Page 1 of Wild Card (Men of Action #4)

TALON

“Shots! Shots!”

A group chants around two men tossing back the amber liquid.

“Fucking amateurs, you think these idiots ever actually won a softball game before tonight?” Ace and Harley walk up.

“Talon hit the winning home run; they should buy him shots. He’s the hero of the day.” Harley winks at me.

“It was a fucking loose pitch. He got lucky,” Ace complains.

“Aww, you jealous? You know that hit was legit. Knocked that shit right out of the park, probably into the next zip code.” I project my arms wide.

One thing is for sure. Out of the four of us, Ace has a fierce competitive streak. He’d take a bullet in a milli-second, but when it comes to being outshined, he’s a piss-poor loser.

“Don’t be hard on yourself. Your hit in the fourth inning was solid.”

Ford and Major chuckle while Ace’s eyes heat.

“Please don’t antagonize him. He was finally getting over his grouchiness.” Harley’s grin is laced with amusement.

“Sure thing, Jay. Let’s get the grump a consolation beer for being the second-best player tonight.”

She pops me in the arm. “The four of you were equally outstanding.”

I flinch, pretending to wince. “Why the violence? What will the baby think?”

Ace looks at his wife adoringly. “Good job, baby.”

“You rookies going to sit down before I have a riot on my hands for holding your section?” Tom, the owner, yells from the far end of the bar.

“Let’s get you some food.” Ace guides Harley to our reserved section.

“Jewls and Rowan are fifteen minutes out,” Major announces, reading his phone. “The boys are asleep.”

“Being the center of attention is exhausting.”

“Now who’s jealous? You scared they stole your spotlight?” He flashes a picture of his twins in Jewls’ arms wearing identical Metro Nashville Police Department outfits.

“Not jealous, no better guys to lose the spotlight to. Can’t deny they have game.”

Major’s lips curl and he dips his chin. “Damn right.”

“And Jewls seems to have an audience, too.”

His lips shift to a sneer. “She and I will talk about that tonight. The woman can’t help herself.”

I enjoy his irritation as much as Ace. They make it too easy. “Try not to knock her up again.”

“Not my plan, but once you get the fever you’ll understand.”

“God, help us,” I say to the ceiling.

“You’ll get it one day, too. The last to fall.”

“Pretty sure you dumb fuckers got the best of the lot.” I glance back to find Ace hovering over Jay with his hand on her stomach.

My best friends, brothers in bond, the finest men I know.

They’re also fucking idiots for wasting time with the finest women I’ve ever met.

A shard of pain stabs my shoulder and I clench my teeth to keep from flinching.

“Order me a beer, be back.” I take off in the other direction without explanation and bypass the line waiting for the bathroom.

“What the fu—” The man shuts his mouth, recognizing me, and steps aside.

I pull my shirt halfway off and inspect my shoulder. “Goddammit.” The bruising has already formed and the muscles tick against my fingertips.

“Better not let Rowan see that.” Ford’s eyes lock on mine in the mirror.

“Did you follow me?”

“Knew something was off when Jay gave you the sucker punch.”

“It’s nothing.”

“Bullshit, how bad is the pain?” He presses the tender spot near the socket.

“Zero,” I lie.

“You had to be a show-off, sliding into the base.”

“Hey, gotta give the fans a show.”

“Wanna head out and take a pain pill?”

“Fuck no.” Last time I was in the hospital, they kept me so doped up I was high for a week after.

“No shame in being human.”

“You want to go home and take a pain pill?”

“Not taking a pain pill, but if it gets Rowan in bed sooner, then I’m game.”

I adjust my shirt and shake my head. “You want to use me as your wingman to get laid? Didn’t we pass that stage, considering you have a ring on her finger?”

“She has a soft spot for you. If I play it up, it moves things along.”

“Jesus Christ, at least buy her a drink first. Don’t you have any respect for your lady?”

His grin falters and he eyes my shoulder again. “Seriously, man, no shame. You’re hurt, we leave.”

“I’m good. Or at least I will be once you buy me a beer and a celebratory shot. None of the cheap shit either.”

He follows me out, and we’re stopped by a petite blonde woman who’s flailing her hands in the air wildly. She grabs my elbow, yanking me around the corner.

“I don’t have much time. Are you gay?”

Ford lets out a loud snort and I shoot him a glare before answering, “No.”

“Are you here with someone?”

“I’m here with a lot of people.”

“Are you a cop?”

“Yes.”

She chews on her bottom lip, assessing me closely. I cast a glance over to see if anything seems off. “Are you in trouble? Is someone bothering you?”

“Last question. You’re not wearing a ring, but that means nothing. Are you married?”

“Listen, sweet?—”

“No, he’s not,” Ford answers with a smug grin.

“Good, you’re a perfect fit.”

“Perfect fit for what?” I try to pull my hand from hers, not interested in getting involved with a whackjob.

“You’re hot and my friend is getting hit on by a sleezebag who won’t take a hint.

Instead of telling him to beat off, she’s threatening to bail.

I have been looking forward to this night forever.

” The woman emphasizes the word while twirling her finger and rolling her eyes dramatically.

“My girl needs a night out… you can’t imagine how much she needs this.

Her latest charity project fucked her over. ”

“Charity project?”

“That’s what we call the slim-dick, narcissistic, douche-canoe she dated. She needs to brush his bad aura away. Tonight is the night. I need to find a solution. And you’re the solution.”

“I’m the solution?”

I follow her line of sight to the high-top in the corner. More specifically, the brunette leaning away from a man who’s at her ear. Her gaze darts around, landing on her friend, then roving to me. Even from this distance, I can make out the misery in her green eyes.

My heart stills, my gaze locking on the move of her throat as she swallows. The delicate tip of her tongue licking her pink lips.

“Shit, man. Leaving this to you.” Ford slaps me on the back. “Motion if you need me.”

The blonde glances at me hopefully. “Do you think you can…”

It would be easy to head over and take care of this guy with only a look. But something about the woman intrigues me. She’s not the typical Tom’s clientele, or I would have noticed her.

An idea hits. “How far can I take it?”

Her mouth splits into a wide triumphant smile. “She may slap you if you try to feel her up, but a little flirting and pretending she’s your world?—"

“Got this.” I make my way to the table.

The brunette’s eyes never leave mine, growing wider with each step closer.

“Baby.” I slide next to her, shoving the man with more force than necessary.

“What the hell?” he sputters.

“You were invading my woman’s space,” I answer without breaking eye contact with her.

“Man, she didn’t say anything about a boyfriend.”

I skim my fingers over her collarbone and around her neck, slanting her face to mine. “Sorry I’m late.”

“It’s okay.”

I stare down the guy who has the audacity to appear pissed. “You need something?”

He studies me, his mouth curling into a cocky snarl. “You’re a Casanova. No way this is your girl.”

The term Casanova has become a term of endearment to our crew. But this asshole is pissing me off, along with the stale odor of whiskey. “You’re right, she’s my woman. You wanna discuss this outside?”

I don’t wait for his answer, drawing my attention back to the woman.

A buzz ripples through my chest at the sight of her close up.

The distance earlier didn’t do her justice.

A few small freckles coat her cheeks, almost blending in with her creamy complexion.

The scent of vanilla and citrus floats in the air, drawing me in even closer.

Her eyes are a translucent shade of green, currently swirling with confusion and curiosity. I inhale deeply, dropping my forehead to hers.

“You smell delicious.”

“Thanks.” She shivers, her hands clutching the sides of my shirt.

“Relax and tell me if it’s too much.”

“It’s not too much,” she barely whispers, licking her lips again.

Gently, I angle her head, brushing my mouth over hers.

Her breath hitches and lips part, giving me access.

The instant my tongue touches hers, the tang of peaches coats my tastebuds.

I intended to give her a quick kiss, enough to prove a point.

But all rational thought disappears. I frame her face with my other hand, running my thumbs along her jawline in the same slow rhythm as my tongue curls with hers.

Heat races through my blood as her soft body presses to mine, her mouth widening, giving me permission for more.

I deepen the kiss, threading my hands through her hair, feeling the silky strands against my rough palms.

I sense the guy stepping away, hearing his mutters as he disappears. But I don’t dare stop.

It’s been a long fucking time since I kissed a woman whose whole being captured me in a way I can’t get enough of.

Maybe never.

My cock stirs in my jeans, intensity growing with each stroke of her tongue.

I’m seconds away from lifting her ass from her seat when her small whimper reminds me we’re in public.

Reluctantly, I break away, kissing my way to the corner of her lips. “You fucking taste delicious, too.”

She’s panting lightly, her warm breath doing nothing to help my already pulsing dick.

I back away slightly, my chest seizing at the sight of her flushed cheeks and swollen lips. When her eyes flutter, everything else around me vanishes.

Pure fucking perfection.

Her stare slowly comes into focus and her blush deepens as she releases her hold and scoots back in her stool.

“Ummm, that was…”

I give her a few seconds to gather herself, hoping my dick will get the message.

“What’s your name, Princess?”

Before she answers, a guy from the station passes by and shouts, “Way to go on that homer, Simms!”

I tip my chin, giving him a finger flick.

“Homer? As in homerun?”

The beauty in her expression has been replaced with dread.

“You played in the game tonight? Which team?”

“The winning one.”

“You’re a cop?”

“Yes,” I answer slowly, knowing immediately it was the wrong answer.

She gathers her bag and jumps to her feet, swaying slightly on the wedged boots. “I have to go.”

“What—”

She ducks around me, pausing to give me one last look. “Thank you for that… for stepping in and… it was very sweet and probably uncomfortable.”

She rushes away before I can process what the hell is happening.

“Shit, shit shit… She found out you’re an officer?” Her friend materializes at my side.

“That a problem?”

“Not to me, but Wills has preconceived issues.”

“Wills?”

She throws some cash on the table and sighs. “Thanks for tonight. Sorry if it was weird.”

Like her friend, she disappears through the crowd before I can get out a question.

“Jesus, what the fuck?” I rub the back of my neck, flinching at the twinge in my shoulder.

People crowd around the now vacant table and I head toward the back entrance and Tom’s office.

More specifically, the security footage of the parking lot.

And the gorgeous yet skittish brunette who just hauled ass.