Collide (Talon Security Series Book 3)

by Megan O'Brien

  I didn’t realize they’d reached out to my potential employers. But I was skeptical. “He’ll break it.” I sighed.

  “We want him to,” Declan countered. “We’ll have legal recourse to throw his ass in jail.”

  “Sweetheart, this is just step one. Remember I said we were going hunting? That includes digging up every bit of dirt there is on Evan. His father, too.”

  “Will that be dangerous?” my mom asked worriedly. “His family still has a lot of power.”

  “Not as powerful as we are.” Theo shook his head confidently. “Don’t worry about that, June. I have it covered. Now if you all don’t mind, I’d like to take my girl on a date.”

  I blushed at his declaration in front of everyone.

  “Have a good time, kids,” my dad said around a mouthful of pie. “I’d tell you to have her home by eleven, but I guess you all are already sharing a bed,” he chortled.

  “Dad!” I groaned in humiliation.

  Theo chuckled. “Go get ready, sweetheart.”

  “Anything that gets me out of this room,” I agreed readily, practically running for the stairs.

  It only occurred to me after the fact that I had no idea where we were going and therefore I had no idea what to wear.

  After a quick shower, I picked out a yellow spaghetti-strapped sundress that hit just above the knee and hugged my waist, and cowboy boots, figuring that would work just about anywhere we went in town.

  Char appeared just as I was staring at my reflection in consternation. “Let me do your hair and makeup.” She smiled.

  “Thank you.” I sighed gratefully, sitting on the closed toilet seat so that she could work her magic.

  “Where are you guys going?” she asked as she twisted the curling iron through my brown locks.

  “I have no idea,” I replied, my eyes popping wide. “Wait. Do you think I was supposed to come up with something? I’m the one that grew up here. He’d have no idea where to even go. Not that there are many options.”

  She laughed. “Something tells me Theo is resourceful. I wouldn’t worry about it.”

  She soon moved to my makeup as I sat trying not to fidget. “Is Dec still being weird?” I asked.

  She snorted. “I don’t know what he’s like normally, so I’m not sure. But I’m going to go with yes. I’m just giving him a wide berth. Definitely ready for him to go back to Los Angeles.”

  “I’m so sorry, Char,” I murmured.

  She shrugged. “His loss, right?”

  “Damn right,” I replied emphatically.

  “There you go. You look gorgeous, if I do say so myself.” She grinned.

  I stood up to look at her handiwork. My normally straight brown hair was curled into gentle waves that framed my face. My brown eyes looked larger than normal, framed by long lashes, and my cheeks glowed with whatever the hell she’d put on them.

  “I wish I could carry you around in my pocket,” I breathed.

  “I don’t think Owen would fit.” She winked. “Have fun, Sarah. You deserve it.”

  I wrapped her in my arms for a quick hug. “So do you, and don’t you forget it,” I reminded her firmly before letting go.

  When I hit the last stair, a low wolf whistle met my ears. “You look amazing.” Theo grinned, pulling me into his arms at the base of the stairs.

  Thankfully and miraculously, no one was around. I’d about reached my max of PDA in front of my parents.

  “Thanks,” I replied. “You look good, too.”

  Good was an understatement. He’d showered, the delicious smell of his body wash still clinging to him, and he’d put on a white T-shirt and jeans. His look was simple but oozed sex appeal.

  “Where are we going anyway? And if you need ideas, I can—”

  He held up a hand. “I have it all figured out. Let’s get into the truck.”

  I eyed him curiously, accepting his hand as he led us out into the sunshine. It was early yet, we had hours before sundown, but the heat had thankfully dissipated some.

  “You going to tell me where we’re going?” I asked after he’d backed out of the drive and hit the road. “We’re turning?” I asked in confusion when he took the left adjacent to my parents’ ranch and the cabin he was renting.

  “I thought since I’ve had to share you so much already that we’d do a little something different tonight,” he shared as the truck bounced on the dirt road. “I found this meadow right beyond the cabin. I thought we’d have a picnic. That sound okay?”

  I grinned, loving the idea. “More than okay,” I agreed.

  In fact, it might just be my idea of the perfect date.

  Chapter 11

  On a blanket spread out underneath a huge oak tree, I sat between Theo’s thighs, leaning against his chest.

  Full from the elaborate spread that he admitted my mom had helped put together, and relaxed from the wine we’d been sharing, I felt utterly content for the first time in I couldn’t remember how long.

  “It’s beautiful here, isn’t it?” I murmured, gazing out at the expanse of meadow in front of us framed by mountains in the distance.

  “It is,” he agreed. “I have to admit I pictured something far different when I first read up on your little town.”

  I craned my neck to look up at him. “What did you picture? Tumbleweeds, tractors, and rednecks?”

  He chuckled. “Maybe. I didn’t expect the land to be so open. The sky is different here—it’s so huge. It’s peaceful.”

  “That’s how I’ve always felt about it,” I agreed, looking up at the expanse of blue before glancing his way, finding him deep in thought. “What?”

  “You obviously love it here. Your family’s amazing, Sarah. I’ve really enjoyed getting to know them, but….” He appeared to struggle with what to say.

  “You want to go back to Los Angeles,” I finished for him.

  “I want us to go back to Los Angeles,” he corrected. “I need some of the resources at headquarters, and I have a job lined up in a few weeks I can’t back out of. I’d be much more comfortable having you close to the rest of the team while I’m gone.”

  “Where are you going?” I asked quietly.

  “Colombia. And unfortunately, that’s about all I can tell you.”

  I sucked in a breath. “Don’t people get kidnapped there?”

  “That’s what I’m there to prevent, sweetheart,” he replied calmly.

  For the first time, despite working for Talon for two years, it hit me how dangerous his job really was.

  “Hey.” He turned me inside the apex of his thighs to face him. “Sarah, this is what I’m trained for.”

  I looked up into his earnest face and nodded. “I know. Of course I knew what you did was dangerous. It just feels different now,” I tried to explain.

  His gaze searched mine. “Why?”

  I debated what to say, how much to share.

  “Why, Sarah?” he pressed.

  “Because I care about you,” I blurted.

  His nostrils flared. “Yeah, well I care about lots of things, but let me tell you how I feel about you,” he replied. “I love what I do—for years it was just about all I had. But I’d give it up if you needed to stay here. Because everything I had before doesn’t come close to having you. I’m in love with you, Sarah. Have been for a long time.”

  I sucked in a breath as his face blurred behind a sheen of tears. “You—you love me?” I squeaked.

  His answering grin was full of tenderness. “Yes, silly girl. I love you.”

  “I love you, too,” I murmured.

  “Thank God,” he groaned. “With that care about you bullshit, I thought I was in the same category as your goats or something.”

  I smacked his chest and he grabbed my hand, pulling me into his body. “Say it again,” he demanded quietly.

  “I love you,” I replied, the words coming much easier now.

  He smiled, satisfied, and pulled my face to his, skimming his lips over mine before sinking in f
or a deeper kiss.

  I straddled his legs, wrapping my arms around his neck, pulling him closer. His answering groan spurred me on as I ground myself into his thickening arousal.

  I wanted more, but one thought had me hesitating. “Do you—do you think he could be watching?” I asked breathlessly as I broke away to scan the trees behind us.

  “No,” he was quick to assure me. “But I don’t want you worried about that. Let’s pack up.”

  I pouted at the thought that I’d just brought our date to a screeching halt.

  “The cabin’s empty,” he shared with a lifted brow. “Declan stayed on the ranch to keep an eye on things. He won’t leave until we get back.”

  I swallowed hard. “Okay.”

  He stepped into my space, pulling me into his body by the waist. “We go as slow as you want, Sarah. I just want some time to explore you.”

  That sounded more than okay, so I nodded.

  We packed up our picnic and walked hand in hand in the twilight. I was beginning to feel nervous as the cabin came into view. Theo took care of that by dropping the basket by the steps and sweeping me up into his arms.

  With a squeal, I kicked my feet, laughing as he carried me inside and shut the door behind us before sitting on the couch with me in his lap.

  He looked up into my smiling face. “Is it too cheesy to ask, where were we?”

  “Definitely,” I agreed with a laugh, feeling much more at ease. “But,” I murmured as I straddled his lap, “I think we were about here.”

  “Ah, right,” he replied as I swept down for a kiss. He let me lead as I shifted in his lap, trying to find just the right pressure, and experimented with kissing him deeper.

  I could feel his body coil tight. He was clearly holding himself back, and for now I needed him to.

  Finally, when my body was practically screaming for more, I let loose a whimper I scarcely recognized. He shifted us so that I was on my back and he lay on his side next to me.

  “Why don’t we move to a bed?” I asked breathlessly. The couch was deep enough for both of us, but a bed would give us more room.

  He kissed my neck. “Because Dec’s been sleeping there and I don’t want you in another man’s space,” he murmured against my skin as his fingers skimmed at the base of my shirt, slipping underneath to my bare skin.

  He bent down to kiss me as his hand found my bra-covered breast, his fingers grazing my nipple with deliciously gentle strokes.

  I arched into his hand, wanting more.

  He pinched and rolled in response, eliciting a moan from me I couldn’t have held back if I tried.

  “I want to make you come more than I want my next breath.” He groaned as his hand slid up my legs to the apex of my thighs. “Is this okay?” he asked.

  I bit my lip and nodded. This was getting into territory I wasn’t as sure about, but I wanted to try.

  “Tonight’s all about you, Sarah. I’m going to make you come, then we’re going to go back to the ranch and I’ll hold you all night. Okay?”

  He was setting boundaries for me that I hadn’t known I needed.

  At my nod, his fingers danced over my core, which was screaming for his touch as he brought me closer and closer to the brink. Finally, after I thought I’d die if he didn’t, he delved into my panties, his fingers sliding through the wetness he’d created.

  “Oh God,” I rasped as he slid one finger inside me, then two, making me gasp and arch under his touch.

  I’d never felt like this before—this tenderness and trust mixed with passion.

  My skin grew hot, a trickle of sweat sliding between my breasts as I crested higher and higher.

  “I’ve got you, babe.” His throaty murmur sent me right over the edge, calling his name.

  He removed his fingers but kept his hand pressed over my core as I panted for breath. He kissed my neck, and I turned to meet his lips for a gentle kiss.

  “You are so beautiful,” his voice was awestruck, and there was no doubt he meant it.

  I rolled onto my side, dislodging his hand, and snuggled into his body. He wrapped an arm around me and I lifted a leg over both of his, wanting to be as close to him as possible.

  “Okay?” he asked as his hand stroked over my hip.

  “Great.” I sighed. “Are you sure you’re…?” I trailed off. The fact he was still aroused was hard to ignore.

  “I’m great. More than,” he assured me. “We’ll get there. Doesn’t need to be tonight.”

  I nodded against his chest, so thankful for his patience and the fact that he seemed to know what I needed even more than I did.

  “I’ll go with you,” I told him quietly. “Back to LA, I mean.”

  He tensed briefly before letting out a relieved sigh. “Thank Christ,” he chuckled.

  I pulled back to look at him. “Can we stay just a few more days? Maybe I can give Char another day to herself and spend some time with Owen.”

  “Sure, sweetheart. I’ll book our flights for the end of the week.”

  “Will I— Where will I stay?”

  “With me,” he answered without hesitation. “In my bed, under my roof. And if I get my way, that’s where you’ll stay always.”

  Wow, that was certainly something to take in.

  “I’ve never seen your house before,” I mused.

  “It’s nothing special.” He shrugged. “Kind of a bachelor pad,” he admitted, as though realizing that for the first time. “We can find something else if you don’t like it.”

  “I’m sure it’ll be fine.” I fought a grin at his concern.

  “What’s so funny?” he demanded lightly.

  “You.” I grinned, letting a laugh escape. It was endearing how much he obviously cared that I liked his home.

  “You think I’m funny?” he mock growled, his gentle touch turning into a tickle.

  “Don’t!” I shrieked as he moved to my neck. “I’ll pee on you!” I laughed hysterically.

  “Kinky.” He grinned.

  I slapped at his chest and he stopped. We both grinned at each other like lovesick fools. “Ready?”

  “Ready,” I agreed.

  He might have been asking about going back to my folks’ house, but I was answering for so much more.

  Chapter 12

  Four days later found me seated beside Theo as our plane took off over the Montana skyline, headed for California.

  “Okay?” he asked, lifting our joined hands to his mouth for a kiss.

  It had been difficult saying goodbye to my family, particularly Charlotte and Owen, but a large part of me felt as though my life had been on hold since I’d returned home. I was ready to move forward.

  “Yeah, I am,” I assured him. “I can’t believe Declan stayed,” I marveled, remembering Char’s horrified expression when he’d made that proclamation.

  “We agreed that Evan’s attention on your parents’ property will likely wane with you gone, but you can never be too careful.”

  “Was that your idea or his?”

  “It was Dec’s,” he admitted.

  “Maybe you should have a little talk with him about pulling his head out of his ass,” I muttered. It was obvious he had feelings for my sister and had from the very first moment he laid eyes on her.

  He snorted. “Wouldn’t be the first time I’ve tried.” His expression turned thoughtful. “It’s not entirely unlike how I was with you. The team and the girls all seemed to see what was right in front of me long before I did. I just had to do things in my own time. It’s no different for Dec.”

  “I get that.” I nodded. “He could at least try not to be such a dick to her. If he wants a chance in hell, he’ll stop being so glowery and cold to her.”

  His brows rose. “Glowery?”

  I looked at him in silent challenge. “Is it not a good description?”

  “You and Sam and your made-up words.” He shook his head with a smile.

  Worry slid through me at the mention of Sam. “Do you think she’ll
be mad at me?”

  He squeezed my hand. “You know Sam. She’ll probably give you some shit and then she’ll get over it because she missed you so much. We all did.”

  “Do they know why I left?”

  He looked at me his gaze full of tenderness. “Not my story to tell, baby.”

  I nodded. While I didn’t relish retelling all the details, I was glad to do it on my own terms.

  I leaned my head on his shoulder and let the white noise lull me into something between sleep and wakefulness, knowing that when we landed, it was the start of my new beginning.

  ****

  It was early evening when we pulled into the underground parking garage of the condo Theo lived in.

  On the outskirts of downtown, the building was new and modern, unusual for the typical bungalows you saw scattered around Los Angeles.

  We grabbed what we could carry of our luggage and agreed to come back for the rest later. I didn’t have much aside from clothing, so fitting everything into a few suitcases hadn’t been hard.

  When he let us into his condo, I was immediately struck by the high ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows. The entry opened into a large great room with an open-concept kitchen. The dark hardwood floor gleamed under my feet as I stepped further into the space.

  Theo hung back, letting me explore.

  I skated my fingertips over his large leather couch, eyeing the huge television mounted on the wall before moving down the short hallway to the two bedrooms at the end. The room to the left was an office, the room on the right a large master bedroom with a king-sized bed, a dresser, and two bedside tables.

  The furniture throughout the condo was beautiful, the colors warm and inviting.

  He cleared his throat as he stood leaning against the doorway. “You’re quiet,” he observed.

  I offered a smile over my shoulder. “Just taking it all in. It’s beautiful. I have to admit I’m surprised. It’s so sophisticated,” I teased.

  He didn’t take offense, shrugging. “I bought it furnished. None of it was mine.”

  That explained a lot. “Except for the leather sofa and the TV.” I smothered a grin.