Late Friday night, Talon looked at the Guardians sitting at the table. He’d sat in on a couple of the leaders’ meetings at Atlas’s request when the budget was discussed. Steele had called him into the meeting this time to detail the recent events.
“The Devil’s Jesters are a thorn in our side, but they’re going to leave my Little girl alone,” Talon reported.
“How sure are you that the Littles are safe?” Steele demanded.
“The Jesters are going to walk a tightrope for a year as Slash fights to save his kids. I don’t think we’ll see a lot of them,” Talon suggested. “As to how safe our Littles are? I don’t trust them as far as I could throw Vengeance.”
“How did Elizabeth get on their radar in the first place?” Kade asked.
“There was a letter to the editor in the local newspaper detailing the heroism of a lawyer who put herself at risk to save a vendor at the farmer’s market.”
“Don’t tell me Slash reads the local throwaway paper,” Atlas scoffed.
“Vengeance does,” Talon said.
Steele simply shook his head. “We’ll keep an eye on them. Kade, I’m going to leave that to you.”
“Got it,” Kade assured him.
Even if he hadn’t been asked, Talon knew the Enforcer would have made this his business. Talon didn’t particularly like that Slash would be around Elizabeth’s office. They would need to have a very serious talk about her keeping her distance from any of the Jesters.
“I’ll let the club know they don’t need to be on high alert,” Kade stated firmly.
“I owe you guys for protecting my Little girl,” Talon said.
“She’s yours. That makes her one of ours,” Storm commented.
“I’m just waiting for her to sue you for being a smart ass,” Rock said with an almost straight face.
“Thank goodness, she likes me better than you bastards,” Talon rebutted. “It must be my dance moves.”
When the laughter died out at Talon’s spontaneous chair dancing, Steele said, “We do have another issue we need to discuss.”
All eyes focused on Steele as he referred to the paperwork in front of him. “Atlas and Talon have reviewed the accounts. The club’s funds are still low after Silver but rebounding.”
Steele paused as names were offered to describe their former treasurer. None of them were flattering.
“Old pebble balls?” Talon suggested, leaning in to enjoy the fun.
“Continuing,” Steele drew them back together. “We are above water now. The repair shop is running at capacity. We may need more bays to deal with all the weekend riders.”
“And more Guardians?” Atlas suggested.
“Yes. Just because a guy is good with a wrench doesn’t get them into the Shadowridge Guardians,” Kade pointed out.
“We’ve had more women bringing bikes in. Maybe we need a lady on staff,” Doc suggested.
“That’s not a bad idea,” Steele agreed. “Let’s start advertising for staff. Who knows what will straggle in? What do you think of the prospects?”
Talon sat back and listened to the discussion of their current prospects and who might have earned their way into the Guardians. The discussion was brutal and intense. No one wanted the wrong guy to make it into the MC. They’d already seen what happened when someone went rogue.
“Ink has my vote,” he tossed into the conversation.
“Agreed. What do you think of the others?” Kade asked, looking around the room. “I have a few more who’ve asked about being part of the club.”
Curled up on the couch with a big bowl of popcorn, Elizabeth tried to wrap her mind around the idea that the problem with the Jesters was settled. Only now did she realize how much stress she’d carried around as she had looked over her shoulder constantly. Trying to balance work, her new relationship with Talon, and a threat to her personal safety had swamped her emotions.
A tear ran down her face and was quickly followed by another. She wiped them away, trying not to disturb anyone else, but once the torrent started, Elizabeth couldn’t stop. A heart-deep sob tore from her mouth, drawing attention.
“Elizabeth? Are you okay?” Remi asked.
“I’m… I’m fine.” She finally pushed the words past her lips. Feeling her nose start to run, Elizabeth panicked and tried to sit up to find her napkin.
In a flurry of puffy whiteness, popcorn flew all over Elizabeth, the couch, and the floor. With her nose running, popcorn everywhere, and tears pouring from her eyes, she slumped against the back of the couch in utter despair. Ivy handed her a tissue before scooping the popcorn off the couch onto the floor to make a spot for herself. She wrapped her arms around Elizabeth’s heaving shoulders.
“Go get Talon. She needs her Daddy,” Ivy urged the others.
Harper flew across the room.
“Buttercup?” Talon knelt in front of her a few seconds later.
She launched herself forward to press as close as possible to her Daddy as he pulled her tight. Elizabeth knew Ivy would understand her need to be near Talon. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she clung to him as tears continued to pour down her cheeks.
“Little girl, you’re scaring me. Are you hurt?” Talon asked urgently as his hands searched over her body.
“I just can’t… can’t stop… crying.” She tried to explain but was having trouble getting the words out of her mouth.
Using the bottom of his worn-soft, cotton shirt, he wiped off her face. “Oh, baby. Maybe we should have Doc check you over tonight,” he suggested.
Elizabeth could see the concern etched on his face. She tried to pull herself together but just couldn’t. “Nooo!” she wailed.
She felt a cool hand on her forehead and looked to see Doc next to them. Her arms tightened around her Daddy. Elizabeth wasn’t letting him go.
Doc quietly took her pulse. “You are so upset, Little girl. Did everything just become too much?” he asked.
“Yes.”
“Is she okay?” Talon asked, rocking her in his arms.
“She’s just where she needs to be. A bit of Daddy time and Elizabeth will be ready to take on anything,” Doc assured them both.
“I’d like that, too,” Talon said, brushing the hair from her face. “Come on, Little girl. I need you to myself.”
Standing, he scooped her off the couch and carried her through the crowd that had gathered, scattering popcorn like rose petals in their wake. Elizabeth peeked away from his shoulder to see the big, tough bikers, who had defended her without a second’s hesitation, watching with worried expressions. She should have been embarrassed but wasn’t.
With a sigh of relief, she laid her head on Talon’s shoulder and closed her eyes. Her Daddy had her.
At their apartment, he opened the door and stalked inside, softly closing the door behind them. Shifting her slightly, he sat down in his overstuffed recliner. Talon stroked over her hair as he rocked the chair slowly.
“I love you, Elizabeth Marie Sinclair.”
The words sizzled into her brain. Another man had fooled her with that phrase, but this time, they felt real and truthful. She couldn’t compare Talon with anyone else. He’d always been straightforward with her. She knew he wasn’t telling her he loved her to make her feel better. He didn’t blow smoke up anyone’s ass.
Elizabeth pressed her hand to his heart and felt the powerful muscle beat steadily under her palm. Her world seemed to solidify around her. A memory of their brunch together popped into her mind. Before they’d gone to eat, he’d shown her how much pleasure and fun she’d missed out on in life. He’d simply turned her life upside down. Or was it right side up?
“Do you love me more than bacon?” she whispered, remembering their conversation about taking risks and enjoying the rewards.
“Definitely more than bacon, Buttercup.” He raised one hand up to eye level. “Here’s how much I love bacon. And this is how much I love you.”
She watched his hand rise to way over their heads. “I love you more than bacon, too,” she whispered. “I’m sorry I got so upset.”
“It was about time for you to melt down. Since we’ve met, you’ve scurried from one adrenaline rush to another. All with poise and grace. I don’t know how you’ve done it.”
“That’s what I’m supposed to do. You know—as a lawyer.”
“You’re a damn fine lawyer. The best one I’ve ever met.”
“How many lawyers do you know?”
“There’s you… really, there’s just you. I don’t care about anyone else.”
She stared at him for several long seconds as thoughts whirled in her head. The calmness of his reaction to her meltdown reassured her. Elizabeth felt like she could actually be a real person with Talon. That was a pretty unbelievable thought. Slowly, she felt everything click back into place and smiled at him.
“Better?”
“Yes, thank you.”
Elizabeth rubbed her eyes and smoothed her hair, trying to put herself back into some kind of order. Leaning forward, she pressed her mouth against Talon’s. The kiss was sweet and light until he cradled her head in one hand to hold her steady as he deepened the exchange. Her body flared with need. Elizabeth pushed a hand against his chest to shift back and he immediately released her.
“You okay, Buttercup?”
“No. I need you to make me scream.”
“Spanking or orgasm?”
“Orgasm. Multiple.” She went for broke.
Talon’s smile told her he was very willing and able to make that request come true. He pulled her soft top over her head and tossed it aside, stopping briefly to pluck a piece of popcorn out of her hair. Talon popped it into his mouth as he admired her form.
Daringly, Elizabeth locked her gaze with his before running her hands over his broad shoulders and down his arms to where they rested at her waist. She stroked up her torso to cradle her breasts in her hands, kneading them temptingly. The sensation made her eyelids lower slightly, but she struggled to keep her gaze on her Daddy’s face. The heat etched into his expression made her squirm.
He groaned, and she realized her body moved against his rapidly hardening cock. Elizabeth did it again—just because. His hands tightened around her hips, holding her in place.
To tempt him further, Elizabeth tugged her nipples, making herself moan in delight.
“Little girls who tease their Daddies get more than they anticipate,” Talon growled.
“I’m counting on that.”
Elizabeth released her breasts to shift her hands to the bottom of his T-shirt. She allowed her fingers to brush over the erection tenting his jeans as if by accident. When he froze, she grabbed the bottom of his shirt and tugged it upward. “Help me, Daddy.”
Talon lifted one arm to reach over his shoulder in an amazing display of muscles to yank the material over his head. Throwing it away, he never took his gaze off her. “You’re wearing too many clothes. Let’s take care of that problem.”
Without an ounce of visible effort or strain, Talon picked her up and stood her in front of him. He leaned forward to trap one nipple in his mouth and swirled his tongue around the taut peak as he stripped her leggings and panties down her legs. Releasing his target with an audible pop, he commanded, “Lift your left leg. Now your right,” as he tugged the garments over her feet.
When she started to move back onto his lap, Talon stopped her with a hand up in front of her. “Touch yourself for Daddy.”
“What?” she squeaked.
“Touch yourself,” he repeated as he unbuttoned his jeans.
Torn between watching his expression and his hands, Elizabeth’s gaze darted up and down—getting distracted frequently by his chiseled torso.
“Elizabeth.” He reminded her of the task he had given her.
“Oh!” Cupping her breasts once again, she caressed her body, unable to feel self-conscious because of the heat in his gaze. Elizabeth could see how turned on he was as his jeans burst open when he drew the zipper carefully downward.
Feeling powerful, Elizabeth stroked one hand down her abdomen. She rubbed lightly over the mound between her legs as he stood slightly to push his jeans and boxers over his hips. His gaze frozen on her, he dropped back to the seat to pull the garments off.
“Damn boots,” he cursed when everything became snagged.
“I can help,” Elizabeth volunteered and tried to pull one off for him.
“Turn around and straddle my leg, Little girl,” he ordered. “Grab the boot and pull.”
Leaning over to snare the footwear, Elizabeth peeked over her shoulder to see her Daddy looking squarely at her bottom. She bit her lower lip at the arousal on his face. Pulling quickly, the boot came off with a pop.
She pushed the material off over his ankle, freeing his leg before shifting to the other side. This time, she had trouble tugging it off. Elizabeth stood up as she felt his stocking foot press against her bottom.
“I’m just helping you, Buttercup. That boot’s a bit tight,” he assured her.
Taking his word for it, she leaned over again to pull. His foot pressed into her ass, increasing the pressure on the boot to give. That was all it took. Elizabeth stumbled forward with the empty boot in her hands. She dropped it to the floor with a clunk as she regained her balance.
“Good girl,” he complimented as he removed the last of his clothing.
She smiled and raised her arms in triumph. When his gaze focused on her bouncing breasts, she chose to channel her inner vamp. It wasn’t embarrassing when it had such a marked effect on him.
Elizabeth lifted a hand to twirl a lock of hair around as she looked over his body. All hard angles, she loved the incredible strength that showed in each inch of his body. As her gaze settled on his thick erection, she licked her lips.
“You are going to kill me, Little girl. Let me grab a condom.”
“No condoms, Daddy.”
“You’re protected?” he asked, gripping the arms of the chair as if holding himself back.
She nodded and whispered, “Daddy? Make me come.”
With a roar, Talon jumped up from the chair and wrapped his arms around her, carrying her toward the wall.
“Wrap your legs around my waist,” he ordered as he pressed her against the hard surface. “There’s no way we’re making it to a bed for the first time.”
Following his instructions, she echoed, “The first time?”
“I hope you don’t have to walk far tomorrow,” he growled as he lifted her hips slightly to align their bodies.
He flexed his hips, and she inhaled quickly as the broad head of his cock pressed into her entrance. She was so wet, allowing him to slide several inches inside in one stroke. Talon leaned forward to kiss her lips hard. Lifting his head a scant few inches, he praised her, “That’s it, Buttercup. Take my cock. You feel so good around me.”
She nodded. “More, Daddy.”
Pushing rapidly into her, Talon forced her body to relax around him until their bodies met together. The stretch and slight burn fueled her arousal. She loved knowing how much he craved being inside her. Elizabeth could feel her body quivering around his thickness.
“Move, damn it,” she ordered, knowing he was waiting for her to adjust to his invasion.
Slamming his mouth over hers, Talon withdrew and thrust back inside strongly. His mouth made love to hers, seducing her with searing kisses that took her breath away. She quickly lost herself in the sensations buffeting her body, seeking only to return the pleasure he lavished on her with caresses and temptations of her own.
Their skin dampened with sweat as their bodies strained together. His hands cupped her bottom as his pelvis held her trapped against the wall. The small rubbing thrust pressed fully on her clit, thrilling her. Elizabeth looped one arm around his neck to help support her weight, but Talon showed no signs of struggling to hold her in place. His expression held only fierce desire and need.
“There,” Elizabeth cried out when his stroke made her squirm with excitement. She slid her hands to his shoulders, gripping him tightly as she held her breath. A few seconds later, she wailed as the climax shook her body.
Talon gentled his motions, extending her pleasure rather than intensifying it too much. Elizabeth kissed him, pouring all her emotions into the exchange. His heated response made the heat inside her rekindle.
Tearing his mouth from hers, Talon warned, “Hold on.” A fraction of a second later, he stepped back from the wall.
With a squeak of surprise, she tightened her arms around his neck and then moaned as he walked to the small breakfast table. Each step sent sensations through her. Carefully, he set her bottom on the edge of cold wood, making her shiver. A man who’ll take me on the kitchen table?
Just as that thought zinged into her brain, Talon withdrew and thrust back inside in one stimulating move, making them both groan with delight. She’d never imagined sex could be this good. Elizabeth stroked her hands over his chest, tracing those tattoos decorating his chest and arms.
Now with his hands free, Talon could caress her body as he moved inside her. Wiggling with pleasure, she returned his thrilling touches with ones of her own, tightening her pelvic muscles to squeeze him.
With a wicked look in his eyes, Talon stroked down her body to tease her clit. She tried to resist, but he knew exactly how to push her control to the breaking point. With a cry, Elizabeth exploded. The orgasm shook her body and clamped her channel around his thick shaft inside her.
His growl flowed over her as he poured himself inside her. She loved the feel of the warm heat coating her as Talon wrapped his arms around her. He lifted her from the table to hug her against his chest. Elizabeth rested her head on his shoulder as she tried to regain control of her breath and thundering heart.
“It was the best day ever when I found you,” he told her. “I’m never letting you go, Buttercup.”
“That’s good because that was way better than bacon,” she said, teasing him.
“I’ll make you forget bacon exists next time.”
“Next time?” she questioned, leaning back to look at him.
“You asked for multiple orgasms. You’re not done yet. And neither am I,” he said. Squeezing her tightly against his chest, Talon carried her to the bedroom.