Chapter Eleven
CHAPTER ELEVEN
“SHE’S HERE! I’M so glad.”
Pulse glanced from where he was flipping burgers to Liv, who smiled and waved toward the side of the clubhouse. He followed her gaze only to halt mid-burger flip.
“Who’s here, babe?” Spec wandered over, beer in hand. “Oh, that’s Talia, right? I liked her. She seems badass.”
“I like her too. And she’s super badass. I don’t know why, but I get the feeling she needs us in her life.” Liv accepted a kiss on the cheek from her ol’ man, who chuckled.
“My little savior, always collecting strays.” He slid his arm around Liv’s waist and tucked her into his side.
No matter how often he scolded himself, Pulse couldn’t stop the uneasy itch at the base of his spine when Spec came near him. It started after his arrest and worsened after he confessed his past to Talia. Spec would figure it out. It was only a matter of time before the DEA got annoyed enough to drop a hint. The club’s enforcer was intelligent and tenacious. Spec would run with whatever morsel they fed him and uncover Pulse’s deep, dark secret.
He’d spent the last week trying to act normal around the man while in a constant state of heightened anxiety.
Liv stood near the grill with a platter of open hamburger buns, ready for Pulse to deposit the cooked meat. “What can I say?” She hip-checked her ol’ man. “I want everyone to be as happy as I am.”
“Well, I’m not sure that’s possible. I mean, there’s only one of me and one of my dick, so unless you want to share, no one can ever be as hap… oof!” Spec laughed and rubbed his ribs where Liv’s sharp elbow made contact.
Pulse let their flirty banter fade to the background as he focused on the woman walking toward them from the clubhouse. Christ, what the hell was she wearing? Those damn shorts should be criminal. Any man who stood behind her would be helpless to look anywhere but at her ass. What the hell happened to her conservative professional outfits?
It’s a barbecue, idiot. Did you expect her to show up in a suit?
The skintight tank top had him fighting off a damn stiffy like a fucking horny teenager.
Who told her dark green was his favorite color?
The only thing that kept him from actively drooling was the wariness in her gaze. She hadn’t walked so stiff and tense even the day she’d come to the shelter’s grand opening without knowing anyone. Her shoulders were so bunched they nearly hit her ears, and her eyes held a wariness he wouldn’t have expected from someone who regularly faced hungry prosecutors in court. Talia was uncomfortable as hell, and he was most likely the reason.
Fantastic .
“Dude, that burger is seconds from going up in flames.”
Pulse jolted. “Shit.” He scooped the charred burger no one would dare eat and tossed it over the grill. Ray would sniff it out in a few minutes, and that dog wouldn’t mind a crunchy burger.
“Here, take this.” Liv handed the platter off to her man. “She looks ready to bolt. I’m going to go say hi and get her a drink to loosen up.” She darted off to intercept Talia.
Pulse blew out a breath. At least he had a few more minutes to get himself together before he had to talk to her.
“See something you like there, brother?” Spec asked, waggling his eyebrows.
“What?” Pulse flipped the last of the burgers, then shut the grill. “What are you running your mouth about?”
“I’m talking about how that pretty lawyer with the banging body makes your eyes bug, and your tongue loll out like a cartoon character.”
His lolling tongue was the least of his problems. His dick getting rock hard every time she came within one hundred yards of him was the real issue.
The stitches on her forehead might as well have been a beacon flashing in the night. They were there because of him. Because someone thought it’d be a good idea to fuck with her to get at him.
That thought deflated his cock instantly and had his blood boiling with a rage he hadn’t felt since he’d watched Camila’s lifeless body crumple to a dirty warehouse floor.
“Fuck off,” he snapped at Spec. “She’s the club’s attorney. Seeing her reminds me I was arrested on bullshit charges last weekend.”
Spec sniffed the air. “Speaking of bullshit.” He snickered at himself. “Oh, here they come.” He leaned in and mock whispered, “Want me to find out what she thinks about you? I could pass you a note later on.”
Pulse scooped the first of the finished burgers off the grill. “I want you to fuck right off,” he said as he slid it onto a bun and then went back for another.
Of course, his comment only made Spec laugh. “Hey there, Talia,” he said as she and Liv reached them.
Liv had her arm linked through Talia’s and appeared to be tugging her along as though to her doom.
“Glad you could join us.” Spec slapped him on the back. “Pulse here told us more about your accident the other night. Glad my man was working and could help take care of you.”
For fuck’s sake. Spec had no idea the minefield he’d just stepped in.
Talia’s eyes bugged wide as they locked on him. He gave her one subtle shake of his head. Fuck no, he hadn’t shared any details of her accident. At least not anything that would land him in a body bag.
She blinked. “Oh, uh, yeah. That was a rough night.”
“Are you feeling okay?” Liv asked.
“Yes. Feeling great. Back to normal.” She reached up to the stitches on her forehead. “Well, almost normal. Still have another week of these, unfortunately.”
“They’re barely noticeable,” Liv said, which made Talia snort. “Okay, they’re noticeable, but it looks like it’s healing well.”
“Uh, yeah,” she said, touching it again. “I’m trying to take good care of it so it doesn’t scar too badly.”
Liv’s expression turned sympathetic. “Some decent concealer and no one will ever notice it.”
“Talia, you look like you could use a drink.” Spec slid his free arm around his woman’s waist. “I’ll grab you one after I drop these burgers at the food table. Anything in particular you want?”
“Oh, thanks, but I’m good. Liv already offered.”
“Ah, come on,” Spec said. “You had a shit week, and it’s a party. Live it up.”
Talia chuckled and sighed. “Okay, I guess I could use a drink or ten. Beer works for me, thanks.”
Liv wrinkled her nose, but Pulse nearly swooned. There was something super sexy about a woman drinking from a long-neck bottle.
“Let’s go grab one for her, babe,” Spec said as he guided Liv toward the outdoor bar they’d set up.
“Wait, but…” Liv’s gaze flicked between Pulse and Talia before she nodded. “Oh…” Her lips curved in a knowing grin. “Good idea, Spec. I’ll definitely help you with that. Be back in a few, Talia.” She allowed Spec to lead her away.
“Did she just squeal?” Talia asked as Liv practically bounced to the bar.
He grunted. “Probably. Liv’s nuts, but in the best way.”
Talia chuckled, but it was stilted and awkward, as was the silence between them.
He turned off the grill and then faced her. “You look good,” he said as he folded his arms across his chest.
“Oh, thanks.” She shifted under his assessing gaze.
Silence again. This time, it was so thick he could almost feel it.
Talia glanced over her shoulder and then cleared her throat. “Thought I’d hear from you before now. The last thing you said was that you had to make some calls and to expect an update soon. Unless you’ve been on hold a long-ass time, I’m guessing you have some answers and have been avoiding me.”
Damn, he admired the way she went after what she wanted.
No one was in earshot, but he stepped closer anyway. Her clean and sweet scent had his head swimming. So did the sight of her in that outfit. How something could be so casual yet so hot would always amaze him. But what had him fighting to keep from putting his hands all over her was that confidence.
“I’m risking a lot for you, Pulse,” she whispered. “Do not jerk me around. I am not the type of woman who’ll be led around on a leash and sit when she’s told.”
Christ.
A wave of white-hot lust rolled through him.
Everything about her, from her stance to her expression to her stiff laugh, spoke to how out of her depth she was in the middle of a biker barbecue. Yet she looked him right in the eye and demanded what she deserved.
H-O-T.
Sure, he was a dick for avoiding her this past week, but now that she gave him a glimpse of her fire and spirit, he couldn’t regret the choice. This woman would be a firecracker in bed, though he had a feeling a man would have to work damn hard to earn a spot there.
“You’re right.” He spoke low even though his brothers were wrapped up in their own shit. “But this isn’t the spot for this discussion. Tomorrow?”
She blinked as she drew back, and he couldn’t stop his smirk. She assumed he’d argue or toss a bunch of excuses at her. “Sure. Tomorrow works.”
“I’ll come to you. I’ll bring breakfast.”
“Right. Uh, okay. Good.” She nodded once but didn’t say anymore because Liv bounced back over with two drinks.
“I brought you a gin and tonic with lime,” she said, grinning. “Brooke mentioned you drank one when she stopped by the other night.”
Brooke and Talia had been hanging out?
“By the way, I’m pissed I wasn’t invited.” Liv mock pouted as she handed over the drink. “Anyway, I thought you could use something stronger than beer. Also, beer is gross.”
“Babe, some people like beer.” Spec rolled his eyes.
“I think you’re all lying,” Liv said with a shudder.
Laughing, Talia accepted the glass from Liv. “Thank you. For the record, I do love beer, but you’re right. I could use something stronger. The last few days have been crazy at work since I missed the beginning of the week.”
She’d gone back to work already? Shit, what good was having a bodyguard if he was going to let her do stupid shit?
“Shouldn’t you have taken the whole week off?”
She raised an eyebrow as though daring him to challenge her ability to make intelligent choices for herself.
“Take it back. Take it back,” Spec whispered as he took a dramatic step away from Pulse.
Liv laughed. “Oh, Talia, I think you are the perfect addition to our insane family.”
“Oh, no, I’m not part of—”
The rest of her protest disappeared beneath more of Liv’s laughter. “Come on. Let’s leave the men to do whatever weird stuff they do. We need some girl time.” Liv towed her away to where the other ol’ ladies were chatting while they destroyed a bowl of chips and guacamole.
Pulse had to fight to keep from staring at her ass as she walked away.
Before Spec could add more of his two cents, Pulse grabbed the platter of burgers and added them to the rest of the food.
“This the last of it?” Curly asked as he pointed to a space on the table for Pulse to set the platter.
“Yep, everything is ready to eat.” They had ribs, chicken, and burgers, along with a ton of sides. They had enough food to feed three times as many people as were present. Then again, his brothers could eat.
“Someone say meat?” Jinx asked from a few feet away. He grabbed his junk and smirked. “Because if there’s not enough, I have this huge sau—”
“Nope!” Harper stretched onto her toes and slapped a hand over her man’s mouth. “No one wants your sausage, so please don’t whip it out, or offer to add it to the table, or put it between two buns, or whatever vulgar suggestion you were about to make.”
Pulse snorted—typical Jinx.
The big guy’s eyebrows drew down to an annoyed V. Harper slowly removed her hand an inch, hovering as though prepared to remuzzle her ol’ man at any time.
“Baby, what the hell?” he whined in a pitiful tone. “I thought you loved eating my sausage.”
Harper’s face went beet red, but what caught Pulse’s attention was the strangled laugh that came from about twenty feet away. Talia stood there, eyes twinkling as she bit her lower lip.
Shit, he liked this woman. He needed to nip it before it became a problem.
The usual chaos ensued a second later. Everyone booed Jinx and threw heaps of insults about the guy’s manhood and lack of sexual prowess. Typically, Pulse would have joined in and thrown a few verbal jabs, but he couldn’t tear his attention away from Talia.
She let her lip slide between her teeth, and then she smiled. The full, wide, teeth-revealing smile transformed her face from serious and wary to open and happy.
Absolutely mesmerizing.
He reached for the table as his knees went. His head swam, and his heart sped. If a patient reported these symptoms, he’d have them lying down with a blood pressure cuff around their arm in seconds. Unfortunately, his diagnosis was more along the lines of a smitten storybook character than something he could pop a pill for.
He needed to get laid and fast. Someone, anyone who could get him off and shift his focus from this inappropriate attraction to his club’s fucking attorney.
“Thank you, Harper,” Curly said as he held Brooke’s hand in front of the food table. “I think you saved all our appetites.”
“Hey!” Jinx flipped two birds and waved them at everyone.
Curly spoke again once everyone’s laughter died. “I know you’re all hungry, so I won’t talk long, but I’ve got something important to say.”
The laughter and chatter disappeared. Every man and woman in this club loved Curly and owed him for making them a part of his found family. This club had saved them all in some way, Pulse included. The respect and loyalty they had for their president was unmatched.
“Well, shit,” Curly said. He plucked at the front of his T-shirt, fanning himself with it. “Didn’t realize I’d be this fucking nervous.”
Nervous? Pulse’s stomach flipped as a murmur went through the crowd. Did he have bad news?
Curly dropped Brooke’s hand as he turned to face her. Concern scrunched her face. “What’s wrong?” she asked.
Curly stared at her for a long, charged moment.
Then he dropped to one knee.
Someone gasped. Someone else—Jinx for sure—shouted, “About fucking time.”
Curly reached into his pocket and pulled out a black velvet box.
“Oh my God.” Brooke’s trembling hand went to her mouth. Her eyes were glassy with unshed tears. Pulse had a feeling she wouldn’t hold them back for long.
“I’m going to keep this simple because I’m a simple man,” Curly said, gazing up at Brooke with so much love and adoration that Pulse had to look away.
Of course, his gaze landed on Talia, who stared at the couple with an open mouth and a look of wonder. Curly continued speaking, and though Pulse listened, he watched the pretty lawyer he was fascinated by.
“I’ve had nothing. I’ve been no one. I’ve lived in fear, without hope or dreams. I lived in darkness for so long that I didn’t dare dream of seeing the sun again. I would do it all again in a heartbeat just to spend one minute with you, Brooke. You are everything. My everything .”
A single tear rolled down Talia’s cheek. She wiped it away with an almost angry slap that had Pulse’s lips twitching. She didn’t handle these types of emotions well.
Hell, who did?
“I love you, Brooke,” Curly continued. “You know how seriously I take those words. I love you and want to make you mine in every way possible. Will you marry me?”
A bird squawked from the trees behind them. It was the only sound besides the anticipatory breathing of the entire club.
Pulse turned back in time to see Brooke nod. Tears fell freely now, rolling down her cheeks and over her smiling lips. “Yes, Curly. Fuck yes, I’ll marry you.”
“Hell yeah!” someone shouted as cheers and whoops replaced the silence.
Curly stood in time to catch Brooke as she hurtled herself into his arms. They kissed.
And kissed.
And kissed as everyone clapped and shouted their congratulations.
When they finally came up for air, both were smiling so large their grins looked painful. Brooke hadn’t even checked out the ring yet but didn’t care about the jewelry. Curly could have wound a paperclip around her finger, and she’d be just as ecstatic.
“You lunatics enjoy the food,” Curly shouted as he swept Brooke off her feet and into his arms. “I’ve got something to take care of first.”
“Give it to her good, Prez,” Jinx shouted.
Curly strode toward the clubhouse, his mouth back on Brooke’s.
“All right, let’s eat!” Spec shouted over the cheers and applause.
Pulse chose a seat on the opposite side of the table as Talia. He ignored Spec’s raised eyebrow when he sat.
Damn, coupled-up people were always trying to pair off their friends.
Talia was his attorney. That’s it. The fact that she was a gorgeous woman who made him hard didn’t matter.
What mattered was what time he could escape and find a willing and random woman to suck his cock.