Page 12 of Wild Card (Men of Action #4)

WILLOW

My phone chimes loudly in my back pocket, and I reach for it a little too eagerly, inciting a curious look from Bex.

Talon

You ready for a big night out?

I bite the inside of my cheek, my heart picking up speed. It’s been five days since our Sunday together, and true to his word, he has respected my boundaries. No pet names, no inappropriate touches, no showing up unannounced.

The three sessions we’ve had have been focused solely on his rehab and progress. Our conversations stuck to the basics but were always geared toward me. My studies, Wyatt and Chase, how Wolf is doing—all safe subjects.

He’s worked night shifts this week, but each evening texts me a short message to say good night. And then in the morning to wish me a good day.

As much as I hate to admit it, his texts have become a favorite part of my day.

There haven’t been many men in my life. Joe was my only true boyfriend. Therefore, my experience is limited.

When the guy you’ve been dating for almost two years becomes distant, you break up, only to discover he’s in love with your sister—it leaves scars.

Now they’re getting married and I’m single, fighting feelings for the hottest man I’ve ever met—who is way out of my league.

Like a thousand times this week, my mind drifts back to Sunday. During our walk, I peppered him with questions. He’s met half my family, my best friends, and knew about my parents’ separation. Yet, I only knew the names of a few of his friends and their dogs.

He didn’t make me press too hard, offering up information easily.

“You’re an only child? One child was enough?”

He smiled slyly. “More like why keep going when you have the perfect son already?”

I bumped his shoulder. “Sure, you were the perfect son, huh?”

“Perfection at its finest.”

“You’re telling me you gave your parents no trouble? Isn’t that a rite of passage for all children? We have to give our parents grief at some point.”

“Hard to fuck up when you spend every moment outside of school at the batting cage or pitcher’s mound.”

This surprised me. “You were a ball player?”

“I was.”

I glanced over his body, picturing the teenage boy in a baseball uniform. Having seen him in action a few weeks ago at the charity ball game gives my imagination a full understanding. “Were you perfect at baseball, too?”

He shrugs. “Got a full ride to LSU. Turned down the scholarship.”

“Why?”

“Because we had the money to pay for college. I wasn’t cool with taking someone else’s spot who needed it more.”

“That’s modest.”

“It’s decency. I knew I wasn’t taking the money or a permanent spot on the team. Even when the coaches said scouts were coming for me.”

“As in the Majors?”

“That’s what they said.”

“What happened?”

“I tried school a while then joined the Marines.”

I stopped walking, gawking at him. “You gave it all up?”

“I don’t see it that way. But others did.”

“What happened?”

“Nothing happened. I considered my options. For as long as I could remember, I wanted to be a Marine. The decision to enlist won out.”

“How’d your parents take it?”

“Would they have loved to have me attend school and stay close? Sure. They knew where I stood and it wasn’t a surprise.”

We started walking again, both of us quiet but my mind reeling.

Finally, I spoke, my voice low and clogged with emotion.

“My brother was a baseball player. He lived for the game. But he knew he’d never go forward, and when the time came, he hung up his cleats and followed his other dream to become a doctor. ”

“To me, being a doctor is a fuck of a lot better than a ball player.”

“Maybe, but I think the only time I’ve ever seen my brother cry was the night of his last game.”

“I understand that. I made my choice, but that last game was still tough.”

“Did you cry?” I tease to try and break the seriousness hanging in the air.

“What do you think?”

“Of course not. Big, bad, soon-to-be-Marines don’t shed tears at the end of an era.”

He grinned, switching Wolf’s leash to his other hand, sliding his arm around my waist to haul me to his side.

“Once I made the decision, I was at peace with it.”

“Guess I understand the whole sliding into home base during the charity softball game. You couldn’t help yourself.”

He flashed me a smug grin that should set off warning bells, but instead, it fueled me.

“Little boys around the world put on their first uniform and dream of the chance to play professional ball. You gave up the chance at millions of guys’ dreams to join the service. That’s noble.”

“I was born to be a Marine.”

My heart skipped a beat and then melted as so many things bounced around my brain.

In no time, we were back at my townhome. He handed me the leash and brushed his lips across my temple. It was a simple move, not an iota of romance, but my skin tingled where his lips crossed.

“Enjoy your studying.”

“You’re not coming in?”

He tipped my chin up, his eyes boring into mine. “No, because I made you a deal. If we go back into that house, I can’t promise to control myself. You need to study.”

I hated he was right.

I also hated I didn’t want him to be right.

Even though he irritated the shit out of me less than thirty minutes ago with his bossiness, I didn’t want this to end.

Which was B-A-D. He was wearing me down way too easily. I needed to remind myself why we weren’t going to happen.

He’s a risk-taking, thrill seeker.

A man who puts his life on the line for others without blinking.

Kind, funny, sweet, selfless, attentive, the hottest guy I’d ever met, and absolutely the best kisser in my life.

Talon Simms might be a unicorn among men.

The kind of man I could fall head over ass for.

Also, the kind of guy who could break me.

I nodded, stepping away. “Thank you for lunch. I owe you.”

Surprise crossed his gaze, his lips forming a hard line.

I kept backing up toward my door. “See ya on Tuesday. We’ll probably increase the weights, so be ready for discomfort. And ummm, maybe stock up on some muscle cream and ibuprofen. The topical pain relief works well.”

Jesus, Willow, stop yammering. My back hit the railing and Wolf looked at me like I was insane.

Talon’s mouth curved into a slow, lazy grin. “Topical pain relief?”

“Yes. That’s the best. I’m not going easy on you.”

“I have no doubt nothing is easy with you.”

“T-t-that’s my job.”

“You nervous, Willow?”

“No. I just want to give you a heads up.“

“You going inside to raise that wall of denial about what’s happening here?”

“Nothing is happening here. We’re friends.”

“Friends… for two more weeks.”

“You keep saying that, but I do hope you understand that nothing is happening.”

“Go inside, Willow, before I take you inside and remind you what it’s like when my tongue is ? —”

“Bye!” I punched in my code and shoved in my door before he could finish the sentence. Of course, the only thing I can think of is his kiss.

It took a full five minutes for me to move, only to peek through the blinds in time to see him drive away.

I come back to the present, still staring at my phone. I don’t remember mentioning my plans earlier during his session, so how’d he know?

How’d you know about tonight?

Talon

I have my ways.

Stalking again?

Talon

Prefer to call it skills.

Skills to know where I am?

Talon

Enjoy. Call me if you need a ride home.

Will you be picking me up in a police cruiser?

Talon

Not on shift tonight. You drink too much, text or call. I’ll be there.

Thanks, but in the unlikely event I can’t drive, Bex and I will share an Uber.

The bubbled dots appear as he types his reply, then go blank. A warm breath coats my neck and I fall right into Bex reading over my shoulder.

“Personal space!”

“Your game sucks.” She tsks, disappointed.

“I’m not playing a game.”

“You don’t tell a hot guy who offers to pick you up on a Friday night that you’re taking an Uber.”

“I don’t want to put him out.”

“He offered.”

“Okay, then I don’t want to send the wrong impression.”

“Give it up.” Her eyes dart to my screen and her smile grows wide. “I do like this guy.”

Talon

one week and your threats of an Uber are over.

“What does that mean?” I mutter.

“It means you’ve awakened the alpha and the countdown is on. Consider yourself warned.”

“I don’t want a warning because there is no countdown.”

“For someone so brilliant, you’re clueless.”

I ignore her and his comment, stuffing my phone back in my pocket. “Did you happen to mention our plans for happy hour?”

“Nope, but Abe did.”

“Abe did?”

“He invited him.”

“Why would he do that?”

“Because he likes Talon. He pays attention.”

“You think he knows Talon asked me out?”

“I know a lot. And like everyone else, I notice this dance you two are doing.” Abe Koch ambles in the break room.

My surprise turns to panic, my mouth going dry. Abe circles his hand in the air. “Let’s discuss this over drinks.”

“Or never,” I suggest hopefully.

He walks back out and Bex hands me my bag. “Do I need to drive you to make sure you don’t bail?”

“We’ll box her in. You have lead, I’ll tail.” Lucas stands in the doorway impatiently. “Let’s roll.”

No one speaks on the way to the parking lot and they do exactly as Lucas suggested. Bex pulls in front, waiting for me to reverse, then Lucas slides behind. It’s only a few miles to the restaurant and bar they frequently hang out. Each minute in the car, my dread increases.

My only saving chance is that maybe Abe is already occupied with someone else and I can avoid him.

No such luck.

He’s sitting at a high-top with a bucket of beer in the middle and a lone martini at the place next to him. He takes a pull of his bottle, his expression transparent. No dodging this.

“Maddie’s on her way,” he announces when I’m close.

Relief washes through me. Maddie is his fiancée and an absolute doll. “Okay, I’ll settle over there.” I point to the other end.

“She suggested I order this for you.” He taps the stem of the glass. “Said you may need it.”

“She’s a genius.” Bex takes the stool on the other side of the empty seat, waiting for me.