Page 48 of Pulse

No, I’m not okay. I just kissed the hell out of a man for the first time in years, and I was two seconds from begging him to tear my clothes off and do all sorts of filthy things to me.

“You know, I think I drank a little too much.” She pressed a hand to her forehead. “I’m a little shaky and fuzzy-headed. Would it be okay if I left my car here overnight so I can get a rideshare home?”

Brooke linked their arms as she guided Talia outside. The night air had cooled to almost chilly, which felt incredible on her overheated skin. Talia inhaled gulps of fresh, Pulse-free air. A mix of disappointment and relief flowed over her as his scent disappeared, replaced by the outdoors.

“Of course, you can leave your car here,” Brooke said as she steered Talia right. “But there’s no need to get a car.” A beautiful, refurbished barn stood tall and proud some hundred feet away. “We have a bunch of apartments in there for that very reason. A prospect is staying in one now, and I think, given how many shots he’s had, Jinx and Harper will crash in another tonight. That leaves two empty apartments. You’re welcome to either.

As much as she wanted to be in her bed, she was getting to the point in her drunken journey of inevitable pass-out. Stumbling a few yards to a soft, warm bed sounded better than an expensive, long car ride home.

“Are you sure? I really don’t want to impose.”

“No imposition at all.” Brooke patted her hand. “In fact, I insist. Come on.”

Together, they walked to the barn. Brooke led her in and directly up a long staircase to the second floor.

“The prospect is directly across from this apartment,” she said as she stopped at a black door. “He’s quiet and won’t bother you at all. Jinx and Harper, on the other hand, will keep you up all night with their antics if you catch my drift.” She winked, and Talia’s face heated.

“Gotcha. Appreciate you putting me on a different floor. It’s hard enough not to be jealous watching all you couples drooling over each other. I don’t need to add to it with a nocturnal performance.”

Laughing, Brooke used a key to unlock the door. “Man, I really like you, Talia. You have got to hang out with us more.” She opened the door and gestured inside. “Here you go.”

“Thank you so much. Oh,” she said as she stepped into the studio apartment. “This is nice.”

“Thanks, but I can take zero credit for any of it.”

The space, decorated with simple, neutral colors, was clean, modern, and cozy. A small kitchenette stood opposite a queen bed. A large-screen television hung on the far wall before a plush loveseat—more than enough for her to get through the night.

“There are extra toothbrushes and toothpaste in the bathroom, along with some skincare items. The fridge is stocked with drinks and some basics… eggs, cheese, bacon, bread. That kind of stuff. Feel free to help yourself to anything.”

“Careful, with this kind of service, you might never get rid of me.”

Brooke chuckled. “I wouldn’t mind in the least. Especially with the way you help take care of our guys. I heard you helped Tracker get out of a sticky mess with his business yesterday.”

Talia waved away Brooke’s gratitude. “Believe me when I say that was nothing. Just some legal red tape that was very easy to cut through. That stuff is the easy part of my job.” Her eyelidsdrooped, heavy with alcohol-induced fatigue. Damn that fourth drink.

“You look like you’re about ready to drop, so let me get out of your hair. Feel free to wander over to the clubhouse in the morning. Someone is always there hanging out.”

Yeah, she wouldn’t be doing that. She’d already spent more time socializing today than in the past six months. Tomorrow, she’d be hungover and need to recharge her batteries in a quiet, biker-free environment.

Or at least in a place she wouldn’t risk running into Pulse and humiliating herself further.

God, why did I kiss him?

“Super glad you came.”

“Me too. And I’m glad I was here to see you get engaged. Congratulations again.” She’d said it earlier when Brooke and Curly returned from theirtask, but it bared repeating.

“Thanks, Talia. You have a good night.”

“Thanks, Brooke. You too.”

Brook hugged her quickly but tightly. “G’night.” Then she slipped through the door. A muffled male voice, followed by Brooke’s laughter, had Talia grinning. Brooke’s new fiancé must have trailed them and grumbled at her for intending to walk back in the dark alone despite the club’s property being the safest place in the city.

Alone at last, Talia eyed the bed. The light gray comforter looked soft and cozy. It called to her. She needed to brush her teeth and wash off her makeup. Instead, she kicked off her shoes, strode toward the bed, and flopped down face-first. Ten minutes. Just a ten-minute rest, then she’d get up and do some semblance of a nighttime routine.

It was her last thought before darkness stole the rest of her night.

Knock.

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