18. Talon

18

TALON

L ena descends the stairs, and I take a deep, steadying breath. Her dress clings to her curves in all the right places, the soft fabric accentuating her delicate beauty. My eyes drink in every inch of her, and I feel my control slipping.

Her voice pulls me from my trance. “You cooked?” she asks, her tone laced with surprise. I nod, gesturing to the table I’ve set with a simple but elegant meal. “I, uh, had to learn when I got here,” I admit, the memory of Mrs. Wilson’s lessons still fresh in my mind.

She moves closer, her hazel eyes searching mine. “It looks amazing, Talon.” She offers me a small smile, and I feel my chest tighten. This woman, this beautiful, captivating woman, is the only light in my bleak existence. She’s the one thing I can’t bear to lose, the one person who makes me feel alive in a world that’s tried to break me.

The fierce desire to shield her from harm, to keep her safe from the cruelty we’ve both endured, consumes me. I want to wrap her in my arms, to promise her that I’ll always be there, no matter what. The intensity of my feelings for her is both terrifying and exhilarating, a powerful force that drives me to be better, to be stronger, for her. I pull out Lena’s chair, waiting for her to sit before taking my place across from her. We eat silently; the only sound is the soft clink of silverware against China. I can’t tear my eyes away, mesmerized by how she delicately lifts each bite to her lips.

“This is really good, Talon,” Lena says, breaking the silence. “I didn’t know you could cook.”

I shrug, trying to appear nonchalant. “There’s a lot you don’t know about me, Lena.” My voice drops to a low, intimate register, and I see her shiver.

Lena sets down her fork, her gaze locked with mine. “Then tell me,” she whispers. “Tell me everything.”

I lean forward, my eyes narrowing as I study her face. “Are you sure you’re ready to know, Lena?” I reach across the table, my fingers grazing the soft skin of her hand. “You’re mine. And I’m not about to let you go.”

I lean back in my chair, my fingers drumming against the tabletop as I consider how much to reveal. Lena deserves to know the truth and understand the darkness within me. But part of me wants to keep her innocent, to protect her from the horrors of my past.

“My childhood wasn’t exactly...easy,” I begin, my voice low and gruff. “My parents were...” I pause, searching for the right words. “Neglectful, to say the least. The abuse...” I trail off, my jaw clenching as the memories flood my mind.

Lena’s eyes widen, her hand reaching across the table to cover mine. “Talon, I’m so sorry?—”

I cut her off with a sharp shake of my head. “Don’t,” I snap, my tone harsher than intended. “Don’t apologize. It’s not your fault.”

Lena flinches at my words, her hand retreating back to her lap. I exhale slowly, trying to rein in my temper. “I’ve never told anyone about this before,” I admit, my voice softening. “Not even the social workers or any of my foster parents. It’s...” I pause, searching for the right word. “Private.”

Lena nods, her gaze locked with mine. “I understand,” she murmurs. “Thank you for telling me.”

I reach out, my hand covering hers and stilling her nervous movements. “Lena, I...” I hesitate, unsure of how to express the depth of my feelings. “You’re the only one I’ve ever trusted with this.”

Her eyes widen, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. “Talon, I?—”

I silence her with a gentle squeeze of her hand. “Shh,” I murmur, my thumb caressing the soft skin of her knuckles. “Just... let me have this moment, okay?”

Lena nods, her lips curving into a small smile. She’s never looked more beautiful with the soft candlelight flickering across her features. I find myself leaning closer, drawn to her like a moth to a flame.

“Lena,” I breathe, my free hand reaching up to trace the delicate line of her jaw. “You have no idea how much you mean to me.”

“Why?” she asks, her voice trembling. “Why be so distant all these years?”

I avert my gaze, unable to meet the intensity of her stare. “Because I liked you so damn much, Lena,” I admit, the words tumbling out before I can stop them. “And that scared the hell out of me.”

Lena’s brow furrows, her lips parting as if she’s about to speak. But I raise a hand, silencing her.

“You have to understand,” I continue, my voice low and gruff. “Growing up, I... I never knew what it was like to have someone care about me. Everyone I loved either left or hurt me.” I swallow hard, my childhood memories still a raw, visceral wound.

“When you came into my life, I...” I pause, struggling to find the right words. “You were a light in the darkness, Lena. And I was terrified of letting you in, of letting myself feel...” I trail off, my fingers flexing against the tabletop.

Lena reaches across the table, her small hand covering mine. “Talon,” she murmurs, her voice gentle. “I’m right here. You don’t have to be afraid anymore.”

I laugh. “You don’t get it, Lena. I’m always going to be afraid of getting close to someone. It’s who I am.” I turn my hand over, lacing my fingers with hers. “You deserve so much better than me. Someone who can give you the world, not just a broken, damaged?—”

“Stop,” Lena interrupts, her grip tightening on my hand. “You’re not broken, Talon. And you’re not damaged goods, either.” She shifts in her chair, leaning closer. “You’re the strongest person I know. And you’ve always protected me.”

I open my mouth to protest, but Lena presses a finger to my lips, silencing me.

“I’m not going anywhere, Talon,” she murmurs, her eyes shining with a fierce determination. “You’re stuck with me whether you like it or not.”

I stare at her. “Lena, I...” I swallow hard, the words catching in my throat. “I don’t deserve you.”

Lena’s lips curve into a soft smile. “No, you don’t,” she concedes. “But you’re the only one I want.”

I can’t take my eyes off her as Lena pushes her plate aside, her gaze locked with mine. “I’m finished with dinner,” she murmurs, her voice low and sultry. “But I think I’m still hungry for something else.”

My breath catches in my throat at her suggestive tone, and I feel the familiar heat of desire coiling in the pit of my stomach. Lena has always had a way of getting under my skin, of stirring the darkness within me.

“Is that so?” I rasp, my fingers tightening around the edge of the table. “And what exactly did you have in mind?”

Lena rises from her chair, her hips swaying as she moves around the table. “I was thinking...” She trails off, her fingertips grazing my shoulder as she stops behind me. “Maybe you could satisfy my craving.”

I can feel the heat of her body radiating against my back, and I struggle to resist the urge to pull her into my lap. “Lena,” I warn, my voice strained. “Be careful what you wish for.”

She leans in close, her lips brushing the shell of my ear. “I know exactly what I’m wishing for, Talon.” Her breath fans across my skin, sending a shiver down my spine. “So, why don’t you come and get it?”

That’s all the invitation I need. In one swift motion, I push back from the table and pull Lena onto my lap, her thighs straddling my hips. She releases a soft gasp of surprise, her hands gripping my shoulders for balance.

“Talon,” she breathes, her eyes wide and pupils dilated. “What are you?—”

I silence her with a searing kiss, my hands sliding around her waist to pull her flush against me. Lena melts into my embrace, her lips parting in a soft sigh. The taste of her, the feel of her body pressed against mine, it’s intoxicating. I can feel the darkness within me surging, demanding that I claim her as my own.

But I force myself to slow down, to savor this moment. Lena is mine, and I’ll be damned if I rush this. I pull back, my fingers tracing the delicate line of her jaw.

“You drive me crazy, Lena,” I whisper against her lips, my hands sliding up her thighs. “Can you feel what you do to me?”

Lena’s eyes flutter closed as I grind against her, her hips moving in a slow, torturous rhythm. “Yes,” she moans, her breath coming in short gasps. “I can feel you, Talon.”

I nip at her lower lip, my hands tightening on her thighs. “Show me,” I demand, my voice harsh with need. “I want you to take it all off, Lena. Every. Single. Piece.”

Lena’s eyes snap open, desire and a hint of uncertainty flashing in their depths. She stands without hesitation, reaching up to pull the dress over her head, baring her body to me. I take a moment to admire the swell of her breasts, the narrow line of her waist, and the curve of her hips. She’s perfect, an ethereal goddess standing before me, offering herself up.

“Keep going,” I growl, unable to tear my eyes away.

Lena’s cheeks flush as she bends to step out of her underwear, leaving her naked before me. I let my eyes wander, taking in every inch of her, committing this moment to memory.

“Now me,” I announce, my voice hoarse with need. I stand, pull my shirt over my head, and quickly shed my jeans, kicking them aside.

Lena’s eyes roam over my body, her breath quickening as her gaze lands on the evidence of my arousal. I step closer, my bare chest brushing against hers, and reach down to take her hands in mine. “Look at what you do to me, Lena,” I whisper, pressing her palm against my hard cock. “You make me insane.”

Lena moans, her eyes fluttering closed as she strokes me through my boxers. “Talon?—”

I silence her with a kiss, my tongue tangling with hers as I savor the taste of her. My hands move to the waistband of my boxers, slowly sliding them down my hips, eager to feel the full extent of her touch.

“You like this, don’t you?” I murmur against her lips, relishing the feel of her soft skin against mine. “Getting me all worked up.”

Lena whimpers, her hands exploring my body with a boldness that matches my own. “You know I do, Talon,” she breathes, her lips trailing my jaw. “I love knowing that I affect you this way.”

I chuckle, low and deep in my throat. “Oh, you affect me, Lena. More than you know.” I slide my hands into her hair, tilting her head back to expose the delicate line of her neck. “And I plan on returning the favor.”

Lena’s eyes flutter open, her gaze locking with mine as her fingers trace patterns across my skin. “I want that,” she whispers, her voice thick with desire. “I want all of you, Talon.”

I lean in, my lips brushing against hers as I savor the moment. “And you’ll have it,” I promise, my voice gravelly. “Every inch of me is yours, Lena. Always.”

And with that, I surrender to the moment, letting Lena’s touch consume me as much as I want to consume her.