There wasn’t much to choose from. Apples, oranges, bananas, and a mix of various berries was the extent of their fruit. Vegetables weren’t much better. I grabbed what I thought I could eat and placed the lettuce and bananas into my basket before turning toward the lunch meat area. It was a small three compartment refrigerator with both local and big name brand meats and cheeses.
Further down the wall sat another, larger, set of freezer and refrigerator combos where it appeared they kept frozen meals.
The bell over the front door chimed, but the choice between frozen sweet and sour chicken and pepper steak was an all-consuming one.
“You can’t ever go wrong with sweet and sour chicken,” a deep yet familiar voice remarked from behind me.
“Are you stalking me, Mr. Becker?” I asked, placing the sweet and sour in my basket as I turned.
“I think you can only classify it as stalking if I don’t have a legitimate reason to also be where you are.”
“And do you?”
The corner of Talon’s mouth lifted into a lopsided grin as he leaned toward me and reached past me into the cooler to grab a box of the frozen Chinese food from the shelf.
“I’d say food is a pretty good reason wouldn’t you?” he said, his sweet breath fanning my face.
Goosebumps rippled over my flesh, and my nipples drew up, pressing against the thin satin material of my bra. Talon’s jaw was covered in the scruff of not shaving for a few days. Some men just looked ragged but not him. He made it seem designer even if it wasn’t.
“Yeah, I mean…I guess you need to eat.”
He chuckled.
What the hell was wrong with me? I guess you need to eat? Who the hell said shit like that? Talon Becker was a different type of man; that much was certain. I’d never been the sort who was shy or had troubles around men. If anything, I knew what I wanted and went after it, which is why I had more month long flings than I did long term relationships. I got bored easily and so seldom stayed in one spot, so I didn’t see much point. However, it made my actions and word vomiting that much more suspicious.
“I’m sorry. That was a really dumb thing to say. Of course you need to eat, and you have every right to come to the grocery store in your home town. If anything I’m the one out of place here. I’m sorry again. I don’t know what the hell is wrong with me. My mouth just seems to keep going, so I’ll just shut up now.”
My cheeks heated intensely.
“You’re good, Genevieve,” he said, giving my arm a gentle squeeze.
The sound of my name on his lips was sinfully delicious. His touch was warm and like an electrode shocking my system all at once. It raised every hair on my arms and sent a jolt down my spine.
“I’m actually really glad I ran into you.”
“You are?” I replied.
“Yeah. I know I was an ass before, but I’d really like to make it up to you. I’d like to be your guide and help you find the camp you’re looking for. It’s really the least I can do after everything. That is, if you’d have me?”
“I’ll never turn down good help and local knowledge.”
“Great. We can figure out a time and go out along the ridge. You can get a really good view of the whole valley from up there and a decent idea of what’s what.”
The bell chimed above the door before I could respond and interrupted my train of thought. Justin with his lopsided grin spotted us and headed straight for us.
“Hey guys. What do you know? It’s the most boring awesome store featuring the three most amazing people in this town all at the same time,” he chirped, too damn happy for his own good.
“What the fuck are you talking about, J?” Talon pressed.
“In case it escaped your notice, this store is a joke compared to a normal supermarket, but who the hell wants to drive almost forty minutes to the closest one. It has food though, so it’s okay in my book. Plus, we’re the three coolest people in this town.”
“And the least misogynistic as far as I can tell,” I added, glancing back toward the door.
Tension rolled off Talon, and he wouldn’t look at me.
“Super trooper Fred, I take it?” Justin asked sympathetically.
I nodded. “Yeah, not just him though. It’s been more like a general theme with three quarters of the men over fifty. I get that I’m an outsider, fresh meat, whatever…but the whole you have a coochie, so you should know your place bullshit is getting real old, real fucking quick.”
“Do you want me to fork their yards? Oh, better yet, how about I burn a big fat pussy into their front yard. That’ll teach them,” Justin offered.
I chuckled. “I appreciate the offer, but I think maybe we should avoid anything that could come back on you with destruction of property charges or a potential law suit.”
“Forks don’t leave any permanent damage,” Justin remarked, his face dead serious.
I chuckled, more than a little amused by his antics. I didn’t have any siblings, but Justin felt like the overprotective big brother I’d never had.
“I’m going to pretend I’m not hearing any of this,” I said, shaking my head and spying Talon’s intense gaze out of the corner of my eye.
His eyes were fixed on me, not in a threatening way but the sort of way that gave me the impression he was committing every detail of my profile to memory. Something like that would usually be super weird for me, yet with Talon, it felt somehow meaningful, like for the first time, someone was seeing the real me. Every gritty detail of me and facing it head on. It wasn’t something I’d ever experienced. It was then that I really began to look at him.
His hair was longer on top with the sides shaved, and his cheeks were covered in the scruff of the previous few days. His eyes were blue, like the pale blue of a fresh morning sky, with a prominent brow that gave him an intense edge. His nose looked like it had been broken at least once before and reset though it left a noticeable ridge. Talon’s arms were wrapped in thick muscle which attached to broad, sturdy shoulders. His legs were long; pushing his height to well over six feet tall. The man looked like he could probably compete in a body building competition and win easily. I tried not to let my gaze linger on the pronounced bulge in his pants, but it made my mouth water just to think of it.
“Earth to Gen. Seriously, you two? Do you really have to eye fuck each other right in front of me?” Justin teased with his faux complaint.
It was just enough to break whatever spell Talon had cast over me. My cheeks and the tips of my ears were on fire and undoubtedly an unflattering shade of cherry red.
“I, erm, yeah…sorry,” I mumbled, wishing I could vanish into thin air until they forgot about it.
“Shut the hell up, J. Can’t you see you’re embarrassing her?” Talon reprimanded.
Talon’s tone wasn’t harsh, but it was filled with seriousness and an unspoken threat to quit making me uncomfortable or else. I was tough; I could handle such things on my own, but knowing he was looking out for me and had my back was new, exciting, and made me slightly uncomfortable all at once. Was he going to expect something in return? It was my experience that people seldom did things for altruistic purposes. They always wanted something in return.
No one said anything. More likely, like me, they didn’t know what to say. I glanced down at my meager basket, remembering what I was there for.
“I’m sorry; I don’t mean to be rude, but I need to get going. I’ve still got to pay for all this and get the frozen stuff taken care of before they thaw.”
The basket was getting heavier the longer I stood idle. While I could’ve stood there talking to the guys all day, the hungry ache in my belly refused to be ignored.
“Shit, yeah. Sorry to be holding you up,” Justin stammered. He laughed awkwardly, “I know how hangry I get when people come between me and a meal.”
I smiled warmly. “Oh yeah, I turn into a bear when I’m hungry.”
Instead of chuckling like I expected, Justin looked worried and glanced at Talon.
The mountain man’s nostrils were flared like he was a damn animal trying to scent something. Did I smell? Had I accidentally stepped in dog crap or something? It was weird and making me unusually self-conscious. Why did I even care what they thought? I already knew the answer to that though. As much as I didn’t like admitting it, I liked these two. They were the closest thing friends for me since I was 12 in Montecito.
“Anyways, yeah. I should get going, but it was great to see both of you again! Maybe we can grab a beer over the weekend?”
“Yeah, I’d like that,” Justin replied, but Talon remained quiet, contemplative.
“Fabulous. I’ll see you boys later.”
I stepped away and made my way toward the check-out counter. It felt like they were still watching me, but I wouldn’t turn around to check. The two men were strange; the whole town was but those two in particular.
“Hello, dear. Did you find everything you were looking for?” the elderly woman asked as I began to place my basket of items on the counter.
“Hi. Yes, I did. Thank you.”
Her tag read Gladys, and she reminded me of the grandmother from Little Red Riding Hood. She just exuded warmth and welcoming, but I distinctly did not recognize her from my initial interviews.
“You must be the new police officer everyone’s been talking about. I’m Gladys, sweetie. If you need anything or any help settling in, you just let me know. I’d be more than happy to lend a hand.”
Gladys’s offer hit me right in the feels. It was the first time since arriving in Elk Springs a local had been kind and inviting, aside from Justin and Talon.
“Thank you, Gladys. I really appreciate that. Do you live here in Elk Springs?” I asked, making small talk as the woman scanned my items.
I was nervously watching the total creep higher. Despite being highly educated and having a decent career, I’d buried myself in college debt. Anymore, every month was tightly budgeted. I’d been paying double my loan payments just to get rid of it faster, but I wasn’t going to lie, it sucked donkey balls in the meantime.
“Oh no, dear. I live in Massadona, the next town over,” Gladys explained, hitting the total button as she placed the last item into a paper bag. “That’ll be forty-three fifty-two.”
Ouch.
I fished around my wallet, trying to find my debit card. Beginning to panic when I couldn’t find it, I remembered I’d stashed it in my phone case so I’d have it with me all the time. Before I could pull it out, a muscled forearm slapped a fifty-dollar bill on the counter.
I followed the arm up to find Talon Becker’s intense eyes looking down at me. The side of his mouth ticked up in a half smile. I was stunned into total inaction.
“It looks like you’ve made some friends in your short time here,” Gladys remarked, giving the two of us a knowing glance.
She swiped the bill and quickly produced change, placing it in Talon’s waiting hand. I couldn’t even form words beyond incomprehensible sounds and rounded eyes.
“Uh, thanks,” I said, finally finding my bearings.
I grabbed the bag and speed walked out of the store toward my truck. I didn’t need anyone taking pity on me. It was one of my biggest pet peeves of all time. Taking care of myself and my needs were things I took pride in, and Talon Becker paying for my groceries felt like a slap in the face. Like I couldn’t do it myself. I knew I should be grateful, but irritation burned through me.
Climbing into the truck, I put the bag on the passenger side and plopped down into my seat.
Talon’s meaty hand rapped against my window, catching me off guard. I jumped in my seat.
“Shit!”
I glanced over to see concerned blue eyes glued to me. I turned the key forward and rolled down the window.
“Are you alright? You ran out of there like you’d seen a ghost,” Talon asked.
“I’m fine,” I said bitterly.
Talon’s expression changed in a flash from concern to shock like he’d just been slapped.
“I’m sorry, Agent Mendoza. Have I done something to offend you?”
By then, I was spitting angry. The sort of mad where I knew I was being irrational and unkind, but I couldn’t stop myself and the anger from boiling over and burning whoever was closest.
“What the hell was that?”
“What was what?”
“That! Paying for my damn groceries like I was some charity case. I didn’t need your help. I’m completely capable of taking care of myself, and I had it under control.”
“Look, I’m really sorry. I didn’t mean anything by it, honest. You looked like you were having a hard time finding your money. I’ve been there. It sucks being put on the spot like that, but please try to see things from my perspective for a moment. I’ve been more fortunate than most in my life. If I have the means to help someone else out, and I don’t, then what sort of man would that make me? I can tell you the answer. The sort of man my momma wouldn’t be too proud of. So I’m sorry if I’ve stepped on your toes. I was just trying to help.”
And just like that, it was as though he’d stuck a pin in my pissy balloon.
“I appreciate the sentiment, but I have to insist on paying you back. People never do something for nothing, and I don’t want any debts looming over my head.”
“I’m really sad that’s been your experience. I hope one day someone can show you that there are good people out there who’d want to help you just for the satisfaction of knowing they made your life a little better. If it means that much to you, you can pay me back, but it’s really not necessary.”
“I insist. I’ll have to swing by a bank later today.”
“How about this. You said you needed help tracking down some people in the area. I work for the Moffatt County Search and Rescue Squad and know these woods like the back of my hand. I’d be happy to help you find whoever you’re looking for; be your guide, if you will. What do you say?” Talon offered.
“I can’t say it wouldn’t be immensely helpful, but I don’t see how that is me repaying you. If anything, that’s me being more indebted to you,” I pointed out.
“Okay, we’ll do dinner, too. One dinner and we can call it square.”
“Are you asking me out?”
“If that’s what you want to call it, sure,” he replied.
“I don’t date. Especially not on assignment. Sorry, I think I’ll have to pass on the date, but if you’re still willing to give me a hand with the search, I’ll make you lunch every day we’re out and pay you back for my bill today.”
Talon sighed, “You’re a tough negotiator. All right, if that’s what you want to do, we can. Who am I to turn down a meal?”
“The negotiating comes with the job description, I promise. When would you be free to start?” I asked.
He thought about it for a second, scratching the back of his head.
“How about tomorrow? I can meet you up by the trail head around ten if that works for you?”
I nodded. “That’s perfect. I’ll bring you what I owe you, and we can get to work.”
Talon smiled. “Deal.”
“Here’s my card in case something comes up or you need to reach me for whatever reason,” I said, digging out one of my business cards from my wallet and handing it over.
His fingers brushed mine as he took the card from me, sending zings of excitement up my arm. Gooseflesh rippled over my entire body. I saw the tiny hairs on Talon’s arms stand on end, too. Had he felt whatever that was? I brushed it off. Mutual zings? That sort of crap was for the movies, not real life.
“Thanks. I’ll see you at ten sharp tomorrow,” he said, turning around and heading for his truck on the far side of the lot.
“Way to make yourself look like an ungrateful ass,” I whispered to myself, letting my head fall back against the headrest.
I turned the key forward, and the engine roared to life. Backing out of the spot, I headed toward the motel to drop my things off. My to-do list had just grown three-fold if we we
re hitting the search starting tomorrow. I was ready to finally catch the bastard and throw him into a hole he’d never escape, but in the interim, I needed to prepare.
Chapter 5
Talon
Agent Mendoza was independent; that much was very clear, but I couldn’t help feeling like there was so much more to her story than I knew. Life experiences were the driving force behind that sort of mentality, and I knew next to nothing about her, but I was determined to change that.
The faint scent of arousal lingered in my nose. She was intoxicating in every way. Just as quickly as it had come, it was gone. She’d felt the bond between us, I could tell by the way her pheromones flooded the air, and goose bumps covered her. She was mine; she just didn’t know it yet.
By the time I reached my home, she was all I could think about. Every small change in expression, every quirk of her lips, and the fire in her attitude played over again.
I was a mess.
It hadn’t been this bad even as a teenager. Now, even at thirty, I was spending all my time around her trying to hide my erection and not come off as a desperate chump. A game plan, that was what I needed. Things wouldn’t calm down until we were mated though I doubted I’d ever have enough of her.
The time we’d have up on the mountain was the perfect time to get to know each other and let things try to evolve naturally. Well, as naturally as it could be considering I was an eagle and already knew she was my destined mate. There was still that big dumb feathered elephant looming over the two of us. Maybe she’d take it well, and maybe she wouldn’t.
I made dinner and ate quietly, contemplating every different possible scenario. By the time I was lying in bed, I was beginning to feel fairly confident about the next morning. Hell, I was practically as giddy as a school girl. It took a few hours, but finally my nerves and excitement died down enough to fall asleep.
I woke to the scent of fur filling my nostrils. Instantly, I was on high alert. Someone was in my territory. A shifter. It was a scent I’d smelled before though. In the woods right after I’d met Genevieve for the first time.
Fly Me Home (Rescue Squad Shifters Book 1) Page 5
