Page 3 of Talon
She shot him a scowl, wondering how he knew her name.
He tapped the left side of his chest with one finger.“Your name tag.”He gave her a half smile as he seemed to read her mind.
Madison shook her head and smiled back.“Sorry.I forget I’m wearing it.”
“No worries.I’ve been there.And I’m sorry if I said something that made you uncomfortable.I forget that not everyone has no filter and doesn’t say everything that pops into their head.”
Madison couldn’t help but chuckle at that.While she didn’t have that particular curse, she’d known a few people who did.Now that she knew, it would be easier to deal with.What was she thinking?She would probably never see him again.It wasn’t like he lived here in town.
“I’m right up here.You can just let me out.I can get this tubing in place and hit the road.”
“Are you sure?I can wait while you work, make sure it gets you back on the road.”
“If you don’t mind, I would appreciate it.”
She spotted a motorcycle sitting propped on its kickstand on the right of way a bit ahead of them and on the other side of the road.She checked traffic before slowing then she eased off her side of the road, passed the motorcycle by about twenty feet and after making sure there was no one coming flipped a u-turn and pulled to a stop behind the bike.
“This good?”
“I couldn’t have done it better,” Talon said.“Thanks again.You saved me at least an hour, if not more.”
He got out and went to the bike, opening one of the hard-shell cases that sat on either side of the rear wheel, pulling out several tools before squatting on one side of the bike and getting busy.
She still sat watching him twenty minutes later when he stood, put his tools away and used a rag from the same case to wipe off his hands before he walked back to the window next to her.
“All done.Thanks again.Can I treat you to dinner as a thank you?You didn’t have to go out of your way to take me to the store and back out here.I want to show you I appreciate it.”
Madison looked at him for a moment then turned her attention back to the motorcycle for a second before looking at him once more.“Are you sure it will run?You didn’t even try to start it.”
“I’m pretty sure, but I can start it if you like.What about dinner?You’re going to eat, I need to eat, if you’ll tell me somewhere good in town, I’ll buy for both of us.”
“What do you get out of it?”She narrowed her eyes at him.He’d already gotten his ride, what more did he want?What was he after?
“Are you always this suspicious, or is it something about me?”
Madison frowned, was she always this suspicious?She hadn’t thought about it much before.Was it that no one had ever called her on it before?She opened her mouth to deny it but realized he was right.
“Always, I think.I haven’t thought about it much.”
“Good to know,” Talon said with a nod.“Now I know not to take it personally.And I promise I’m only looking for some food and a little company.We’ll be in a public place, or at least that was my plan to make sure you don’t feel threatened.Especially after my blunder earlier about not being some kind of killer.I could swear I’m not that kind of guy if it would make you feel better, but isn’t that just what one of them would do to gain your trust?”
Madison opened her mouth to respond, then closed it again without saying anything.What did you say to something like that?
3
Talonwished,notforthe first time in his life, that he had better control over what came out of his mouth.He was screwing this up.What he wanted was to spend a little more time with Madison.Get to know her a little better.
He didn't know if it was her kindness, her generosity, or if it was something else about her that intrigued him, but he wanted more time to figure it out.Maybe to convince her to give him her number.But he also didn’t want her to think he was too pushy or dangerous.
Not that he wasn’t dangerous.The Marines had made sure he was.But he had far more control of his physical actions than his mouth.And unless she became a threat to him or his brothers, she was in no danger from him.
He waited while she stared at him for what felt like an eternity, but was under a minute, he was sure.He held back his urge to say something, to prompt her.He’d likely say something stupid instead.No, it was better to keep his mouth shut and wait for her answer.
“Alright,” she said after a moment.“Go start your bike and I’ll lead you there.My favorite place is a little off the beaten track.”
Talon’s heart thumped in his chest.He wanted to shout his excitement but contained it to a grin.“Sure, if that’s how you want to do it, I’m game.Lead the way.”
He went back to his bike, pulled on his helmet, threw his leg over, and tried to start it.He had to crank it for a minute before the engine turned over, but he’d expected that because of the air in the new line.He didn’t look her way when it didn’t start right away, as he knew it would turn over eventually.
