Wild Ride (Wind Dragons MC #4.5)(16)

“The dating world has changed now,” she says, watching me. “And not for the better. Online dating gives you a broader spectrum, and, I don’t know, I guess I was just bored, as bad as that sounds. I didn’t think I’d meet anyone who would sweep me off my feet, but I was a little . . .”

“Hopeful?” I insert.

She smiles, her eyes going soft. “Yeah, hopeful, I guess. Although that date dashed that hope.”

“Is it f*cked-up to say that I’m glad the date didn’t go well?” I blurt out.

Her blue eyes dance with humor. “No. No it’s not.”

“Good, because I’m glad,” I say, grinning. “His loss.”

She shakes her head and reopens the menu. “I’m going to go with the carbonara and a glass of red wine.”

“Really,” I murmur, calling over a waiter. “You trust me that much, hey?”

“I do,” she says, nodding. “And you better not ruin that trust, Talon. The pasta better be f*cking delicious.”

“No pressure, then,” I tease, ordering for both of us when the waiter comes to the table.

Rio walks out shortly after and says, “Carbonara; why do we even bother asking?” He places two glasses and a bottle of red wine on the table, along with a bottle of beer for me.

“I want to see what all the fuss is about,” Tia says, as Rio pours the wine.

“So how long have you known Talon?” he asks Tia, being a nosy bastard.

“Not long,” she replies vaguely. “How about you?”

“Years,” Rio says, looking at me. “Before he became a huge biker bastard.”

I sigh, and purse my lips. Why did I bring her here again?

“You know I can pour my own wine,” I say, trying to change the subject away from me. I also hate when he treats me like a customer. I mean, I am a customer, but I’m also his friend, and he doesn’t need to pour my f*ckin’ wine. He knows I won’t even drink the wine; all I want is the beer.

Tia shoots me a look that clearly says stop being rude, then turns to Rio and thanks him. He flashes me a smug look, then walks away.

“He’s practically family,” I explain, clearing my throat.

She takes her wine and has a sip.

“Good?”

She nods, her blond hair bouncing. “Delicious.”

“So who’s watching your son?”

“Bailey.”

“She didn’t ask who you were going to meet?”

“I just told her I had a date. I haven’t told her the details,” she says, putting down her glass.

“Don’t women ask about shit like that?” I ask, picking up my beer. I’d have thought she’d receive a full interrogation from her best friend. It’s a known fact that women like to talk about their relationships and are obsessed with details.

“I told her I’d tell her everything later,” she says, wincing. “It was the only way I could get her off my back. But if you want to keep seeing me, it’s not like we’ll be able to keep this a secret for long.”

And there she goes, laying it all out for me.

No games, just truth.

It makes me want her—and respect her—even more.

“What do you want?” I ask her outright. We don’t really know each other well. We’ve been around each other a few times before this; we’ve been drawn to each other. Spent a night hanging out at the bar together, shared a kiss that I couldn’t get out of my head, and slept together the other day.

“You,” she replies simply, shrugging her shoulders like it’s the easiest thing in the world. “I know it’s not going to be easy; I know there are a lot of obstacles in the way, but I don’t know—I can’t stop thinking about you. I crave being near you. Don’t you think that’s something worth exploring? I trust that you will keep me and my son safe, Talon, and that’s a huge deal for me. I don’t like relying on anyone, as you know, but I’d leave our protection in your hands.”

She puts her feelings into words so well, unlike me. I have no f*ckin’ clue what I’m feeling, just that I like being near her. I want her. I don’t know if that’s a good thing, because it sounds possessive as f*ck, but it’s true. I’m not usually a man who gets attached to women, but with her, something feels different. Maybe that’s the real reason I avoided her for so long: I knew that she would get to me, and I don’t live a life that allows for me to have a weakness. Her talking about trusting me with her son is a huge thing, and a little intimidating. Could I keep them both safe? Of course I would, but sometimes things happen that are out of your control. I suddenly feel a little sweaty, like I’m under a lot of pressure.

“I do think it’s something worth exploring,” I tell her, reaching out and taking her hand. “That’s why I asked you out tonight. I want to get to know you, not just what I hear about you or what I feel around you, but actually get to know you.”

I breathe as I get the words out. They are the truth, and although I don’t know how everything will work out, I do want her.

“Good,” she replies, smiling at me.

I smile back.





CHAPTER TEN




Tia