* * *
The days have run into one another while Shadow has been searching day and night for Talia. It’s only been a week, but it feels like an eternity has passed. At some point today, I’ll be paying Briggs a visit. Time is up and I need to see some proof that he got my message to Talia. Aside from the moaning from Harmony about her growing baby bump, stretch marks and cravings, the club is fairly quiet. Each day gets harder as I watch Bane and Harlow together and Merc and Harmony. Fuck.
Passing the time, I decided to give my bike a good bath. “Hey, Edge,” Shadow’s voice catches my attention from behind.
“Yeah?” I answer, as I towel dry my baby.
“I’ve got a buddy that has a new program that might be useful in searching for Talia. I’m gonna head over and check it out. If it’s any good, I’m gonna purchase one from him. Could be helpful for us in the future too. You never know,” he informs me.
The sound of her name stings my chest and I briefly pause. “Sounds good.”
“You about to go for a ride? Or you want me to close the gate back behind me?” he asks.
“Going for a ride,” I tell him. “Just leave it. I’m almost done.”
He pats my shoulder, expressing his sympathy which I appreciate but am growing tired of. “See ya in a bit. Hopefully with good news.”
I simply nod as I don’t fucking care to further speak on this at the moment. I hear him fire his bike up and listen as the sound of its roar grows further off into the distance. As I’m just about finished up the soft sound of a familiar voice startles me, bringing me to a complete pause.
“Edge? I-It’s me, Talia,” she stammers out, bringing me all the way down to the cement beneath me.
My heart hammers away inside my chest as it beats at an erratic pace and I am now unsure if I’m now imagining things or if this is real. Swallowing thickly, I close my eyes begging someone, anyone from up above to let it be true. Let this be her. Turning around slowly, I’m still on the ground, my eyes trail from her feet upward until I’m staring into her beautiful hazel eyes. Her long blonde locks flow freely as the wind catches them and sweeps them across her face. She brushes them away and I instantly stand, rushing to be near her. Extending my hands, I go to cup her face and she doesn’t pull away. I pull her forehead to my lips and press firmly. “I’m so damn happy you’re okay,” my lips brush against her skin as my words are spoken. Pulling her away, I ask, “You are okay, aren’t you?”
Slowly a shy grin forms on her face as she looks deeply into my eyes. “Yes.”
Wrapping my arms around her, I pull her body completely into mine. “Thank fuck.” I plant another kiss on top of her head. “So, I guess you spoke with…”
She cuts my words short as she pulls from my embrace. “Briggs? Yes.” She smacks my arm. “He’s too old for that shit, Edge. You can’t just go around shooting up his bar when you don’t get your way. And furthermore…”
Swiftly, I stop her scolding by pressing my lips firmly to hers, and her body relaxes into mine as she reciprocates. Our kiss is firm and heated. All I can think about is carrying her to my room and reclaiming what's mine. But, I do have to know if she’s aware of how deeply I feel for her. Reluctantly, I break our kiss. “I don’t know what or how much Briggs told you, and I don’t need you to cut me off and inform me, either. Talia, your nightmare of a past is now just that. None of them can ever harm you again. I promised you that and I meant it.” I take her hand into mine as I look down, hesitant to make my declaration out of fear that she doesn’t feel the same. But, there’s no use in this going any further if she doesn’t. “Talia, never in my fucked up life did I imagine that I could or would allow myself to feel so deeply for a woman.” Time to man the fuck up, Edge, and look her right in the eyes, so I do before I continue, “that was until I met you. I’m not sure exactly when or how it happened, but I fucking love you, Trouble.” Once again, my heart begins to pound within the walls of my chest as I await her response.
“Edge, I’m so sorry to have to say this to you...but, I fucking love you too,” she replies through a giggle knowing she’s just made my stomach twist into a thousand knots.
I feel the upward pull of my lips as a big grin forms and I scoop her up into my arms, ready to take her body in every way possible. “You know you’re probably gonna get your ass smacked for that one, right?”
“Oh, I’m counting on it,” she mischievously responds, before leaning in and pressing her lips to mine.
The sudden chants and hollers from everyone erupt and it becomes obvious we’ve had an audience the entire time. As I begin to carry her toward the entrance to the clubhouse, Harmony attempts to stop us and so does Harlow. They’re persistent and I understand their excitement and also wanting Talia to meet Harlow. But, they are all just gonna have to wait. A man has needs, and by the looks and sounds of it, so does my woman. “Edge! Seriously?” Harmony pouts behind me as I continue past them all.
“Later!” I turn over my shoulder and growl, shutting every last one of them up. As uncomfortable as it is being hard and marching up the steps carrying Talia, I make it happen swiftly. It’s been too long since I’ve felt her heat as it clamps on as I pound away inside of her.
I shoulder my way through my door after clumsily inserting my key into the lock. “You make me crazy with need, Talia,” I express as my lips find their purchase on the crease of her neck.
“Stop messing around, Edge. We’re wearing too many clothes,” she expresses, panting into my ear as I stumble with her in my arms fully into the room. I place her legs on the floor and begin stripping her shirt from her body. “Door, Edge.” She stops my hands by grabbing my wrist and pointing to the offending object. At this point in time I’m ready to say fuck it and stab anyone who has the audacity to intrude on my dick’s personal time. “Now,” she says, not letting go of me.
“Fine,” I express while pouting like a prepubescent teenager who’s fixing to get his dick wet for the first time. “But you owe me.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll pay you in full.” That last part stops me dead in my tracks as I turn around and wiggle my eyebrows in her direction.
“But you have no clue what form of payment I’m requiring.” Reaching behind me, I shut and lock the door. “There, no more excuses. Remove the clothes, Talia.” Strutting myself in her direction, she bends over to untie her shoes. My patience is about to snap and I rush her and we both land on the bed. Sitting up, I casually slide down her body, letting my lips linger over her clothing. Finally reaching her ankles, I bend over and begin the process of removing them both without messing with the laces. When both of her shoes and socks are gone, I take her feet in my hands and pull her body further down the bed to where her ass is hanging off. My hands reach up unsnapping and unzipping her jeans, needing them to be removed. They are blocking the vision of my most prized possession.
“Edge,” she whimpers as my fingers brush her exposed skin. I grab both her jeans and panties at the same time and pull a little harder than I should to get them off. “Don’t rip them,” she lazily weeps.
“Woman. Who cares, they’re panties,” I growl out in response. “I’ll buy you a fucking thousand pairs.” Leaning up over her hips, I bend down and nip at each pelvic bone. Her hips raise up and my fingers lightly graze up the middle of her pussy lips. “Damn, Talia. I’ve barely touched you and you’re already so wet for me.”
“Less talking, Edge,” her command is sharp and needy.
“I’ve missed you so much, Trouble. This is going to be fast the first time,” I inform her, letting her know this will not be the first time I’m deep inside of her today.
“Me too. I’ve been dreaming about this reunion. Only it didn’t have so much talking going on,” she aggressively responds, causing a smirk to form on my face.
Taking that as my cue, I stand up and begin removing my clothing. “Take your shirt and bra off, Talia. Might want to hurry.” The fire that I witness ignite in her orbs makes me want to bury mysel
f inside of her inevitably. My eyes stay glued to her as she sits up on her knees and spreads her legs wide, all while removing her top layers. “Keep teasing me, woman,” I groan out, expressing my own need. She’s a temptress who’s fixing to get what she most desires. A good old-fashioned fucking.
When the last article is removed from my body, I swiftly lift her up by grabbing her under her arms. Her legs automatically wrap themselves around my waist. Our lips mash together as I walk us over to the nearest wall to my bed. The need to take her, and dominate her is trying to claw its way out of me. I need to be in complete control before I lose my mind. “I’m going to fuck you so deep that you’ll be feeling me between your legs for days. You won’t be able to walk without remembering who you belong to,” I tell her as soon as our lips break free from each other.
“I remember. I just had to find my way back to you,” the breathlessness in her voice alone nearly sends me spiraling. “Show me, Edge.” I’m not sure if she’s begging or commanding, but since we’re on the same page, I have nothing further to say. As soon as her back is flat against the wall, I line myself up to her entrance and slam home. The whoosh of air that escapes her lungs as I enter is followed by her calling out my name. “Yes, take me. I’m yours, and only yours,” she proclaims, as her nails dig into my skin.
“Fuck. You were made for me.” Circling my hips, I make sure to hit that special spot deep inside of her before withdrawing my hips and slamming back inside of her. I repeat this, pulling myself free just enough that the head of my dick stays inside her pussy before planting myself back as deeply as I can. She tightly wraps her hand in my hair and the other one stays planted on my back. She then begins a rhythmic dance in my arms. As I pull out she slides her body up mine as much as she can. When I hit home, she lets gravity take over and slams back down onto me. Our bodies chase one another, then pull away. My breathing picks up and becomes more erratic with each movement. My hands slam against the wall next to her head as my body becomes entranced with the harshness of my thrust. Her hand that has found a home in my hair pulls my head back and her lips find mine. Our tongues begin to duel, as our bodies mingle in ecstasy, and our minds form as one.
She rips her mouth from mine in an attempt to pull some oxygen into her lungs. Our chests are both panting in exertion. “I’m gonna come, Edge,” she announces those sweet melodious words in my ear. I’ve been gritting my teeth in an attempt not to come until she finds her release. As her walls clamp down on me, tiny black spots invade my vision. My balls draw up and my spine tingles as my pace quickens to give into my body’s will. She screams out my name loudly, causing me to holler out hers as my seed shoots deep inside of her. My legs lose all strength and I pull her down with me as I sit on the floor. Wrapping her in my arms, I place gentle, subtle kisses on her shoulder.
“Don’t ever leave me again, Talia.” My desperation for her agreement is clearly displayed in my words.
“I’m not going anywhere, Edge. Never again, I swear,” she assures me as she too places a loving kiss on my cheek. “I was so lost without you. I spent my days and nights worried that you’d get yourself killed because of me.”
“I have no plans of dying any time soon, Talia. You can’t get rid of me that easily.” I chuckle when she smacks me upside the head.
“That’s good, because I have no plans getting rid of you, Edge. But you have to promise me something.” She stops, pulling back as she looks me square in the eyes.
“What’s that, Trouble. I’ll promise you anything within reason.” I wish I could promise her everything will be perfect in our lives, but that’s not the way things work in my world.
“Just promise me you’ll always be safe. Don’t play the hero, Edge. I couldn’t take it if anything happened to where you couldn’t come back to me.” The sincerity and fear in her voice has me wanting to forget my earlier statement and promise her everything.
“I will always, hear me in this, Talia.” I take time to cup one of her cheeks to reassure her. “Always use caution and do everything in my power to come back to you safe and sound.” Her body deflates in relaxation with my vow and she lays her head back on my shoulder. “I noticed you limping slightly earlier, care to share why that is?” She uses her fingers to trace lazy circles over my abs, stirring my dick from its slumber. I’m still buried inside of her and she begins to move slowly, making my eyes cross.
“It’s just a graze, Trouble. I’m okay,” I promise her as my hands grip her hips.
“Did Stitches take care of you?” She halts her movements waiting for an answer. My head nods, not wanting her to stop for any reason. “Think you have it in you to go again?” she asks, nipping at my ear.
“You never have to ask, I’ll always be ready for you.” She rides me hard, deeply implanting me inside of her. We spend the rest of the day and well into the evening exploring each other’s bodies.
Chapter Thirteen
Talia
Nearly five months have now passed, and I still haven’t been able to get Edge and Briggs to spend more than five solid minutes in a room together. I suppose the upside to all of that is they are no longer having a shotgun showdown every time they’re in each others’ presence.
Today is Harmony and Mercenary’s official wedding ceremony here at the clubhouse. She attempted to dig her proverbial heels in until after she had their baby, but Mercenary insisted. He had the backup and approval of Rogue on this one, too. They both insisted the two be legally married when the baby was born. Also, I overheard Rogue essentially threatening Mercenary that he’d better make an honest woman out of his daughter since he was man enough to knock her up. I’m thinking that played a vital role in pushing Mercenary’s decision. With those two alphas on her case constantly, Harmony caved.
Watching her step into her heels as Harlow tries to zip the back of her short black dress has me giggling at their banter. “Now be still a minute, Harmony. I’m having trouble with this zipper.”
“Of course you are. I’m as big as a house. Should’ve just ordered a fucking tent for ten. We probably would’ve had an easier time finding and zipping up all those fuckers,” she huffs out aggravated as she stomps her foot. She wraps her arms protectively around her bump and looks down at it. “If you wanna go ahead and come on out now, we could really throw a wrench in your daddy and grandpa’s plans. So, if you’re anything like your mom, you’ll display your defiance and we can both have our way.” She grins before remembering that she has an audience. Her cheeks slightly blush as she looks over at both Harlow and me. “What? It’s true. Would either of you want to look like a blimp in your wedding pictures?”
Neither one of us want to argue with her or her hormones, so we shake our heads, showing we wholeheartedly agree with any and everything leaving her lips. “I can’t speak from personal experience, but I know you think you look enormous, but you actually look stunning,” I cautiously add my two cents and Harlow nods.
Harmony turns back toward the full-length mirror and looks at herself for a few seconds. “I actually do, don’t I?” she expresses as she begins to cry.
Harlow looks at me with wide eyes before turning back to Harmony. “Now, honey, you’re gonna smear your mascara if you keep this up.”
The tears miraculously stop as she grabs a tissue and blots her face. “No it won’t,” she snaps back with a grin now on her face. “I bought waterproof. I’m no longer a rookie at this pregnancy thing.” She grabs the tube of mascara and holds it up on display.
“Five minutes,” Rogue declares as he peeks his head into the room. His brows arch as he sees his daughter and he quickly joins us in the room while closing the door back. His hands find their way to his mouth to cover the shocked look on his face. I’m unsure if his look is one of stunned in a good or bad way. “You...you look so much like your mother.” I could swear I see puddles forming in his eyes, but if they are, he forces them back. Placing his hands on the top of her shoulders, he looks her up and down before a puzzled look paints his
face. “Harmony?”
“Yes, Daddy?” she answers him with a smile still on her face and I thank God. Her hormonal breakdowns seem to cause Harlow and I to follow. And I’m not sure how many more of these I can take.
“It’s not a funeral, sweetie. It’s your wedding day,” Rogue states the obvious, and I can feel the meltdown about to commence as I silently curse him.
She doesn’t break form, though. Instead, her grin turns into a full-blown smile, showcasing her pearly whites. “Same thing, Daddy. You both insisted on this happening while I was a beached whale, so the least I get to do is wear a color that’s more trimming. And, again, if it happens to be one of a non-traditional wedding color, then so be it. Just look around. Does anything here look traditional?”
“Whatever gets you down that aisle,” Rogue reluctantly states before shifting his gaze to Harlow then me. “Y’all about ready?” He looks down at his wrist watch. “I think it’s time.” Rogue grabs her cut and helps her put it on. “Your bouquet?”
Harmony briefly looks around. “Where did I place those dead roses?” she teases her father and I can’t help but think how easy going I am in comparison. Edge really should count his blessings, and I might just have to remind him later.
“Stop with the games, Harmony,” Rogue spits out.
“Fine,” she huffs out as she grabs her petite bouquet of freshly hand-picked wildflowers. They certainly do suit her and her personality.
* * *
Edge
* * *
The ceremony between Harmony and Mercenary was fitting for them. I was not the least bit surprised to see her in all black when Rogue walked her down the aisle. The only thing about it that surprised me was that she actually wore a damn dress.
The reception, or huge after party as we like to call it has commenced and everyone except the bride is getting wasted. I’ve bought Talia a ring, and I want to ask her to marry me. But, I wouldn’t dare dream of doing it right here in front of everyone on Harmony’s day. Fox is behind the bar set up outside pouring me another glass of champagne for Talia as I grab myself an ice-cold beer from one of the coolers. Once he hands me her freshly poured bubbly, I turn around and am taken aback at the mere sight of her. She’s wearing a pale pink knee length, strapless dress with a pair of fuck me now heels. And I’ll be damned if that’s not exactly what I want to do. Her hair is pulled loosely back into some type of bun with strands of her silky locks framing her face.
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