes softly along my ear and neck. “You’re killing me Bailey Hayes. You are the definition of perfection in this gown.” And I shudder, of course. This makes Talon chuckle. “Can I get you a drink Bay?”
“Um, no thank you. I… was uh… just coming to get a round. We’re in a private room in the back.” I shake my head trying to clear it and get my wits back. I notice Talon’s light, cheery face turns hard. He stiffens and stands a little straighter.
“Ok. It was nice to see you, you look good, I’m glad you’re taking good care of yourself Bailey. Have a good night.” He turns and walks away leaving me standing in front of his company completely dumbfounded. What the heck just happened? The guys look at me like they are just as confused as I am by his sudden mood change. I offer them a small smile and get my drinks before walking back to the private party.
Blaine notices my shocked face and he suggests we down our whiskeys quickly and then go dance. I really don’t want to go back out to the front of the restaurant where Talon is but Blaine insists so I follow along with him.
Blaine and I dance to two songs, laughing and joking the whole time. He is a great dancer but there is no comparison to dancing with Talon. I quickly whisper to Blaine that I had seen and talked to Talon at the bar. He assures me that it is probably just difficult for him to see me knowing that he can’t be with me. I’m not so sure about that, he is probably just pissed off. And really I can’t blame him at all. I keep an eye out for Talon but can’t see him anywhere in the restaurant.
At Last by Etta James comes on and Blaine pulls me in tightly as we begin to slowly sway together. “Come back home with me Bay,” he whispers as he looks down into my eyes.
“What?” His statement, it was not a question, throws me for a loop because he has never asked me to come back. Even right after I left, he has always been the supportive one telling me to do what I needed to do. So this was coming out of nowhere.
“Come back. You don’t need to be all the way across the country anymore, it’s been long enough and I hate that I have to leave you tomorrow. Your dad needs you there Bay and there’s nothing keeping you here anymore.”
“I have a job Blaine; a job that I love by the way.” And Talon. And Talon is here, is what I think but do not say. Instead, I cup his face with both hands and kiss his cheek. “I love that you came out to see me Blaine, but this is my home now. I can’t even imagine living back on the farm.”
Before Blaine has a chance to respond, I feel a hand lightly grasp my left elbow and then hear a throat being cleared. “Excuse me. Sorry to interrupt, but I need to speak with you Bailey.” Talon still has a hardened expression on his face but I can see Blaine trying to hide his smile as he hands me over to Talon.
“Talon! I was looking for you so I could introduce you.” He doesn’t relax a bit. “Talon, this is Blaine, from back home. Remember talking to him on FaceTime with me back at your place?” At that introduction, Talon’s shoulders relax and his hand falls from my elbow. That sexy as sin smile appears as he reaches out to greet Blaine.
“Hey Blaine, it’s nice to meet you. Sorry I didn’t recognize you,” he says with a sheepish smile and slight shake of his head.
“Nice to meet you too Talon, I have heard quite a bit about you.” Well, that probably didn’t need to be said. However, it does make Talon smile at me again and I would do anything for that to happen. “I’m just going to get another drink. I’ll be back in the room Bay, if you need me.” Blaine kisses my cheek and gives me a knowing smile before turning around and walking towards the bar.
“Will you dance with me or are you still upset?” I ask Talon as I turn to face him.
“Upset?” he asks feigning confusion.
“Yeah, you walked away from me angry or sad or frustrated, I’m not sure, I really couldn’t tell you what that expression was. I do know it wasn’t the Talon who exudes happiness though.”
“Come on, let’s go for a walk.” He reaches out for my hand; instead, I grab it and pull him to me.
“Dance with me first,” I say softly as I look deep into his eyes.
He lets out a little groan of protest before allowing me to pull him close.
He drops the loaded question as soon as he slips his arms around my waist. “Where is he Bay?” Dammit. I guess we’re talking about this whether or not we’re in front of a ton of people.
“Fine. You win. Let’s take that walk.” He holds my hand again and walks me to the front doors of the restaurant. He gets our checked coats and wraps mine around me before putting on his own and walking us out into the cold night air.
As soon as the doors close behind us, he wraps his arms around me in a tight and warm embrace. One I have been craving for months. I allow myself to breathe in a scent that is only Talon McAllister. I memorize the feel of his big strong arms around my body and pray they would never leave again.
Talon steps back and, still holding hands, we start to walk the streets of the new neighborhood that I had fallen so in love with. “So, are you going to tell me why he’s not with you tonight or are you going to make me guess?”
“I don’t know where he is.” He looks at me like he doesn’t believe a word I’m saying. “I left him, I moved out.”
“When?” he sighed, sounding frustrated.
“That night we were at your dinner party. I left him there and never went back to his condo.”
“That was months ago Bay. Why haven’t you called me? I hav
e been worried sick about you, missing you like crazy and you just didn’t call?” Seeing him like this… hurt, frustrated, confused. Breaks. My. Heart.
“I’m really sorry Talon. I needed to make sure he was really out of my life. I had to take care of myself. I had to learn how to be on my own again before I could risk bringing you into what was my messy life,” I reply with unshed tears.
“Well, are you about done?” he says with a smirk.
I laugh at him, but know that I am not fully there yet. I just don’t think it’s in me to be able to break his heart and reject him again. “Almost.”
“Bailey,” he groans before pressing his lips to mine. Any rationalization that I had rallied up is now non-existent. I slide my fingers into his amazingly soft and beautiful hair. He grips me tight around my waist before sliding his hands up and wrapping them around my lower jaw and neck with his fingers splayed on the back of my neck and in my hair.
Talon is my home.
“Can we leave?” he asks as he slowly pulls away from my lips.
“Where do you want to go?”
“I don’t care. I just need you to not leave me tonight; I don’t know if I’m going to ever be able to leave your side now.” Those words are wonderful and beautiful and scary as hell all at the same time. I need to be careful with him. With this. With us. I know whatever this is that is between us is not something new the way it was with Hollister. We have been through so much and we haven’t ever even been an official couple. I don’t know how I’m going to keep this at a slow pace because I get so lost in him each time we’re together, but it has to be done.
“Blaine is my date tonight and he has to catch a plane super early in the morning. So we’ll have to get him before we go anywhere. But Talon, I have to be really careful with you.”
“What are you talking about? I’m not fragile Bay.” He’s looking at me incredulously.
“Not for your benefit. I’ve rushed into the whole relationship thing before and you saw how that turned out.”
“First of all, I don’t think we’re rushing anything at all. In fact, I feel like we have been moving at the pace of a turtle.” He draws out the latter part of his sentence and I have to laugh at his tortured expression. “Second, I never said anything about a relationship Bailey Hayes. That’s being pretty presumptuous of you, don’t you think? Maybe I just want to get you in my bed.” I love when he tries to be serious. His face tells all, all the time.
“Well, if that’s all you wanted then the issue could have been solved aaaa-ges ago!” I throw over my shoulder as I walk back to the restaurant, knowing full well there won’t be many days that we will be apart from here on out.
I hear him groan as he grabs me by my waist and pulls me back to him just as we enter the restaurant. “I’m so happy right now,” he whispers in his deep husky voice. There is just something about a gorgeous man whispering in your ear that gets the attention of the women around you. Suddenly, we seem to be the center of attention in a room full of nosy women. They must have been eyeing him all night while he was without a date and then he comes back in whispering in my ear. I can’t blame them really, I’ve had my own jealous fits over this man and he’s been willing to be mine for a while now.
I slowly turn around in his arms, reach around his neck and give him a tender kiss. “Me too,” I whisper back to him, my breath resting on his lips. My arms are gently pulled down so he can slide my coat off before removing his own.
“Come on, let’s go get the others and see if they want to do something. Oh! How about we go to that sweet little pub you go to?” I grab his hand and walk away from all of the prying eyes.
“Ahhh, don’t call it that, baby. You’re going to ruin the whole man vibe it has going on.” I laugh loudly, he sounds like I just really pained him.
CHAPTER TWENTY NINE
TALON
Seeing Bay tonight is unbelievable. I have been telling myself that I am moving on and getting her out of my mind. No matter how often I repeat the words to myself and everyone else, I know that it is a lost cause. Bailey is the lyrics to my music and I knew she would find me again so I could stop being a simple instrument and we could have our beautiful symphony play once again.
After rounding up her friends we go over to Delaney’s for some drinks. We are all way too over dressed for the pub but I’m not going to chance letting Bay go home to change and change her mind about coming with me too. I need to remind her how we are meant to be. That what we have experienced in the past is something unattainable to a lot of people; but we are fortunate enough to experience it and can continue to have it forever.
I see Steve’s eyes light up when we walk in and decide I will get the first round so I can I can talk to him before he tries anything with Bay.
I kiss Bailey as she sits down and head over to the bar. “Hey Steve, can I get three beers on draft, a glass of red wine and a Pendleton on the rocks, please?”
“You got it.” He starts with the beers as he keeps his eyes on Bailey across the room. “I see you brought our girl back, looking damn edible to say the least.”
“Yes. I brought my girl back. No funny stuff this time Steve. I’m serious.” I’m making a great effort at reining in my anger towards him. I’m going to have to be careful not to get too crazy possessive over her. Now that I have her, I can feel the possessive Alpha coming back in full force.
“Easy tiger. No funny stuff. Got it.” Steve laughs and tells me he’ll bring our drinks over on a tray for me so I go back to the table.
As I approach the table Bailey stands up and turns to me. She wraps her arms around my neck and leans in to the side of my face. “Will you dance with now? Please? I can’t wait another minute to feel you swaying against me with your arms wrapped tightly around my waist.”
I don’t have a response to that that is appropriate in public. She leads me out to the dance floor by my hand. When we reach the spot where we will be dancing she stops and pulls me to her, but I have other ideas for this dance. I push her out and pull her in backwards so her back is to my chest. She lets her hands fall to my thighs and I place my hands around her mid-section with my fingers resting on her hips. Her head falls back to just below my shoulder and she closes her eyes as we begin to move as one to the music.
“I can’t even explain how much I have missed you Bailey. I knew being friends would have never worked while you were figuring out your life, but I have missed your friendship more than anything.” I kiss the side of her head and she gently rubs my thighs with the tips of her fingers. “I have never met anyone who connects with me the way you do. The way we can talk about anything and make it an interesting topic. The way even holding hands is intimate between us. You are it for me, Bay. I’ll take as much time as you need, go as slow as you want but just know that I’m not going anywhere this time. I’m here, in your life forever. I will be your husband one day Bailey Hayes. Do you understand?”
Bailey turns around with tears welling up in her eyes and a sad smile on her face. She reaches up and places her left hand on the nape of my neck. Her right hand is on my cheek as she caresses my bottom lip with her thumb. “I’m so sorry for anything I put you through. But yes, I understand. I don’t want it any other way. I do still need more time, and for us to keep it at a slow pace, but I’m here too. I’m not going anywhere else either Talon.”
I kiss her slowly and thoroughly, soaking in every second that I had missed while she was out of my life. When I pull back she looks up at me and I can tell something has changed since she finished talking and our kiss ended. She looks unsure or maybe nervous.
“What? Why are you looking at me like that?” We’re still dancing with people all around us. The slow song has ended and something with a much quicker tempo is on but we are still slowly swaying to our own beat.
“Umm…” Her eyes are darting everywhere but to my face. She won’t make eye contact.
“Bay? Look at me,” I softly demand and she does. She’s biting the insi
de of her lower lip. She’s nervous. She releases her lip and takes a deep breath. Her fingers go still at the nape of my neck and she clears her throat before she finally speaks.
“It’s none of my business, I totally understand, but I’m just curious and I guess I kind of need to know now that you are going to be my husband one day.” Another big gulp of air is sucked in as she tries to calm herself. I can’t help but laugh at how cute she is right now. “Ahhh, I’m rambling. I’m just going to come out with it.”
“Please do,” I say, smiling from ear to ear. I have no idea what has her so worked up but I’m really anxious to find out.
“Ok, so that night at your dinner party, you had a date. Is she someone you’re seeing?” She’s back to darting her eyes around to everything around us and never landing on me.
I have actually kept in touch with Susan. She moved here a few weeks ago and we have gone out on a couple of dates. There is nothing in the way of commitment but she knows about Bailey and I will have to tell her about tonight. Susan is a great girl and I hate to hurt her, but I’ve been very clear with my intentions and just hope she understands.
“Not exactly. Susan is a good friend. We’ve gone out a couple times but nothing serious.”
“I feel bad that I’m walking back into your life when you have moved on. I hate that you moved on, but I get it. I just hate it.” She’s chewing the inside of that bottom lip again. To ease her mind I lean in and kiss her softly before whispering against her lips.
“I’ve never moved on. You are impossible to move on from, love. I may have gone to dinner with her but I never moved on with her.”
“Let’s get Blaine and go home. You can stay with me tonight, right?”
“Yes. I don’t plan on leaving your side until you force me to,” I say with a smile and she finally relaxes her worried expression.
Once we tell the others about our plan, they quickly shoot it down. So we stay and drink and dance for a few more hours. Blaine is actually having a really good time and I notice him watching Drea carefully. I don’t usually pay attention to those kinds of things, but he’s not really trying to hide it and the way Drea giggles every time she catches his eye leaves me to believe there just may be something there.
