Page 8 of Echoes of Us

Talon couldn’t stop glancing at Willow. Hell, he’d already swerved twice and nearly ran off the damn road because of her.

But how could he not? She was sitting there in the passenger seat, dressed in a soft blue sundress that clung in all the right places, teasing every ounce of control he had left.

He gripped the steering wheel tighter, trying to focus on the road, but his eyes kept betraying him, sliding back to her bare shoulders, the gentle curve of her legs, and the way the corner of her mouth quirked every time she caught him looking.

“You’re going to wreck us if you keep staring,” Willow said, her voice lilting with amusement as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

“Can’t help it,” Talon muttered, his throat tight. “Did you pick that dress just to torture me?”

“Maybe,” She teased with a whisper, then laughed when he groaned.

“Fuck it.” Talon’s voice was low, almost a growl, as he turned sharply off the main road onto a narrow dirt path that wound between the trees.

The truck bounced over the uneven ground before he brought it to a stop in a small clearing, far enough away that not even the sound of passing cars could reach them.

Dust floated through the fading sunlight streaming in from the windshield, and the quiet pressed in around them.

Willow blinked, glancing around in confusion. “Talon, what are you doing?” she asked, her heart already hammering as she turned to look at him.

He didn’t answer right away. He just cut the engine; the sudden silence was deafening. Then he turned to her with a look of intense hunger. “Come here,” he said, his voice rough and quiet, like he’d been holding the words back for too long.

Willow hesitated, her brows furrowing. “We’re going to be late,” she murmured, though even she didn’t sound convinced. “I think. I’m not even sure whose party we’re going to.”

A slow smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. “Doesn’t matter.” He reached over, his hand finding hers, thumb brushing against her skin in a way that made her pulse skip. “I’ve waited long enough.”

Before she could respond, Talon tugged gently, pulling her across the bench seat until she was pressed against his side. The old truck, his favorite for a reason, had no console between them, just worn leather and years of memories. He’d known exactly what he was doing when he chose it tonight.

“Talon,” Willow breathed, her voice trembling slightly. She could feel the heat radiating from him, the steady thump of his heart under her palm where it rested on his chest. “What are you doing?”

He lifted his hand to her cheek, his thumb tracing the curve of her jaw. “You’ve been driving me crazy in that dress,” he whispered. His gaze flicked down to her lips, then back to her eyes. “If we’re late, we’re late.”

“You like my dress?” She smiled, her eyes twinkled as she stared into his.

“Yes,” His eyes roamed down her body. “But I like what’s in that dress a whole lot more.”

The blush that bloomed across her face made her even more beautiful. Grasping her chin, he brought her lips to his. The kiss wasn’t rushed or desperate. It was deep and full of every unsaid thing between them. When Talon finally pulled back, he rested his forehead against hers.

“You are mine, Willow.” Talon’s voice came out low and gravelly, thick with emotion he could barely contain. His pulse pounded as he looked into her eyes. “I’ve never wanted a woman more than I want you.”

Willow’s breath hitched. For a moment, neither of them moved, but then she drew in a shaky breath, her voice barely a whisper. “Then take me.”

The words shattered his restraint. Talon’s hand slid behind her neck, pulling her to him as his mouth claimed hers in a kiss that was deep, hungry, and full of every unspoken promise he’d ever made.

She melted against him, matching his fire with her own, her fingers tangling in his hair as her soft moan sent a tremor down his spine.

Heat flooded the cab of the old truck as their hands roamed freely, exploring and remembering. The air around them was thick with need. Every brush of her skin, every sound she made, nearly pushed him past the point of no return.

But even through the haze of desire, he managed to find the shred of control that kept him from losing himself completely. With a guttural sound, he tore his lips away, then rested his forehead against hers as they both tried to catch their breath.

“As much as I want you right now,” Talon said, his voice rough, uneven, every word scraping out between shallow breaths, “it’s not going to be like this. Not here. It will be in my bed where I can take my time and do it right.”

Willow groaned softly, her lips brushing his as she whispered, teasing but breathless, “But there’s so much room in here.”

Talon chuckled, the sound dark and warm. “You keep talking like that, and I’m going to forget what I just said.” He brushed a stray strand of hair from her face, his thumb lingering against her cheek. “You drive me crazy, Willow. Every second I’m near you; it’s a battle not to touch you.”

Her smile was soft, full of affection and fire. “Then stop fighting it.”

He kissed her once more, slow and tender this time, before pulling back and starting the truck. “If I don’t drive us out of here right now,” he murmured, glancing at her with a grin that made her heart skip, “we won’t make it to that party or anywhere else for that matter.”

“Fine. I mean, if you don’t—” Willow sighed dramatically as she started to scoot away from him, but he stopped her.

“Oh, sweetheart, not only do I want to, but I’m going to as soon as I have you alone in a safer place.

It’s been way too long.” His eyes narrowed as he stared at her.

“And if you are dead set on being taken in this truck, I will be more than willing to see that fantasy fulfilled when we are somewhere I know we will not be interrupted.”

For a heartbeat, neither moved, but then Willow’s lips parted, her eyes heated as she stared at him.

She slowly dragged her tongue across her bottom lip, a nervous but hungry gesture that sent a bolt of need straight through him.

Her next sigh was soft, almost a whisper, full of desire, and Talon’s grip on the steering wheel tightened to keep himself in check.

That look, that sound from her sweet lips, was everything he wanted from her and precisely what he was aiming for.

He shot her a wicked grin as he shifted into drive, his voice rough when he said, “Careful, Willow. Keep looking at me like that, and I’m not making any promises about getting you to that party with your dress still on.”

“Like what, Talon?” Her voice held a hint of innocence, but her chuckle told him that she knew exactly what she was doing and knew exactly what she wanted.

Talon growled with a curse as he took off. The rest of the ride passed in a haze of unspoken words and stolen glances. Every brush of his fingers against hers, every quiet laugh, only wound the tension tighter until it hummed between them like a live wire.

When Talon finally turned into the long dirt drive, he felt the change immediately. The air in the truck shifted, growing heavier, quieter. Willow’s easy smile faded as her eyes followed the familiar path leading up to the old house.

“Why are we going here?” she asked softly, her brows knitting together as she looked at him.

“This is where the party is,” Talon said gently.

He stopped the truck and turned to face her, extending his hand like he could somehow ease the ache he saw in her eyes.

She hesitated only a moment before sliding her palm into his.

His grip was warm and steady, grounding her even as her chest tightened with memory.

She glanced out the windshield again. The porch lights glowed, voices carried faintly from the backyard, laughter echoing against walls that once held nothing but anger and pain. Her throat went dry.

“You said you lived here now,” she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. “With Cory.”

Talon nodded, his thumb brushing over her knuckles. “Yeah. Since my father’s death, it’s been… different.” He gave a small, almost sad smile. “We’re rebuilding it and making it something good for once.”

Willow looked down at their joined hands, her heart twisting. “This place…” She shook her head. “It holds so many bad memories.”

“I know,” he said quietly. “But it doesn’t have to anymore. Not for me. Not for you either.” He reached over and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, his touch tender. “Tonight, it’s going to be the start of something better.”

Her eyes met his, and he knew the ghosts of the past still whispered, but he hoped that together, they could put it all behind them.

“Okay,” she said finally, her voice soft but steady. “Let’s do this.”

Talon squeezed her hand, smiling faintly as he leaned close enough for his breath to brush her cheek. “That’s my girl.” He tilted her chin up so she could meet his gaze. “Trust me.”