Talon (Ashes & Embers 4)

He grabs the three shopping bags full of gifts for his family. "Ready, baby?"

I nod, smiling, but feeling a little nervous inside about sharing my first real family Christmas with my husband.

* * *

Gram's house is decorated like a scene from a holiday movie and is packed with people. Talon's parents, all his brothers, Lukas, Ivy and the kids, Vandal, Kenzi, Evie, Rayne, and Storm's big furry dog are all here.

After saying hello to Gram and Aria, Talon leads me to the living room, where most of his family has gathered to drink and snack on hors d'oeuvres, and he plants himself on the floor in front of the fireplace, pulling me to sit between his legs, my back resting against his chest. I love that he's not afraid to be affectionate in public. His mom also notices and smiles indulgently from across the doorway. I'm pretty sure at the end of the project she's going to have access to both of our journals, and I hope reading mine doesn't in any way change her feelings toward me, because I really want her to like me. Hopefully, she'll appreciate that during the times I was ranting it was just out of pure frustration.

Storm's dog, Niko, sits beside us, and I pet his long, thick fur as I look around the room. Everyone looks so happy, and it's an incredible feeling to be surrounded by people who love each other and aren't screaming at one another and trying to hurt each other like my dysfunctional family would be. My attention shifts to Asher, who's sitting off in a corner alone, not looking as happy as everyone else. He must feel my gaze on him because he turns his head and locks eyes with me for a moment before winking at me and curving his lips into a smile. I smile back, my heart racing a little. There is something intensely magnetic about him, like staring into a lake of shimmering black water, not sure where the bottom is if you dive in, but pulled in beyond your control anyway. I wonder why his wife isn't here with him—and why no one ever seems to mention her.

After dinner, we talk with Kenzi and Rayne about modeling some of the outfits I've designed, and they go totally wild over the idea. We also agree that Lukas and Talon will model the men’s clothing. Rayne offers to get ahold of some good-looking guys she thinks will pose for some couples shots with her and Kenzi, which I think would be cool to have on my website as well. I'm surprised the girls are single, because they are both absolutely gorgeous and very sweet.

"It's time for presents!" Gram suddenly announces, and they embark on a family tradition of everyone giving each other their presents, then taking turns as each person opens all of their gifts in front of everyone, and around the room it goes. It's fun to see everyone get their gifts—some funny like the blow-up doll that Vandal gave Mikah. I'm surprised to receive gifts from everyone, and I have to struggle to keep myself together while I open them all. Several times Talon leans forward to kiss my cheek, assuring me he understands how much being part of the family means to me.

When Talon excuses himself to use the restroom, his mom comes over and sits next to me.

"You two look so happy, I could just burst!"

"Thank you… We really are."

"You love him," she says knowingly. "I can see it all over your face. You're positively glowing."

"Maybe she's pregnant," Storm pipes up from the love seat a few feet away, getting him a smack from Evie, who mouths an apology at me.

My mouth hangs open. "I am not pregnant. I'm just happy."

"Well, a baby would be fine, too!" Aria says.

"We're not ready for that yet. But yes, I’m falling for him," I admit.

"I knew it! Dr. Hollister will be thrilled!"

"I'm pretty sure she knows."

"Who knows what?" Talon has returned, resuming his spot behind me against the stone fireplace.

"Nothing," I say quickly.

"Mom, you better not be pumping her for info about the project. You said yourself you're not allowed."

"I wasn't! I was just telling her how happy you both look. Can't I be excited that my baby is finally settling down?"

"Mom, I'm the baby, not him," Rayne says, rolling her eyes. "I'm like a redheaded stepchild in this family."

"No, honey. He's my baby boy. You're my baby girl. Don't be so dramatic."

"Whatever. Can we have dessert now?"

Aria turns back to me. "Maybe don't have kids," she says jokingly. "Or just have one."

"Mom, step away. You're gonna scare her off."

"What happened to your honeymoon?" Storm asks when Aria goes back into the kitchen to help Gram.

"The tour happened," Talon replies. "And now we're leaving again next week, so I think we're gonna skip it for now and maybe do it in the spring, right, babe?" He rubs my arms. "I don't need the fucking team to pay for it anyway. I'd rather go on our own and pay for it and not have to write a report about it. That's private, ya know? They can fuck off with that."

Storm nods in agreement. "Yeah, I wouldn't want to do that. The whole thing is sorta wacked. It worked out great, though. At least you didn't get stuck with someone you don't like for six months. That would have been an epic suckfest."

"True. We're happy, so I don't give a shit how we got here. I'll just be glad when I don't have to tell that shrink everything and document my fucking life."

"It looks like their crazy-ass experiment worked, though. You two are perfect together. Like Evie and me. We had a rough beginning, too. Maybe that's what makes it work. Being irresistible like me is a plus, too."

"I'm way more irresistible than you, man. Sorry."

Evie and I share a look and start to laugh, even though we both know it's true. They're both pretty irresistible. Neither one of us stood a chance against falling in love with them. They're like chick crack.

Chapter 32

Talon

My head feels foggy as I drive through town, and my ear feels like it has to pop. I force a yawn, hoping it will go away, but it doesn't. Aggravated, I glance at my dashboard clock, realizing I'm running late for this appointment and I have to make sure I'm back at the house to meet Max at three to leave for a short ten-day tour. Although the timing isn't great, this is one appointment I refuse to slack off on and reschedule.

I find a parking spot and jog to the door, where I press the buzzer and wait for the sound of the click of the door unlocking to let me in.

"Mr. Valentine, so nice to put a face with the voice over the phone." The owner meets me at the door and extends his hand to me.

"Likewise. Sorry I'm late; traffic was a bitch."

"It's no problem at all. Please, come into my office. I have everything waiting for you. I understand you're on a tight schedule today."

I follow Mr. Malone into his office, where he's got several black velvet pads laid out, a loupe, about ten platinum settings, and five big, loose stones sparkling under the lamps like little spotlights.

My heart pounds in my chest as I take the chair opposite him. I thought picking out a guitar or a car was hard. This is way fucking harder.

I try to focus as he explains the cut, weight, color, and clarity of each stone, letting me inspect it before we move to the next. I'm not sure what I'm looking for exactly;

I only know I want it to sparkle like her eyes. After staring at them for a few minutes, I pick the stone that fits her the best—a two-carat pear that looks like a tear drop. For some reason, the shape appeals to me. It gives off a raw and emotional vibe. Like her.

Like us.

The settings look mostly the same to me, except for one resembling a little tiara. The stone sits up a bit and has little yellow gold scrolls holding it up, with a tiny rose gold heart on the band. It reminds me of the tiara Pixie was wearing the first day I saw her.

"It will look like this." Mr. Malone uses tweezers to balance the stone on the setting.

"That's beautiful. It's exactly what I want. And I want the inside engraved with what I told you over the phone." On this one, I’m having “you’re my every wish” inscribed.

"Of course, Mr. Valentine. We can have it ready for you in two weeks."

"I'll need it the end of February, but I'll pick it up as soon as it's ready. I'll be out of town for about ten days, so leave me a voice mail if I don't answer."

"You made an excellent choice, Mr. Valentine."

I nod. "Yeah. I did." In so many ways.

I pay him the five thousand dollar deposit and leave with a big smile on my face, despite the annoying ringing in my ear that's come back after giving me a break for a few days. I'm going to propose to my wife like a real man when this experiment is over and whisk her off someplace secluded to have our own private ceremony and honeymoon. What Storm said on Christmas Eve has been bothering me—about being stuck with someone. Even though I'm happy we're together, I have slowly grown to hate the way Asia and I met. So much was stripped from us, and so much doubt was planted. I want her to know at the end of this experiment that I chose her, and I didn't get stuck with her and just settle. I'd choose her a hundred times, in a hundred different scenarios. My choice will always be her.