Rake's Redemption (Wind Dragons MC #4)(60)

Talon puckers his lips and sends a wink in my direction. “I can control myself if Bailey can.”

“I’m sure I’ll manage,” I tell him in a dry tone, unable to keep my lips from quirking.

“Good,” he says, rubbing his hands together. “I’m f*ckin’ starving. Can we order?”

“Already ordered for you,” Anna replies, flipping the page on a magazine she was reading.

“That’s f*ckin’ emasculating.” Talon sighs, staring down at her. “What did you get?”

Anna lifts her head and smirks. “The same thing you always order, Talon. Steak, fries, and salad.”

“Did you—”

“Yes,” she interrupts. “I told them not to put the dressing on the salad because you don’t like dressing. Which I still think is weird, but anyway.”

“And did you tell them—”

“Steak medium rare, yes.”

“What about—”

Anna expels a heavy sigh. “Yes, I told them you like to eat your fries with mayonnaise.”

“Oh,” Talon says, now grinning. “Good work, Anna.”

“Just how often do you two eat here?” I ask, unable to keep the amusement from my voice.

“Now and again,” Anna replies, flashing Talon a fond look. “He gets grumpy and threatens to come to the clubhouse if I don’t.”

Talon shrugs his broad shoulders. “I haven’t been in a fight for a while, and I’m aching for one.”

“Yeah. Don’t do that,” I say, grimacing. “Maybe you could go to a boxing gym or something like that.”

Talon looks at me like he thinks I’m cute. “There’s an idea, sweetheart.”

I roll my eyes and look down at the deep burgundy nails I just got done with Anna as a treat to myself.

“So now that Rake’s off the market, who’s satisfying all the club whores?” Talon asks nonchalantly.

Anna flashes him a dirty look. “Why do I like you again?”

“What? I’m just saying: you can always send them my way.”

“You need a good woman,” Anna tells him, leaning forward.

“I wouldn’t know what to do with a good woman,” Talon tells her. “I’m not ready to settle down. Plus my life isn’t exactly one that would attract the type of woman you’re talking about.”

“Umm hello,” Anna says, pointing between me and her. “If Arrow can get me, you can get a good woman.”

Talon looks in my direction. “Has her ego always been this big?”

I grin and nod. “Pretty much.”

“I’m just saying. It’s possible.”

“That would require me trusting a woman completely, and yeah, no f*ckin’ thanks,” he says, pouring himself some water from the jug at the table and taking a sip. “I’m good as I am.”

“Fine,” Anna says, shrugging her shoulders. “It will happen eventually anyway, whether you want it to or not.”

“Touch wood, Anna,” he says, smirking. “Don’t wish that shit upon me.”

Anna rolls her eyes.

“Speaking of wishes, it’s my birthday next week,” Talon says, running a hand through his shaggy white-blond hair. “I want you there.”

Anna closes her magazine and concentrates on him. “Where are you having it?”

“At the clubhouse,” he says without flinching, keeping his gaze on the woman he considers family.

“For f*ck’s sake, Talon,” Anna snaps. “I can’t walk into the Wild Men clubhouse! Arrow and Rake would murder me! And no offense, but most of the men in your MC are *s.”

“They aren’t so bad,” Talon fires back. “You only met most of them when you were our f*ckin’ hostage; of course they weren’t warm and friendly to you.”

“Slice is—”

“An *,” Anna finishes. “A total *. And Ranger? When I punch the boxing bag with Faye, it’s his face I picture as I pummel it.”

“Did you even see Ranger?” Talon asks, eyes flashing with amusement.

Anna’s eyes narrow in a scowl. “Not the point. I picture him being some big ogre-looking jackass with all muscles and no brain.”

“Ranger has three degrees. One’s in literature.”

I can’t help it, I start laughing at the look on Anna’s face. I don’t think she saw that one coming.

“The biker who kidnapped me and knocked me unconscious has a degree in literature?” Anna asks with wide green eyes. “You’re pulling my leg, right?”

Talon shakes his head. “I swear. He’s always reading and shit. Loves it.”

“Well, f*ck me,” Anna mutters under her breath. “Now I’m going to picture beating him with a book.”

“I want you there, Anna, and I can’t move the whole thing. Where the hell would we hold it?” Talon asks. Our food arrives and we all murmur our thank-yous. When the waitress leaves, he continues, “No one will even breathe in your direction. I have the men under control. The MC isn’t what it used to be, okay?”

“Can’t we have our own separate celebration? I’ll take you wherever you want to go,” Anna tries to negotiate.