Crave (Talon Security #1)

by Megan O'Brien

“This is Trixie,” he announced, pointing to the dog that resembled a rodent much more than a canine.

  “Hi.” I waved awkwardly, not sure what the right greeting for a dog/rat was.

  “Come in!” He beckoned and waved a hand toward the beautiful entry. The house was tucked back along the hillside, with a view of the city at its front, and the hills behind. The ceilings were high and vaulted with gorgeous gray wood floors and a sprawling staircase.

  “Wow,” I breathed.

  “You like? Good. I’m so glad you’re able to stay.” He beamed with excitement. “Your hunk of a brother already came by today to make sure the security is up to snuff. Protective, that one,” he noted.

  “You could say that,” I muttered. Travis had already texted me to let me know since Brad had security on-site his team would be posting up starting tomorrow. “Thank you for letting me stay. I sincerely hope it’s not a bother.”

  “Oh, honey.” He waved a hand, still carrying Trixie around in his arms as we walked through his house. “Your brother has saved my behind more times than I can count. I’m relieved to be able to do something to return the favor. Plus, you’re the one helping me. I always feel so guilty leaving Trixie alone when I have to travel.”

  I nodded, my eyes scanning the expansive space.

  He showed me to the guest room, a beautiful large room on the ground level with an en-suite bathroom.

  Geez, he might never get rid of me.

  “So does the dog walk?” I teased after I’d settled in and met Brad in the kitchen for drinks.

  “You’re a pistol.” He pointed at me with a smile. “She does, but she’s a people dog. She doesn’t do well being alone, which is why I’m so glad you’ll be here.”

  “Ah.” I nodded, taking the drink he offered. “This is a big place for one person,” I noted, looking around the massive gourmet kitchen. He got a sad look on his face and I instantly regretted bringing it up. “Sore subject?” I hedged with a wince.

  He waved a hand dismissively. “Water under the bridge now. We designed the place together but Tom and I, well… it didn’t work out.” He shrugged and I could tell he still wasn’t over it.

  “I’m sorry,” I offered sincerely.

  We carried our drinks out to the beautiful backyard, complete with a hot tub and swimming pool. “Don’t ever let her out here alone. Coyotes,” he explained, gesturing toward the hills.

  Trixie would probably serve as no more than an appetizer for a coyote. “I won’t.” I shook my head.

  We sat in companionable silence for a few minutes. “So what’s your story, Ms. Hot Stuff? I know you have one.”

  I laughed. “What makes you think that?”

  “It’s always in the eyes,” he answered sagely. “Despite the bruising, I can tell that yours are so gorgeous, but you have a tale to tell and I’d love to hear it.”

  I found myself wanting to talk to Brad, which was unusual for me.

  “It’s not very exciting or original. I’m originally from just north of here. I moved to the city to go to school.”

  “What’d you go to school for?” he wanted to know.

  “Music theory,” I replied. “I met one of my best friends, Piper, in one of my classes. She lives in Nevada now. Anyway, I met my friend Caden at a party. He was looking for a few roommates. We hit it off, so Piper and I moved in. Sid, his older brother, moved in about a year later. We were like a big dysfunctional family for a while.” I smiled wistfully. “Piper moved to Nevada to take care of her dad, and then it was Caden, Sid, and me for awhile.”

  “And which one did you fall for?” he prompted with a wink.

  The man was good.

  “Sid,” I admitted. “I didn’t even realize it was happening until I was just… done for. Then a few months back we crossed a line. He freaked out.” I shrugged ruefully. “It was time for me to move out, anyway. He went overseas for a job and I didn’t speak to him for six months, until a few nights ago. Then some assholes broke in and roughed me up. That’s what brought me to Travis’s house,” I explained in a rush.

  “Travis told me a little bit about that. I’m so sorry,” he replied, eyeing me with sympathy.

  “I miss him,” I admitted softly. “Sid, I mean. We used to spend so much time together, I sort of feel like I’m walking around with a missing limb.”

  “I bet he does too.”

  “Maybe.” I shrugged skeptically.

  “Give it some time, honey. You never know. A girl like you? You’re gorgeous and smart—fun to be with. A man would be crazy not to want to work for it.”

  “You just met me!” I laughed.

  He shrugged, taking a sip of his drink. “I have a way of knowing these things.”

  I smiled, having no reason to doubt that was true. “How did you end up meeting my brother, anyway? He usually does security overseas.”

  He chuckled. “He took pity on me. I got totally mobbed at a signing I was doing about a year ago. The security I’d hired was completely outnumbered. By some divine providence your brother was there and waded in.”

  I could picture Trav doing something like that.

  “After he got me safely tucked away, he reamed my security and all but fired them on sight.”

  I could even more easily picture Travis doing that.

  “Anyway, after that, we kept in touch. He helped me hire a new team and has checked in every now and then.” He turned to me. “Your brother is a good man.”

  “I know,” I agreed with a smile.

  “And hot as hell,” Brad added, fanning himself theatrically.

  I rolled my eyes. “No comment.”

  We stayed up far too late talking, but time and cocktails got away from us.

  “Night, honey.” He smiled as I headed for my room and he climbed the stairs.

  “Night.” I smiled, feeling lighter than I had in days.

  ****

  I woke up to the feeling of being watched. I opened my eyes blearily and just barely held back a shriek as two large black eyes stared back at me, inches from my face.

  “You are freakishly small. How’d you even get up here?” I mumbled, but lifted the covers, allowing Trixie to burrow closer.

  I knew Brad had had an early flight; no doubt Trixie had sought out the next warm body to snuggle with.

  I drifted back to sleep, shocked that a dog/rat could be such a good snuggle partner.

  When I woke for good, Trixie was still nestled against my belly. I got out of bed and headed for the kitchen in search of coffee. She followed, making little noises that I assumed were supposed to sound like barks. “Nuh-uh.” I shook my head. “We’re going to practice this thing called walking while Brad’s out of town,” I told her sternly.

  I sat at the bar picking at my breakfast, feeling overwhelmed and alone. Brad’s place felt so cavernous and foreign. That juxtaposed with everything that had happened in the last week had me grappling for a lifeline.

  I picked my phone up, dialing before I changed my mind.

  “Samantha, is that you?” my mother’s startled voice greeted me. She was surprised to hear from me, which wasn’t a shock since we rarely talked—despite my efforts to the contrary.

  Just the sound of her voice had the back of my eyes pricking with unshed tears. She’d offered me so little comfort in my life, and yet my body still reacted to her voice as though she could soothe even the deepest wounds. “It’s me. How are you?”

  “We’re fabulous!” she crowed. “We just arrived at the Grand Canyon. It’s so gorgeous here. Your father has already taken about a zillion pictures.” She laughed before continuing to prattle me with the details of their latest adventures.

  I fought to get a word in edgewise. “Sounds fun,” I managed when she paused to take a breath. The desire to share anything of consequence with her was rapidly waning.

  “How are you and your brother?” she asked breezily.

  “We’re okay. Had a bit of an incident,” I hedged.

  “An inci
dent?” she asked distractedly. “Paul, just a minute, sweetheart. I’m talking to Sam,” I heard her tell my father. “Yes, Sam,” she emphasized, as though she needed to clarify her daughter’s name.

  I rolled my eyes, pushing the cereal around in my bowl.

  “It’s okay, Mom, everything’s great. You guys have fun.”

  “Oh, okay, if you’re sure. Glad you called, sweetie. Talk soon!”

  “Yeah,” I muttered.

  My face flushed with embarrassment and disappointment. Why I had reached out at all was beyond me. I took a deep breath and instead picked up the phone to text someone who would actually come through for me.

  Hey, traitor. Dinner tonight?

  I felt better already as my text fired off to Caden. Truth be told, I’d already forgiven him for inviting Sid the other night. That didn’t mean I wasn’t going to fuck with him a little bit.

  His response came back almost immediately.

  I’ll make it up to you with my stellar company.

  Right.

  I’ll be even more entertaining if there’s something other than a paleo meal in my belly. CARBS PULLLLEASE.

  I laughed out loud. Obviously, Cade had been spending a lot of time with Sid, who was meticulous about his diet. Cade’s favorite was spaghetti. It didn’t get much easier, but he loved it.

  Done.

  And just like that I was reminded that sometimes friends were better family than blood could ever be.

  ****

  “Is that a dog?” Cade exclaimed when he arrived at my temporary place later that night.

  “I think so.” I shrugged with a smile, offering him a beer. “She’s used to being held, but I’m making her walk a bit.”

  “Uh, right.” He chortled. “This place is crazy,” he marveled, looking up at the ceiling and surrounding opulence.

  “I know,” I agreed, smiling at my friend. I’d missed him. Sometimes Caden could be like a big kid, but his heart was just as big. With his chiseled jaw, lean muscular frame, and beautiful tattoos, he was handsome too. I just didn’t see him like that; I never had.

  “As promised, carbs a la spaghetti.” I made a sweeping gesture toward the plates I’d dished up. “I even made garlic bread.”

  “Awesome.” He shoveled in a huge bite, groaning in appreciation.

  I took a bite of my own dinner instead of asking the question on the tip of my tongue. I wanted so badly to ask about Sid, but I didn’t want to put Caden in the middle of our mess. Instead, we kept the topics light and far from anything having to do with Sid.

  It wasn’t until we were watching a movie and drinking beers that he cleared his throat. “He’s pretty fucked-up, Sam.”

  I had to force down the beer I’d sipped with an audible swallow. “Oh yeah, how’s that?”

  “He’s not sleeping well. He’s working constantly, trying to find those assholes. He misses you.”

  “Do you need another beer?” I asked by way of answer.

  He made a growly sound of frustration and shook his head. “Look, as shitty as things might seem right now, I’m glad you guys are getting some of this out,” he said as I tried to look busy digging in the fridge.

  I looked over at him in surprise.

  “Because even before shit went down between you, it wasn’t always fun living with the tension, you know?” he added.

  I nodded. “I get it. I’m sorry, Cade.”

  He shrugged. “Better late than never.”

  That was all we said about Sid. I was proud of myself for not trying to pry more details out of him.

  When the movie was nearing its close, the doorbell rang. I stiffened before realizing it must be one of Travis’s guys.

  I looked through the peephole and quickly spun to holler at Cade, “Did you do this?”

  He wandered into the entryway, looking confused. “Do what?”

  I growled, yanking the door open. “What are you doing here?”

  Dressed in his security-issue attire, Sid looked like a total badass. He was also beautiful. He walked past me like he owned the place. “I’m your detail.”

  “My whatta?” I sputtered, closing the door behind him.

  “I’m your security, Sam,” he informed me, his hands on his trim hips.

  “No, you’re not,” I retorted impatiently.

  “Uh, guys, I’m just gonna…” Cade trailed off in an uncomfortable tone.

  “You’re not staying here.” I glared at Sid.

  “…go,” Cade finished. He opened the door, and with a quick wave disappeared.

  Typical. Whenever there was a fight brewing between Sid and me, Caden had a habit of making himself scarce.

  “And Travis knows this?” I demanded incredulously. Seriously, was everyone conspiring against me?

  He nodded. “He knows.”

  I was going to kill my big brother.

  CHAPTER 7

  We stood staring at each other in a silent standoff that I knew I wouldn’t win. Trixie wiggled against my foot, wanting me to pick her up, and I relented.

  Sid’s brows rose in surprise. “You don’t like dogs.”

  I shrugged. “Maybe not, but I think I like her.”

  He nodded thoughtfully before his gaze turned upwards. “This place is insane,” he commented, his eyes fixed on the high ceilings. “I’m going to do a walk through.”

  “Well, do my room first, because as soon as you’re done that’s where I’ll be. With the door locked,” I hollered after him as he started to wander off.

  “We’ll see,” he muttered, ignoring my request and heading upstairs first.

  Figured.

  I headed to my room anyway, intent on getting ready for bed and determined to ignore his presence.

  Why was he there?

  I yanked my sleep clothes out of my suitcase, pulling my T-shirt over my head just as Sid opened the door and walked into my room.

  I let out a shriek, holding my T-shirt over my bra-clad torso. “What the hell! Sid, don’t you knock?”

  “Nothing I haven’t seen before,” he replied steadily.

  I held his gaze. “Yeah, well clearly you didn’t like what you saw, so let me spare you any further pain by telling you to get the hell out of my room.”

  He stepped closer, his presence swallowing all the air in the room as I fought to breathe. “You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen, Sam. I want you to hear this. No, I need you to. That night—it had everything to do with me and nothing to do with you. It’s haunted me for months, the way I acted, especially when being so far away just made me want you more than I already did before—if that was even possible.”

  “What?” My demand was breathless as I stared up at him in surprise.

  He offered a sad smile. “When I left your room that night, I had every intention of coming back. Christ, my hands were shaking like a fucking teenager’s,” he added ruefully. “But when I got away from your gorgeous smell and your taste, I was flooded with this overwhelming reminder about how much was at stake.” He shook his head. “Sam, next to Caden, you’re my best friend. I work for your brother, for Christ's sake, and my job is dangerous. I started to freak about all the risks. Not to mention all the shit in my head from the war. It was the ultimate irony that my dog tags were right next to the condom box.” He chuckled darkly before raising his haunted eyes to mine. “I have so much darkness inside me. I’ve seen terrible fucked-up things. I felt like a deer in headlights when you came in with your lips all swollen from my mouth. Your skin had that gorgeous blush. I was terrified that if we went any further, it’d destroy what we have forever.”

  I simply stared at him, unsure what to say, completely flabbergasted by this turn of events.

  “Then you moved out and I went overseas. All those months away, Sam. It just reinforced what I feel for you—what I’ve felt for a long time. It’s irrevocable. It was like fighting against a current.” His eyes were bright with intensity as he continued. “I’m done fighting it. I’m done fighting you. I
want you, Sam. I’ve always wanted you.”

  The room was so silent I could hear Trixie’s tiny claws clacking on the hardwood in the next room.

  I didn’t think I’d ever been stunned into silence before. “I—um,” I stammered. “I don’t know what to say. I’m just in such a weird place right now. I feel like this isn’t real or something,” I admitted.

  He nodded. “I get it, and I’ll give you your space for tonight, but first I need you to hear this. All those risks—everything clouding my mind that night—it’s gone. Hell, it was gone the minute I had a second to breathe. You’re mine. Mine. When you wouldn’t let me comfort you after what happened the other night, it just about gutted me. Never again.” He shook his head. “I never want you to feel that way again, and I’m willing to do whatever I need to in order for you to see that clearly. There will be an us—the timing of that is up to you.”

  With that, he left me standing shell shocked, with my T-shirt still covering my breasts.

  The man knew how to make an exit, that was for sure.

  ****

  When I woke up the next morning, it was easy to believe it had all been a dream. That Sid wasn’t actually there. Then I heard the telltale sounds of breakfast being made, and my dream state went to shit.

  I bolted upright, my hand going to my bedraggled hair as Trixie came burrowing out from underneath the covers. It took me a few minutes to feel brave enough to face the proverbial music.

  Had I known what would greet me, I would have needed a few more hours.

  Sid was shirtless, dressed only in sweatpants that hung low on his hips as he stood at the stove making eggs.

  He turned, shooting a panty-melting smile in my direction. “Morning.”

  “Morning.” I nodded, accepting the coffee he handed me. “Thanks.”

  “What’s on for today?” he asked absently.

  “I have a meeting with a label in Hollywood,” I explained. “Thank God most of my bruising has healed.”

  Autumn’s label had called, wanting a meeting to discuss future projects. Come hell or high water, I wasn’t going to miss it.

  “Okay, what time?”

  I eyed him speculatively. “Aren’t you switching shifts or something? You spent all night here.”