Page 27 of Wild Card (Men of Action #4)

“She won’t go down that road again. Rylee and whoever-the-fuck may have gotten the best of her, but that was before she was mine.”

He studies me closer, his quizzical eyes so similar to Willow’s it’s like reading into his mind. "You got something else?”

“Willow has driven herself hard all her life toward her goals. Being a physical therapist has been on her radar for as long as I can remember.”

“I’m aware.”

“She’s also a dreamer. She didn’t talk much about it, but in moments when she’d let it slip. Husband, kids, big house, animals… the full package. Joseph seemed stable and she settled for ordinary. With you, it’s different. I can see the hope blooming.”

“Willow is taken care of.”

“Talon, if you aren’t in this?—”

“Respect, Chase, but don’t finish that sentence.

In case you haven’t noticed the kinda man I am, you can have a hint.

This thing with us is new, but it’s real.

I gave her the time to get used to it. My patience ended the day I found her unconscious.

I’m not going anywhere. Willow can chase those dreams, and I’ll be right next to her. She is mine .”

He waits a beat then reaches into the cabinet.

He pours a generous shot, then swallows in one gulp.

“As the only doctor she’ll see today, I have to inform you that sex is off the table for forty-eight hours.

Nothing that will increase her adrenaline or spike her blood pressure.

And if I live a century, I hope I never have to say those words about my sister again. ”

“Noted.” I openly grin at his scowl.

“Now I’m calling my woman to get her food order and convince her to stay at my place tonight.”

“Have faith you have practice in that area.”

I take the glasses he poured for Willow and Rosie, walking back to the living room. I stop dead at the sight of Willow and Wyatt reading a book, curled into the corner of her sofa. He’s mesmerized as she reads each word with vigor and purpose, bringing the scene to life.

“My Willow will be fine.” Rosie takes her wine and winks, her happiness beaming.

I don’t correct her that Willow will be more than fine.

But she was right—Wyatt will be my nephew one day.

“Got to be shitting me. Who is this fucking clown?”

“Shhh.” Willow slaps my arm. “People can hear you.”

“Don’t give a damn, this guy isn’t qualified to tie my shoe.”

“Agreed, he sucks,” Chase says low, the irritation grating in his voice.

“Wyatt’s not playing for these morons,” Sterling announces.

“Guys, don’t get him kicked out before he makes a team,” Willow pleads between us.

“Got it handled.”

At the sound of Major’s voice behind me, I drop my chin to hide my grin. Knew they wouldn’t stay away.

“What in the—? What are you all doing here?”

And by all, she means everyone. Ace, Harley, Ford, Rowan, Major, Jewls, and the twins, along with Rowdy and Mack lapping happily on their leashes.

“We heard about the tryouts and wanted to lend our support,” Harley chirps.

“Ace was on shift with me today,” I explain.

“It’s just t-ball.”

All the guys shudder.

“This is setting the foundation.” Major frowns at her.

“We don’t even know if he will like it.”

“He’s my son; of course he’ll like it,” Chase snaps back.

“There are other sports out there. We have to let him choose. He may like football, soccer, basketball—maybe even hockey.”

Jewls lets out a snort while Ace and Ford laugh. Major’s jaw goes hard.

“What’s wrong with hockey?”

“I love hockey.” Jewls smiles wide.

I tug Willow to me, lowering my mouth to her ear. “Wyatt will like baseball; it’s in his blood.”

“Maybe so, but we have to keep his options open. Especially if we get kicked out of tryouts because of your commentary.”

“I have a contact at the county athletic association. He’ll get Wyatt in front of the right coaches.” Major holds out his hand to Chase. “Major Powers.”

The crew goes around with introductions while I watch Wyatt send a ball straight down the line.

“Sorry I’m late, what did I miss?” Bex dashes up and stops quickly at the crowd. “Whoa, are all of you here for Wyatt?”

“We are,” Ace confirms. “What’s up, Bex?”

“Hiya, guys, good to see you again.”

Chase stands straighter. “You know these guys?”

“We met at the park a few weeks ago.” She bends to pet the dogs.

There’s a small growl under his breath, his jaw ticking. Sterling covers his mouth but I catch his knowing grin.

Willow’s oblivious to the vibes rolling off him as she introduces Bex.

“Still feeling okay?” Rowan closes in on us.

She’s been in contact with Willow throughout last night, calling and texting to check in. The other women did the same, but Rowan was more tireless in her efforts. Knowing how zealous Rowan can be, I paid close attention to Willow’s responses, ready to act if the situation turned uncomfortable.

Turns out I had to step in to cut off their text marathon. Chase wanted Willow to limit her screen time and I was happy to enforce his rule.

“Not even a small headache,” Willow reports. “And except for him confiscating my phone last night, I had an exceptional nurse.”

“I made a serum that may help with any tenderness. And it’s safe for your lip, too, but that appears pretty healed.” Rowan hands over a small vial.

“You made this?”

“It has tea tree and aloe, and it may tingle. You’ll have to let me know if it helps.”

“You made this for me?” There’s a softness to Willow’s question that sets off alarm bells.

Rowan gives me a concerned look before answering hesitantly, “Yes.”

“That’s really kind. Thank you.”

I wrap my arms around her shoulders and kiss her forehead. “Maybe we should be worried if you’re handing out gratitude so easily.”

She pinches my side, her eyes narrowing, and any sadness melts away. “Shut up.”

“Your nephew is adorable.” Harley walks up with Levi in her arms.

“Thanks, I think so, too.” Willow glances fondly at Wyatt on the field. He hits another line drive off the tee, and she claps with a little cheer.

He beams our way. “Did you see that, Uncle Talon?”

I nod, flicking my fingers to the ball.

“Oh, Jeez, here come the waterworks.” Jewls joins us with Koby.

“He called you Uncle Talon.” Harley’s voice cracks as tears brim her eyes.

“She’s a little emotional these days,” Rowan explains.

“My grandma’s fault. She instigated that. Wyatt doesn’t understand the meaning.”

“He understands,” I counter.

“Grandma should have asked you first. We shouldn’t put ideas in his head.”

I spear her with a glance, wishing we didn’t have an audience.

“You should invite your grandparents tonight,” Rowan swiftly changes the subject.

“What’s tonight?” Willow asks before I can shut it down.

“Cook-out at the club. Low-key and casual. My cousin and some friends from work are stopping by. We already invited your dad, brother, and Bex. There will be other kids there for Wyatt to play with.” Harley avoids my glare.

Low-key and casual, my ass. Her friends from work with kids means one thing.

A fucking party.

“Invite your grandparents along.”

“Give us a second.” I tug Willow far enough away from prying ears and link my hands around her waist, caging her to me.

“What’s wrong?” She searches my face.

“You tell me.”

“I’m fine.”

“What was that a few minutes ago? You went somewhere in your head.”

She casts her gaze over my shoulder and pulls her lip through her teeth.

“I was touched. Rowan owns a freaking product line and everyone raves over her work. She whipped up a serum for my head. After my disaster in her salon yesterday and my ridiculous display of hysterics—twice—she still thought of me. I’ve done nothing to deserve her kindness. ”

Anger burns at the way she’s turned the situation around. Chase’s warning rings in my ears. “Yesterday wasn’t your disaster. That shit happened because your sister is a spoiled bitch who tried to throw her weight around and it backfired. You are the only one who blames yourself.”

She jerks at my annoyance and tries to wriggle away. “Talon, I didn’t mean?—”

“Quiet, Princess, you need to understand this. Rowan did what she did because that’s the kind of woman she is. She loves fiercely. Sometimes pushing boundaries.”

“She doesn’t even know me!”

“She knows. Same with Jay and Jewls. Three of the best women in this world, but also relentless. They are dying to bring you into their fold.”

“But why?”

“Because what’s happening between us is real, and they know that. Everyone knows that. You seem to be the slow one.”

“I’m not slow and this is very new.”

“New or too fast? Do you need them to back off?”

The color drains from her face. “I-I-I, no, I don’t need them to back off.”

“If they’re pushing too hard, I can handle it.”

“You don’t need to handle it.”

“Anytime you feel overwhelmed, let me know.”

“They invited my family tonight to make me comfortable.” Realization dawns on her.

“They did.”

“Please don’t let me screw this up,” she whispers so low I almost miss it.

“Not going anywhere.”

“This is what I was afraid of. You’re amazing and I’m?—”

“Fucking perfect.”

“My relationship experience is limited. You know what happened.”

Pain pierces my chest at the vulnerability in her expression. “Never done this before, Willow. Had a few girls in high school, but the Marines held my attention for over a decade. Never met anyone who interested me until you.”

A familiar heat builds in her gaze as she squeezes my biceps. “Have you ever broken any rules?”

“All the time.”

“Like taking me home and letting me show you how much this means to me?”

My cock lurches against my shorts and I groan, dropping my head to hers.

“I hate my brother right now.”

“He is looking out for your health.”

“Sex is good for my health. Especially sex with you.”

“Jesus, babe.” I thrust my hips into hers.

“See, you need sex, too. We’re both miserable. Maybe we can?—”

“Stop talking, Willow.”

She giggles, her chest vibrating against mine and sending most of my blood to my dick. “Stop moving altogether.”

Her laughter grows and she presses her lips to my jaw. “This is fun.”

“Teasing me isn’t smart.”

“Maybe not, but it’s a lot of fun.”

“Fuck,” I hiss, tightening my grip to keep her still. “Your dad is ten feet away and there is a field of kids behind us. Help me out.”

She doubles over in a fit of giggles, her body trembling all over as the sound fills the air.

Her brother and dad focus our way with identical expressions.

The surprise is easy to read, but there’s something else in their gazes.

Willow’s been living, but she’s been living on auto-pilot, functioning in her own way to get by.

The humiliation, blame, self-doubt—that shit is over.

It’s almost unnoticeable, but I catch the flicker of gratitude in Sterling’s gaze before he dips his chin and focuses back on the field.

I shift my position, tickling her until she’s howling and gasping. “Please, you h-h-ave to stop!”

People look our way but I don’t stop, letting her body jiggle against mine.

My dick throbs with each movement, and she freezes. “This is not helping your situation.”

“Love the sound of you happy, Princess. My cock will deal.”

Her already bright eyes glitter and her smile threatens to take me to my knees.

She will never feel another weight holding her down.

It’s time she knows—her happiness has become my purpose.