Until Talon (Until Him 4)

“I’ve been to Montana a couple times. It’s a beautiful state.”

“It’s beautiful here too.”

I see him shift in his chair out the corner of my eye. “So is your plan to stay in Tennessee?”

“Yeah, or I think so anyway,” I reply, wanting to say more, but it feels weird to have a conversation about my plans for the future with a complete stranger especially when I haven’t spoken to my sister or parents about officially making Tennessee my home.

“You said you’re helping out your sister. Is she okay?”

“She’s good,” I say while getting off the highway and stopping at a red light behind a long row of cars.

“You’re really an open book,” he jokes, and I look at him.

“This isn’t a date. We’re not getting to know each other. This is me doing my job.”

“Fair enough. How about I take you on a date?”

“I’m not interested,” I lie. I doubt there’s a woman alive who wouldn’t be interested in him. That said, I don’t need the distraction of a man right now.

Holding my gaze, he tips his head to the side with a look of determination in his eyes. “Light’s green.”

I take my eyes off his and press on the gas, wondering why I feel like I just waved a red flag in front of a bull.

CHAPTER 4

Talon

AS I WALK toward Mia’s office, I spot her at her desk, the guy across from her leaning forward like he’s trying to get as close as possible, even with the desk between them. As I get closer, I hear him ask her out, and when she shakes her head, he places his hands together like he’s praying, making her laugh. Jealousy makes my hands ball into fists, and even if I have no rights to her, I step into the room.

“Hey, babe,” I greet, and her eyes widen as she looks up at me, but I don’t spare her another glance. I look down at the man, swearing he looks familiar. “How’s it going, man?”

“Uh… good.” He looks between Mia and me then stands, straightening out his tie. “Thanks for letting me test out the truck, Mia. I’ll be in contact after I get the loan set up.”

“Sure, Harry. I look forward to hearing from you.” She reaches out to shake his hand, and my jaw twitches when he lifts it to place a kiss on her knuckles.

“Have a good day.” He smiles at her then turns to me. “Later.”

“Yeah, later,” I grunt.

“Do I need to get a restraining order, Talon?” Mia asks, taking a seat, her warm brown eyes on mine as I lean on the edge of her desk.

“For that guy, most definitely,” I say, watching her full lips tip up into a slight smile. Fuck, she’s beautiful—stubborn as fuck, but still the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen, and it kills me that I can’t walk up to her, pull her into my arms, and kiss her like I want to. It’s been a week of this, a week of me coming in almost daily, trying to convince her to go out with me, only to have her give me shit and turn me down.

“Seriously, Talon, this is getting ridiculous.” She sighs, tossing her long hair that reminds me of my favorite dark chocolate ice cream with swirls of caramel over her shoulder.

“I’m just here for a test drive, Mia.”

“Right.” She rolls her eyes as she stands, allowing me to see her curves accentuated by the tight skirt and top she’s wearing. “You know if I miss out on an actual sale by taking you out again, I’m going to be annoyed.”

“If you’d just agree to go out with me, I’d sign the papers for the Jeep right now.”

“Why do I feel like I should be offended by that offer?” she asks, wrapping her fingers around the dip in her waist, and I grin while her eyes narrow.

“Put away your claws, kitten. I just want you more than I want the Jeep,” I say, watching her cheeks turn a pretty shade of pink, and my dick twitches behind my zipper.

“Don’t call me kitten.”

“Why not? You remind me of a cute little kitten that shows its claws when it’s riled up.”

Eyeing me for a moment, she sighs as she drops her gaze from mine. “I need to get the keys for the Jeep.”

“I’ll come with you.”

“Of course you will.”

I catch a hint of her soft vanilla scent when she walks past me and fight the urge to reach out and touch her. Fuck, I’ve never been obsessed with a woman before, but the moment I saw her, I felt like I had been sucker punched. With one look, I knew exactly who she was and that I would do anything to have her.

“Mia,” I call her name, having no idea what I’m going to say, just knowing I need to say something.