[ Truyện Tiếng Anh ] Holding Out

Author : Lila Rose

I was enjoying the walk home in the afternoon sun. My boss had an assignment and she kindly gave me the rest of the day off. Maya, my six-year-old, was attending the school sleepover for her grade. I picked myself up some chocolate, a DVD, a bottle of wine, and Chinese takeout for dinner. Even better, my best friend, Deanna wasing over later to help me make the most of my relaxing night in.
I rounded the corner to my street and froze. My annoying, but too-hot-to-touch neighbor was standing out front of my other next door neighbor's house talking to Miss Bootylicious—the Campbell's nineteen-year-old daughter, Karen. I hung my head, ready to stride past, humming a tune along the way to cover their voices. Still, her high cackle broke through, as irritating as always. I was close to freedom and just past them, while deafening myself with my out of tune hum; when someone grabbed my arm and spun me back around.
“Kitten,” Talon said.
My eyes closed on their own accord to cherish the sound. It happened every time I heard his deep grumble of a voice.
“Uh, what? Oh, Talon?” I blushed and bit my bottom lip.
He laughed. “I asked where Maya was.”
“Oh, um, she's at school. Her class is having a sleepover,” I informed him. Though I didn't know why.
“Right. So...” he began, but stopped to look into my shopping bags. “We're watching 27 Dresses, eating Chinese, and drinking wine. Sounds like a plan. What time do you want me toe over? I could bring dessert.” He grinned mischievously.
I looked around him to Karen. She huffed something and stomped off. I then turned my gaze back to hunk'o'saurus and his messy, needs-a-cut black hair and dark brown eyes.
I'll never forget the day I moved onto the street and into...

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I was enjoying the walk home in the afternoon sun. My boss had an assignment and she kindly gave me the rest of the day off. Maya, my six-year-old, was attending the school sleepover for her grade. I picked myself up some chocolate, a DVD, a bottle of wine, and Chinese takeout for dinner. Even better, my best friend, Deanna was coming over later to help me make the most of my relaxing night in.

I rounded the corner to my street and froze. My annoying, but too-hot-to-touch neighbor was standing out front of my other next door neighbor's house talking to Miss Bootylicious—the Campbell's nineteen-year-old daughter, Karen. I hung my head, ready to stride past, humming a tune along the way to cover their voices. Still, her high cackle broke through, as irritating as always. I was close to freedom and just past them, while deafening myself with my out of tune hum; when someone grabbed my arm and spun me back around.

“Kitten,” Talon said.

My eyes closed on their own accord to cherish the sound. It happened every time I heard his deep grumble of a voice.

“Uh, what? Oh, Talon?” I blushed and bit my bottom lip.

He laughed. “I asked where Maya was.”

“Oh, um, she's at school. Her class is having a sleepover,” I informed him. Though I didn't know why.

“Right. So...” he began, but stopped to look into my shopping bags. “We're watching 27 Dresses, eating Chinese, and drinking wine. Sounds like a plan. What time do you want me to come over? I could bring dessert.” He grinned mischievously.

I looked around him to Karen. She huffed something and stomped off. I then turned my gaze back to hunk'o'saurus and his messy, needs-a-cut black hair and dark brown eyes.

I'll never forget the day I moved onto the street and into my three-bedroom weatherboard home and learned that I was living across the road from the local biker compound. With their head honcho right next door to me. I had just moved with Maya out of Deanna's house after being there for four years. I was feeling frightened and overwhelmed, as well as a little inebriated after having a few welcome-to-the-new-house drinks with Deanna. Deanna left and I was in bed but Maya kept waking up from the loud music being played next door. After she drifted back to sleep once more, I went—armed with the confidence of the alcohol—next door, dressed in my pink nightie with a kitten on the front and combat boots. I banged on the door; a short, hairy guy opened it and raised his eyebrows at me.

“Who is the freaking owner of this place?” I demanded.

“Yo, boss,” the man called over his shoulder.

And I swear my heart stopped when my eyes spotted Talon walk his broad, muscular, wondrous form my way. Everything but him faded into the background.

“Whad'up, Cupcake?” He leaned against the doorframe and crossed his arms over his sizzling chest.

My eyes closed. Until I remembered I was there for a reason, and that reason was more important than Mr. Hotness.

Upon opening them, I went straight into a glare that could scare most young children. His mouth twitched. “I just moved in next door. I thought 'wow, what a nice place to start anew!' That was, until your stupid, bloody music started blasting on a freakin' Monday night. I have a daughter who is starting her new school tomorrow.” I stepped up closer. “Turn down the music. Now,” I hissed.

“Wow, boss, you have a ****in' wildcat living next door,” someone said from behind him. Manly chuckles began. I ignored the others and kept my glare on Spunky.

“More like a wild kitten,” he smiled, looking down at my nightie. “Don't worry, kitten. I'll turn down the music. But, it'll cost ya.”

I blanched and stepped back. “Wh...what?”

The men laughed louder.

“Just one kiss, babe.”

“Talon!” A woman growled from somewhere behind the laughing crowd.

“You're a... pig,” I said, and walked away. Not long after that, the music was turned down.

“Zara?”

I blinked back into the now and answered, “I-ah. No, I don't think. I mean, I'm not good company, and I have a friend coming over—”

“That's fine, just means we'll have to be quick,” he winked.

Rolling my eyes, I walked off, but not before he slapped me on the behind and then strode past me laughing.

I grumbled under my breath all the way up the steps, ignoring the other bikers across the road at the compound laughing, yet again, at me.

Two hours later, I'd had a bath and gotten into my pink with black kittens flannel PJs. The nights were colder now. Deanna texted an hour ago saying, 'Hey, twat head. Not sure if I can make it. I’ll let you know'.

So I sat down at my small, four-seated wooden table by the kitchen’s large bay windows to eat my re-heated Chinese. I have always found that Chinese tasted better when re-heated.

Then the doorbell sung. Maybe Deanna can make it after all. I walked through my small lounge that was furnished with a three-seated floral couch and one chair. A television sat on a long black unit against the wall, and a wooden chest acted as a coffee table in the center. Nothing matched and that was the way I liked it. I'd saved and bought all of it myself, so I loved every piece in my house. I smiled before opening the front door.

“Kitten,” Talon said as he looked at me from top to bottom. With a grin he moved fast, because the next thing I knew, he was kissing me. My eyes sprung wide when his hot mouth touched mine.

“Talon,” I mumbled around his lips, trying to shove him back. Unfortunately, well, not really, but still, yes unfortunately, when I spoke, it gave Talon's tongue the chance to sneak in. As soon as it hit mine, I melted on a moan of abso-freakin'-lute pleasure. My abdomen clenched, and my nether region quivered. I wrapped my arms around his neck and gave back as good as I was getting. In return, I received a groan. He picked me up, stepped inside, and kicked the front door closed.

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Holy crap, Talon's kissing me. ME. God, he is good. Wait, why is he kissing me? ME?

“Hot damn. I need some popcorn for this,” I heard my best friend say.

I pulled away; my arms dropped and he let me step back. Both of us were breathing hard. I took another step back, looked over Talon’s shoulder, and found Deanna with a huge smile, standing at the front door she'd opened.

“Girl, you said he was fine, but you didn't say he was ****ing F.I.N.E.”

Talon raised his eyebrows at me and turned to face Deanna. In all his tight jeans and white tee glory.

“I- I've never said anything,” I muttered.

“Hey, Talon. I'm Deanna, Zara's best mate. I've been waiting for a glance of you for two ****ing years. Oh, and I'm the one who will whip out some whoop-ass on you if you **** her over. Biker dude or not,” she said with the most pleasant tone, and smiled sweetly at the end.

Talon surprisingly didn't laugh. He looked her over and looked back at me. I knew what was running through his mind. Deanna and I were complete opposites. I was on the short side, had curves and lightly tanned skin, from my Mexican background. I was sure Talon had the same sort of mix in his blood, only his skin was a little more like cocoa with a dollop of milk.

Anyway, back on track. I had long, wavy, dark brown hair, and dark, forest green eyes. Deanna was tall, thin, and was lucky enough to be bestowed with a great rack. She had blonde hair, sky blue eyes, and freckles upon her nose to make her look that much cuter. Whenever anyone heard her over the phone without seeing her, they always thought she was a black chick with 'tude. It was all a front, of course. We'd both been though our own personal hell. We were just lucky to have found each other at the end.

“Nice to meet you, Deanna; and you have nothing to worry about.”

What does that mean?

Deanna glared at him and then smiled. I felt, for a second, a pang of jealousy. Her smile has been the end of many men over the years, and right now, in her black pants and hugging tee that read 'watch'em bounce', she looked great.

“I better not. Alrighty, wait 'til I get some popcorn and you two can continue what you were doing.” She clapped her hands together.

“Uh, no. We can't. That-nuh-uh,” I shook my head, “shouldn't have happened.”

Talon turned to me and said calmly, “It's been a hell of a long time coming.”

“Wh-what?” I shook my head again.

“Come on, Zara, give the shmuck a chance.Then at least if it doesn't work out I get to kick his bad-boy-biker ass. A cute one at that; right again, lovey.” She nodded at me.

I glared at my ex-best friend. “I have never said anything about his behind. Deanna, dovey, a word in the kitchen.” I gestured with my head. Then I looked to Talon. “Uh, maybe you should go.”

“I think I'll stay, kitten.” He grinned and made his way to the couch. He sat down and propped his feet up on my chest (the wooden one) and turned on the TV.

I pulled the smiling Deanna down the hall, into my bedroom, and closed the door. Then I frantically got changed into jeans and a tee. Talon had already seen me in my PJ's once, and that was once too many.

I spun to Deanna, put my hands on my hips, and glowered at her as she sat on my bed grinning.

“Oh, don't start. You need to live a little, girl. And I think biker boy can help you along the way.”

“Deanna,” I hissed, “I see nothing but danger with him around; and for God's sake I am nowhere near his type. Look at me,” I said, waving my hands up and down.

“And?” Deanna asked while looking at me like I was a loon.

“I have hips, I have a pudding belly, and I have dark brown hair. Not blonde and skinny, like he's always with and...Jesus, what the hell am I explaining myself for? There's danger all around him. Danger, Deanna. I can't go back to that. You'd have a better chance with him. Not that I want one.”

She ignored my last statement. “You sound like that ****ed up robot off...****, what's that show you like?”

“Lost in Space.”

“That’s it. Zee, hun, you don't know that. Sure he's a badass, but he ain't nothing like that other jerk-off. Nothing.”

I threw my hands up in the air. “You don't know that. I have to think of Maya. She's my number one priority.”

“What about you, though? When will you let yourself be happy?”

“I'll wait till Maya's twenty. Then I can think about myself,” I said and crossed my arms over my chest.

“I bet—” Deanna was cut off by a knock on the front door.

I looked to Deanna and raised my eyebrows. I didn't know why; maybe I thought she magically knew who was at the front door. She shrugged her shoulders, and then we both heard.

“Who the **** are you?” Talon growled.

We bolted from my bedroom and ran down the hall.We somewhat got stuck in the hall doorway together until I managed to squeeze through before her. I looked over my shoulder, about to poke my tongue out as if to say 'Neener, neener, I got through first', only to stop when I saw Deanna raise her hand to cover her grin.

I focused my eyes on who was at the front door.

Oh, hell.

“Um, hi, Michael.” I waved over Talon's shoulder because he hadn't moved from the doorway. He still held the door with one hand as if he was ready to shut it on Maya's teacher from last year’s face.

“Hi, Zara.” Michael smiled.

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“What are you doing here?” I asked, and tried to open the door wider to get it from Talon's grip. But he wouldn't budge, so I gave up.

Michael produced a bunch of wild flowers from behind his back. “I saw these and thought of you.”

“She don't want them,” Talon said.

“Talon!” I scolded.

“And who are you?” Michael asked.

“Her man.”

I coughed and sputtered. “Ah, no you're not.”

“Hot damn,” I heard in the background from Deanna.

“Yes. I am.” He turned to me, his form taking up my view of outside and Michael.

I put my hands on my hips. “Since when?” I glared.

“Kitten,” he smiled. “Since I stuck my tongue down your throat and you curled your body around mine, moaning for more.”

I was sure my eyes popped out of my head and walked off, then skipped with my heart down the path.

“Hot-double-damn!” Deanna laughed. “You'll have to give her a minute. Sorry, Mike. I think you're about ten seconds too late.”

Talon shut the door in his face. Which broke me out of my trance.

“Goddamn it, Talon. That was rude. And I am not your woman!” I opened the door and stomped down the front steps after a retreating Michael.

“Michael, I'm so sorry about that Neanderthal. That was very sweet of you to bring me flowers.” Though, I didn't understand why he had since I'd told him 'no' fifty times already when he'd asked me out.

“Don't ever do it again,” Talon warned from the front porch.

I glared up at him. He winked and smiled down at me.

“I can see I've come at the wrong time. Maybe I should come back?” Michael asked.

“Uh...” was my response.

“No,” came from Talon.

“I wouldn't bother,” from Deanna.

I turned to them and sliced across my neck with my finger. Really, I was prepared to kill the both of them.

Spinning back to Michael, I smiled. “I'm sorry, Michael, but right now, at this time, I'm not ready for anything—”

A scoff came from Talon.

I continued, “The thought was very sweet, and I think you're a great guy—” God I hated doing this; I always felt bad. Especially with a guy, who was still holding flowers for me. “And you never know, maybe in the future—”

“Try never,” Talon growled.

“Ever.” Deanna giggled.

I winced; what was with the running commentary from the loco-train people? “Sorry, Michael.”

“That's okay, Zara. I'll come back in a couple of weeks, see how things are.”

I stopped myself from rolling my eyes. Is that the future?

“You come back, I'll kill you.” Talon started moving from the front porch towards us. I quickly ushered Michael out the front gate and closed it.

“Everything okay, boss?” Griz asked. Griz was short for Grizzly. He's built like a bear, in a cuddly sort of way. Not that he had a belly; he didn't. He was just tall, with very wide shoulders, arms, and legs. Griz was stalking across the street toward us. Two others, whom I hadn't met, were standing on the other side of the road, legs apart, arms folded across their chests, looking menacing. I'd only met Griz because he helped me one day when I was attacking my lawn mower with a sledgehammer when it wouldn't start. He jogged across with an amused expression and asked, “Can I help, lady?” I let him, of course, or I'd be in jail right now for murder. I would have found a gun somehow.

I saw Michael studying Griz; he was in his full motorcycle ensemble, including his black leather vest with a Hawks patch sewn onto it, their club’s name.

“Y-y-you're a member of Hawks,” Michael stuttered.

Griz stopped beside Michael and stared down at him. “Yeah, what of it?” He snapped.

“N-nothing.” Michael turned back to Talon. “He, he called you boss.”

Talon grinned his wicked grin and I grabbed the fence for support as Talon said, “Heard that did ya?”

“Um.” He looked to the ground. “Zara, I don't think I'll be back. Bye.” He quickly marched off to his car. I was surprised his car didn't fly off squealing down the road.

Damn. He took my flowers with him.

Deanna burst out laughing and walked toward us.

I sighed and ignored Talon's close presence beside me. Instead, I turned my attention to Griz. “Hi, Griz. How's things?” He looked from me to Talon and then back.

“Great, Wildcat; and you?” he smirked.

“Fine.” I rolled my eyes and watched behind him as the other two bikers disappeared into the compound.

“Now that's what I call entertaining. Girl, I gotta come to your house more often.” Deanna grinned.

“Deanna, I think from now on I'm going to be a regular visitor at your place.” Just like I have been.

“Kitten—” Talon began with a tone of warning.

“Pfft. Don't you ‘kitten’ me,” I said with my back to him. He slipped his arms around my waist and pulled me close against his front. I held off a sigh of pleasure and tried to move away. It was impossible. I looked over my shoulder at him and bit my tongue to hold the moan. He looked gorgeous, even though his eyes told me he was annoyed. Still, they were laced with a little bit of lust as well.

Griz laughed, but covered it with a cough when Talon glared at him.

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“Oh, girly, we need to celebrate this. Let's get smashed,” Deanna said. “Lord knows I need it.”

I doubted I was supposed to hear that. I looked over at her and knew she was hiding something from me, but what was the mystery?

“And what are we celebrating exactly?”

“You and Talon gettin' it on.” She gave me the 'Duh' look.

I went to move again, but didn't get anywhere. “Uh, No. There is no Talon and Zara.”

“Uh-huh.” She smiled and looked at us from top to bottom. Okay, so to some it could look different. Because I may have relaxed against Talon's warm, hot weight and my arms may be...okay, were resting on top of his, which were still wrapped around my waist.

Holy crap, I'm in Talon's arms.

He moved an arm from around me and swept my hair aside; then he kissed my neck, which involuntary arched so he could have better access.

Holy schnitzel, Talon's kissing my neck. In front of people.

That didn't help my side of things. I nudged his head away with my own, and with some force, wiggled my way from his—wanted…so much needed…No!—unwanted and unneeded comfort.

I made my escape to Deanna's side.

Oh my god, was my breathing heavy again? Yes, yes it is. Damn him and his sinful body.

“You,” I pointed my finger at him and glared, “stay over there. This—” I gestured between the two of us, “can't happen.”

Deanna scoffed. Griz laughed.

“Kitten, I know you want me; your body doesn't lie. It's only a matter of time before I'll be in your pants...” He trailed off as Griz's phone rang.

Griz flipped it open. “Yo? Yep.” He closed it and looked to Talon. “Business, boss. Later, ladies.”

“Bye, Griz,” I smiled. It wasn't his fault his boss was a chauvinist-ass-hat.

“See ya, hot stuff,” Deanna purred, causing Griz to look over his shoulder, confused. He couldn't understand that Deanna was attracted to older men, and Griz was definitely older. Deanna and I both sat at twenty-six; my guess, Talon was mid-to-late thirties, and Griz, with his long, muddy-brown with gray hair, and hard-aged eyes seemed to be hitting early forties.

“Kitten, I have to go. But if you two are having drinks, why don't you come by the compound later. I'll have a couple with ya.” With that, he grabbed my chin, kissed me hard and quick, before my knee had the chance to hit his groin, and left.

Of course, I watched his muffin-of-love ass walk away, and I was sure he knew it.

“Yeah, you keep fighting that, hun.” Deanna laughed, and walked off into the house.

I went back inside following Deanna and reheated my Chinese again. I wondered if I could get sick from reheating it too much and then thought maybe it'd be for the best. Then I'd die and this whole great...I mean, bad dream would end.

Who did he think he was informing people he was 'my man'? Yeah, right! And why would he want me? He wasn't making sense.

This has been a long time coming. My ass it had. I couldn't recall how many times I'd avoided him for that reason alone. I was not some conquer-and-move-on type of girl, if that's what he thought. And that's exactly what he'd want. I'd lost count of how many women I'd seen leave his place in the early hours of the morning. All blonde, I might add.

Urrh! I just wanted to scream.

“You're thinking too hard. Here, drink this,” Deanna said, and placed a glass of wine in front of me.

I turned a glare on her as she sat across the table from me and continued to roll her food around her plate.

My head turned on its side to study her. She'd never played with her food before. Usually, she'd have it gone in a second. And she never put on weight. Bitch.

“Stop lookin' at me like that. I will not **** you, no matter how much you beg.”

I snorted. God, I loved her. She was the only one who'd kept me somewhat normal through my two years of hell. If it wasn't for her, I'd still be in that abusive relationship with Maya's father. She'd helped me escape one night when he'd passed out after raping and hitting me. That night was the night Maya was conceived. I was smart enough to have kept my friendship with Deanna, who I'd met through a library book club, a secret. He wouldn't have known where to start looking to find me. I haven't seen him in almost six years. So, my guess was that we were just that good at disappearing a state away to the small town of Ballarat, where Deanna's other house was.

He'd have looked for me, because he didn't like to let go of possessions, and I was one. I'd hate to think where I would be, what I'd have put Maya through if I was still there, still with David. Deanna means more to me than she could ever know. Which was why I was worried about her now.

“Tell me what's going on.”

“Nothin',” she clipped and took a sip of her wine. And a second later, she drained the rest of her glass. One problem about Deanna was that she was as stubborn as a mule. If she wasn't ready to talk about what was obviously on her mind, she wouldn't. Leaving me to be the stress-head that I was and fret about it.

“Let's talk about Talon.” She grinned.

“Let's not and have a drink instead,” I said, and then drained my own glass.

“I'll drink to that.” She moved from the table to grab the bottle of wine, but turned back around. “We're gonna need more than this; where's your stash, woman?”

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It was my turn to grin. She knew me too well. “The bourbon is in the laundry room, top cupboard.” I needed something on those nights when I was about ready to hog-tie my brat of a child to her bed. Come on, no one could tell me they'd never contemplated it.

A couple of hours later, I was feeling fab-u-lasssss. We were dancing around the living room to Pink's "Fun House". Nothing was bothering me and I could see that Deanna was having just as much fun as I was. It was great!

Then Deanna dumped her skinny behind on the couch, grabbed the remote, and turned down the tunes. I was going to complain, but then I realized if I had kept going, Deanna would've been witness to me peeing my pants.

“If you could be any superhero, who would you choose?” I called from the bathroom down the hall.

“What the **** did you just say?”

Okay, so maybe it didn't come out like I thought it had; it could have sounded something like, “You be suuperaro what you chooose?”

“Ya herd me, fanny lips,” I said while washing my hands.

“I think it's cut-off time, ****sucker.”

I met Deanna in the kitchen where she handed me a glass of water, and I drank every drop.

“I'd be Batgirl.”

“Hah, new'd ya herd. Me be...”

“Wonder Wanker.”

I sprayed my second glass of water all over the floor, choked on my laughter, and gasped for air.

Clearing my throat, a thought popped into my head, so I had to share it. “Oh, oh, I have one for Talon. Perfect Pecker Man.” We both cracked up. Not that I'd seen his pecker, but I was sure it would be perfect.

Two more glasses of water later, and many more made-up hero names, I still felt a little foggy; but at least my speech had improved. Well, I thought it had.

“Man, I'm so glad I came over here tonight,” Deanna said. Then there was a knock at the front door.

“You've still got time to take it back. Who the heck is that?”

“Marshmallow brain, how many times do I have to tell you I can't see through things?” Deanna teased as she followed me to the front door.

Deanna started bouncing from one foot to the other. I asked, “Do you have to pee? Or are you having one of those spontaneous orgasms you keep telling me about that I don't believe in?”

“No, no. None of that; and it is true, jealous whore, happened a couple of times anyway. But I just have a thought on who it'd be. Come on, open the ****er; I need some excitement.”

I had a feeling too, but I hoped it wasn't. Me, plus drinks, plus Talon equaled something that should not be mixed.

Unlocking the door and swinging it open, I realized I should have hoped a little harder. Talon stood there looking spunky in dark jeans, a black tee, and motorcycle boots. His hair looked wet from a recent shower, and I wondered if I could blow-dry it for him with my mouth. My traitorous heart leaped, my body tingled, and...what the frig? How'd my underwear get wet already? Wait, had I peed myself? I looked down at the floor. Nope, wasn't wet.

That meant only one thing. “I need to get laid or break out my Gold Finger on maximum speed.”

Deanna burst out laughing, and Talon seemed smug. I looked at them both confused. Oh, hell no. I did not just say that aloud. See! Drinks, Talon, and me. It was a no-go!

“I could be of some help, kitten. In either way,” he purred.

Or was that me purring?

I closed my eyes; wait, they were already closed. My head fell forward and I shook it from side-to-side. I was ready to die.

Deanna was going to be of no assistance; she was rolling around on the floor still laughing, so I asked, “Did you come over for a reason, Talon?”

“You're supposed to be at the compound drinking.”

I looked up, my head ****ed to the side. “What?”

He stepped closer. “Drinking. Compound. Now.”

Straightening up, I glared and informed him, “No.”

He took one step closer again; now he was flush against me. “What?”

“Did. I. Stutter?”

Something flared in his eyes, while something flared in my womb. Trouble was a-comin'. Talon bent his upper-body level with my belly, and then he leaned in and I was flopped over his shoulder.

“Go, P.P. Man,” Deanna shouted; she got up from the floor and followed Talon like a trained horny dog, out the front door, and down the path. Thankfully, she had enough sense to shut the door behind us.

“Shut up, hairy-ball face,” I glared at Deanna. “Talon…Talon put me down, now!” I ordered while examining his pinch worthy butt.

We'd made it to the gate when someone stepped out of the shadows. I was placed on my feet and Talon pushed me behind him.

“Who the **** are you?” he growled, and then looked over his shoulder. “Don't tell me you have another admirer.”

“Um.”

“Um? How ****in' many do you got?”

“Um.”

“Jesus Christ.” His attention went back to the new arrival. “Again, who the **** are you?”

“Zara?”

I gasped. I hadn't heard that voice in many years. “Mattie?” I looked over Talon's shoulder to see my now twenty-year-old brother, Matthew Alexander.

“Mattie,” I cried and flung myself at him. He wrapped me up in his arms and held on tight. Obviously, it wasn't tight enough, because the next thing I knew, I was pulled away.

I glanced up and around to see Talon's fierce glare at my brother. I patted his hand at my waist. “It's fine; he's my brother.”

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“What's he doin' here? I haven't seen him before.”

That was true. I looked back to my brother, and that was when I really took in what was in front of me. Instead of the free, fun-loving brother I was used to seeing in my mind, I saw a dirty, tired, worried, and sad one. How had he found me? I left my family behind to keep them safe.

I stepped back further into Talon's arms. “What's happened?” His face saddened in a way I didn't think was possible. “No, no. Don't tell me, I can't...no.”

“They're dead, Zee.”

“No!” If it wasn't for Talon holding me, I would have crumbled to the ground. Deanna came to my side and grabbed my hand.

It couldn't be true. I’d only just finished planning a trip to meet my parents in Melbourne. They were to meet Maya for the first time. They were excited; I could see how much through the emails I had sent them.

I was excited.

Oh, God.

“It was a car accident. They say it was a freak accident.”

I looked through my teary eyes. “Y-you don't believe that.”

He shook his head.

****! It was him; I just knew it. It was David.

I had to go. Get away. Maya needed to be safe.

“Zee?” Deanna whispered. She knew what I was thinking.

I pushed away from Talon and started back to my house. I spun around to see the three of them following me; my gaze flicked across Talon on the phone and Deanna's worried look, until my gaze settled on my brother.

“Were you followed?” He was unsure; I could see it. “****, Mattie, were you followed?”

“I don't know.” He looked to the ground. “I don't think so. I was real careful, Zee.”

****! I couldn't risk it. I couldn't.

“Kitten.”

Stomping up the front steps, I flung the door open. I went to the kitchen and grabbed garbage bags, walked to the living room, and started bagging some of Maya's toys from her bin in the corner.

“Kitten?”

“I have to go. I have to get out of here. ****, Maya's at school for her sleepover. That's all right; I'll go get her. Mattie, you'll come with me. I can't lose you too—” I broke off on a sob. “How did you find me, Mattie?” I glanced over my shoulder to see him staring at me in shock.

He shook his head. “Jarrod. You remember him?” I nodded; he was a friend of Mattie's. “He was up this way on a holiday before...before the accident. He saw you and told me. I've been asking around for you.”

And here he was. Even with a different last name, he still found me.

****.

There was a knock at the door. I screamed and dove for the couch. “Get down, get down,” I whisper-yelled to Deanna and Mattie.

“Kitten, it's for me,” Talon said, and answered the door to Griz and three other bikers. They walked in, stopped, and closed the door. They took in what surrounded them and then focused on Talon, waiting. For what, I wasn't sure.

“I have to go,” I uttered. I wanted to get up, go pack the rest of my stuff, and flee into the night. But something held me there; my mind was reeling with unwanted thoughts. I was scared. So, so scared.

“My parents are dead.”

Mattie and Deanna went to move towards me. I saw tears in Deanna's eyes. She never got teary. She was one tough wench. Before they could get to me though, Talon moved in their way and knelt in front of me.

“Kitten. I'm sorry.”

“Don't say that. You never met them.You could have, maybe one day...but now…I have to go. I have to move before he finds me.” I reached out to his face, and with the back of my hand, I ran it over his unshaven cheek. “I'll miss you. I think. No, I will. We won't get to...you know. I think I would have enjoyed it.”

Soft laughter started behind me.

Talon smiled. God, he was hot. “There's no thinkin' there, kitten. I'll rock your world.”

“Maybe so. But not now, because I have to go.” Tears filled my eyes again. “They're gone, Talon.”

“I know, sweetheart.”

“I have to go.”

“You aren't ****ing moving,” Deanna shouted.

I stood, hands on my hips, and faced her as she stood in the same position on the other side of the couch. “I have to. You know this, Deanna. You, of all people, know this.”

“Blah, ****in', blah. You ain'tmovin', bitch. If he comes, we'll take care of it. I'm sick of you being scared.” She pointed at me. “I hate seeing you always checkin' your doors, always looking over your shoulder. You will never move on and root hot-pecker-boy there and live your ****in' life so you can be happy.” She took a deep breath. “I'm sick of our past **** catching up,” she yelled.

“Screw you.” I screamed back. She jumped the couch and tackled me to the floor.

“Holy ****,” I heard Mattie say.

While we rolled around, I kept trying to make my point. “He'll come, muffin head. He'll come and kill everyone I love. He'll take Maya and me away. We'll suffer for the rest of our lives.”

“Not gonna ****in' happen,” Deanna hissed.

“Griz,” Talon growled. Then I was lifted up, and was held against a strong chest, by strong, ***y arms. As was Deanna, only she was struggling against Griz's grip on her. She didn't have a chance; and because she was pissed, she was missing out on the feel of Griz against her. Which would probably piss her off even more.

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“I will not let him hurt you. I'll kill him first,” she said.

“I can't risk it, Deanna. I'm more worried what he'll do to you, to Maya, Mattie and—” I looked over my shoulder at Talon, who seemed angry about something. “I won't let any harm come to any of you; and if I can stop that by leaving, I will do it.”

“The **** you will,” she sneered.

“Yeah? I get it, Deanna. I get you're some tough bitch. You think you can take him, but I won't let you. I need you around. I care about you too much.”

“Care on this, loose lips.” She gave me the finger.

“Screw. You. Again.” I glared.

“You wish.”

“Holy ****, boss! They're both Wildcats,” one guy said from near the door.

“Enough!” Talon snapped, and something in his tone had Deanna and me pause our argument. “Both of you shut the **** up.”

“Eat—” Deanna was about to swear until Griz placed his hand over her mouth and whispered something in her ear. Her eyes widened; he took his hand away and stepped back.

I turned in Talon's arms and glowered at him. “Don't you dare tell me to shut up.”

“I will if you're being an idiot.”

“Idiot this, dick-for-brains.” I went to punch him; he dodged it and grabbed me around the waist, blocking my arms at my sides.

“Do that again and there will be consequences.”

“Yeah, like what?”

He moved his head, his lips at my ear and whispered, “My tongue in your mouth; my hand down your pants in front of everyone, and still, you'll enjoy it.”

I gulped. Hot damn! I'd gone from terribly upset, scared, angry and annoyed to wet in a second. How did he do that?

He pulled back and looked down at my face; what he saw made him smile. “Yeah, just what I thought.” He pointed to the couch. “Now sit the **** down, both of you, and start explaining.”

My brain—that had been in overdrive with fear—must have shut down, because I sat and listened to him without saying anything back.

Damn him and his hot alpha words. They'd gone and turned me into a horny puddle; right now all I could think about was having his ***y hand down my pants.

****! I'm staring at his hand. Look away, Zara, look away.

Was he right? Had this—us been a long time coming? All those morning glances, teasing words, and flaming, wild wet dreams.

Yep, I guess it had. But the thing was—it was too late. Now I had to leave, to stay safe and keep others protected.

Which could be good in the end for me, it'd also keep my heart in one piece.

I wanted to hurl, to just chuck my guts up. I wanted to cry, scream, and have ***.

Could anyone make sense of that? Because I couldn't.

My heart and stomach clenched.

Oh, God...my parents.

Maya.

Deanna.

Mattie.

Talon's hand.

Stuff it…that just popped in there, again.

I placed my head in my hands and shook it. What was wrong with me? Maybe I was losing my ever-lovin' mind. Yes. It was either that, or I was dreaming; if so, what a stuffed up dream!

"Kitten."

Nope. Not dreaming.

I peeked out of one eye, which brought me face to face with Talon's jean-clad perfect pecker.

****!

"You." I sat up straight and pointed at him. "You need to leave; you're a distraction and I need to have a break down."

Deanna snorted beside me. I'd forgotten she was there and that I had other company of scrum-diddly-umptious bikers.

How in the hell could there be so many good-looking men in Talon's club?

Wait, maybe he interviewed them, and when they walked in, he'd snap his fingers and say, 'Nuh- uh, you ain't smokin'; you can't join.'

See! See where my mind goes when there was too much pressure?

"Kitten," Talon said again with more of a growl.

God, I hope I hadn't looked like a zombie, off in a daze, thinking about Talon and his weird ways of men joining his group.

Deanna sighed loudly and said, "Oh, for ****’s sake! Leave her alone; she's had some big shocks in such a small amount of time, and her pea brain is trying to handle it. Also it doesn't help you standing there all manly, but whining at her like an old woman."

I loved Deanna!

So I told her just that, "I love you, Deanna."

She smiled. "Yeah, yeah. I'm all roses and chocolates, and vibrators about you too, hun."

"****in' hell. It's like talking to two deranged children." Talon glared at the both of us, causing laughter from the male stripper group near the front door. Okay, not strippers, but a woman could easily dream up a lap dance from any or all of them.

"Hey," I snapped a little late.

"At least they're good looking," one of the strippers commented—bikers, Zara, bikers.

I really must meet them all one day. Hold up—one day could never come. At least I could be hospitable now.

I stood from the couch and faced them. "Sorry, guys. I should have asked this ages ago. Would anyone like a drink? Or, oh, what about a cookie? Everyone loves cookies. I can get more chairs too; I hate seeing people standing when I've been sitting my lard-ass down."

No one said anything; their gazes were fixed on Talon.

"We're fine."

I looked to Griz.

"Thanks," he added.

"Huh, I wouldn't have minded a cookie," the youngest and closest one uttered.

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Well, at least I could make my brother more comfortable. I felt bad he'd been witness to all this.

I turned to Mattie, who was sitting in a kitchen chair near the doorway, looking very confused, a little shocked, and a lot worried. "Mattie, what can I get you? You must be hungry? When was the last time you ate? I know; I can go set up the spare room bed."

Because it seemed I wasn't going to be allowed to leave tonight.

Right! That was it. I stomped my foot because Mattie hadn't once looked at me; his gaze was also fixed on Talon.

I spun back around to Talon. “You suck!” With my hands on my hips, I glared at him.

He looked to the roof and sighed deeply. Probably praying for patience to deal with me. Well, suffer in your tighty-whitey jocks Talon.

There was a knock at the door. A squeak escaped me and I went to dive for the couch, until a hand reached out and pulled me to a rock solid, drool worthy, body. Talon wrapped his arms around me and nodded to...

“Pick, open it,” Talon ordered.

Pick? Pick? What kind of name was that?

Something to think about later.

Pick, with the shaved head, goatee, and pale blue eyes, nodded and turned to open the door.

I breathed a sigh of relief and unclenched my hands from Talon's black tee when I spotted Blue, the only other member I knew of Talon's men. He'd been kind enough to help me unload my car one day after I'd been crazy shopping with Deanna. He was the only other one I found it hard to not stare at. Anyone with a humming passage would cream their pants if Blue came at them with his large muscles, skin-tight shirts, black leather pants, and biker boots. To top the look off, he had longish blond hair, light green eyes, and a smile that made my panties want to fall off and follow him everywhere.

“What’s doing, Blue?” Talon asked.

“Cody.” That one word had Talon stiffen and suck in a breath.

A child around twelve with black scruffy hair and deep blue eyes popped his head around Blue and gave a wave. “Dad.”

What. The. Heck?

“What's goin' on, Cody?”

“Mum's busy, so I came here. Not here, but to your house, and Blue brought me here,” he said on a whisper. He seemed really shy, averting his eyes from Talon to the floor and back again.

“****!” Talon spat.

“Hey.” I slapped him on the stomach. “No swearing around kids. Hi, Cody.” I waved, smiled, and stepped around Talon. “I'm Zara; I live here with my six-year-old daughter, Maya. Only she's not home at the moment, but at her school for a sleepover.”

Blue gently guided him further into the house by a hand around his neck, and then shut the door.

“Can I get you anything, sweetheart? Would you like a cookie? A drink—”

“A chair,” Talon muttered. I glared over my shoulder at him as he smirked back. “We've been through this, kitten. No one wants anything.”

I watched Cody's expression change from puzzled to shock in a second when Talon called me kitten.

“Shush, Talon. Stop being so dang bossy.”

He laughed, wrapped his hand around my neck, and brought me nose-to-nose with him. “You know you like it,” he growled.

I pushed at his chest. “Whatever.” I sighed and rolled my eyes. Yeah, alright. I kinda liked it.

“We have **** to talk about, kitten—”

“Damn, I mean dang it, Talon. Stop swearing.”

“I've heard worse,” That whisper came from Cody. It was then I realized Talon and I were having our conversation still with our noses touching. I whacked his hands away and turned back to Cody.

But then quickly spun back to Talon, and on my own growl I said, “Yeah, Mister. We do have things to talk about, and one would be why the frig I'm just finding out now you have a son.”

Talon laughed and then whispered, “There are a lot of things we don't know about each other, kitten. I look forward to finding out each detail.” He scanned my body from top to bottom.

I shook my head, and felt the need to shake my soaking panties, but resisted and faced Cody once again.

“Now, where was I? Oh, yes. You may have heard worse, Cody, and if you hang out with Deanna for five seconds I'm sure you'll learn way more than any child should.” Laughter filled the room. “But the point is, sweetheart, in this house there is no swearing from anyone!”

Well, when children were around, that was.

“Okay, ma'am.”

Deanna burst out laughing.

“Cody, you can call me Zee. All my friends do.”

He gave me a half smile, and then stared at the floor.

Talon came to my side, one arm placed around my shoulder, and he leaned in and kissed my temple. “That'll do,” he whispered, which sent shivers down my spine. And with the hand that left my shoulders, he patted my behind and walked to his son, replacing Blue's hand with his own.

“Kitten, I'll be back. Griz, stay here. Boys, with me, now.” And with so many wonderful words–not–he walked to the front door, opened it, and left with all the boys, but Griz.

“Bye, Cody. It was nice meeting you,” I yelled before Blue winked at me and closed the door after him.

“Well, I'll be damned. What a ****ed up night,” Deanna said as she stood from the couch and stretched. I caught Griz taking it all in, but when he saw me looking, he went into the kitchen.

“Come on, Mattie,” Deanna said. “We'll sort out your bed in the spare room. And, Zee,” she came at me. I tensed, but she hugged me instead. “Get the **** into bed, hun. You look awful, I'll be in soon.”

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I nodded into her shoulder. She knew me, she knew I wanted to just crash and burn. I needed my breakdown and she was giving me the opportunity for it. Before I did though, I walked over to a quiet Mattie and pulled him against me.

“I'm sorry. So, so sorry that it took this to bring us together again. I love you, Mattie, and I'm glad you're here.”

“So am I, sis, and they would be too. They’d be happy, darl’, to know you're being taken care of. Even if they are a bit full on.”

I laughed on a sob, kissed his cheek, and walked off to my room.

With the door closed, and without undressing, I fell to my bed and cried my soul out.

Sometime later, I was still in pieces when I heard the door open. I didn't bother looking up; I knew it would be Deanna. I heard shoes hit the floor, harder than Deanna would treat her precious pumps, but thought nothing of it until a solid, hard warmth hit my back.And not unless Deanna had morphed into a male, this definitely wasn't her.

“Jesus, kitten. I'm sorry, Zara. I should have been back sooner.” Talon's breath ran across my neck and then he kissed it.

His sweetness made me want to cry harder. “Don't. Be an ass. I can't handle you being nice.”

He laughed and pulled my back flush against his front. “Alright, kitten. Wanna ****?”

“Dick.”

“Wench.”

I giggled and snuggled in closer. “I'm scared, Talon.” So very scared and hurt.

“I know. But, as words spoken from Deanna, you ain't ****in' leavin',” he growled. “We'll get through this.”

And that was what also scared me—the ‘we'll’ part. He’d placed himself in there with me. Was I ready for that? Hell no.

But as sleep started to take me, I felt protected.

“Keep your perfect pecker to yourself.”

I heard another rumble of laughter before I drifted off.

I really, really did not want to get up and face the day. Could it be possible that no one would notice my absence? Doubtful. I still had to get to work, pick Maya up, and fly the coop without any problems. Just the thought made me groan. I knew it wasn't going to be easy. Problems were bound to come my way.

Problem one: whenever I closed my eyes, all I pictured was Talon in my bed. I turned my head to see that spot now empty. It was probably for the best. I wouldn't have been able to control myself like I had through the night. When I woke and he was holding me tightly against him, other than feeling like I was being smothered, it felt nice. Then I realized where one of his hands was. Cupping my ***. Of course, I had to wriggle a little, only I shouldn't have, because it sent a pulse of lust throughout my body and I so wanted to do it again. My first thought was maybe he wouldn't notice if I accidentally got off from his hand. I wiggled again, holding back my moan, and that was when his shiver-worthy voice rumbled at the back of my neck.

“If you do that again, you'll see how perfect my pecker is.”

I froze, and damned him into a coma so I could continue with his hand. Unfortunately, it didn't work; so then I contemplated the thought of just using him for the night—to forget, because I wouldn't be around much longer.

“Stop ****ing thinkin'; the noise your brain makes is keeping me awake.”

I settled back with a loud sigh, just to annoy him. Fine, if he was going to be an ass, I was going to keep my wet tunnel away from him.

Double fine, if he wasn't going to be an ass about it and not move his hand, I was going to ignore it and sleep.

And I did.

Eventually.

Problem two: I was hearing her voice rise down the end of the hall in the kitchen. Who Deanna was yelling at, I had yet to figure out. I could only hope it wasn't my brother. I was sure Deanna's foul-mouth could just about scare Satan himself.

Problem three: the most important - my bladder was screaming at me to get out of bed and deal with it.

I got up, peed, had a shower, and dressed in jeans, a red sweater, socks, and with my hair still damp, I walked out of my room.

On the way down the hall, I paused to listen in on the conversation being held in the kitchen.

“You ****in' mean she doesn't work for that law firm anymore?” Talon asked.

Deanna snorted and said, “Turn up your hearin' aid, old man, and listen carefully. No, she don't work there no more.”

“Where she at now?”

“At some PI place not far from here.”

“Hell. Please don't tell me 'We put the P in PI'?” he asked with disgust in his voice.

“Yeah, I think that's it; like I said, she ain't been there long, two weeks tops.”

“****!”

I heard a bark of laughter that didn't sound anything like Talon or Deanna. So I guessed Griz was still here.

What was the big problem with where I worked? I found Violet, Chuck, and Warden great people to work with. It wasn't like I was doing any of the PI work. I was their secretary and that was it.

“Griz,” Talon barked. Ha, I'm right, Griz's laughter died.

“Come on, boss. It'd have to be a co-winky-dink.”

“I doubt it.”

“A ****in' what?” Deanna asked with a smile. I could hear it in her voice.

I peeked around the corner to see Griz stiffen and glare at her, and then he said, “A coincidence.”

“Yeah, uh-huh.” She raised one eyebrow. Clever bitch.

For the first time, I turned my gaze to Talon, and I wished I hadn't. He was leaning against the sink in jeans and—yes ladies, that was it! I got a full view of his stunning, bare...um, let’s say feet. His chest wasn't that bad either. But what topped it off, what made me feel the need to fan my private area, again, was the tribal tattoo that covered his left shoulder, and then another tattoo on his right set of ribs of a fierce looking dragon. Maybe I could haul him by the hair of his head to bed and have my wicked way with him.