Page 6 of Protecting Talia

Anger flashed. “You shouldn’t talk that way about yourself.”

She snorted. “Then neither should you.”

He huffed, trying to come up with something to say. It was hard to argue with her while driving. Why was he even arguing with her about this? She was someone he’d just met, not someone he would ever see again.

Laughter from Talia was the last thing he expected. “Oh man, you’re so mad because I’m right. I bet you’re a cinnamon roll.”

He cut his gaze her way then focused on the road. “What?”

“You know, one of those guys who is all sweet and gooey in romance books. The kind of guy who would be supportive.”

Her words made his heart hurt. Back before the Navy, he might have been that kind of guy, but now he never let anyone get close. “I’m not. I’m an asshole.”

“Well, asshole, I bet that’s an act. You’re too sweet and kind.”

He exited the freeway and the map directions told him to turn. Her place was only a few yards after another turn, so he didn’t have much time with her. Anger slid through him. He had to show her he wasn’t sweet. He was a total dick. He didn’t want her to think he would be the type of man who would stick around. He was nothing at all like a cinnamon roll, whatever that was.

When he stopped the car and cut the engine, he hopped out and moved around to the passenger side before she could get the door open. He helped her up and slammed the door, then pushed her up against the side of the car and braced his hands on the roof beside her shoulders.

She looked up at him, her blue eyes tinged with boredom. He had to prove to her that he was a dick. He wasn’t sweet and gooey. He was harsh and terrible.

He leaned in, his lips less than an inch from hers. “I’m dangerous and mean. I’m not good,” he said with as much of a growl as he could muster.

Her fingers flitted over his chest, then traced down to his belly, sending fireworks through him. Being this close to her felt like an out-of-control car speeding down the freeway that was about to crash. When her tongue came out and licked at his lips, he jerked back as heat filled him.

She giggled as she ducked under his arm and escaped his cage. He turned and watched as she raced up the stairs to the crap apartment above an Italian restaurant he’d never been to before. He wanted to follow her, but if he did, he feared he would show her he was a total cinnamon roll, and she would never let him live it down.

4

Talia stared at her reflection in the mirror. She looked like shit. There was no way anyone as good-looking as Zip would ever be interested in her. If he ever found out what she’d done, he’d never talk to her again.

She turned away from the mirror and ran the towel over her hair. “Ouch.”

Zip had covered the glue with a clear bandage so she could wash her hair, but when she accidentally touched the area, pain blossomed. She would have to watch how much she poked the spot over the next few days. The bruising would get her in trouble at work, but what could she do?

She’d gone to her sister because when she dropped her car off for service, she’d been at the right place to hear that someone wanted to do a hit on the bar. Of course, Cheryl hadn’t believed her. It served her right for trying to help. No one from her family was even halfway decent. They’d all turned away from her when she’d been a teen, and Cheryl convinced them to believe the worst about her.

She let go a growl in frustration. “Of course, he doesn’t want me. It has to be some kind of act. Maybe he’s working for Cheryl.” She snorted, angry at herself for liking the guy. She knew better than to trust anyone.

Leaving San Diego was in the works, but every time she got close, something happened. Getting involved with a man like Zip would keep her here, and she didn’t want to be in this area any longer.

Her phone pinged, and she glanced at it, seeing the first few words of the message. Her sister had gotten a new burner phone.

Text: You’re going to pay!

Talia squeezed her fists and closed her eyes. She really didn’t know why her family was so awful. There wasn’t a name signed on the message, but she knew it was Cheryl. Every time she blocked one phone number, a few days later, she’d get a text from a new number. She wished she had enough time in the day to pester her sister, but she had work, and though she wasn’t getting anywhere with it, she was trying. It was almost too hard to keep moving forward, but she wasn’t ready to give up yet.

When Ellis texted her the next day, she thought about not replying, but she wanted to see Zip again. She didn’t doubt she was making a mistake, but when had she ever made great decisions?

After she texted Ellis back, her phone rang. She answered on the first ring. “Hello.”

“It’s Ellis. Would you be okay getting together for coffee on Saturday morning?”

She didn’t hesitate. “Sure. That would be great.” She wanted to slap her forehead for answering so quickly and sounding desperate. No question, she was ruining any chance she had with Zip. Ellis would report back to Zip, telling him how desperate she sounded. For once, she wished she could be cool and calm.

“Awesome. I saw you aren’t too far from where we live. How about we meet at Java House?”

“Sure, I love that place.”

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