Chapter 20 Talon
TWENTY
TALON
Ahand clamps down on my shoulder, halting my march toward Dredyn and Mara.
“Talon, chill.” Beck’s voice is in my ear. I whirl on him and he holds up his palms. Right behind him is Jasper, eyes darting between me and the lovebirds sitting on the pew.
“She texted earlier and told me she was studying,” I growl.
“She told me she wasn’t going to be here either. But you can’t get pissed,” Jasper signs.
“I won’t start anything,” I manage through clenched teeth. My heart is hammering. “I’m just getting my girlfriend”
Beck and Jasper exchange glances, but they let me pass.
I smooth my expression into a calm mask even as adrenaline thrums through me.
Dredyn’s got Mara sideways on his lap, his arm around her waist. She’s rigid with tension, eyes wide when she notices me standing there.
He lifts his gaze to meet mine. A lazy, taunting grin curls on his lips.
He’s doing this to spite me, that much is obvious.
“Talon,” he drawls, tightening his hold on Mara, “enjoying the party?”
Smug bastard. My jaw ticks. “Was, until I saw some hands where they shouldn’t be.”
Mara swallows hard. “Talon, it’s not—”
I hold her gaze as I interrupt. “I believe you owe me a dance, Princess.” The pet name slides off my tongue smoothly—loud enough for those nearby to hear. I step forward and extend a hand to her.
Mara hesitates, looking from me to Dredyn, caught in our silent standoff. Her cheeks are flushed. She might actually think I’m here to rescue her.
If only she knew.
Dredyn’s grin falters, and I see the challenge flare in his eyes. His fingers flex on her hip possessively. “We were just getting comfortable.”
“Yeah?” I let a ghost of a smirk curve my mouth. “Well, I’m feeling uncomfortable. So I’m gonna steal our girl back now.” My eyes flick pointedly to his hand on her thigh.
For a tense beat, Dredyn doesn’t move. The air between us could explode any second. I’m ready to drop the polite act and throw a punch if I have to.
Then Mara, in a small voice, says, “Dredyn… let me go.”
Dredyn’s jaw ticks. After what feels like an eternity, he slides his arm off her. She stands from his lap shakily, smoothing her skirt down. I waste zero time. I take her hand and tug her firmly to me.
Her body collides with mine, warm and soft, and I inhale the familiar scent of vanilla in her hair. Usually her smell disarms me, but right now it’s fuel on the fire. I slide an arm possessively around her waist.
“I’ve got her,” I say pointedly to Dredyn.
He rises from the bench, squaring up. At full height, we’re eye to eye. “Careful, brother. Don’t start something you can’t finish.”
Mara tenses between us. I feel her fingers dig into my arm, as if to hold me back. Smart girl. She knows Dredyn and I could throw down any second.
I force a grin, baring teeth. “Who says I’m not gonna finish it?”
With a guiding pressure on Mara’s lower back, I walk us a few steps away, into a small clearing of space near the wall. She follows stiffly, probably unsure what the hell I’m about to do. Fair question. I’m not even sure. My blood is still boiling, jealousy and adrenaline making my head buzz.
I spot an empty high-backed armchair that someone dragged in here as party furniture. Perfect. I sit down and, keeping my grip on Mara’s hand, pull her forward.
Before she can protest, I tug her down onto my lap—facing me this time. Her knees hit the outside of my thighs as she straddles me on the chair.
Mara lets out a shocked breath, hands flying to my shoulders to steady herself. “Talon! What are you—”
I grip her hips and scoot her further up my lap, pressing her core flush against the bulge in my jeans. She’s exactly where I want her. A startled whimper catches in her throat at the intimate contact.
“Here’s what’s going to happen,” I murmur, pulling her even closer until our chests touch.
Anyone glancing over will see Mara practically riding me and assume we’re about to go at it.
“You’re going to pretend you’re crazy about me.
Smile, act like this is the best night of your life.
” I lean in, lips brushing her ear. “Fake it like you mean it, Mara. Or I’ll show you just how convincing I can be. ”
Her throat works as she swallows. Her hesitation lasts only a second more, then she plasters on a shaky, sweet smile that could probably fool everyone but me.
I know it’s forced, but I also feel the way her thighs tremble on either side of mine.
She’s aroused, despite the fear—despite how wrong this is.
“There’s my girl,” I say loud enough for a few onlookers to hear, sliding my hands up and down her sides as if we’re just normal horny lovers. The motion presses her torso to mine; I feel her stiff peaks through her top rub against my chest. My blood rushes south.
She loops her arms around my neck, playing along, though I can see the panic in her eyes up close. “Talon, please,” she whispers, only for me. “This is crazy.”
“Keep smiling,” I whisper back, moving one hand to cup her ass under her skirt. Her body jolts, but she forces her lips to stay in that faux-happy curve. To anyone watching, it probably looks like she just laughed at something I said.
Good girl.
I guide her hips with my hands, encouraging her to grind on me to the music.
Mara tries to hold herself still at first, but I increase the pressure on her backside until she has no choice but to move with me.
A soft involuntary moan slips from her mouth as her hips roll.
The moment I hear it, triumph surges through me.
That’s right, Princess. You feel that too.
I bite back a groan of my own as she unknowingly rubs right against my aching cock. Damn, this feels better than I expected. Her warmth, the friction, it’s driving me insane. Focus. This is about proving a point, I remind myself. Proving to Dredyn that Mara’s mine.
I catch a glimpse of Dredyn over Mara’s shoulder. He hasn’t moved far; he’s standing a few yards away, jaw clenched and eyes burning holes into us. The sight makes something primal in me grin. Watch and learn, brother.
Mara’s fingers tangle in the hair at the nape of my neck. Her breathing has gone ragged, each exhale a soft pant against my cheek. She’s trying so hard to maintain the charade, but it’s slipping, because the pleasure is catching up to her. Her body is taking over.
“Talon…” she whispers again, but this time it’s not a plea to stop. It’s a moan—my name half-swallowed in her throat as I rock her harder on my lap.
“That’s it,” I encourage, my voice a dark purr. “Doesn’t it feel good to stop fighting it?”
She stifles another moan by biting down on her lip. Her eyes, half-lidded now, meet mine. They’re shining with confusion, anger, and lust all at once.
I slide one hand up her back and into her hair, tugging just enough to tilt her head back. She gasps as her neck arches, exposing her throat. I lean in and drag my lips down the column of her neck slowly. I feel her shiver.
“People are… watching,” she manages to say, though she tilts her hips forward eagerly now, chasing some friction.
“That’s what you wanted, Mara Black.” My tongue flicks out against her pulse point, tasting the light sheen of sweat and leftover beer on her skin. “All they see is a naughty girl giving her boyfriend the ride of his life.”
Her nails bite into my shoulders at my words. Whether in protest or arousal—maybe both—I don’t care. I grind her down against me in answer. I can feel the heat of her through the thin barrier of her panties and my jeans, and—holy shit—the dampness.
My blood roars. She’s wet. Soaked, actually. Each gyration of her hips lets me feel the hot slickness seeping through the fabric. It takes every ounce of willpower not to toss her on the floor and bury myself in her right now.
A strangled sound escapes Mara’s lips and her eyes flutter shut. She’s getting lost in it, in spite of herself. I should slow down, maybe ease up, but I can’t resist pushing her further.
“Feel that?” I murmur against the shell of her ear. “Everyone can watch, but only I get to feel how wet you are.”
Her face burns hotter. “You’re a b-bastard,” she stammers, but it’s a weak attempt. Her hips are grinding faster, nothing to do with my guidance now. She’s moving on her own, caught up in the tension coiling through her core.
I glance past her to see Dredyn practically trembling with rage. His hands are fisted at his sides, and Beck has a grip on his shoulder, no doubt cautioning him. The satisfaction I feel is like a drug.
Time to end this with a bang.
Mara’s eyes open slowly, hazy with unwanted pleasure. I take her chin between my thumb and forefinger, guiding her dazed gaze to meet mine. For a heartbeat, we just stare at each other, breathing the same hot air. Then, I claim her mouth.
She stiffens in surprise, a muffled protest escaping against my mouth. I swallow it, kissing her harder. One hand cradles the back of her head as I delve my tongue past her lips. God, she’s sweet—tastes like beer and mint and Mara. I groan into the kiss, unable to help myself.
Her resistance lasts only a moment. Then something in her melts. Mara’s arms tighten around my neck, and to my shock, she’s kissing me back. Soft at first, then hungry, matching my intensity with her own tentative heat.
I tear myself from the kiss finally, both of us panting.
I rest my forehead against hers, noting her kiss-swollen lips and dazed expression.
Around us, a few people hoot and whistle at the show we just gave.
Let them. My eyes find Dredyn one last time.
His face is a thundercloud of rage and lust and frustration.
I allow myself a slow, arrogant smirk.
Game, set, match.