Page 43 of Pulse

“Wait, but…” Liv’s gaze flicked between Pulse and Talia before she nodded. “Oh…” Her lips curved in a knowing grin. “Good idea, Spec. I’ll definitely help you with that. Be back in a few, Talia.” She allowed Spec to lead her away.

“Did she just squeal?” Talia asked as Liv practically bounced to the bar.

He grunted. “Probably. Liv’s nuts, but in the best way.”

Talia chuckled, but it was stilted and awkward, as was the silence between them.

He turned off the grill and then faced her. “You look good,” he said as he folded his arms across his chest.

“Oh, thanks.” She shifted under his assessing gaze.

Silence again. This time, it was so thick he could almost feel it.

Talia glanced over her shoulder and then cleared her throat. “Thought I’d hear from you before now. The last thing you said was that you had to make some calls and to expect an update soon. Unless you’ve been on hold a long-ass time, I’m guessing you have some answers and have been avoiding me.”

Damn, he admired the way she went after what she wanted.

No one was in earshot, but he stepped closer anyway. Her clean and sweet scent had his head swimming. So did the sight of her in that outfit. How something could be so casual yet so hot would always amaze him. But what had him fighting to keep from putting his hands all over her was that confidence.

“I’m risking a lot for you, Pulse,” she whispered. “Do not jerk me around. I am not the type of woman who’ll be led around on a leash and sit when she’s told.”

Christ.

A wave of white-hot lust rolled through him.

Everything about her, from her stance to her expression to her stiff laugh, spoke to how out of her depth she was in the middle of a biker barbecue. Yet she looked him right in the eye and demanded what she deserved.

H-O-T.

Sure, he was a dick for avoiding her this past week, but now that she gave him a glimpse of her fire and spirit, he couldn’t regret the choice. This woman would be a firecracker in bed, though he had a feeling a man would have to work damn hard to earn a spot there.

“You’re right.” He spoke low even though his brothers were wrapped up in their own shit. “But this isn’t the spot for this discussion. Tomorrow?”

She blinked as she drew back, and he couldn’t stop his smirk. She assumed he’d argue or toss a bunch of excuses at her. “Sure. Tomorrow works.”

“I’ll come to you. I’ll bring breakfast.”

“Right. Uh, okay. Good.” She nodded once but didn’t say anymore because Liv bounced back over with two drinks.

“I brought you a gin and tonic with lime,” she said, grinning. “Brooke mentioned you drank one when she stopped by the other night.”

Brooke and Talia had been hanging out?

“By the way, I’m pissed I wasn’t invited.” Liv mock pouted as she handed over the drink. “Anyway, I thought you could use something stronger than beer. Also, beer is gross.”

“Babe, some people like beer.” Spec rolled his eyes.

“I think you’re all lying,” Liv said with a shudder.

Laughing, Talia accepted the glass from Liv. “Thank you. For the record, I do love beer, but you’re right. I could use something stronger. The last few days have been crazy at work since I missed the beginning of the week.”

She’d gone back to work already? Shit, what good was having a bodyguard if he was going to let her do stupid shit?

“Shouldn’t you have taken the whole week off?”

She raised an eyebrow as though daring him to challenge her ability to make intelligent choices for herself.

“Take it back. Take it back,” Spec whispered as he took a dramatic step away from Pulse.

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