Page 14 of The Players We Hate
Alisa: Where the heck did you disappear to??
Alisa: Are you okay?? Please tell me you didn’t leave without saying anything.
Talon shifted beside me. “What is it?”
“My mother,” I said quietly, holding up the phone. “And Alisa. My parents have my location. If I don’t text back soon, they’ll freak. I wouldn’t be surprised if security shows up here.”
His brow furrowed. “Seriously?”
I shrugged as I bent to grab my underwear and jeans. “Last year, my phone died during a charity gala I helped run. They sent an entire security team to a five-star hotel. I was in the middle of eating dinner when they barged in mid-speech.”
He huffed a quiet laugh. “Damn, that’s intense.” His gaze shifted to me, softer now. “Still… I get it. If you were mine, I’d want to know you’re safe too.”
The weight of his words hit deeper than he probably intended. I reached for my blouse, trying to quiet the tremble in my hands as I got dressed. His eyes followed every move, not possessively, but like he was committing the moment to memory.
I typed quickly to answer my mother.
Me: Hanging out with a friend at her dorm. All good. Love you.
Then I sent another to Alisa.
Me: I’m still here. Meet me downstairs by the door. My mother keeps texting, and I need to get back.
Talon straightened, and for the first time, I was eye level with the hard length straining against his jeans. He extended a hand between us. “Give me your phone.”
I bit my lip, my gaze flicking from his face to the outline in his jeans and back again. My fingers itched to touch him, to take care of him before I go.
“Wren,” he said, his voice low but firm. “Not now. You need to get back to your place.”
I blinked, then placed my phone in his palm. He typed quickly and handed it back.
“My number,” he said. “Use it.”
I glanced down at the screen, my heart thumping hard when I saw his name saved in my contacts. Before I could overthink it, I leaned in, brushing my lips over his in a kiss meant to say everything I couldn’t put into words.
He groaned when I pressed against him, heat sparking between us all over again. But he held still and didn’t deepen it. His breath shuddered against my skin as he let the moment linger, then slowly pulled back, eyes dark and unreadable.
“You want me to walk you back?” he asked, voice rough.
I shook my head. “Actually, it’s better if no one knows. Promise me you’ll keep this between us.”
He nodded, jaw tense. “Then text me when you’re back.”
I smiled and started toward the door. Before leaving, I looked back once more. “Thanks… for tonight.”
“You don’t need to thank me,” he said. “But I won’t forget it.”
The door clicked shut behind me, sealing it away. The hallway felt colder than before, sending a shiver down my spine.
Whatever happened next, this wouldn’t be a regret. And it sure as hell wouldn’t be something I forgot.
Chapter Four
Talon
I woke to a sliver of sunlight cutting across my face, sharp and blinding, as if the universe was reminding me there was no escaping what I had done last night.
The first thing I noticed was the emptiness beside me.
