Page 54 of Talon

“Almost there!” Talon’s voice carries through the speakers in my helmet.

When we finally stop in front of a small cabin nestled among the trees, I feel a sense of relief. It’s secluded and peaceful, the perfect hideaway. Talon hops off the bike and extends a hand to help me dismount.

“Welcome to our little sanctuary,” he says with a smile.“The motorcycle club owns this place. It’s perfect for times like these.”

“It’s tiny, but cute.” The small, wooden structure looks like a classic small cabin. There’s nothing distinct or special about it.

“Let me get Loki situated.”

While I wait for Talon to unbuckle Loki, I turn in a slow circle. We’re completely surrounded by woods, and it’s so silent I can hear small animals moving through the bushes.

As we walk inside, Talon points out a panic button on the wall next to the security keypad.“If anything happens, just press this. Matrix will send help right away.”

I nod, taking in the simple but cozy interior. Loki sniffs around, inspecting the well-worn couch before settling down in front of the fireplace. Talon rolls up his sleeves and begins building a fire, expertly arranging the logs and kindling.

“Even though it’s summertime, it’s going to get chilly once the sun sets,” he explains.

I’m fascinated by the precision of his movements, his strong hands deftly manipulating the materials. This isn’t the first time he’s done this. I wonder how much time he spends here.

Once the fire is crackling, Talon straightens up and looks out the window.“I want to gather some more firewood before nightfall. You’ll be okay here?”

“Uh, sure.”

I rub my forearms as he steps outside. Staying at the cabin alone, with only Loki to protect me, doesn’t sound like a good idea after what just happened in the parking garage. I decide to join Talon outside. The closer I am to him, the safer I feel.

“Do you need any help with the firewood?” I ask as I step into the cool evening breeze.

“Sure,” he grins, looking far too at ease wielding an axe.“Grab a pair of gloves from the kitchen, so you don’t hurt your hands.”

I glance down at my manicured nails. Normally, they’re pristine and chip-free. Not anymore. We cancelled my weekly appointment because Talon didn’t think it would be a good idea. He was right. The one time I decided to do anything other than go to work, the stalker managed to find me. He almost kidnapped me, too. I can’t believe how close he came to pulling it off.

After pulling on a pair of gloves, I head outside, ready for action. We work in companionable silence, gathering branches and fallen logs until we have a large pile.

“That should be enough. Stand back while I cut them into smaller pieces.” Talon swings the axe with precision, slicing through a log like a knife through butter.

I force myself to close my mouth because it’s hanging open in the most ridiculous way. As much as I try to look away, I can’t. My gaze keeps drifting back to him. It doesn’t take long before sweat starts glistening on his skin, causing his shirt to cling to his muscular torso. His biceps flex with every powerful chop, and the more he swings that axe, the wetter I’m getting.

Finally, he pauses and pulls off his shirt, revealing a broad chest sculpted with sinewy muscles. I try not to stare, but it’s impossible not to appreciate the view. My pulse goes wild when I consider what he could do to my body with his big, strong hands.

“Are you okay?” he asks, snapping me back to reality.

I quickly shake off my daydreams and force a smile.

“Yes. Just a bit tired,” I lie, trying to sound casual.

He nods, seemingly satisfied with my answer, and continues chopping wood. It’s a sight I’ll never forget. By the time he’s done, I’m ready to jump him, but I keep my wanton desires to myself.

Once we have enough firewood, Talon carries it inside while I head to the kitchen to find something for dinner. I riffle through the cabinets, discovering an odd assortment of ingredients. Determined to make the best of what we have, I get creative, mixing spices and flavors that shouldn’t work but somehow do. Using pasta as a base, I add a jar of pesto, a can of drained edamame, then I top it off with crushed walnuts.

As I cook, the scent of the meal fills the cabin, blending with the earthy aroma of the burning wood. It’s cozy and comforting in a way I never imagined possible, considering the circumstances.

“Smells great,” Talon remarks as he enters the kitchen. His shirt’s back on, but it’s still damp with sweat.“Can’t wait to try it.”

“Let’s hope it tastes as good as it smells,” I say with a nervous laugh, secretly hoping my culinary experiment is a success.

The gentle clatter of plates and utensils fills the small cabin as we settle down to eat dinner. I dump a can of dog food into a bowl for Loki.

“I’m surprised I found this in the cupboard.”

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