[ Truyện Tiếng Anh ] Holding Out

Holding Out
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Yep. I had magic nipples.

Holy Moses, that feels great.

Talon brought up his other hand to cradle the side of my face, and I wrapped my legs around his waist and moaned when I felt his large-oh-crap-will-it-fit-***** rub against my center.

A knock on the door broke through my horny fog. “Uh, guys,” Mattie whispered. “Can you hold off on the *** right now? Tea's ready and we're hungry.”

Talon leaned his forehead against mine and muttered some curse words. Then he said, “One ****in' time we'll get to finish this. And honestly, I don't want people around; because if your ***** is as demanding as your mouth, I won't want to leave, or anyone to interrupt.”

With that, he got up, adjusted himself, and walked out the door.

I could not believe he just said that. I did not have a demanding...fandola.

“Talon!” I yelled.

He stalked back to the room, grinned, kissed me hard, grabbed my hand, and started for the kitchen once again. Only this time, he was dragging me behind him.

We walked into the kitchen; everyone was already seated around the small table. But still, two places were left; one for me and one for the Neanderthal. I watched Maya's eyes go from our faces to our joined hands, and then she smiled.

“Are you stayin' for dinner, Talon? My uncle made it.” I could hear the pride in her voice.

“Yeah, I'm staying,” Talon said and sat down next to me at the table.

Somehow, when he said, 'I'm staying' I was sure he meant more than just for tea.

It was hard to concentrate at dinner. Talon sat next to me; sometimes he would rest one hand on the back of my chair, and other times he would play with the ends of my hair. All of it made my brain go ga-ga. Still, the conversation went on, and by the time we'd all finished, I felt full and content.

I turned to Maya and said, “I'm just going to help clean up, and then we'll do your reader before bed.” I rose and took some plates to the sink.

Talon came up behind me, and with an arm around my waist he whispered, “Can I help Maya with her reader?”

I went stiff and closed my eyes.

It had always been just me.

“Kitten,” he uttered. “That mean somethin' to you?”

I nodded.

“Good.” He kissed my cheek and turned to Maya. “Come on, squirt, you're readin' to me tonight.”

“Yay,” she sang, bounced up and out to her room with Talon following.

I turned around from the sink and my eyes met Deanna's. She also knew it meant something big to me.

With a hushed voice, she said, “Well, thank ****—”

“Deanna. Language,” I snapped.

“Oh, give me a break; I can only go so long, and she can't hear me now.” She grabbed the rest of the plates and brought them to the bench. “It's good to see, Zee. It's so good to see.”

“I double that,” Julian said from the table where he sat next to a smiling Mattie. “I haven't known you long, sponge cake, but you deserve this. Him.”

“He's right, Zee,” Mattie added. “I can see you're scared, but let it happen. I think, with Talon beside you, you'll both shine for that precious girl in there.” He pointed in the direction of Maya's room.

I pulled my lips between my teeth and nodded.

“No need to be holding out anymore, bitch. What you have right there in that room is ****in' worth holding onto,” Deanna said. “Right, enough said. Let’s get this **** cleaned and go veg-out before I gotta hit the road.”

That was yet another worry I had to voice, “I don't want you going home alone, Deanna.”

“I don't want to hear this. I'm fine; I reckon you're worrying over nothing. And besides, it's not like he'd come after me. Hell, he doesn’t know who I am.”

“You don't know that. He could be watching. I think from now on you should move in here.”

She rolled her eyes and became a little rougher with the dishes as she loaded them in the dishwasher.

“If you break even one plate, I'll have to hurt you. And don't go ignoring me, wench.”

“I love the relationship they have,” Julian said to Mattie.

“It's a little strange,” Mattie added.

“But strange is beautiful.” Julian smiled.

“Whatever, meat slappers.” Deanna rolled her eyes. “Look, it's going to be fine. I'm going home, and that's the end of the story.”

“No, you're not.” We all looked to the doorway to see Griz standing there glaring at Deanna.

“Did anyone hear him come in?” I asked. They shook their heads. “Great lot we'd be if we were ninja attacked.”

I watched Deanna face Griz with her hands on her hips, head held high; and with her upper lip raised she snapped, “Yes. I. ****in'. Am.”

“You do all this tough talking, and telling Wildcat there to keep herself safe by staying and trusting. Why don't you do the same?”

“Yeah!” I yelled and fist pumped the air.

Deanna snarled at me to shut up, and then said to Griz, “Because he won't be after me, oh-wise-one.” She raised one eyebrow.

“You can't be sure of that. If he's watching Wildcat then he'll do anything to get at her; meaning, he won't have a second thought of taking out someone she cares about.”

I gasped. “What about Maya at school? I'll have to keep her home.”

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“No, darlin', she's covered by the boys. Someone will always be there watchin'; so you don't need to stress.”

I nodded; though I still felt uneasy.

Griz turned a hard stare on Deanna. “You'll be staying at the compound. In my room.”

She smirked and crossed her arms over her chest. “Well, hot stuff, if all you wanted was to get me into bed, all you had to was ask.”

He straightened. “You'll be in my bed, on your own. You ain't my type, princess—too young and just a pain in the ass.”

“Yeah right, handsome; I bet every morning when you're in the shower you jerk your chain thinkin' of this ass.” She slapped her butt.

Griz growled.

Julian giggled. “Did she honestly just say that?”

I sighed.

Mattie nodded while looking concerned.

“Jesus Christ.” Griz shook his head. I thought he would have put her down or stalked off, but instead he said, “That's right, sweetheart. I come every morning thinking of bangin' you so hard it'd work some of that pole outta your ass. As I'm sure you fiddle with your nub every day thinking of how hard and long I'd take you.”

“Oh, boy, is it getting hot in here?” Julian asked, fanning himself.

I looked back at Deanna, surprised she was still silent, and shocked to see a blush upon her cheeks.

“**** you,” Deanna uttered.

He smirked. He knew he'd just won. “In your dreams, princess. Now, Pick will meet you out front when you're finished here. He'll show you to your room. You better not ****in' fight him on this,” he said, and then walked out of the house.

“Deanna?” I pressed.

“Shut the **** up. I don't wanna hear it.”

“He's a nice guy,” I said.

She snorted. “Too old for me.What is he, fifty?”

“Forty,” Talon said as he came into the room, up to me, and moved my body so he could stand behind me with his arms around my waist.

I needed to change the subject before Deanna had a full-blown hissy fit, so I said, “Come on y'all, I need a Jensen Ackles fix. Supernatural is on soon.”

Any woman who didn't find Jensen strip-worthy was insane in my books.

Deanna smiled at me. She knew I was taking the attention away from her and she appreciated it. Didn't mean I wouldn't drill her later on what all the ***ual tension was with her and Griz. Not many men would go head-to-head with Deanna, and I think she'd finally met her match. I wanted to jump with glee.

Julian groaned. “Honey, I'll watch Supernatural and get freaked the **** out, but only if you all watch Burlesque with me. I brought it from home.”

We all moved from the kitchen to the lounge and found seats.

“Oh, I am so there. But we all gotta go say goodnight to Maya first.”

Maya was more than happy to have everyone in her room showering her with hugs and kisses. We then all filed out to the living room; I sat in the middle of Deanna and Talon on the three-seated couch. Actually, I was more on Talon's side, leaning against his chest because he’d hooked an arm around my shoulders and pulled me against him. To start off with, I was stiff and totally freaked out by the type of...affection it had me feeling, and what it showed the others. I got over it when his luscious voice whispered in my ear to relax.

Mattie and Julian squeezed themselves into the lounge chair together, moaning about how fake Supernatural was; not that it stopped Julian from squealing and hiding his eyes with Mattie's hand on the more scary parts. Once Supernatural finished—pout—we started Burlesque. Another favorite on my movie list.

“You know, I'd turn gay for Christina Aguilera,” I announced. I felt Talon chuckle behind me.

“Not if I got to her first.” Deanna yawned.

I shoved her and said, “Dude, she'd have my shoes under her bed way before your stinky ones.”

“Actually, I'd have to agree; she is hot. I think I'd even turn straight for her,” Mattie said, receiving a look from Julian. We laughed.

It was a great movie. I had to rewind it three times to the part where she sang on stage for the first time. There was a knock on the door; we all looked at each other while Talon stood and walked over to answer it.

“Boss,” Pick said with a chin lift. His deep blue eyes looked stressed. He ran a hand over his buzz cut, and then scratched his cute goatee.

“Sup?” Talon asked.

Pick looked over Talon's shoulder; his gaze fell upon Deanna, and then went back to Talon. “Griz said to come grab her if I had to take off anywhere. I have to take off, boss.”

“What's happenin'? I thought Griz was 'round tonight; he could have come himself.”

“He thought so too.” Pick leaned in closer. “She called.”

Huh, what? Say again, or just speak the frig up. Who's

she?

I glanced at Deanna and knew from her drawn brows she was wondering the same thing.

“Again? ****,” Talon barked. “Where you gotta go?”

“Need to help my ma with somethin'. Griz didn't want to leave it to the recruits; the others are busy either workin', drinkin', or ****in'. So I gotta take her over and lock her down before I leave.”

Talon nodded. He turned to the room. “Hell Mouth, time to get your ass outta here.”

“Does it bother anyone with how bossy these pricks are?” Deanna asked the room.

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“Yeah, a little bit,” I answered, because sometimes it was also downright HOT.

“You know I can walk across the road on my own. I ain't no ****in' child.”

Pick sighed. “I was told if you pulled any ****, I was to haul you over there over my shoulder. Is that how you want it, woman?”

Deanna got up, grumbling and no doubt cursing under her breath, the whole way to the front door. “See you losers tomorrow.” She waved over her shoulder and Talon closed the door.

“Well,” Mattie yawned, “I'm buggered. I'm going to hit the hay.”

“I'll join you, honey,” Julian said. “Leave these two love birds alone.” Julian added a wink.

Why was it that all of a sudden, I felt very nervous?

“Wait.” I bounced up from the couch. “Ah, doesn't anyone want a hot chocolate? A coffee? A shot of something stronger?” I know I could use one.

“No thanks, sis,” Mattie said. He and Julian both came over and gave me a kiss on the cheek goodnight; and no matter how much I pleaded with my eyes, the dicks went off to their room.

I faced Talon. “Well, I guess it's time for bed.”

He gave me a chin lift. “Right, I'll lock up.”

That was easy. “Okay. I'll, ah, see you. Thanks, you know. Ah, night.” Maybe I should have given him a kiss goodnight, but I was a chicken and bolted for my room while Talon locked up and went home.

I got ready for bed while pondering on how easy it had been getting rid of Talon. I thought he would have grabbed me or said something like 'Kitten, what the **** are you forgettin’?'

I slid under the covers and it dawned on me. I kind of had hoped he would’ve said or done something and now I was disappointed that he hadn't made an effort. Maybe he was getting sick of me already?

My bedroom door opened and Talon walked in. I couldn't keep the smile off my face.

“You thought I was goin',” Talon said with a chuckle. “I am damn happy to see that smile on ya face from just knowing I'm still here.” He pulled his tee off in one quick swoop.

The smile fell from my face and I sat up. “You, ah, can't stay here.”

He sighed loudly. “And why the hell not?” he asked while removing his jeans, leaving him in black boxers.

Hallelujah. My magic nipples and fandola sang.

“Um, 'cause of Maya.”

“Jesus, kitten. I'm stayin'. Look, if it'll make you feel better, I'll move to the couch before she wakes up. But right now, I wanna sleep with my woman in my arms.” He walked to the side of the bed, lifted the covers, which I was clinging to, and climbed in.

What could I say? He was willing to move to the couch so I wouldn't worry that Maya thought we were moving too fast.

Or was it that I thought we were moving too fast?

I don’t know; my brain was scrambled. I still had so many things to worry about. Was David out there watching me? When was he going to strike? Was I just overreacting with…well, everything?

“You gonna sit up all night, babe?” he asked; his deep voice sent a shiver down my spine.

God, even my spine is happy he's here.

I looked over my shoulder. He had one arm behind his head, and the other was outstretched for me to lay upon. My heart was already going wild, but it just stepped up to an even more frenzied rhythm. And why did it sound like it was pumping to the beat of "Bad to the Bone"?

“Damn, kitten. Are you always this nervous?” He chuckled.

“No.” I glared. “Only around you.” And when psychopaths are looking for me.

“Good to know.” He smiled and pulled me down so my head rested on his chest, and his arm held me tightly around my waist. He kissed the top of my head and uttered again, “Good to know.”

“Talon?”

“Yeah, babe?”

“Can I ask you something?”

“Only if it's quick. ‘Cause the more you talk whispery, the more my dick gets hard; and I can't **** ya with a house full.”

I smiled. It was good to know I had an effect on him like he did on me. I rolled into him more and bravely slid my hand from his stomach to his chest; his hand came down upon mine.

“Kitten, you keep being cute-like, I'm gonna have to take you. I've only got so much ****in' restraint. Ask your question and let’s get some shut-eye.”

“Well.” I cleared my throat and had to think real hard what my question was again, because all that was on my mind was Talon taking me. “Um, I was wondering why you and Violet aren't close.”

He started to trace circles on my hip. I wanted to purr.

“She didn't want me to get involved in our uncle’s club. He came to us eight years ago and said he wanted to give me the chance to run Hawks if anything happened to him. I felt honored. Violet felt disgusted. We both knew the club was running drugs and selling women.” I couldn't help but stiffen. Talon felt it, but he continued, “Vi thought it'd lead me down the wrong path. It did for a while, and Vi hated that; in turn, she hated me, because by then she was on the other side of the law. I lost her trust, I lost her love, and her in total as a sister. Then my uncle passed away five years ago. I was in charge and encouraged my brothers to run a clean club. The club members take after each other; we own three Harley stores over Victoria, and have a few strip clubs. Look, we no longer do any of that past ****, but it doesn't mean we don't help out. An ex-member left 'cause he still wanted to deal with hookers. Outta respect, we look out for his woman while they're on our territory. Babe, there's a lotta dicks out there that don't believe the club's clean, but I don't give a ****. I'm happy, and my brothers are happy.”

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“So, ah, across the road is...um, just the compound?”

“Yeah. But it's also where I manage all club businesses from. Never ****in' thought I'd spend most my life on a phone or computer doin' that kinda ****. The only good part about it is that I've got many members to fall back on when I don't want'a deal with the crap. That's when I get to take off on my Harley, whenever I ****in' please.”

“Okay.” I nodded. “So, nothing untoward happens over there? Like...um, those friends and their hookers rocking up?”

“Babe, none of us have to pay for *****. And yeah, we ****in' party hard, but that's it. My life is clean, kitten. If it wasn't, I wouldn't have involved you in it.” With one quick movement, he was on top of me, studying my face for something. “You're too good for that kinda ****.”

I blushed and nodded; my arms encircled his waist. “Do—” I stopped when he spread my legs with his knees. “Uh, do...do you think that you and Vi could make up?”

He kissed my neck. “Maybe one day,” he said, and then his eyes met mine. “You surprise me, kitten. I like that about you. I tell you I was involved in **** and you take it in stride, thinking nothing of it.”

I smiled at him. “Everyone has had **** in their lives, Talon. What makes a person is if they can climb out of it before it hurts more people, and I believe you have. You've also succeeded at it.”

He closed his eyes and rested his forehead against mine. “I gotta have a bit of you, babe. I can't ****in' wait. You gotta be quiet, kitten. All right?”

**** a doodle duck. Was I all right with him having a bit of me? What did he mean by a bit of me? I didn't know, but my body did, because my head nodded without my brain’s acknowledgment.

Talon grinned wickedly at me. He kissed me hard, but all too soon, his lips left mine. I was about to complain when I felt them at my neck. I arched to give him better access. Licks, bites, and kisses he delivered upon my neck, and then slowly he moved to my collarbone. I let out a moan; he shushed me but I felt his grin on my skin.

I was feeling overwhelmed, like I was being touched for the first time. Maybe I had become a born-again virgin.

As his lips played, his hands roamed from my hips to up under my t-shirt to my magic nipples and ultra-sensitive breasts. He tugged my tee up further; my slutty arms raised on their own and he threw my t-shirt to the floor.

Finally, he moved lower; I had been just about ready to strum my fingers on the bed while waiting for his mouth to be upon my breasts. Now I didn't have to. Only he wasn't there long enough and went to move on but I wasn’t ready for that yet, I pulled him by his hair and positioned his mouth back where I wanted it. He chuckled and bit down on my magic nipple, causing a moan to escape.

“Quiet, kitten,” he growled.

“Seriously?” How was that even possible with a lover like him? I glared down at him as he stared back with his teeth clamped around my nipple. He bit; I shoved my fist in my mouth, smothering my moan.

Jesus, if he doesn't get a move on I'm going to combust.

“Talon. Honey. If you don't get a move on, I'll come on my own.”

He stopped his attention to my stomach and hips, and looked up smiling. “So eager.”

“Well, when it’s been six years—”

I didn't get to finish what I was going to rant about. He hissed, my shorts and underwear disappeared, and his mouth was feasting upon the most vital (right now, anyway) part of my body.

The shock of the invasion caused me to cry out. It wasn't long before his lips and tongue brought me to a climax.

“****. You taste un-****in'-real.”

Oh. My. God. I was mortified that I'd lasted seconds. I covered my eyes with my arm; I knew my face was burning bright red. Talon settled between my legs; his arms folded across my hips and I knew his head was rested on those arms, watching and waiting for me while my body and breath recovered, along with my dignity.

“Kitten,” Talon said.

Holy ****. Did my stomach just wobble when he spoke? That was beyond mortification. I wanted to die. He was so used to perfection, and yet, here he had a woman who hadn't had *** in...forever and only took a second to climax, while he stared on at my cellulite.

I felt the bed shift. Talon climbed up my body and lay next to me; I felt his arousal at my hip. He tugged my arm.

“No,” I stated. “You, ah, better go to the couch now.” Wait. That was kind of rude of me. No one had gone down there before, so shouldn't I be showing my appreciation? Maybe if I did I wouldn't be so embarrassed; he could have something wrong with him. Then we'd be even.

I was going to have to do this fast so he didn't see my wobbly bits doing their own jig.

I pounced; my arm flew out, knocking him in the head. He swore; I mumbled a sorry as I spread his legs with my hands while he was in a daze. Before he got a good look at me moving, I rested between his legs with the sheet over me. I grabbed the waist of his boxers and pulled down; his erection sprang free.

Talon's hands lay over mine, stopping me. That was okay, because I was still in shock from seeing a ****. Gulp, so freaking big. Or was it just the average size? From the experience I'd had in the past, I wasn't sure. But there could be a possibility that if Talon and I had a chance to do the 'dirty', he would be impaling me on his hard pole.

“I like the way you’re looking at me, kitten. And I love the fact that you just licked your lips. But why the **** did you just pull a speed marathon to get down there? I didn't eat you to just have you return the favor.”

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“Um,” I said to his perfect pecker. Damn him. Why did he look so ****ing good? The prick. “It's not about returning the favor. I want to do this.” His **** twitched with...glee? I realized then that it was true. I wanted to please him, and that thought also pleasured me.

Before he could say anymore, I went deep. My whole mouth covered all of him, making my eyes water. Huge. I pulled up slowly and flicked my tongue side-to-side along the way.

“****,” Talon hissed, arched, and fisted the sheets.

I loved seeing that reaction from him. That it was me causing him to do that. I swirled my tongue at the tip and gently bit. Talon growled. I smiled and went down once again, taking my sweet time.

“Kitten,” he warned. He wanted faster; I wanted to go slower and memorize the way his body moved, the way his eyes closed when I reach the base of his ****, and started back up once again.

He fisted my hair tightly, I moaned. Our eyes met; desire pooled in both. With the pressure of his hand in my hair, Talon took control; his **** slid in and out of my mouth perfectly. I clenched my legs together; what I wanted was to let my fingers do their job and finish me off once again. My body was craving to be pumped like my mouth was. It was such a friggin' turn on. Something I had never felt before and wanted to feel for the rest of my life.

“Hell, kitten.” Talon closed his eyes and moaned. He was close; I could taste it.

He let go of my hair. I kept the pace going on my own, enjoying the rush of seeing him spread out and exposed.

“****, I'm gonna come, babe,” he groaned.

His first shot reached the back of my throat; I drank it down with the rest. Even after there was no more, I tightened my grip at the base and pulled up, squeezing the last drop out before licking it off.

I was about to wrap the sheet around me, but before I could, hands came under my arms, and I was pulled up to lay across Talon's naked body. My legs went around his waist, my arms to each side of him; I looked down, my hair spilling around my shoulders. I was shocked and happy to see that my own naked body wasn't making it hard for him to breathe.

He grinned up at me. “No one has ever sucked me that hard, or taken it to the very last drop. That was ****in' heaven, kitten.”

A blush filled my cheeks; I looked away. Now I blush, what the hell?

He laughed. “No need to go shy on me now, babe.” He pulled me down and kissed me stupid. His expert mouth moved to my ear and he whisper-growled, “Don't ever ****in' hide your body from me again. I love every inch; and eventually, I will have tasted every inch, going back for more and more until I die.”

Oh. My. ****ing. God. Words like that were going to make it hard for me to not fall for this biker.

“Let's get some sleep before I have to ****in' move.” He rolled me to his side and tucked me close. One of his arms went around my shoulders as I rested my head on his chest. His other hand took one of mine and placed them on his stomach. I entwined one leg through his.

Again, he had me feeling safe, warm, and protected, even cared for. I wanted to cry.

Waking up feeling well rested was something out of the ordinary for me. I stretched, as moments of last night played on repeat in my mind. I smiled and reached out to the side Talon occupied last night. He wasn't there. I giggled; he had moved after all. I had been so sedated I didn't feel him leave.

My bedroom door opened; I pulled the sheet around me tightly as Maya skipped into the bedroom and onto the bed.

“Morning, sweetheart,” I said as she plopped down next to me.

“Mornin', momma. I had a dream last night. Wanna know what it was about?”

“Sure.” I rolled to my side and faced her as she looked up to the ceiling.

“Toby, from school, was being mean to Becka, so I kicked him in the balls.”

I closed my eyes, only to open them when the room filled with deep laughter. Talon was standing in the doorway.

“That's good, kid. Even in your dreams you gotta protect the ones you care for.”

I rolled my eyes; still, I couldn't help but smile at Talon. “But you have to remember that kicking a boy there can really hurt them.”

“I know, momma. So I'll only do it when they really annoy me.”

Talon chuckled again. “Come on, kiddo. I'll make you breakfast; let ya ma get up and ready.”

She grinned and bounced down to the end of the bed, then stopped. She looked from Talon to me. “Momma?”

“Yes, baby?”

“Talon's your boyfriend now, right?”

I froze.This I wasn't expecting so early in the freaking morning. What could I say though, after what happened last night? I looked up to Talon; he stared back with a...worried expression? “Yes, Maya. He is my boyfriend.”

“More than that, kitten.” He smirked and turned to Maya to say, “I'm her man, baby girl.”

“Cool.” She beamed, and then her face was puzzled. “Then how come Talon was sleeping on the couch when I came out this mornin'? Shouldn't he be in here with you?”

Talon chuckled. I blanched.

“From now on, Maya. That's where I'll be,” Talon said.

She shrugged and said, “Okay.” Then bolted out of the room with Talon chuckling and following behind her.

I flopped to my back, placed the pillow Talon had used over my face, and screamed. How was it possible that children were so carefree when it comes to life changing situations? Ones that would freak any adult out? Just like it had to me when anything came to Talon and myself.

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I was prepared to lay there for quite some time and debate on what to do next. Should I panic some more over the fact that my daughter wasn't phased by the fact that I would now be having a man sleep in my bed? A bed that she jumped into nearly every morning to wake my zombie form up from? Or should I leave things as they were, and not bother freaking out about anything that just occurred?

All thoughts soon left me, because Talon's scent from the pillow distracted me, sending image after image of last night into my mind.

It was time for me to get up and have a cold shower.

I walked into the kitchen wearing a long, striped, black and grey skirt with a black tee that read 'Get Low and Go’. My hair was still wet from the shower, so I left it down. No doubt, by mid-morning I would have to put it up because it would turn out to be one big frizz bomb, because I ran out of my hair product that kept the curl at bay.

I snorted. Let's see how Talon handled that look; he could still run a mile.

Rounding the corner, I stopped dead. Maya was sitting at the table in her school uniform. Yeah, that was fine. Mattie and Julian were leaning against each other as well, on the bench. Yeah, that was fine too. What had me going o-kay and made my eyes pop from my head was Talon, my badass biker man, standing behind Maya and doing her hair in a ponytail...with a flipping ribbon to boot.

Talon's hard eyes turned to me. “Do not say a...freakin' word,” he growled.

My heart swelled. I wanted to run to him and maul him like a wild woman. Not only was he caring for me by caring for my daughter, but he was doing it in front of witnesses. To top it off, he actually listened to me and chose not to swear in front of Maya.

****. Tears were forming in my eyes.

Talon's eyes stayed on me as I saw them turn sweet. He knew it meant something to me, and just in case he didn't, I walked over to him and gently kissed him. My lips met him, and when I went to pull away, he pinned me back with his hand around my waist and deepened the kiss.

“Aw, yuck.” Maya moaned.

I smiled against Talon's mouth. He chuckled. I stepped out of his reach and went to the coffee machine on the counter. Though I didn't miss the gentle shove Talon gave Maya, or the wide happy smile that was upon her lips.

If this was how it was going to be, I could handle that.

“Mornin', guys,” I said to the two grinning fools. I hipped Mattie out of my way from reaching my morning coffee. “Get outta my way. If I don't have my fix in the next twenty seconds, all heck will break loose, and it's way worse than me PMS-ing.” I took a sip and turned to Talon. “Let that be a warning to you.”

“Got that, kitten.” He smirked.

A knock sounded on the front door.

“Open up duck heads, I ne-e-ed a good coffee,” Deanna yelled. Mattie moved off to the front door.

“Momma, can I go play before school?”

“Have you had breakfast?”

“Yeah, Talon got it for me.”

Wipe the tears off my heart.

“Teeth?”

She rolled her eyes. “Yes, Momma; Talon already told me to.”

Forget wiping tears; let the flood begin.

“And I can see Talon has already done your hair. So yes, baby; you can go play. We'll leave in ten.”

“Okay.” She got up from the table and ran out of the room, calling a quick hello to Deanna on the way past her.

“Coffee, bitch, quick,” Deanna ordered.

I got a cup ready and handed it to her as she sat down at the table. Talon walked over to me and placed me in front of him, his arms twinning around my waist. I sighed and relaxed into him; he grunted his approval of me not fighting him on the close comfort he was offering after taking care of my young. And melting my heart into a big puddle of goo. The hairy ball sac. Though, I couldn’t help the smile creeping onto my lips.

“Yo, boss man,” Deanna started after her first sip. “You gotta get better ****in' coffee at the compound. It nearly choked the hell outta me.” She shuddered from the memory.

“You got work today?” I asked Deanna.

“Yeah.” She rolled her eyes.

“Who in their right mind hired someone with such a colourful vocabulary?” Julian asked. Mattie nodded in agreement as he leaned back in his seat and placed an arm around Julian’s chair.

I giggled. “The library.”

Talon chuckled behind me. “You have got to be ****tin’ me.”

Deanna flipped him the middle finger and then swung it to Julian.

“Oh, don’t give me that, caramel cake. I think it’s a great job for you. All that silence.” He snickered. “No wonder you swear like a trooper when you’ve been cooped up all day.”

I cleared my throat. “Actually, she only works a thirteen hour week.”

Julian raised his eyebrows and turned to Deanna. “I guess all the colourfulness just comes naturally.”

Deanna snorted. “That’s right, sugarplum. Anyway, now that I’ve had me ****in’ fill of all your ****, people, I better be off.” She rose from the table, bringing her mug to the sink.

“Who’s on you today?” Talon asked.

Huh? What does he mean?

Deanna sighed loudly. “I don’t need no ass-wipe babysitter.”

Well that explained that.

Talon’s phone rang; he answered with a gruff, “What? Yep, she is. That right. Ok.” He flipped the phone closed and placed it back in his pocket. “Don’t ****in’ move a muscle,” he growled.

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I moved out of his arms and faced him with a glare. “Don’t you talk to me like that; and I’m not moving, a-a-and keep down the tone. Maya’s still in the house.”

He smirked. “I wasn’t talkin’ to you, kitten.” He nodded over my shoulder. I turned to see Deanna near the doorway looking out into the lounge with a tense body.

“Deanna?” I asked.

Julian squealed. “Whoo-boy, something’s going to go down. I so frigging love this place. It’s like having your own private movie. Wait, I need a snack while watching this.”

“You just had breakfast,” Mattie said, shaking his head.

“Come on—”

“Guys,” I interrupted, and then spun back to Talon. “What’s wrong?”

“That was Griz on the phone; he asked Hell Mouth to wait while he had a quick shower. He got out and she’d disappeared.”

Deanna turned back around, hands on her hips, and a scowl on her face. “Oh, come the **** on. I needed a coffee.”

“You could have waited.” Talon glared back at her. “Have some ****in’ respect, woman. Griz had a **** night; he doesn’t wanna deal with your crap all day, but he is.”

“Whatever.” She shook her head and looked at me. “This is what you call friendship; now I have to put up with a body-****in’-guard all day and night.”

I gasped. She was right; I was a terrible friend. All my past poo now affected her life in more ways than she could handle. I know Deanna; she’d hate being crowded all the time.

“Don’t start all your wah, wah crap.” She rolled her eyes and walked over to me; our gazes met. “You know I wouldn’t have it any other way. I love ya guts.”

I nodded. She smiled, and the front door banged open.

“Get your ass out here, woman, or you’ll be late for work,” Griz snarled.

“I’m coming,” Deanna yelled back. She sighed, hugged me, and made her way out. “See you losers later.”

Talon and I walked Maya to school. We walked Maya—my daughter—to school. As in together. Both of us walking with Maya, to school. Like a real-life couple. It felt amazing. He held my hand; Maya held his other hand, and as we walked, we talked. More like Maya talked to Talon, and I walked along while trying not to bawl my eyes out, trip, or sing, “The hills are alive with the sound of music.”

Once we got back to my place, he announced, “Kitten, I gotta take off for a while. Blue’s coming over, but I’ll be back later before you hav’ta get Maya from school. I’m gonna bring some of m’**** with me to keep here; saves me traveling home every day.”

I gulped. This was serious stuff; still, I couldn’t stop from saying, “Talon you live right next door; it’s not that hard.”

He laughed. “Babe, I don’t live there. I sometimes crash there when I’ve had too much. I live out on some land in Buninyong.” He kissed me before I had a chance to have a thought.

I went to my tippy toes and tightly wrapped my arms around his neck. He growled deep, sending a shiver to my fandola. I loved it when he did that. Our tongues did the tango with an expertise of practiced partners.

“Ah, don’t mind us.”

I moved my head back enough to look over Talon’s shoulder, and while panting, I saw Julian and Mattie standing in the kitchen doorway. I wanted to hiss and yell at them to flock off. But I was also grateful they turned up, or I’d be turning myself inside out to claw my way into Talon’s pants.

“**** it. One day, kitten. One day, I’ll have you, and then you won’t be glad to be interrupted.”

I looked into his amused crinkled eyes. “Well, I wasn’t totally happy about it.”

“I agree,” Julian said. “She was giving us laser eyes.”

“That’s good to know.” He smiled down at me, kissed my forehead, and moved off to the front door. “I’ll pick up some takeout for dinner after I get Cody from his mother,” he said over his shoulder.

“No need, Thor. Mattie and I are going shopping; we’ll have enough to feed an army.”

I raised my hand to get his attention. “Oh, um, what’s Cody’s favourite meal to eat?”

Talon’s warm eyes turned to me. “Any kinda roast, kitten. Just like his dad.”

I looked over to Mattie and said, “Can you get me a leg of lamb?”

“Sure thing.” He smiled.

“He’ll love it, babe,” Talon said. “I’ll catcha later.”

Five seconds after Talon left, Blue walked in. Maybe I should lock that door one day, but now it seemed to be the traffic way for hot bikers.

“Hey, baby.” Blue grinned and walked—no, more like stalked— over to me, and ran the back of his hand down the side of my cheek. My eyes widened as he nodded over my shoulder to Julian and Mattie.

“Alrighty, we’re off down the street, hun,” Julian said. “If you think of anything else, text me, baby.” He raised his eyebrows up and down. Then he coughed under his breath, “Slut.”

I gave him an eye roll. “Uh, wait. Um…” I turned to Blue. “Shouldn’t we walk with them, to keep them covered?”

“Everything is set, baby. As soon as someone steps out of this house, another is upon them.”

Wow. Talon wasn’t taking any chances.

“We’re going in Julian’s car,” Mattie said.

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“Don’t stress; you’ll be covered,” Blue said.

“Okay. Uh, guys, I’ll see you soon.” In other words, do not leave me alone long with Blue. Because seriously, what the heck was that about? Sure Blue had flirted before, but he’d never made contact with me.

After the front door closed, I gulped. Now I was in a house alone with yet another hot biker, but he wasn’t the one who was going to get the green-means-go sign into my panties.

“Blue—”

“No. Don’t say anything. I just want you to know, before and IF you and Talon take this further, I want my chance. I need you to know that Talon wasn’t the only one watching you. What makes me different is that while I was watching, I wasn’t doing anyone else. I think you’re incredible, Zara. I want you in every way.” He lay a kiss on my cheek and went over to the couch, sat down, and turned on the television.

Oh. My. God. What in the hell was that? No way, no flipping way. Blue wanted me. In every way.

Wait. What did he mean by while he was watching me, he wasn’t doing anyone else? Did that mean Talon had?

Oh, who was I kidding? Of course he was. I witnessed myself his whoring-ness.

I shook my head to clear it. I didn’t have time for this; I had enough on my mind. If I let that get to me, I’d be sitting in a corner rocking back and forth, sucking my thumb.

“I’m going to clean. Yeah, cleaning is good.”

Blue looked around the house. “Everything seems clean to me, baby.”

“No, no it isn’t.” I walked over to the couch and pointed to the carpet. “Look, can you see the crumbs?”

He leaned over, smiled, and said, “Nope.”

“They’re there.” I got to my hands and knees, shoving my head down nearly into the carpet. “See there? It’s really crummy.”

Blue laughed. “Sure, baby. Clean away.”

I got up, harrumphed, and added, “I have to dust first.”

By mid-afternoon, I had dusted, cleaned the bathrooms, bedrooms, and vacuumed. Now, I was in the kitchen making Blue and myself a sandwich for a late lunch. I felt kind of bad I hadn’t offered him anything before this time, so to make it up, he was not only getting two sandwiches, but a piece of chocolate mud cake, a coffee, and a soft drink. I placed them all on a tray and took them into the lounge where his behind was still planted on the couch, now laughing at Judge Judy on TV.

“Wow, baby. Maybe I should have confessed my devotion for you a long time ago if this is what I’m going to get.”

I blushed and stuttered, “U-uh, no. I mean, I’m sorry for not…for being busy all morning and forgetting lunch. Um, no devotion needed here.” I nodded and went back into the kitchen where my own lunch was waiting to be consumed.

I’d just sat down at the table when the phone rang. “Hello?” I answered.

“Why the frig have you not called me yet?” Deanna quietly hissed into the phone.

“Why would I call you at work?”

“Your brother and his partner popped in for a visit. They laughed at me, ‘cause I was as sweet as pie, no matter what I did; but then they informed me that Blue was all up in your face this morning. What happened?”

“Um, I can’t really talk right now.”

“The **** you can’t…oh, I am so sorry, but I do not believe that is an option for you.” I laughed. Someone must have walked into the library to cause Deanna to change her tune like that. On another hiss she added, “Unless you want me to tell Maya about that time we smoked a joint when she was a baby and you ended up laughing so hard you cried ‘cause you thought you had an ugly ape baby, you had better start talking.”

That was a bit uncalled for. Not every baby was cute, and it just happened that Maya was one of them; didn’t mean I loved her less.

“Jeesh, alright. Hang on a sec’.” Taking my plate with me, I got up, walked out to the lounge where Blue gave me a knowing smirk. “Uh, I gotta take this. Be back.” And I quickly headed down the hall to my bedroom. “You ready?” I asked into the phone after sitting down near the pillows on my bed.

“What do you think? Hurry it up, woman, before I get a customer.”

“Okay, the quick low down. Blue came in, walked up to me, ran his hand down my cheek, and said ‘morning, baby.’ Mattie and Julian left. Then—oh my God, Deanna. Then he confessed that Talon wasn’t the only one watching me for two years. So had he. And he wants me in every way.”

“Holy David Hasslehoff,” Deanna yelled. “Sorry, sorry.” I knew she was apologizing to people at the library. “Heck, Zee. What are you going to do?” she whispered.

“Nothing.”

“What do you mean nothing?”

“Deanna, hun, he isn’t the one who gets my heart and loins racing when he walks into a room. Sure he is great looking, but…my-my heart already knows who it wants. Even if that guy can be a bossy, alpha-male ass sometimes. He’s all of those things, and mine.”

Silence on the other end. That was never good coming from Deanna.

“Deanna?”

“That’s good, Zee. I’m glad for you. Look I gotta go. See ya later, loser.” She sounded deflated, or her boss had just caught her on the phone once again.

“Yeah, okay, I’ll see you later.” When we’d have a serious talk.

After we’d hung up, I dropped the phone to the bed; a second later it rang again. I answered it with a chirpy, “Hello.”

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Nothing but air on the other head.

“Hello?” I said again.

Zilch reply.

“Look if this is one of those heavy breathing idiots, go out and get a job.”

Still nothing.

My bedroom door was flung open, Talon stood there breathing hard. Two steps and he had the phone out of my hand and ended the call.

“Hey!” I glared.

“Kitten.” He closed his eyes and breathed deep. Upon opening them, he pulled me from the bed and wrapped his arms around me. Then whispered, “It was him.”

I froze. Somehow, I knew who he meant and it certainly wasn’t a random pervert.

“No.” I shook my head against his chest.

“I asked Violet to hook me up,” he said, still whispering. “We have your lines covered; you call out, we know who you’re calling.We can hear the conversation. Anyone who calls in and says nothing, we trace their number. He had the balls to use his own phone.”

“Talon,” I whispered.

“He won’t get to you. I promise.”

He was telling the truth, but I was still scared outta my brain.

“Let it roll on off you, kitten. Don’t let him win.”

Again, all I could do was nod.

“What’s goin’ on?” A concerned Blue asked from the doorway.

“Nothin’ to concern you, brother,” Talon growled. He turned us both so we were facing Blue.

“I think it does, brother. I’m here to help aren’t I?”

“I think you’re ****in’ here for other reasons, like hittin’ on my woman.”

My eyes widened. Blue looked to me. Did he think I said something?

“I-I never…”

“It’s all right, baby.” He smiled at me and turned a glare on Talon. “The phone call, right?” he asked.

Oh, crap’ola. Talon’s words came rushing back to me. We have your lines covered. He had heard everything I’d said to Deanna.

“Yes,” Talon snapped through clenched teeth. “But something you didn’t hear, and that Zara would never share, ‘cause she wouldn’t wanna hurt you, was that you aren’t the one that makes her heart race when you walk into a room. She already knows who she wants, and it ain’t ****in’ you.”

“Talon.” I gasped. Because he was right, I never would have told Blue that.

“What, babe? At least I didn’t mention anything about your loins.” He chuckled. I buried my head in my hands and cringed.

“Well, congratu-****in-lations.”

I stood straight, my hand reached out to Blue. “Blue—”

“It’s all right, sweetheart.”

“No, it ain’t. Brothers don’t do that **** to each other. A brother never goes after what’s already another brother's. You knew I’d claimed Zara. What the ****?”

“Come on, Talon. Look at her; she’s one sweet piece in every way. Most bitches around our area only want one thing, a **** to lay on and get off. I’m sick of that crap. I want more, and I saw that in Zara. I knew I was too late; I could see it in her eyes the way she looks at you. But you can’t hate me too much for trying.”

“We’ll ****in’ see. Right now, we got other stuff to deal with. Get back to the compound. I’m takin’ my woman to get her kid.”

“I get it, Talon, loud and clear.”

“Blue—”

“Don’t stress, baby. S’all good.”

I nodded, looked to the floor, and without thinking, but feeling, I quietly said, “One day someone will come along, Blue, and you’ll know she’s it. She’ll do something that will blow your mind, and then she’ll be stuck there; and not a minute will go by that you won’t think about her. But that isn’t me, and I’m sorry.”

“****,” he hissed. “See what I’m talkin’ ‘bout, brother? She’s got class, balls—especially to stand up to you, and sweetness. A total package.”

“I know that, brother,” Talon said. “Why’d you think I stopped stuffin’ around and grabbed her while I could? I’m just lucky enough she’s willin’ to grab me back.”

I pulled my lips between my teeth so I wouldn’t cry. This was a wonderful moment in my life.

It wouldn’t be until much later that I remembered about the phone call.

Blue left just as Mattie and Julian arrived home with their arms filled with groceries. It was lucky they had the help of Vic, another of Talon’s guys, to carry it all in. Vic had short blond hair, blue eyes, was tall, and slim, though you could tell he’d still hold his own in a fight. Or if he couldn’t, he’d probably scare a bloke with the permanent scowl he had going on. Though, I wasn’t totally sure that scowl was permanent; it could have been there for the fact that Mattie and Julian had tortured him all day, dragging him here and there.

“The *** shop was the funniest.” Julian cackled just before Talon and I walked out the front door to collect Maya from school. Talon found that hilarious, where I found it worrisome. Because if it wasn't for me and my...situation, Vic wouldn't have been put in that spot in the first place.

Poor Vic; he’ll end up hating me.

“Kitten,” Talon said, as I walked quietly beside him.

“Yeah?” I looked over at him.

“Wanna talk ‘bout your loins and how they race for me?”

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I blushed, pulled my hand free of his, and shoved him. “No, jerk. Want to talk about the fact that you didn’t mention doing anything to my phone in the first place?”

“No. I’m glad I didn’t. Or I wouldn’t have found out what your heart already wanted...me.”

“Yeah, right. I was actually talking about the postman. Hoo-wee he gets me going.”

Talon stopped and whipped me into his arms. “Don’t. Don’t joke about this, kitten. I may be teasin’, but I’m so ****in’ full to the brim with…gratefulness to hear that come outta your mouth. You had me worried that I was the only one feeling this; but now I know I’m not, and it makes me happy for the first time in a hell of a long time.”

“Talon—”

It was then, in the middle of the street, not far from Maya’s school, that he kissed me.And it wasn’t only lust riding the kissable train this time, but some feelings had jumped aboard as well.

It was magical.

We were standing out the front of Maya’s class, receiving a lot of stares. Mainly because I had never showed up to collect Maya with a male before, and the way Talon was hugging me to his front, it was undeniable that we weren’t just friends. That was when I saw Maya—who was usually the first one out—come out last with the teacher following her.

“Uh-oh,” I said.

“Relax, babe. Can’t be that bad; Maya’s a good kid.”

“Hmm.” We’ll see about that. He has never been with her down the street when she wasn't getting what she wanted. I swear she becomes possessed by the devil.

“Hi, Miss Edgingway,” Mrs. Faith said on a sigh.

“What’s wrong?” I asked. Though she wasn’t looking at me, even when she greeted me, her eyes were on Talon. Did he have that effect on all ages? Because I was sure Mrs. Faith was at least sixty.

“Um—”

And she’d never done that before; I didn’t think um was in her vocabulary.

She shook her head and focused back on me. “Do you mind if we have a word alone for a minute?”

“Sure. Maya, honey, why don’t you go and show Talon the play area?”

“Okay, Momma.” She pulled my sleeve so I was eye-to-eye with her. “Just remember it was real important I done what I done.” With that, she spun away, grabbed Talon’s hand, and skipped off while Talon walked beside her to the play equipment.

A moment later, I realized I wasn’t the only one enjoying the view. Though I wasn’t staring at Talon’s butt like Mrs. Faith was. I was admiring how great it looked for Maya to have Talon beside her, as he looked down listening to something she was saying and then burst out laughing.

I cleared my throat. “Sooo,” I started.

“Yes, I am sorry to tell you this, but we had an incident today that involved Maya. We don’t condone violence at this school; and honestly, I was shocked that your daughter decided to use such force when she got angry at another student. I have had words with her, as I am sure you will as well. Please make sure that she will not lead down that path again.”

“What actually happened?”

“Maya hit another child in the stomach, quite hard actually. She didn’t like something the other student had said to her. Of course, we both know that even if she doesn’t like something, it should never come to violence to get her message across.”

“Yes, of course. And I will be speaking to her about this matter this afternoon. I am terribly sorry for what has happened. But, um, can I ask what was said?”

“I think I will leave that up to Maya to inform you. Have a good weekend, Miss Edgingway.”

“Yes. Uh, thank you, Mrs. Faith.”

She turned and scuttled off into her classroom. Old stuffy bat, I was sure it wasn’t as bad as it sounded.

I sighed. Time to find out what my little monster had done. I walked around the corner and saw red. Talon was standing by the side of the play equipment watching Maya being a monkey, swinging from one bar to another. That was fine; what I didn’t like was what was standing by Talon. Okay, maybe I shouldn’t say what; it was a she. Stacey MacDonald. The sluttiest of all sluts. And okay, maybe I shouldn’t say that, because I hardly knew the lady.But I’d heard enough about her. All the mothers talked about how much she flirted with all the fathers and male teachers at the school. And right now, she was running a hand down Talon’s arm, and they were laughing at something she’d just said.

I stalked over, walked around her to Talon’s other side, and wrapped my arms around his middle.

“Oh, Zara. Hi.”

I grinned, but glared. “Yeah, hi Stacey.” I turned my gaze to Talon and gentled my look. “You ready to go, honey?”

He smirked, his lips twitching. Was he seriously fighting not to laugh right now?

“Sure, kitten. Maya, we’re goin’.”

“Ok,” Maya called. She knew she was about to get into trouble, because usually it would take at least five times for me to call her for her to actually listen.

Stacey cleared her throat. “Right, bye, Zara. Talon, I’ll see you around some time.”

WTF?

“Um, no. I don’t think you will, Stacey. I plan on keeping Talon very busy for a very long time.”

She rolled her eyes. “Sure, Zara.”

I shook my head, grabbed Talon’s hand in mine and took Maya’s hand within the other, and left.