Crave (Talon Security #1) (3 page)

I’d long ago gotten used to being spoken to in military terms.

“I’ve been writing a lot of music,” I told him. “Have you heard of Autumn Powers? She asked me to write a few songs for her. I think they might actually get recorded.” I was still marveling at the news myself.

His eyes lit up. “That’s awesome, Sam.”

“I’ll keep working for Zitto for the time being,” I added, referring to the catering company I’d worked at for the last several years. It was a great gig because it afforded me a lot of flexibility. Zitto, the owner, had always treated me like a family member. “Until I’m rich and famous, of course,” I teased.

He chuckled.

We were quiet for a few minutes as we both dug into our food.

“You gonna ask about him?” he asked finally.

“Is he safe?” I asked without delay.

“Yes,” he answered firmly.

I fought the urge to wilt with relief. “Then that’s all the information I need.”

He rolled his eyes. “Christ, you’re as stubborn as he is.”

“That’s not news,” I pointed out.

He snorted. “Fair enough.”

****

“I don’t like you living by yourself,” he grumbled when we’d pulled back into the Talon parking lot.

I’d known this was coming—I was surprised he’d held off this long. With my hand on the handle of his Charger, I rolled my eyes. “I’m fine, Trav.”

“You still got that pepper spray I gave you?”

“Yes.” I sighed.

“Did you take that self-defense class I sent you a link to?”

“Trav, I’ve taken the last three you sent me. I’m good,” I assured him.

He seemed to ponder that for a moment before nodding stiffly. “All right, then.”

I smiled at my big brother. “I’m good. Love you, Trav.”

“Love you, too, Sam. I’ll check in with you soon.”

With a final wave, I headed to my car, the Accord I’d been driving since college that I prayed lasted me a few more years.

I thought about what Trav had said, about wanting me to be happy. As I watched Talon headquarters disappear in my rearview, I couldn’t help but think of Sid with that familiar ache in my chest. The ache that had become my constant companion in the last few months. Only sporadic moments of levity had provided a welcome balm. I was determined to make the most of those moments, to cling to that happy, despite the grief threatening to pull me under.

I’d get there, eventually.

CHAPTER 2

“P
ink, eh?” Zitto squeezed my cheek the following evening as we worked side-by-side at an outdoor wedding in Malibu. The evening was warm and the ocean breeze made me want to sigh with each saltwater-tinged breath.

I grinned. “You know I like to keep things interesting.”

There were hundreds of guests and Zitto’s face was flushed as usual. “You okay?” I asked, concerned. The event space was large and Zitto was also… large. I always worried that he’d keel over on me.

“I’m perfect, bella.” He waved a hand at me. “You look nice.”

I looked down at the navy-blue dress I’d selected for the evening. It was formfitting, hugging my curves while still being professional. At formal events, we dressed up as well, so as to blend with the crowd. “Thanks.” I smiled, whisking a platter off to a nearby station.

“Sam.”

The deep, familiar voice nearly had me dropping my platter. I placed it on the table with shaking hands before turning to face him.

Sid was breathtaking in a tailored suit. His dark hair had grown out since I’d last seen him, the black locks gorgeously mussed on his head. His piercing blue eyes stared intently down at me while I desperately tried to recover my composure.

“Hi Sid,” I murmured, my heart pounding in my chest.

He didn’t say anything at first. He simply stared. His gaze slid over me, lighting a fire over every piece of flesh his eyes encountered.

“What are you doing here?” I managed.

His eyes met mine again, the tension zapping between us like a live wire. “The groom and I served together,” he explained. “You’re working?” His chin lifted toward the platter I’d placed on the table.

I nodded, wiping a hand over my dress absently as I stared back at him, feeling starved for the mere sight of him. He looked impossibly more handsome than the last time I’d seen him, which served to further lodge the knife in my belly that the mere sight of him provoked.

He reached a hand toward me. “Sam, I—”

“There you are.” A chipper blonde cut him off as she slid her perfectly manicured hand into his.

I felt that knife drive a little deeper. Time hadn’t helped soothe the burn, if anything it had grown stronger.

I knew I didn’t mask it, the ache. I’d been practiced at it when we’d lived together. Now, after our time apart, I knew it showed on my face and I was eager to make a speedy exit.

“Good to see you. Have a nice evening.” I swallowed hard, giving a jerky nod and making a beeline for the nearest exit point. In my haste, my toe caught on the sod, sending me into a free fall.

Familiar calloused hands caught me as they had so many times before. He pulled me close, my breath catching as my hands palmed his firm chest.

For a moment, it was as though time stood still. The conversation around us grew hushed, the pounding of the surf on the rocks below becoming a muted orchestra as we stared at each other.

A throat cleared indelicately behind us.

My face flamed as I pushed back from his chest, righting myself again. “Thanks. I never was good in heels.”

He offered a halfhearted smile as his eyes scorched down into mine. “Or in flats.”

“Or in flats,” I agreed, pushing back from him again, eager to break the contact and yet never wanting to let him go. “Take care.”

His gaze burned into my back as I scuttled away, feeling that familiar scorching pain that never seemed to heal.

I avoided him and his gorgeous date for the rest of the night. Zitto found me as we were packing the vans up. “Bella, do an old man a favor, eh?” he asked, huffing a breath at having to catch up with me.

I looked at him expectantly. “Sure.”

“I have a birthday present for Camille—can you keep it with you for a week or two? That sneaky wife of mine will scour the house for it.” He grinned.

They’d been married twenty-five years and I envied how much they still seemed to love each other.

I laughed. “Sure, just put it in my car.”

He clapped his hands together. “Grazie, bella. Hey, are you okay? I saw you talking to that young man and your face… I’ve never seen that expression on you before,” he commented.

Pain? Loss? Torment? He could have seen any of those.

I patted his arm. “Just an old friend. I’m exhausted. I’m going to finish packing this van up and head out, okay?”

“Sounds good,” he agreed, looking at me skeptically.

“I’m fine,” I assured him with the most carefree smile I could muster.

He waved a hand in the air. “All right, all right. I’ll stop meddling. If Camille were here, you’d be in big trouble.” Something flashed in his eyes that I hadn’t seen before. It almost looked like guilt. I was too tired to press him.

I laughed instead. “Don’t I know it!”

By the time I got home, I was so exhausted and distracted by thoughts of Sid that I barely made it up the steps to my apartment, much less remembered to bring Camille’s gift in from my car.

For once, my forgetful nature turned out to be my saving grace.

CHAPTER 3

I
woke up slowly the next morning and stared at the cracked ceiling above my bed. I’d never been much of a morning person, and being able to take my time waking up was a luxury I took advantage of whenever I could.

My phone chirped with a text and I reached for it, staring at the words blearily.

Drinks tonight?

Caden’s text made me smile. We still saw each other all the time, whether it was to have drinks, or dinner at his place. He’d moved in with Danika shortly after I’d moved out. She and I had become good friends. I was thrilled for both of them.

Sounds good. 9, Mottos?

Yep, see ya.

I set my phone down and with a grumble, forced myself up and out of bed. I walked through my small apartment toward the kitchen. My brother would have a conniption if he saw where I was living, just barely on the wrong side of Melrose, but I liked it. Sure, the neighborhood wasn’t the best, and my place was small, but I’d managed to keep it clean—most days, anyway—and my neighbors were friendly.

I spent most of the day spread out on the floor of my living room, writing. I felt all the more driven after my meeting with Autumn. There was something beautiful and freeing to think that someone might take my words and make them their own—that they’d put a unique voice to the story I’d written into song.

I got ready that night with music blaring, missing Piper as I swayed my hips in front of the mirror. We’d often gotten ready together, picking out each other’s clothes and dancing around the house as the boys grumbled about how long we took, smiling at our antics.

I chose my high-waisted, skinny black jeans and a cropped tank top that showed a hint of midriff. It was sexy without being slutty. I paired it with my black ankle boots and a chunky necklace.

With my petite figure, my voluptuous backside was that much more pronounced, but I’d learned to embrace it over the years.

My shoulder-length blonde hair still had the pink tips, and I created some messy waves. I swept black eyeliner on to accentuate my green eyes and a pink gloss to complete the look. I snapped a picture and sent a text to Piper.

Approve
?

I was headed out the door when she responded.

Smokin!

I grinned, making a mental note to call my best friend. Though we texted daily, we were overdue for a longer catch up.

Motto’s was already busy as I walked in, scanning for Caden. I found him and Danika at the bar, grinning like lovesick fools at each other.

“Hi guys.” I grinned, accepting a hug from Danika. With long black hair and blue eyes, she was a striking woman.

Caden had played the field for years, taking full advantage of his good looks and status as a musician and tattoo artist. The combination seemed to make women turn to mush. My thoughts turned to Sid with a wince; the military-musician combination had seemed even more powerful while it lasted. Not that his appeal had diminished since the band had broken up.

Caden had been selective, and in my opinion, he’d picked the best woman to settle down with. Danika was smart and funny and she held her own. Plus, I’d never seen my friend so happy, which was the most important thing in my book.

We ordered drinks and found a booth near the pool tables. Over a few rounds of drinks, we caught up. When Caden’s eyes flashed at something over my shoulder, I turned my head, curious what had caught his attention.

Sid.

Dressed in a formfitting black T-shirt that highlighted the colorful tattoos spanning both of his muscular arms, complete with black Levi’s, he was drool worthy. His blue eyes met mine and he offered what looked like a sheepish smile.

I spun back, glaring at Caden. “Did you know he was coming?” I demanded.

Caden offered a cajoling smile. “I may have had an idea,” he admitted. “Sam, you can’t avoid him forever. He’s one of your best friends.”

He also broke my fucking heart.

“Hi guys,” Sid’s deep voice greeted as he stood next to where I sat. I craned my neck up, feeling caged in.

Before I could make my escape, he slid into the booth next to me and his muscular thigh pressed against mine underneath the table. “I hope you don’t mind me crashing your party.” He smiled, flashing the dimple that had pushed me over the edge back when I was fighting my crush on him. Before I simply gave up the useless fight.

His intensity threw me off kilter. He’d looked at me the same way the night before. It wasn’t the friendly shooting-the-shit look I’d grown used to over the years. No, this was something else entirely. There was something nearly predatory about it.

“When did you get back?” I asked, feeling my heart hammer in my chest at our proximity.

“About a week ago,” he replied.