Mettle: (Spartan Riders #2)

by J.C. Valentine

  Talia was comfortable in her skin. She was confident and stalwart and most of all, trusting. With barely a thought, she handed over the reins to him from day one, and despite not knowing much about her, he knew she didn’t do it with any deception or ulterior motives. She wasn’t looking to trap him. She just genuinely enjoyed being with him.

  When he thought about it like that, Tucker wondered whether he hadn’t just been a fool all along to discount their relationship. Maybe they did have something. Everyone else seemed to think so.

  Bambi’s showing up there tonight was a dead giveaway that she thought so too. Clearly, she viewed Talia’s presence in his life as a threat—however wrong she might be. Bambi did not have a chance in hell of being his old lady. Although, he suspected, she wasn’t anywhere close to giving that notion up. She was a relentless one, he’d give her that.

  So Talia. What was he going to do about her?

  “How long do you want me to continue standing here?” Talia asked caustically. “My bedtime is rolling around, and I need to be up by O-eight hundred.”

  Tucker’s brows pulled together. Talia’s mouth flapped open and closed before it snapped shut like a steel vault. “O-eight hundred,” he drawled. “Got some military in your background, sugar?” That might make some sense, considering he’d had a damn hard time digging up anything on her.

  Her jaw clenched, and the way she squared her shoulders and held his stare only confirmed his suspicions. “What branch?”

  “My life,” she bit out, slinging his words back at him venomously, “past, present, or otherwise, isn’t on the table for discussion. And I think you know where the door is, so you can see yourself out.” She tried to break free of him, but he held on tighter, refusing to let her go.

  “No, sugar, I won’t be doing anything of the sort.” Against his better judgment and the little voice in his ear shouting that this wasn’t the plan, Tucker had made his decision. He was going to bite the bullet and let her in. It would likely come back to bite him in the ass, but what was life if you didn’t take risks.

  “You were right. We are past the superficial stage. So what do you say we rewind a bit and tell each other something about ourselves. Let’s start with your military background.”

  “I have a better idea,” she returned, “how about you let go of me and get out. Go back to your little ten by ten bedroom and play with your bunny rabbits and we’ll chalk this up to a good time shared between two people.”

  “Nope, that’s not going to work for me. Come. Sit. Talk.” He fairly dragged her into the bedroom and tossed her onto the bed, she was digging her heels in so hard. The funny thing was, the more she resisted him, the harder he wanted to push. Stubborn little thing. He had to laugh, given the absurdity of the situation. He’d never in his life have guessed that he’d be the one demanding to talk, but here he was.

  “Fine,” Talia huffed. If at all possible, her expression only hardened further, and Tucker knew it meant he was in for one hell of a night. “If we’re going to talk, it’s not me who’s going to start. So you’d better start singing like a damned canary, because until you do, you’re getting nothing from me.”

  The corners of Tucker’s eyes wrinkled, and his lips twitched. She was such a sweet thing, sitting there all contrite like she was, trying to play hardball with someone who’d played it longer and harder than anyone. Hell, hardball was practically his middle name.

  “Fine,” he said, his laughter coming through in his voice, “but if I go first, we’re doing it my way.”

  “What way is that?” she asked nervously as he shrugged off his jacket and began removing his clothes.

  With a crooked grin, Tucker said, “With us naked and me inside you.”

  ***

  Trussed up to the bed posts, just the way he liked them. Well, her. Talia looked fucking amazing spread eagle for him with her tits pointing toward the ceiling and her pussy on full display. He especially enjoyed the apprehension in her eyes.

  Yep, he was a twisted bastard, but hey, he liked his kink, and he wasn’t the least bit apologetic about it.

  “So this is what it’s come to? You have to tie a woman to the bed in order to keep her from running away?” she remarked. “Your past must be a real doozy to have to go this far. What are you, an axe murderer?”

  “Pussy slayer,” he amended as he rolled a condom on. “I hope you’re ready, sugar, because I’m going to destroy you so good tonight.”

  She barked a laugh, and it did wondrous things for her tits. Tucker swiped his fingers across his lips, checking for drool. “I can’t believe I let you talk me into this. I must be one sick bitch.”

  “I prefer to think of it as adventurous.” He tapped the inside of her thigh, telling her to spread out more. She did, and he climbed onto the bed and made his way up, filling the V between her open thighs with his mass.

  “So where do you want to start?”

  “With the club. When did you join and why?”

  Her delivery was snappy, full of attitude. He liked it. A lot.

  Tickling the inside of her thigh with light fingertips, he traced the curves of her body. “I found them years back when I was looking for a foothold, something to fill my time, and I liked what they stood for.”

  “Why did you need a foothold? Were you one of those troubled souls?”

  He traced the rise of her hip and her thigh flexed, her pelvis shifting away. Ticklish was she? “I was fresh out of the armed forces. It left a footprint that needed to be filled. The Spartans did that for me.”

  “What branch?” Talia asked, throwing yet another of his questions back at him.

  He studied her closely, weighing his answer. He wasn’t sure how much he wanted to reveal about himself, but looking into her eyes, he felt the barrier slipping. “Spec Ops,” he found himself saying. “Ever heard of it?”

  She nodded once but otherwise said nothing. Tucker continued. “They took me in, gave me a place to stay, friends, family. They understood me in a way no one else ever had. And they didn’t ask questions.” He gave her a pointed look, but she didn’t shy away in the least. She was completely unaffected by his attempt to cow her. Impressive. Just another reason he enjoyed his time with her so much. He liked a headstrong woman, someone who knew her own mind and didn’t bow down to anyone.

  His cock swelled.

  “Your turn.”

  Her lips pursed while she thought over what she wanted to say, and Tucker used that time to dabble around. Running his fingers across her abdomen, he enjoyed the way her stomach pitted in response to the sensations, and he liked it even more when he reached her clit and heard her breath hitch.

  Despite her complaint about being tied up and at his mercy, she was aroused. Intriguing.

  He had just dipped his finger between her silky lips when she said, “I was married once.”

  Tucker’s head shot up. “Married?” To another man? Instantly, red hot, inexplicable anger tore through him. He didn’t like the idea of another man seeing her like this, touching her like he was. It was unthinkable, and yet, logically, he knew she’d been with other men before. Of course she had. She was hardly a virgin, and she had picked him up in a bar, after all. Plus, there was that whole confession of having an ex-boyfriend that temporarily sent him on a tour of the crazy farm to consider. Far from innocent, indeed. But this was different. That guy had never had a face. With a little research, he could put a name and face to this guy, make him real. He didn’t like that at all. But his biggest concern: Why hadn’t this marriage come up when he’d looked into her?

  “For a whole year,” she said, but her words lacked the usual pride someone might have when reflecting on what should have been the highlight of their life.

  “What happened?” Tucker asked cautiously. He wanted to believe her, to link together the clues he’d somehow missed. “He die or somethin’?”

  “No, he’s alive and well. Probably dating someone who followed his every edict to the letter,” she said
with a bitter chuff. “That’s why we didn’t get along. He didn’t like my job, and I wasn’t willing to give it up.”

  “Sounds like a real ass.”

  Her smile was strained. “Thanks. So that’s what brought me out here. I wanted a fresh start, away from all the drama.”

  “I’m afraid you didn’t run far enough then, sugar. Doesn’t matter where you go, as long as there are people around, you’re gonna find drama.”

  She made a hum of agreement. “So what about you and Bambi. How did you get mixed up in that drama?”

  Tucker eased down on top of her, propping himself on his forearms. “Well, she kind of just…showed up one day,” he recalled. He’d met her during some spring bash something or other the brothers held. They were always celebrating something. He just knew that there was booze and broads, and he was there. He’d been sitting down with some friends playing cards and slinging back shots when she came over and invited herself into his lap. Tight body, nice smile, and loose. He didn’t bother telling her to leave.

  “So you hooked up and dated for a while? I thought you didn’t do the whole relationship thing.”

  “I didn’t. She just stuck around longer than most, and I was too lazy to tell her to hit the road. She was easy, and she was there. Simple as that.”

  “So you used her.”

  Tucker didn’t like the accusation in her voice. “Sugar, everyone uses everyone for something. The bunnies are there for sex and the possibility of snagging a Brother’s patch. The Brothers use the women to pass the time. It’s a give and take, and everyone knows what’s up.”

  Talia chewed her lip, mulling this over. “So I’ve basically just taken her spot,” she concluded.

  “How do you mean?”

  “I mean that Bambi moved out, and I moved in. I’m basically Bambi.”

  Tucker’s lips parted, finding it difficult to follow her line of thinking. What did she mean she was Bambi? The two didn’t look or act anything alike. “You’re not makin’ any sense, sugar.”

  “Bambi!” she insisted. “She stuck around too long, wore out her welcome, and now I’m doing it too.”

  Tucker couldn’t suppress his laughter. This woman…He pecked her on the nose. “You’re crazy, sugar. It’s cute.”

  She scowled. “I don’t find wearing out my welcome funny.”

  “What makes you think you’ve worn out anything? I happen to think that you’re settlin’ in just fine.” To prove his point, he rocked his hips forward, the tip of his cock penetrating her opening.

  Gasping, Talia’s back arched, pushing her breasts up against his chest. Tucker groaned, the feel of her body a delicious heat that tightened all his muscles and sent shockwaves down through his groin.

  “But…you don’t like serious. Just fun, remember?”

  “I’m not senile yet,” Tucker said, tilting his hips and giving her another inch. “I also remember you saying that ‘fun’ doesn’t work for you anymore.”

  “So…if we’re not having fun anymore, then what are we doing?”

  He watched her face, her perfect little teeth biting into her wet, plump bottom lip as he pushed in a little more. “Oh, sugar, we’re still having fun, but now? Now,” he said, his voice dropping to a low growl, “were going to try for something more.”

  TWENTY-NINE

  “Tell me a secret.” Talia lay in Tucker’s arms, warm and content after an evening of sex and debauchery. He was an adventurous one, pushing her limits. Even now, she couldn’t stop staring at the faint red marks circling her wrists where his shoelaces had bound her to the bed. It was such a sinful, dirty act.

  She loved every second.

  One hand resting on the center of his chest, the other tucked back behind his head, Tucker’s eyes were closed, his breaths slow and even, but she could tell by the faint smile on his lips that he was very much awake.

  “You’re probably the hottest woman I’ve ever had the pleasure of being inside of.”

  She batted his chest playfully. “What is that, a compliment?”

  “I thought so.”

  “Well, it sucked.” She grinned. “But I’ll take it.”

  “Good.”

  She was silent a beat, and then asked, “What did you think when you first saw me?” She thought back to when she’d gone inside that bar, sat down, and drew him into conversation. A biker with an edge. She could still feel her nerve endings vibrating, her stomach tumbling. If she was the hottest woman he’d ever been with, then he was hands down the hottest man she’d ever been with. Sometimes, when she looked at him, she had the oddest need to pinch herself to make sure she wasn’t dreaming.

  “When I first saw you?” He thought about it, holding her in suspense. Scratching his chest, he said, “I thought the wig was terrible, but I could see the potential even from a distance.”

  Talia froze, unable to process his words. “I’m sorry…what?”

  “The wig. Horrible. I much prefer your natural color.”

  “But…I…You…” she spluttered, struggling for words. An explanation. And excuse! He’d known it was her staking out the club all along?

  “Come on, sugar, you didn’t really think you fooled me with that getup.”

  “Yes, I did!” she screeched. Bolting upright, Talia clutched the sheet to her breasts, suddenly torn between running for the hills and reaching for her gun. The terror of what would happen next was very real. “Why didn’t you say anything before?”

  “It never came up,” he said simply. Opening his eyes, Tucker rolled onto his side and pegged her with his piercing stare. “What’s the big deal anyway? We’re here now. Isn’t that what you wanted?”

  God, yes, she had. Of course she did. It was her goal all along. But if he knew that’s what she wanted, why was he acting as if it was no BFD? “Why aren’t you mad? Why are you acting so understanding? We’re you just playing me this whole time?” Pot, meet kettle.

  “Playing you? Hardly,” he scoffed. “If anything, I’m flattered.”

  Talia reared back. “Flattered?” Was he insane? In what universe would a man like him be flattered to find out that a woman was using him to further an investigation…against him!

  “Sure. You sat outside the club for days. To be honest, I was starting to wonder if you were Five-O, since you didn’t roll with the rest of the bunnies. Then you followed me to the bar and plopped that fine ass down beside me and bougbarht me a drink, so I figured you were just shy. Or waiting for the right time to make your move. I gotta be honest, sugar, gettin’ picked up by a chick is about the sexiest thing in the world. Makes me hard just thinkin’ about it.” He reached down between his legs and shifted his growing erection.

  “You thought I was a cop?”

  “Don’t get many people staking out the compound unless they’re wearing a badge, you feel me?”

  Talia stared off into space, stunned speechless.

  “Hey, you good?” Tucker touched her arm, pulling her back to the present.

  Talia blinked, clearing her mind. “Oh, yeah, sure. For a moment there, I just thought…never mind.” She chuckled. Blew out a weighted breath and flopped back down on the bed, sending the sheets gusting up around her. As they settled, she confided, “I’m really glad you’re not mad, you know, that I stalked you.”

  “Hey, you didn’t boil any bunnies, so it’s all good.”

  She didn’t know whether he meant literal bunnies, or the female equivalent circulating around the club. To be honest, she didn’t really care. Talia was just so damned relieved that her cover wasn’t blown she could cry. As it was, with Bambi showing up at her door earlier, she felt like she had a tenuous hold on her identity. She was just waiting for the catalyst that would send her into freefall.

  Forcing herself to abandon the anxious thoughts, Talia rolled onto her side, too, facing Tucker head on. “I wouldn’t count your bunnies too soon. While I have a fondness for most of them, there’s one that I might make an exception for.”

  “Aw, s
ugar,” Tucker cooed. He brushed her hair back over her shoulder. It was so uncharacteristic of him, Talia couldn’t form words. But then his gaze dropped to her now exposed breasts, and she realized that it wasn’t out of character at all. He’d just been un-obstructing his view. “You’re not jealous are you?”

  “Please,” Talia sniffed delicately. “What have I got to be jealous about?”

  “Exactly my thoughts. But just to be clear, Bambi is no competition for you. You’ve got it all, sugar.” He leaned in then, lightly kissing her lips.

  “You’re just buttering me up for more sex,” she accused.

  “A man’s gotta do what a man’s gotta do.”

  The twinkle of mischief in his eyes was the most attractive thing about him in that moment. Talia couldn’t stop staring. She was mesmerized, lost in his charms, in his subtle humor. He affected her in ways Brock never had, ways that she knew would stick with her long after she moved on.

  She hated the idea of ever leaving. Easily, she could see why Bambi had grown so attached to both the man and the club. They were a world unto their own, making up their own rules, living by their own special code. They were fierce and loyal and intense in everything they did. It was what had attracted Tucker to the life, and it was why she was—even knowing it went against everything she’d been taught—could see herself sticking around.

  But it wasn’t meant to be. Maybe in another lifetime. For now, though, she would enjoy what time she had left.

  Crooking her finger, Talia laid back and said, “Come here and do what you gotta do then.”

  Tucker’s smile stretched across his face, and he dove in, capturing her in a kiss so hot, it made her toes curl.

  Then his phone rang. It was a cheery kind of tune, but he groaned unhappily when he heard it. Pulling away, Tucker reached for his rumpled jeans on the floor.