“They won’t,” he says firmly, but I’m positive they will.

“What time Saturday?”

“I’m not really sure. Normally, people just show up when they can. There’s not really a set time. I was planning on heading to their place around four.”

“I work until three Saturday, so if you’re okay with it, maybe I can just come to your place to change then ride with you. Then Sunday, if the girls are with their dad, we can do lunch with my parents and get it all out of the way in one fell swoop.”

“Babe, it’s not that bad.” He laughs.

“It’s not bad; it’s just fast,” I say, and he goes quiet. “Talon?”

“My mom and dad met and moved in together within weeks of knowing each other. Same with my uncles and cousins who are married. It might feel fast, babe, but if it feels right, who the fuck cares?”

“I know you asked me not to talk to you about my past relationships, but I’m going to anyway.”

“Mia—”

“Please,” I whisper, needing him to understand, and once more he grows quiet, but I still hear his steady breath through the phone. “I’ve dated a lot. Some relationships were more intense than others, but I’ve never felt like I do when it comes to you. I’m trying, really trying to just let things flow naturally, because this feels good. But that doesn’t mean I’m not scared out of my mind.” I drag in a deep breath and let it out slowly before continuing. “Trust doesn’t come easy for me, but I’m learning I can trust you. I just need time, to trust myself.”

“Baby, your foot’s on the gas. As long as we’re moving forward, I’m good with whatever speed we’re going.”

“Thank you,” I say quietly.

“Shit, it fucking sucks you’re not here right now.”

“I know and if my parents weren’t downstairs, I’d sneak out to see you.” I giggle.

“Don’t make me hard when you aren’t here to help me out,” he growls, and my core tightens in response.

“Sorry, I just miss you,” I admit quietly.

“Not as much as I miss you. My bed is lonely without you in it, and I probably won’t sleep for shit tonight, which is going to suck tomorrow.”

“I’m working tomorrow if you need a test drive,” I say, and he laughs, which makes me smile.

“I’ll see you tomorrow. I need to come in and sign off on the Jeep.”

“So you’re buying it?”

“Babe, I made a down payment when you climbed your cute little ass into the passenger seat the first time. I just haven’t had a chance to get back there and sign the paperwork.”

“Trickster.”

“Call it what you want, baby. You’re still in my bed.”

“Whatever,” I mumble, the only response I have.

“Either way, I’ll see you for lunch tomorrow.”

Knowing I’ll soon get my fix of him, my body relaxes. “That sounds good to me. Send me a message so I can make sure I won’t be out with a client when you get to the dealership.”

“I’ll let you know when I’m leaving the house. The paperwork shouldn’t take long, so I’ll stop by to kiss you before then.”

“Okay,” I agree then yawn.

“Go to sleep, baby. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“See you tomorrow,” I agree before whispering, “Good night.”

“Night, baby,” he whispers back, and I hang up then reach to place my cell on the nightstand before curling my arms around my pillow. And even though I’m exhausted, it takes forever for me to fall asleep without Talon wrapped around me.

CHAPTER 12

Talon

“YOU’RE RIGHT. THIS was delicious.” Mia sighs sounding happy as she leans back in her chair and rests her hand on her stomach.

“Told you so.”

“You did, but you have to admit the idea of a french toast sandwich stuffed with ham and cheese that you dip in raspberry preserves sounds weird.”

“A little.” I grin, taking her hand when she reaches out toward me across the table.

“The only bad thing about this lunch is now I’m stuffed and doubt I’ll be able to make it through the rest of the day without a nap.”

“You can sleep in the Jeep when I drive you back to work.” I run my thumb over her pulse. “You still not sleeping?”

“No.” She rolls her eyes. “You ruined me after two nights in your bed. Now it seems I can’t sleep without you.” She frowns when I smile. “That makes you happy?”

“Yeah.”

“I’m not even surprised by that,” she says, then looks over my shoulder and waves as she stands with a smile on her face. “Hey, Harry.”

“Mia.” The man who asked her out before she agreed to go out with me wraps an arm around her waist and kisses her cheek. My jaw clenches as I stand to look down at him, and he smiles oddly as he looks between Mia and me. “I thought you said you don’t date customers.”

“Talon was very persistent.” She laughs, looking at me with a warm smile that helps ease some of the tension I’m feeling.

“I’ll have to keep that in mind,” he responds, grabbing her hand. “I’d love to stay and chat, but I have a meeting with a client.” He kisses her knuckles, and I somehow manage not to punch him in the face. “I’ll be in touch soon,” he tells her then shifts his attention to me. “Nice seeing you again.”

I lift my chin then watch him walk between tables to take a seat across from Roscoe Brute, one of the top real estate developers in the area and one of the biggest slime balls around. When Bax and I were buying the land for the house we’re building, he attempted to outbid us, but the family who owned the property was only selling a piece of their land, and they didn’t want the lot we purchased to be overdeveloped, so they turned him down. “Are you ready to go?” Mia asks, resting her palm on my chest and pulling me from my thoughts.

“Yeah, baby, let’s go.” I pull some cash out of my wallet and toss it on the table then place my hand in the middle of her back to lead her out of the restaurant. Once she’s buckled in, I slam her door then get in behind the wheel and back out of my space, Roscoe and Harry’s relationship bothering me to the point of irritation.

“What kind of work does Harry do?” I ask as I drive toward the dealership.

“I don’t know for sure, but I think something in real estate. Why?”

“Just curious.”

She reaches over to place her hand on my thigh. “You don’t like him.”

“He wants in your pants.”

“He’s not getting in my pants.”

I glance over and catch her smile. “I’d kill him if he tried, Mia. I can hardly keep from putting hands on him when he touches you,” I admit then look at her when I stop at a red light. “But it’s more than the fact that he wants you that has me on edge when it comes to him.”

“What do you mean?”

“I don’t know. I can’t put my finger on it, but something about him is off.”