Mettle: (Spartan Riders #2)

  “Spoken like a man in love,” Blake muttered, but Tucker had exceptional hearing, and he caught every word. The bastard.

  “Fuck you very much. You know where I stand on this topic, and I’m done repeating myself. One of these days, you’re going to see how wrong you are, and then we’ll see who’s laughing.”

  “It’ll be me.” Blake lifted his chin, a clear challenge. “Anyway, I should get inside before Gabby decides to come lookin’ for me. She hates when I leave a job unfinished.”

  Tucker chuckled and shook his head. “Yeah, you definitely don’t want to get fired from that job.”

  “A wise man once told me that it’s not a job if you do it right.”

  With a wink and a wave, Blake turned to head back inside. “And hey, Gabby said to remind you about dinner. You’re supposed to bring your girlfriend. Guess they hit it off at the party.”

  Tucker’s head dropped back on his shoulders, and he groaned. Again with the girlfriend bullshit. It was starting to feel like a losing battle, always correcting everyone. Whatever, it didn’t affect his personal life in any way. Let them think what they wanted. It had absolutely no bearing on whether or not he’d settle down. Which, for the record, would never happen.

  “Text me the time and we’ll be there.”

  “You got it, bro.” Blake disappeared inside, leaving Tucker to stand there and wonder what the hell his life was turning into, and more importantly, how he was going to stop it from happening.

  EIGHTEEN

  A normal person used the door, preferably after knocking first. Tucker, apparently, was the furthest thing from normal.

  “You need a better security system, sugar,” he said as he crawled into her bed, waking her from a light sleep. “Any criminal off the streets could just walk right in here.”

  “Like you, you mean?” Sitting up, Talia clicked on the table lamp and squinted against the brightness. “How the hell did you get inside my apartment?” Since her life was far from normal and she’d seen the kind of horrors people could inflict on others, she was always careful to lock up tight. There was no sense in inviting danger with open arms. Which reminded her. Where the hell was her security when he was sneaking in?

  Tucker scoffed as if the question had somehow offended him. “Do you know who you’re talking to?”

  “I hardly know you, so obviously not.”

  “Good point. But that just proves my point. A man you hardly know just snuck into your house under the cover of darkness. I could be anyone. An ax murder, or maybe rapist, someone who admires fine asses clothed in cotton. Luckily for you, I’m the latter.” His hand snuck under the blanket, fingers creeping up the leg of her night shorts.

  She shoved him good and hard in the shoulder, laughing despite the thread of annoyance. “Or you could be one of those traffickers, here to steal me away into the night and sell me to the highest bidder.”

  Okay, so it was a venture to play that card, but it was an open opportunity that she couldn’t pass up. In the morning, she had a briefing with the SAC, and he would want to know that she was making headway; otherwise, he wouldn’t hesitate to send someone more capable in her place.

  “That was a dark turn,” Tucker said, rolling onto his back and tucking his hands behind his head.

  “And telling me a rapist might come in and attack me isn’t? This is one of the highest rated cities in the country for trafficking. It’s a reality I and many other women around here have to be aware of every day.”

  Her voice had started to rise, and her hands grew more animated as her passion for the subject surfaced. When she noticed Tucker’s curious stare on her, she stopped talking. If she got too worked up, he’d begin to ask questions, and questions would lead to more questions that she couldn’t answer.

  “I watch a lot of news,” she explained, studying her hands.

  Reaching out, he pulled one of her hands into his lap and laced his fingers with hers. “You’re right. This city isn’t as safe as it used to be. Some days, it seems like everywhere you turn, there’s another thing to worry about, another person willing to hurt others for his own gain.”

  As he talked, Talia watched the intensity in his face grow and wondered who he was thinking about. Could it be Blake, the president of the Spartan Riders? He’d seemed stalwart, harsh in a way that was intimidating, but around Gabby, he was the complete opposite. She’d found the same to be true about Repo and a host of others she’d met, which was alarming, because she’d always been able to read people, and she couldn’t read them. Not a single one. Even Tucker was a mystery to her.

  For all she knew, she could be sleeping with the enemy. Not that it’d stopped her from hopping into bed with him, but she couldn’t help feeling like every time she looked into his eyes that he wasn’t the man she was led to believe he was.

  “Is that why you have one of your guys watching my place?” she asked. His head whipped around, shock filling his face. “After you left, I went to take out the trash and noticed him. I don’t think we’ve met, but I remember seeing his face at the party.”

  “Good memory.”

  It had to be. A good defense was a good offense, which meant she needed to have eyes in the back of her head at all times. It didn’t matter that she had guards on her tail. They were always at a distance to keep from being noticed, and clearly, they weren’t always on their game, which meant if things went south for any reason, she could be dead before they reached her. Knowing how to handle herself had gotten her out of more than a few tight spots.

  “So are you going to tell me why you put eyes on me?”

  A muscle in his jaw jumped, and his lips pressed into a firm line. Which was why she knew that the next words to leave his mouth were going to be either an out-and-out lie or only a smidgeon of truth.

  “Like I said, the city isn’t the same as it used to be. I like knowing that you’re safe while I’m gone.”

  “Awww, sniffles,” she jeered to his obvious vexation. Dropping the act, Talia said, “Why don’t you stop treating me like a delicate flower and tell me why you really did it.” If she sounded a little peevish, it’s because she was. Having a tail that he’d put on her was dangerous. One slipup on her part and her cover would be blown. She couldn’t very well spend her days trying to shake one of his men while on the way to meet one of hers. It just wouldn’t work.

  Tucker snorted. “A delicate flower? I don’t think the way I treated you could be described as delicate, sugar.”

  “Are you being fresh with me, Tuck? Because I’m being serious right now. If you don’t tell me what that man out there on the bike was all about, I will punch you in the mouth for lying to me.”

  Fire danced in his eyes and a cocky smile twitched at the corners of his mouth. “Has anyone ever told you, you are sexy as hell when you’re mad? Because I am two seconds away from ripping those clothes off and demonstrating how turned on you’re making me right now.”

  Despite her irritation, a warm, fuzzy feeling tickled in her belly, but Talia forced herself to focus. “Answers, Tuck, or else.” She shook an angry fist in the air between them, demonstrating what she would do to him if he didn’t start talking. See, two could play at this game.

  As if her threats didn’t concern him at all, Tucker started laughing…and he didn’t stop for a good long time. What must have been several minutes later, his eyes watering and his face red as a beet, he took a deep breath and finally calmed down.

  Arms folded over her chest, Talia made the picture of a woman who was well and truly past the limits of her patience, yet she was, remarkably, still holding on by a thread.

  “You really want to know why I put him out there?”

  She arched a brow that said duh. Of course, she did!

  “Fine, but don’t freak out, okay?” He waited for her to agree before continuing. “When I left earlier, I saw a van sitting down the block. I didn’t like the looks of it, so I asked one of the prospects to come down and keep an eye out until I got back.”


  Her watchdogs, no doubt. That he’d noticed them at all was a problem. Either they were too obvious, or he was entirely too observant. But the reason behind why he acted the way he had? Well, that wasn’t so bad. Actually, it was kind of sweet when she thought about it. Her irritation fizzling away, she dropped her arms down to her sides, deciding to let him off the hook. “You really did that for me?”

  His eyes softening, Tucker replied, “I just found you. No way am I letting someone take you away from me.”

  Jesus, he was good. “If this is a line just to get in my pants,” she said, “it’s working.”

  His answering smile was salacious. “I think we’ve already established that I don’t need lines to get in your pants, but I’m glad it’s working nonetheless.”

  Cupping the back of her head, he pulled her over for a kiss. Leaning into him, Talia threaded her fingers through his hair, wondering just how far she could take this and remain objective. Don’t get attached, McKinnon. Don’t get attached.

  Grasping her hip, Tucker urged her into his lap, situating her legs on either side of his. Surprisingly, her being on top was one position they hadn’t fully explored yet. Fishing one hand up her thigh and under her shorts, he fingered her slit while his other hand snaked beneath her top to massage her breast. Talia’s eyes rolled back into her head, and she moaned, loving the feel of his hot hands against her skin. As he pushed a finger inside of her, she began rocking her hips.

  “That’s right, sugar, ride it. Show me how you’re gonna fuck me.”

  His words, so crass, made her pussy clench, aching for more. Her hips moved faster as if having a mind of their own, and when Tucker flipped her shirt up and leaned forward, clamping his teeth down on one hard nipple, a jolt of pleasure shot like lightning down past her navel and straight to her clit. Her eyes shot open, finding his. She felt almost crazed as she gazed down at him, riding his finger like she wanted to ride his cock.

  He must have read her right, because the next thing she knew, his hand had left her breast. She whined her complaint, then licked her lips in anticipation when she saw why.

  Reaching between them, he dug inside the waistband of his pants, pushing them down with his wrist as he pulled his weeping cock out. Standing straight, it jutted from his hips, as thick as her wrist with fat veins standing out in stark relief. Unable to help herself, Talia ran her fingertip over the flushed head, spreading the silky juices around. The pulse between her legs grew so intense, it was almost painful, and he must have been suffering too, because Tucker’s head dropped back against the headboard, a moan spilling past his lips as he began to pump his shaft in long, measured strokes.

  “Sit on me, sugar,” he urged, desperation evident in his voice. “Fuck me good and hard.”

  With his head thrown back, his muscular throat on full display, his lips parted and skin flushed, he was the picture of masculine hotness.

  Talia’s inner vixen rose up onto her knees, and she peeled aside her shorts, revealing her wet and ready pussy. Seeing her bare and ready for him, Tucker’s chest rose and fell heavily, and he angled himself toward her, holding his shaft at the ready.

  Bracing her hands on his shoulders, Talia positioned herself over him and slowly lowered herself down. He slid in slowly, easily, fitting tight as a glove and filling her to capacity.

  When she was fully seated, they both groaned, taking a moment to absorb the sensation of being connected. Then, with deliberate slowness, Talia began to move.

  As she rocked her hips, grinding her clit against his pelvis, Talia’s gaze locked onto Tucker’s. His hands on her thighs tightened, his fingers pressing hard against her tender flesh. He’d probably leave bruises, but she didn’t care. He felt so good, his presence within her near overwhelming. With each glide along his shaft, she reveled in the sensation of him filling her, his steel length knocking against her cervix, creating a dizzying combination of pleasure and just the right amount of pain. She wanted to close her eyes, to sever the intimate connection, because she felt like she might be losing herself. Everything about that moment, the way he looked up at her, the way he felt inside her, the way she felt with him, was different from anything she’d ever experienced before.

  Some of what she was feeling must have been visible on her face, because a strange look came over Tucker. “Talia…” he rasped.

  Whatever he’d planned to say, he didn’t. The next thing Talia knew, Tucker’s hands ran up to her hips, clamped down, and with impressive strength, lifted her then slammed her back down as his hips lifted to meet hers. All Talia could do was lean forward, brace herself against his chest, and take it.

  Moans ripped from, filling the room, and then Tucker did it again, picking her up and slamming her back down, impaling her over and over again. He fucked her harder than he ever had, and yet every time she met his unwavering gaze, she felt the stirrings of something deeper connecting them than just the act itself.

  Wrinkles knit Tucker’s brows, and his thrusts grew even more aggressive before, finally, his head thrust back into the pillow, the cords in his neck straining, and he unleashed a roar as he came inside her.

  ***

  “I can’t believe I forgot the condom. I’m so fucking stupid!”

  “Calm down. I already told you, I’m on birth control.”

  Tucker’s fingers stabbed through his hair. He continued to pace in front of her bed, naked as the day he was born. At least the view was nice—fine ass, impressively large—

  “What if you gave me something?” he asked the room, because he sure as hell had better not be talking to her. He turned to face her, eyes wide and panicky. “When was the last time you were tested for STDs?”

  Her temper flared, and anger suffused her every cell, shrinking her skin and causing the vein in her temple to beat hard. Talia shot off the bed, meeting him in the middle of the room. She ignored the way his eyes followed her bouncing boobs and jabbed a finger into his chest. “Listen here, bucko. The last person I had sex with was my husband—”

  “Ex-husband—”

  “…so let’s get one thing straight right now. If anyone in this room should be worried about STDs, it’s me, not you, Mr. Fucks Anything on Two Legs.”

  He had the audacity to look shocked. “I will have you know, I am very selective about who I dip my stick into.”

  “So I should be flattered, is that what you’re saying?”

  “What? No! You’re putting words in my mouth.”

  “Well, you better savor them, because it’s the last thing of mine I’ll be putting in your mouth!” She pointed to the door. “Get your shit and get out. We’re done here.”

  As soon as the words left her mouth, the room plunged into total silence. Neither of them moved an inch.

  After a moment, Tucker cleared his throat, and somehow that icebreaker made everything a thousand times more awkward. “Is that what you really want?”

  No. No, she didn’t. But for some reason, all she could think about was Brock and the day she left. She’d vowed to never let another man treat her like a prize pig at the county fair ever again, and this thing with Tucker needed to be over. It was never going anywhere anyway.

  Lifting her chin, she said, “Yes, I do.”

  Again, he seemed shocked that she was kicking him out. Taking a deep breath, he said, “Alright. Give me a minute and I’ll be out of your hair.” Then he began collecting his clothes. Once he was dressed, he left without a word.

  Talia stayed rooted in place, listening to the sound of his motorcycle fade into the distance, then retreated into the bathroom to melt away the troubles of the day with a hot shower.

  NINETEEN

  She’d made him leave. In all honesty, Tucker could have stood his ground and forced Talia to hash things out, but she’d seemed pretty adamant. Plus, there was that whole shock factor.

  He’d never been kicked out of anyplace before, especially a woman’s home. It was as inconceivable as seeing a double rainbow.

&nbs
p; To be fair, though, now that he’d had time to review what had happened, he knew he’d done some things wrong. For starters, he shouldn’t have freaked out about the condom. Sure, the whole pregnancy scare thing still had him twisted up inside. He couldn’t close his eyes without seeing dirty diapers and hearing babies crying. And that was to say nothing about the nightmares.

  Tucker shuddered, recalling last night’s sweat-inducing moment. It’d ruined his enjoyment of a pair of tits he walked past that morning.

  Then there was the whole STD accusation. He still didn’t know why he’d said that little gem. But tensions were high, and words were flying and, clearly, he was a moron. Talia was probably the most put together, classy woman he’d been with, so there was no doubt that she was clean. He needed to think before he spoke next time. If he’d done that in the first place, all of this could have been avoided.

  To be honest, he didn’t even know why he was stressing. It wasn’t as if he was in love with her. They weren’t even in a relationship, and it certainly hadn’t been going anywhere special. Just two people enjoying their time together, and it’d just run out.

  Funny how that made him feel a little pang of regret, though. As if the knowledge of never seeing her again was somehow going to impact his daily life. If anything, it gave him his freedom back. Now he could hook up with some of the fresh meat that’d come in with the other chapter, and he could spend more time focusing on his job. Lord knew, he’d been slacking in that department while he was off sowing his oats with Talia.

  See? She’d been distracting him from the things that mattered: the club and finding Cruiz. Without her around, he’d be able to focus and get so much done.

  “You’re not even listenin’, are you?” Blake slammed the gavel down, the sharp smack of wood on wood echoing around the room and in his ear.

  Tucker jolted from his ruminations and sat up straight. “Sorry, Prez. Must have been daydreamin’.”