Page 36 of Wild Card (Men of Action #4)

WILLOW

“Six o’clock sharp, tomorrow night, my house,” Jewls bosses.

“I heard it the other five times you repeated, and it’s on my calendar.”

“Things come up.”

“Tomorrow, Bex, Lucas, and I are studying. I can assure you nothing will come up. I’m already sacrificing the spa day. A night out will be the best reward for our efforts.”

“I remember those days, studying for my license.”

“Well, tomorrow is our dive into practice exams, so my brain may be scrambled.”

“Don’t tell Talon that or he won’t let you come over early.”

“Jewls, if Talon tries to stand in my way of getting ready for this party with the girls, he will pay, and not in a good way.”

She laughs. “Girl, after that birthday gift, you win the award for best surprises.”

“Pretty sure you own that award with the twin pregnancy.”

“Nah, I’m old news. You’ve set the bar high. Seriously, it’s been a week and Major said Talon is still bragging.”

“It was pretty incredible.”

My mind drifts to Talon’s expression when he hauled himself halfway out of the racecar. His hard body in the race suit, hair disheveled, eyes sparkling so blue I wanted to lose myself in them.And the smile on his gorgeous face waspure fucking sex and sin.

The closer he got, the more predatory his intent until I was coming out of my skin with anticipation.

He didn’t break stride, hoisting me up with no choice but to wrap myself around him and hold on. The kiss that followed was frantic and unhinged. The smell of sweat and gasoline mixed with all that was him. Everyone around us disappeared as he devoured me until I was literally breathless.

Thank God, Dad and Chase were still on their runs.

“Earth to Willow!” Jewls interrupts my thoughts.

“Sorry, I was back at the racetrack.”

“Shayla’s ordering a new line for Clyde’s. She’s bringing some samples for us to try.”

“That sounds fun.” I pause, debating my next words because I’ve been wanting to talk to someone all week. My big mouth makes the decision for me. “Talon wants us to move in together.”

There’s a brief silence before Jewls cackles and the sound echoes around my car. “I know.”

“How?”

“Willow, these guys don’t keep secrets. He’s wanted you under his roof since before Reserve weekend and he hasn’t hidden it.”

“Does everyone know?”

“Pretty much, except maybe the mailman.”

“Are you joking?”

“Nope, how long you holding out?”

“It’s not his roof. It’s the Whitmans’, and that’s weird.”

“Feel your resistance. I was the same way, but they are awesome people.”

“You were engaged, pregnant, and building a house when you lived there.”

“This is true, but regardless of my situation, Doug and Celia didn’t blink an eye. They know these guys.”

“I get the jitters thinking about staying there with them visiting.”

“Get over it. Word of advice—stop holding out if you want to pack your own things. And decide what you want in storage for your house.”

“My house?”

“Shit,” she curses under her breath. “Listen, you’ll meet the Whitmans next weekend and understand. Major just got home, so I’ll see you tomorrow. Don’t be late!” She disconnects before I can prod further.

My stomach churns at the reminder. All the families are coming to Nashville next weekend for Rowan’s bridal shower. The next day is a baby shower for Harley.

Few of the many social events on the calendar Jewls created.

That’s not the issue.

The issue is Talon’s parents will be here.

Parents usually don’t scare me.

But April and Mark Simms are the parents of the man I’m madly in love with.

Not to mention, Talon invited my family, so it’s an introduction of the families.

A new incoming call chimes through the car with an unknown number on the dash screen. That’s the fourth today without leaving a message.

I decline the call. Last time I answered an unknown number, it was a solicitor claiming to want to buy my house. The man was persistent to the point of annoyance.

It’s not even my house to sell, and anyone doing research would know this.

I’m not in the mood to be annoyed this afternoon. It’s been a great week.

Talon’s birthday was one of the best days of my life, from the way it started to the night of being worshipped as Talon showed his appreciation.

Absolutely flawless.

And I can’t stop thinking about Rowan’s invitation to be in her wedding.

A huge deal… a mammoth fucking deal.

Rowan asking me to be a part of her special day is another layer of my place in Talon’s life.

Being with him has extended my family.

And tomorrow night will be another party for Finn and Declan’s joint birthday celebration.

I’m deep in thought when I mindlessly pull into my parking spot and exit my car. It’s not until a familiar cologne waifs in the air that my insides freeze.

Joseph is standing on my front steps. His haggard appearance is highly unusual, but it’s the vacancy in his eyes that has my skin crawling.

“Joseph, what are you doing here?”

“I had to see you and you won’t answer my calls.”

“I blocked your number over a year ago.”

“Figured that and?—”

“Wait, are you the one blowing up my phone from an unknown number?”

The guilt on his face is my answer.

“That’s creepy, Joseph.”

“I needed to contact you.”

“Why?”

“Because my life went to shit.”

“What does that have to do with me?”

“These last few weeks have been fucking hell.”

He steps forward and I step back right as my phone rings with Talon’s ringtone. I blunder to answer, missing the call, but the phone immediately rings again.

“Hey—”

“That the motherfucker?” The anger radiating from the phone sends a tremor over my skin.

“How’d you know?—”

“Answer me, that him?”

My eyes scan the area and land on two small devices in the corners of my entrance.

“Did you put cameras on my house?” I screech.

Joseph jerks, squinting over his shoulder.

“Willow?” Talon’s patience snaps. “Is that fucking him?”

“Yes, but he is leaving.”

“Stay where you are. Don’t dare go inside. I’m on my way.”

The line goes dead and I blow out a breath. “You better go.”

“Who was that?”

“None of your business.”

His shoulders slump and he runs his hand through his disheveled hair. “I messed everything up.”

“Yes, but that’s on you and has nothing to do with me.”

“Rylee isn’t the woman I thought she was.”

I can’t help it, the laugh escapes, the maniacal sound scary to my ears. “She’s not the woman you thought? She slept with her sister’s boyfriend. What kind of woman did you think she was?”

“It wasn’t like that. I fucked up, I know it, but it didn’t start as anything but platonic.”

This keeps getting better. “I’ll humor you here because I’m in the mood for a good story.”

“That night we had dinner plans and you canceled at the last minute because of school. She and I were already at the restaurant. The reservation had a no cancelation policy so we decided to eat.”

The memory is like a scalding hot poker slicing my flesh. “We’d just celebrated our one-year anniversary.”

“Yes.”

“We were together almost another year.”

He has the decency to appear remorseful as the facts come to light.

Something else dawns on me about that night.

“You wanted to celebrate your promotion. Knowing I had a huge test coming up, I begged you to change the dinner.”

“It was the only night I could get a reservation for four months.”

“You knew I might have to cancel.”

“I hoped you’d put me first for once.”

“You knew the importance of school.”

“That’s why it was platonic. We talked, ate, drank, and I dropped her off at your parents’ on the way home.”

“Then what?”

“You were always busy. Bex and Lucas saw you more than me. I tried to be supportive, but you were stressed out and Rylee was there.”

“Who made the first move?” I ask the question that’s plagued me for months.

“Does it matter?”

I mentally calculate the timing and events happening during that time. “Yes.”

The pipes of a motorcycle roar and Talon speeds around the corner. He rolls in, parks behind me, and swings off like a scene out of a movie.

Worn jeans, white shirt stretched across his shoulders and chest with the ink winding around his arms, his favorite hat turned backward, and aviator glasses framing his face.

The world fades away, my whole body buzzing.

The air changes as his rage takes over. I drop my key and phone, running to catch him.

“Honey, it’s okay.”

“Why are you here?” he barks at Joseph, hauling me forward, my feet barely dragging the concrete.

“Baby, please, it’s really okay. He was about to leave.”

“Who are you?” Joseph stupidly stands straighter, ignoring Talon’s question.

“Okay, we need to calm?—”

“You have ten seconds to get in your car and get your ass out of here. Willow doesn’t exist to you anymore.”

“She’s my?—”

“Word of advice, don’t finish that sentence, because she’s no one to you. If anything, you can spend your life knowing she’s the best fucking thing that ever graced your pathetic fucking presence.”

Another thrill runs through me, and I grip Talon’s cheeks, forcing him to focus on me. “I love you.”

The fury flickers as he tangles his hand in my hair. “Want him gone, Princess.”

“He’s leaving after he answers some questions.”

“Princess? Is this your boyfriend?” Joseph spats.

I twist to face him, Talon holding me to his rigid body. “He’s beyond a boyfriend. But before he loses his mind, we need to finish this up.”

“He drove up on a motorcycle. You hate motorcycles.“ The stupidity keeps coming.

“I do not, I find them erotically sexy.”

“You hate anything daring! I tried to go skydiving and you denied it.”

“Because I’m scared of heights, you dumbass.”

“Your whole life is about structure and safety.”

“My control is thin,” Talon growls.

“But I’m close to getting answers, baby.” I turn on the saccharine.

“Finish up, I want him out of your space.”

“Jesus, listen to him. He’s like a?—”

“Caring, possessive, overbearing, neanderthal?” I finish for Joseph.

“Exactly, are you okay?”

“I’m perfectly in tune with all of it by now. But we are addressing my new security system that wasn’t discussed.” I raise an eyebrow at Talon.