Wild Ride (Wind Dragons MC #4.5)(4)
“I know you like him,” she says gently, studying me. “But, Tia—”
“I know, I know. I need to let it go; it’s not a good idea . . . blah blah,” I say, cutting her off and sending her a droll look. “It’s just that . . . how can one man make me feel more with just a look than another can by kissing me, or sleeping with me?”
The sound of a car door opening gets our attention. “Rake’s here,” Bailey says, looking from the front door back to me. “I don’t know, Tia. If you really like him . . . It’s just that he’s a biker, and they take what they want. You can’t be alone in wanting to be with him. You’re a beautiful woman, and I saw the way he kept looking at you that night at the bar, but he still hasn’t made a move. Maybe he doesn’t want a relationship. Have you spoken to him about all this?”
I shake my head. “No, I’m not going to make the first move.” Not again. Been there, done that, and it didn’t go so well. I grin and add, “But that doesn’t mean I can’t give him a little nudge in the right direction.”
Bailey starts laughing, covering her mouth with her hand so as not to wake the children. “Rake won’t like it,” she says, her expression not giving anything away. She stands up, walks over to me, and kisses my cheek. “But it’s not Rake’s life. It’s yours. You have to live with the consequences of your actions, no one else.”
I look to the little body asleep next to me. “Except Rhett. If you and all the other women can make it work with a biker though, why can’t I? I know everyone would prefer I was with a Wind Dragon, but I can’t help who I’m attracted to. Besides, you all know him, I wouldn’t have met him if you didn’t.”
“Don’t remind me,” Bailey mutters, then walks to the door to open it as she hears a knock. “Just be careful what you wish for, Tia. There’s so many easier routes you can take.”
I know that, but those other routes are boring and don’t come in a tall, blond package, with green eyes and a panty-dropping smile. They don’t make my heart race, or make me just want to be around them.
Fuck. What is happening to me? After Oliver I told myself I’d never get so stuck on a man, never let one have the upper hand with me. There’s no denying that Talon has the upper hand here though, so maybe I should just leave it alone. I’m of two minds about the whole thing, and when I’m around him I just can’t help myself.
I guess that’s the key—to not be around him. Out of sight, out of mind, right? Not in this case, but I can keep my thoughts to myself. And my daydreams. Fuck, those daydreams. I can barely concentrate because my dirty mind just plays all the ways Talon will make his first move and have his way with me.
Rake comes in and says hello, then scoops up Cara in his arms. I hug Bailey good-bye, thanking her for watching my son. I know she doesn’t mind, but I never take it for granted. I see less of Bailey now, but I don’t hold that against her. If anyone deserves a happy ending, it’s her. After they leave, I carry Rhett to his room, tuck him in, and kiss his head.
“Love you,” I say, even though he’s asleep.
After a quick shower, I’m in my bed, mentally planning everything that needs to be done tomorrow. It’s not an easy job, being a single mother, but it would be much harder if I didn’t have the people around me that I do. I’m grateful. I don’t need a man.
I fall asleep and dream of Talon again.
Except this time, he leaves the bar with me.
Bailey sends me a message the next day, saying she’s picking up Rhett and Cara from school, which means I don’t have to rush straight from work to get him. It was much easier when Bailey still lived next door to me, but even though she moved into a new, bigger house, we try and make it work like we used to, mainly because Cara and Rhett don’t like to be without each other for very long. Sometimes when Bailey is working late though, Rake will pick up Cara, and it doesn’t feel right for me to ask him to get Rhett too, even though I know he doesn’t mind. Things have changed a little, and it’s going to take some time getting used to them, but I wouldn’t change anything for the world.
The truth is, without Bailey living next door, I’ve had to become more independent. She might be only a few minutes’ drive away, but before, she was literally next door, so I could walk over in my pajamas at any time of the day or night. Now I don’t really want to interrupt her as much, so I figure shit out on my own.
I drop by the grocery store to get a few things for dinner, then make my way to Bailey’s to pick up Rhett. The two kids are playing in the front yard, with Rake and Bailey sitting on the porch chairs watching them. Rhett and Cara both wave as they see me pull in, waiting for me to park and get out of the car before running over. I hug my son, then Cara, before walking over to Bailey and Rake to say hello.
“Thanks for getting him,” I tell Bailey, sitting down in the chair next to her. “I can get them both tomorrow. I have an early day.”
“You know it’s no problem,” Bailey chastises, reaching over to touch my arm. “I love Rhett like he’s my own.”
“I know,” I say, smiling gently, turning to watch the kids who are playing golf on the lawn. “I don’t know why he loves golf so much, or how he dragged Cara into loving it, but it keeps them occupied, doesn’t it?”