“Who was that?” Faust asked when they pulled up to their reserved parking area in the back of The Hangout.
Talon looked at the tall, bald biker as he took off his helmet and brushed a hand through his hair. “That was my Little girl.”
“Right,” Faust scoffed.
“Really. She’s mine. Her name is Elizabeth.”
“Does Elizabeth have a clue you even exist?”
“Oh, yeah. She knows I exist,” Talon answered confidently as he stood up and swung a leg over the powerful bike. He’d seen the awareness in her eyes that something special had happened.
Shrugging, Faust looked skeptical. “Whatever. Let’s go join the others. Hopefully someone will spark a brawl tonight. I feel like getting my muscles warmed up,” Faust stated in a flat voice.
“Just like a normal Friday night for you, huh? You know you don’t have to be a royal ass to everyone. I think you’re a nice guy on the inside.”
Faust’s cussing made everyone look. Talon laughed, totally not put off by the big man’s flash of anger. He leaned into whisper, “I won’t tell anyone.”
Faust shook his head. “You live in the land of delusions.”
“You know you love me,” Talon teased, poking at his Shadowridge Guardians brother.
Faust swung his leg over his bike and suggested, “Let’s go in before I take the pretty off your face.”
Laughing, Talon joined him as Faust headed toward the bar doors. “You lead. Everyone automatically gets out of your way.”
Usually, the president of the MC would lead the guys into battle, but the most dangerous thing about The Hangout was the disco music the DJ insisted on sneaking in between the more current hits. Talon didn’t care. He automatically moved to the beat, enjoying the rhythm.
A roar went up as Faust walked in with a fierce scowl on his face. The club always started the party in the bar. The MC didn’t end up there every night, but when they rolled in, the energy level doubled. Girls attracted by bad boys streamed in, and guys eager to console those that didn’t catch one of the biker’s eyes followed, hoping for a chance.
Talon was well known as a dancing machine. Free of any commitments, his lack of an old lady made him a popular choice for women who wanted a taste of life on the wild side. Usually, he welcomed all the attention. Tonight, it didn’t seem right to flirt with random women. He grabbed a beer from the waitress and leaned against the wall, talking to other club members.
“Watch this,” he said to Doc as a woman approached Faust just as the DJ played a slow song.
The two men focused on the statuesque brunette who approached the scowling biker. She almost shook in front of him, nervous to dare ask the man with a well-known temper to dance. Faust simply let her talk.
“This isn’t going to end well,” Doc commented.
To their amazement, Faust pushed away from the wall after a second’s pause and took the young woman’s hand. He led her to the dance floor as the woman looked behind her in shock and triumph at her friends who hooted and hollered to encourage her. Seconds later, wrapped in his arms, the woman closed her eyes as she rested against Faust’s powerful body.
“Damn! There goes another one. Who would have imagined the devil himself would be the catch of the night?” Talon joked.
Scanning the bar, he saw the back of a woman’s head and started forward without listening to Doc’s response. It couldn’t be. He watched that familiar figure take a seat at a table with another woman. They caught the waitress as she walked by. As the server walked away to put in an order, Talon met her gaze and patted himself on the chest.
“On your tab?” the familiar employee asked as she passed Talon.
“Yes.”
“You got it. I’ll let them know.”
“That won’t be necessary,” Talon assured her.
“Good luck!” With a smile, the server sashayed through the crowd.
Continuing through the crowd, Talon circled to the front of the table to greet the ladies. “Good evening,” he said to both before focusing on Elizabeth. “I’m glad to run into you again.”
“You know Talon?” Janine said with a shocked look.
“You know his name?” Elizabeth asked her friend, trying not to focus on the man before her.
“Of course. Everyone knows Talon,” Janine informed her before holding her hand out to greet him. “Hi, I’m Janine.”
“Hi, Janine. Is it you I should thank for bringing Elizabeth here tonight?” he asked knowingly.
“I bribed her with nachos,” Janine confirmed.
“Hey. I’m right here,” Elizabeth said assertively, looking uncomfortable at being left out of the conversation focused on her.
“I know. And I’m thanking the woman who dragged you here,” Talon said before giving Elizabeth a slow smile.
“Janine, do you mind if I steal Elizabeth?” he asked.
“Not at all,” her friend said with a laugh and a shooing gesture.
Before she knew what was happening, he had gallantly helped her out of her chair. Three steps away from the table, Elizabeth hesitated. “I don’t want to leave her alone.”
“Oh, she won’t be alone,” Talon assured her and turned to meet the gaze of one of the pledges hanging on the outskirts of the bar. He nodded at Janine and the muscular man immediately made his way through the crowd with a big smile on his face.
“I don’t know how to dance.” Elizabeth threw the warning out there as they stepped onto the dance floor.
“I do. Leading is my job. Just follow me and have fun,” Talon reassured her, drawing her close to his body. Talon might look rough now, but his parents were world-class Latin dancers. He’d grown up in a house set up for dancing at a moment’s notice. He definitely couldn’t cook without the radio on to fuel a boogie across the floor as he chopped or stirred.
He taught her a simple dance of a few steps and kept it easy until she began to move into it. “Keep the same steps,” he directed before encouraging her, “Let’s have some fun.”
Talon easily moved her into a turn and saw the smile on her face widen to a grin. She’s perfect. His Little girl liked to dance. Celebrating, Talon turned himself, leading her around his body, and heard her gasp in excitement. The move looked fancy, but it was the same footwork, just in a different direction. He alternated the different patterns, creating something unique and entertaining.
“This is so fun!” she shouted over the crowd and the music.
“You’re doing great,” he said, grinning at her. “And you told me you didn’t dance.”
When the music slowed once again, Talon pulled her close to sway to the beat. Putting his lips next to her ear, he whispered, “You know what happens to Little girls who lie, don’t you?”
She froze in his arms and jolted a step away to stare at him with equal parts fascination and shock. “What happens?” she asked.
“Come here.”
He pulled her back into his arms and held her until she softened against him once again. Only then did he whisper, “Their Daddies punish them, of course. That’s what happens to bad Little girls.”
“Stop playing with me,” she hissed.
“No way, Little girl. You’re the one I’ve dreamed of playing with. I’m afraid you’re stuck with me. Some nachos are on the way to your table. Shall we take a break so you can eat a very unnutritious dinner?”
“Treats are good for your soul,” she said loftily, turning to walk off the dance floor and leaving him there.
He weaved his fingers with hers as he caught up with her. When she looked back at him, Talon moved ahead to make a path through the dancers as they weaved their way toward her table.
“Thanks. It was packed out there,” she said when they reached the edge of the dance floor.
“I hope you’ll always think it’s nice to have me around,” Talon commented lightly as he squeezed her hand. “And I agree, treats are good for your soul.”
At the table, he helped Elizabeth onto her tall bar chair with an ease that was designed to erase any awkwardness. She smiled her appreciation. Talon skillfully maneuvered his chair a bit closer and took a seat next to her. Janine was flushed and leaning close to the large, tattooed man next to her.
“Elizabeth, this is Ink. He’s a prospect for the club. Ink, this is Elizabeth. She’s mine,” Talon said easily.
“Yours? Wait a minute,” Elizabeth protested, looking flustered.
“Got it, Talon,” Ink acknowledged Talon’s claim without question.
The arrival of the server with the nachos cut off any further comment from Elizabeth. With a flourish, the waitress placed the tray on top of the small, metal trashcan and flipped it over. Lifting the can up, the contents tumbled over the tray. The smell was delectable.
“Need any drinks?” she asked and left with an order from everyone.
Janine waved her hand over the tray and encouraged everyone, “Dig in. There is way too much for even four of us to eat.”
Elizabeth picked up a chip, and scooped up some of the goodies. He noticed she cautiously avoided a huge slice of jalapeno. Talon followed behind her and swooped in to help himself to that ring of fire.
“You can eat those?” Elizabeth asked.
“Oh, yeah. I do avoid them if I plan on certain activities,” Talon shared.
Elizabeth looked at him in confusion as she tried to figure out what he was talking about. She looked over at Janine. Her friend shook her head, like she knew but wasn’t going to say. When would he need to avoid eating jalapenos if they didn’t affect him too much?
Deciding not to worry about it, Elizabeth took another bite. Changing the subject, she asked Ink, “How long is someone a prospect for a motorcycle club?”
“That’s up to the members. I just keep showing up and hope they’ll decide they need me,” Ink shared.
“There are a lot of MCs out there. Some people are perfect for one and totally not for others. Ink fits in well. He’s right that showing his commitment to the club is important,” Talon said. “Well, that and not pissing someone off.”
Ink shook his head and laughed. There was obviously a story there that they shared.
“So, you all like sell drugs and drag people who try to stop you behind your motorcycles?” she asked breezily.
Instantly, Ink stiffened and even Janine sat straight in shock. Talon, on the other hand, just laughed it off.
“You’ve been watching too much TV. The Shadowridge Guardians are a motorcycle club not a gang. We help the community and do good works,” Talon told her.
“Really? You don’t beat people up and claim a territory?” Elizabeth asked lightheartedly. She didn’t know why she was poking the bear, but she couldn’t help herself.
“Oh, yeah, we do that, if necessary,” Talon acknowledged.
“Hmm,” Elizabeth commented.
Janine hissed, “What has gotten into you? I’m sorry, Elizabeth isn’t a judgmental soul. Her divorce has twisted her into a negative mindset. It’s easy to do. I’m in the process as well.”
Talon proposed a toast, raising his beer bottle to clink against Ink’s. “To the assholes who didn’t realize how lucky they were.”
Janine immediately raised the last of her Bahama Mama to join them. Elizabeth sat quietly, subdued for the first time that evening. She hated to admit that her soon-to-be ex’s accusations of how she had forced him to have an affair with someone else had wormed their way into her brain. Maybe it was her fault.
Talon’s warm hand covered hers and she looked up in surprise. “Stop thinking so hard. No man is worth that.”
“Sorry.”
“No sorries. Eat, Buttercup. You’re hungry, and I plan to dance your shoes off.”
Nodding, she loaded another chip with all the good stuff and popped it into her mouth. As she bit down, her eyes watered. A hidden jalapeno had disguised itself under a dollop of sour cream. Trying to be brave, she chewed, feeling the fire building with each chomp.
“Spit it out,” Talon commanded and placed a few napkins at her mouth. He nodded when she looked at him to double-check. “Get rid of it. It’s going to get hotter.”
For self-preservation, she followed his instruction and pushed the bite out of her mouth. Talon wrapped it up without a grimace or reaction and handed Elizabeth her frozen drink. Grateful, she took a large gulp and then another.
As she extinguished the fire in her mouth, Talon carefully picked through the stack of nachos in front of her to pull out a dozen honker jalapeno slices. He set them in front of him and loaded another bite with all the goodies and no peppers.
“Try this one,” he said, lifting it to her lips.
Automatically, she opened her mouth and let him feed her. The cool sour cream helped soothe her still burning tongue and Elizabeth smiled at him. Raising one hand, she covered her mouth and thanked him.
“No talking with your mouth full, Buttercup,” he admonished before starting a new line of conversation with Janine and Ink.
“Do you both work together, Janine?”
“We do. Not in the same department, but our roles overlap from time to time,” the other woman answered. “We’ve gone out a few times. Well, I’ve forced Elizabeth to come out with me.”
“Good. I’m glad.” Talon smiled his approval.
Feeling slightly jealous, Elizabeth was amazed when she found herself scooting closer to Talon as if staking her claim. She started to move back over, but Talon wrapped a hand around her thigh and squeezed to hold her in place. The server brought their new drinks over and Elizabeth noticed that Janine had switched to a soft drink. She took another drink of her frozen concoction and knew she should do that, too. Elizabeth didn’t want to lose her common sense around Talon. She could handle this one though. It was so good.
“What do you do, Ink?” Janine asked.
“I’m a surgeon,” he joked. “No, I’m a tattoo artist. That’s how I connected with the Shadowridge Guardians. I’ve done some work on several members.”
“I’ve been thinking about getting a rose on my ankle,” Janine said, holding a foot out under the table to show the spot she was considering for the artwork.
“When you’re ready, come talk to me. There are some things I always recommend people think about before putting something into their bodies,” Ink said.
Elizabeth smiled to herself. It seemed like Ink was a stand-up guy. She was glad Janine had met someone nice.
“Recovered?” Talon asked.
She shook her head ruefully. “Almost. That was awful. Sorry to be a wimp.”
“You haven’t seen me on sushi night,” Talon said with a laugh.
“Wasabi?”
“I’m not eating raw fish for anyone. They tricked me into it once. That will be the last time,” Talon vowed.
Ink, overhearing, tried to control his belly-deep laughter. Talon pointed at him and warned, “Don’t forget what happened to Gabriel. There’s no telling what pay back I might devise for you.”
“I don’t think anyone is going to ever get that out of their memory,” Ink said, dissolving into guffaws that made everyone, including Talon, laugh.
“What did you do?” Elizabeth asked, wide-eyed.
“Talon painted his bedroom black. It looked great until Gabriel went to sleep. Then, all these rainbow-colored fluorescent specks showed up. Gabriel thought it felt like he was in a freaking underwater aquarium,” Ink shared. “His… His girlfriend loved it.”
Why did it sound like he covered up something else he started to say?
Pushing that thought out of her mind, Elizabeth imagined sparkling walls that made the night less scary. “That sounds amazing. I would have loved to see that.”
“I don’t think he got a lot of sleep until he repainted it,” Talon confessed. “It took six coats of paint to extinguish the glow.”
“No way,” Janine said with a hoot of laughter.
“What can I say? I leave an impact,” Talon suggested modestly.
Conversation lulled for a bit as a rocking loud song made it hard to hear well. Elizabeth found herself chuckling at random moments at Talon’s antics. He leaned close to whisper into her ear.
“What’s so funny, Little girl?”
“That room thing. You’re so bad,” she said, giggling.
“Or so good,” he suggested as he kissed her temple. “Ready to dance some more?”
Throwing caution to the wind, she answered with her heart. “Please.”