“No need, Thor. Mattie and I are going shopping; we’ll have enough to feed an army.”
I raised my hand to get his attention. “Oh, um, what’s Cody’s favourite meal to eat?”
Talon’s warm eyes turned to me. “Any kinda roast, kitten. Just like his dad.”
I looked over to Mattie and said, “Can you get me a leg of lamb?”
“Sure thing.” He smiled.
“He’ll love it, babe,” Talon said. “I’ll catcha later.”
Five seconds after Talon left, Blue walked in. Maybe I should lock that door one day, but now it seemed to be the traffic way for hot bikers.
“Hey, baby.” Blue grinned and walked—no, more like stalked— over to me, and ran the back of his hand down the side of my cheek. My eyes widened as he nodded over my shoulder to Julian and Mattie.
“Alrighty, we’re off down the street, hun,” Julian said. “If you think of anything else, text me, baby.” He raised his eyebrows up and down. Then he coughed under his breath, “Slut.”
I gave him an eye roll. “Uh, wait. Um...” I turned to Blue. “Shouldn’t we walk with them, to keep them covered?”
“Everything is set, baby. As soon as someone steps out of this house, another is upon them.”
Wow. Talon wasn’t taking any chances.
“We’re going in Julian’s car,” Mattie said.
“Don’t stress; you’ll be covered,” Blue said.
“Okay. Uh, guys, I’ll see you soon.” In other words, do not leave me alone long with Blue. Because seriously, what the heck was that about? Sure Blue had flirted before, but he’d never made contact with me.
After the front door closed, I gulped. Now I was in a house alone with yet another hot biker, but he wasn’t the one who was going to get the green-means-go sign into my panties.
“Blue—”
“No. Don’t say anything. I just want you to know, before and IF you and Talon take this further, I want my chance. I need you to know that Talon wasn’t the only one watching you. What makes me different is that while I was watching, I wasn’t doing anyone else. I think you’re incredible, Zara. I want you in every way.” He lay a kiss on my cheek and went over to the couch, sat down, and turned on the television.
Oh. My. God. What in the hell was that? No way, no flipping way. Blue wanted me. In every way.
Wait. What did he mean by while he was watching me, he wasn’t doing anyone else? Did that mean Talon had?
Oh, who was I kidding? Of course he was. I witnessed myself his whoring-ness.
I shook my head to clear it. I didn’t have time for this; I had enough on my mind. If I let that get to me, I’d be sitting in a corner rocking back and forth, sucking my thumb.
“I’m going to clean. Yeah, cleaning is good.”
Blue looked around the house. “Everything seems clean to me, baby.”
“No, no it isn’t.” I walked over to the couch and pointed to the carpet. “Look, can you see the crumbs?”
He leaned over, smiled, and said, “Nope.”
“They’re there.” I got to my hands and knees, shoving my head down nearly into the carpet. “See there? It’s really crummy.”
Blue laughed. “Sure, baby. Clean away.”
I got up, harrumphed, and added, “I have to dust first.”
By mid-afternoon, I had dusted, cleaned the bathrooms, bedrooms, and vacuumed. Now, I was in the kitchen making Blue and myself a sandwich for a late lunch. I felt kind of bad I hadn’t offered him anything before this time, so to make it up, he was not only getting two sandwiches, but a piece of chocolate mud cake, a coffee, and a soft drink. I placed them all on a tray and took them into the lounge where his behind was still planted on the couch, now laughing at Judge Judy on TV.
“Wow, baby. Maybe I should have confessed my devotion for you a long time ago if this is what I’m going to get.”
I blushed and stuttered, “U-uh, no. I mean, I’m sorry for not...for being busy all morning and forgetting lunch. Um, no devotion needed here.” I nodded and went back into the kitchen where my own lunch was waiting to be consumed.
I’d just sat down at the table when the phone rang. “Hello?” I answered.
“Why the frig have you not called me yet?” Deanna quietly hissed into the phone.
“Why would I call you at work?”
“Your brother and his partner popped in for a visit. They laughed at me, ‘cause I was as sweet as pie, no matter what I did; but then they informed me that Blue was all up in your face this morning. What happened?”
“Um, I can’t really talk right now.”
“The fuck you can’t...oh, I am so sorry, but I do not believe that is an option for you.” I laughed. Someone must have walked into the library to cause Deanna to change her tune like that. On another hiss she added, “Unless you want me to tell Maya about that time we smoked a joint when she was a baby and you ended up laughing so hard you cried ‘cause you thought you had an ugly ape baby, you had better start talking.”
That was a bit uncalled for. Not every baby was cute, and it just happened that Maya was one of them; didn’t mean I loved her less.
“Jeesh, alright. Hang on a sec’.” Taking my plate with me, I got up, walked out to the lounge where Blue gave me a knowing smirk. “Uh, I gotta take this. Be back.” And I quickly headed down the hall to my bedroom. “You ready?” I asked into the phone after sitting down near the pillows on my bed.
“What do you think? Hurry it up, woman, before I get a customer.”
“Okay, the quick low down. Blue came in, walked up to me, ran his hand down my cheek, and said ‘morning, baby.’ Mattie and Julian left. Then—oh my God, Deanna. Then he confessed that Talon wasn’t the only one watching me for two years. So had he. And he wants me in every way.”
“Holy David Hasslehoff,” Deanna yelled. “Sorry, sorry.” I knew she was apologizing to people at the library. “Heck, Zee. What are you going to do?” she whispered.
“Nothing.”
“What do you mean nothing?”
“Deanna, hun, he isn’t the one who gets my heart and loins racing when he walks into a room. Sure he is great looking, but...my-my heart already knows who it wants. Even if that guy can be a bossy, alpha-male ass sometimes. He’s all of those things, and mine.”
Silence on the other end. That was never good coming from Deanna.
“Deanna?”
“That’s good, Zee. I’m glad for you. Look I gotta go. See ya later, loser.” She sounded deflated, or her boss had just caught her on the phone once again.
“Yeah, okay, I’ll see you later.” When we’d have a serious talk.
After we’d hung up, I dropped the phone to the bed; a second later it rang again. I answered it with a chirpy, “Hello.”
Nothing but air on the other head.
“Hello?” I said again.
Zilch reply.
“Look if this is one of those heavy breathing idiots, go out and get a job.”
Still nothing.
My bedroom door was flung open, Talon stood there breathing hard. Two steps and he had the phone out of my hand and ended the call.
“Hey!” I glared.
“Kitten.” He closed his eyes and breathed deep. Upon opening them, he pulled me from the bed and wrapped his arms around me. Then whispered, “It was him.”
I froze. Somehow, I knew who he meant and it certainly wasn’t a random pervert.
“No.” I shook my head against his chest.
“I asked Violet to hook me up,” he said, still whispering. “We have your lines covered; you call out, we know who you’re calling. We can hear the conversation. Anyone who calls in and says nothing, we trace their number. He had the balls to use his own phone.”
“Talon,” I whispered.
“He won’t get to you. I promise.”
He was telling the truth, but I was still scared outta my brain.
“Let it roll on off you, kitten. Don’t let him win.”
Aga
in, all I could do was nod.
“What’s goin’ on?” A concerned Blue asked from the doorway.
“Nothin’ to concern you, brother,” Talon growled. He turned us both so we were facing Blue.
“I think it does, brother. I’m here to help aren’t I?”
“I think you’re fuckin’ here for other reasons, like hittin’ on my woman.”
My eyes widened. Blue looked to me. Did he think I said something?
“I-I never...”
“It’s all right, baby.” He smiled at me and turned a glare on Talon. “The phone call, right?” he asked.
Oh, crap’ola. Talon’s words came rushing back to me. We have your lines covered. He had heard everything I’d said to Deanna.
“Yes,” Talon snapped through clenched teeth. “But something you didn’t hear, and that Zara would never share, ‘cause she wouldn’t wanna hurt you, was that you aren’t the one that makes her heart race when you walk into a room. She already knows who she wants, and it ain’t fuckin’ you.”
“Talon.” I gasped. Because he was right, I never would have told Blue that.
“What, babe? At least I didn’t mention anything about your loins.” He chuckled. I buried my head in my hands and cringed.
“Well, congratu-fuckin-lations.”
I stood straight, my hand reached out to Blue. “Blue—”
“It’s all right, sweetheart.”
“No, it ain’t. Brothers don’t do that shit to each other. A brother never goes after what’s already another brother's. You knew I’d claimed Zara. What the fuck?”
“Come on, Talon. Look at her; she’s one sweet piece in every way. Most bitches around our area only want one thing, a cock to lay on and get off. I’m sick of that crap. I want more, and I saw that in Zara. I knew I was too late; I could see it in her eyes the way she looks at you. But you can’t hate me too much for trying.”
“We’ll fuckin’ see. Right now, we got other stuff to deal with. Get back to the compound. I’m takin’ my woman to get her kid.”
“I get it, Talon, loud and clear.”
“Blue—”
“Don’t stress, baby. S’all good.”
I nodded, looked to the floor, and without thinking, but feeling, I quietly said, “One day someone will come along, Blue, and you’ll know she’s it. She’ll do something that will blow your mind, and then she’ll be stuck there; and not a minute will go by that you won’t think about her. But that isn’t me, and I’m sorry.”
“Fuck,” he hissed. “See what I’m talkin’ ‘bout, brother? She’s got class, balls—especially to stand up to you, and sweetness. A total package.”
“I know that, brother,” Talon said. “Why’d you think I stopped stuffin’ around and grabbed her while I could? I’m just lucky enough she’s willin’ to grab me back.”
I pulled my lips between my teeth so I wouldn’t cry. This was a wonderful moment in my life.
It wouldn’t be until much later that I remembered about the phone call.
Chapter Eleven
Blue left just as Mattie and Julian arrived home with their arms filled with groceries. It was lucky they had the help of Vic, another of Talon’s guys, to carry it all in. Vic had short blond hair, blue eyes, was tall, and slim, though you could tell he’d still hold his own in a fight. Or if he couldn’t, he’d probably scare a bloke with the permanent scowl he had going on. Though, I wasn’t totally sure that scowl was permanent; it could have been there for the fact that Mattie and Julian had tortured him all day, dragging him here and there.
“The sex shop was the funniest.” Julian cackled just before Talon and I walked out the front door to collect Maya from school. Talon found that hilarious, where I found it worrisome. Because if it wasn't for me and my...situation, Vic wouldn't have been put in that spot in the first place.
Poor Vic; he’ll end up hating me.
“Kitten,” Talon said, as I walked quietly beside him.
“Yeah?” I looked over at him.
“Wanna talk ‘bout your loins and how they race for me?”
I blushed, pulled my hand free of his, and shoved him. “No, jerk. Want to talk about the fact that you didn’t mention doing anything to my phone in the first place?”
“No. I’m glad I didn’t. Or I wouldn’t have found out what your heart already wanted...me.”
“Yeah, right. I was actually talking about the postman. Hoo-wee he gets me going.”
Talon stopped and whipped me into his arms. “Don’t. Don’t joke about this, kitten. I may be teasin’, but I’m so fuckin’ full to the brim with...gratefulness to hear that come outta your mouth. You had me worried that I was the only one feeling this; but now I know I’m not, and it makes me happy for the first time in a hell of a long time.”
“Talon—”
It was then, in the middle of the street, not far from Maya’s school, that he kissed me. And it wasn’t only lust riding the kissable train this time, but some feelings had jumped aboard as well.
It was magical.
We were standing out the front of Maya’s class, receiving a lot of stares. Mainly because I had never showed up to collect Maya with a male before, and the way Talon was hugging me to his front, it was undeniable that we weren’t just friends. That was when I saw Maya—who was usually the first one out—come out last with the teacher following her.
“Uh-oh,” I said.
“Relax, babe. Can’t be that bad; Maya’s a good kid.”
“Hmm.” We’ll see about that. He has never been with her down the street when she wasn't getting what she wanted. I swear she becomes possessed by the devil.
“Hi, Miss Edgingway,” Mrs. Faith said on a sigh.
“What’s wrong?” I asked. Though she wasn’t looking at me, even when she greeted me, her eyes were on Talon. Did he have that effect on all ages? Because I was sure Mrs. Faith was at least sixty.
“Um—”
And she’d never done that before; I didn’t think um was in her vocabulary.
She shook her head and focused back on me. “Do you mind if we have a word alone for a minute?”
“Sure. Maya, honey, why don’t you go and show Talon the play area?”
“Okay, Momma.” She pulled my sleeve so I was eye-to-eye with her. “Just remember it was real important I done what I done.” With that, she spun away, grabbed Talon’s hand, and skipped off while Talon walked beside her to the play equipment.
A moment later, I realized I wasn’t the only one enjoying the view. Though I wasn’t staring at Talon’s butt like Mrs. Faith was. I was admiring how great it looked for Maya to have Talon beside her, as he looked down listening to something she was saying and then burst out laughing.
I cleared my throat. “Sooo,” I started.
“Yes, I am sorry to tell you this, but we had an incident today that involved Maya. We don’t condone violence at this school; and honestly, I was shocked that your daughter decided to use such force when she got angry at another student. I have had words with her, as I am sure you will as well. Please make sure that she will not lead down that path again.”
“What actually happened?”
“Maya hit another child in the stomach, quite hard actually. She didn’t like something the other student had said to her. Of course, we both know that even if she doesn’t like something, it should never come to violence to get her message across.”
“Yes, of course. And I will be speaking to her about this matter this afternoon. I am terribly sorry for what has happened. But, um, can I ask what was said?”
“I think I will leave that up to Maya to inform you. Have a good weekend, Miss Edgingway.”
“Yes. Uh, thank you, Mrs. Faith.”
She turned and scuttled off into her classroom. Old stuffy bat, I was sure it wasn’t as bad as it sounded.
I sighed. Time to find out what my little monster had done. I walked around the corner and saw red. Talon was standing by the side of the play equipment watching Maya being a
monkey, swinging from one bar to another. That was fine; what I didn’t like was what was standing by Talon. Okay, maybe I shouldn’t say what; it was a she. Stacey MacDonald. The sluttiest of all sluts. And okay, maybe I shouldn’t say that, because I hardly knew the lady. But I’d heard enough about her. All the mothers talked about how much she flirted with all the fathers and male teachers at the school. And right now, she was running a hand down Talon’s arm, and they were laughing at something she’d just said.
I stalked over, walked around her to Talon’s other side, and wrapped my arms around his middle.
“Oh, Zara. Hi.”
I grinned, but glared. “Yeah, hi Stacey.” I turned my gaze to Talon and gentled my look. “You ready to go, honey?”
He smirked, his lips twitching. Was he seriously fighting not to laugh right now?
“Sure, kitten. Maya, we’re goin’.”
“Ok,” Maya called. She knew she was about to get into trouble, because usually it would take at least five times for me to call her for her to actually listen.
Stacey cleared her throat. “Right, bye, Zara. Talon, I’ll see you around some time.”
WTF?
“Um, no. I don’t think you will, Stacey. I plan on keeping Talon very busy for a very long time.”
She rolled her eyes. “Sure, Zara.”
I shook my head, grabbed Talon’s hand in mine and took Maya’s hand within the other, and left.
Stupid, slutty wench.
Talon leaned into me and whispered, “Do you wanna piss on me as well, kitten?” Then he chuckled.
“Not funny, Talon.”
“What’s not funny, Ma?”
“Nothing, honey. Now, any chance you want to tell me what happened today?”
She groaned. “I had to do it, Momma. Toby was bein’ mean.”
“Maya, what was Toby saying or doing that was so bad to receive a punch in the stomach?”
Talon chuckled. I elbowed him in the ribs, and sent him my evil glare. He shut up, but a grin stayed upon his lips.
“It was my turn for news—”
Born to Ride Page 60
