Page 79 of Made For You
Whatever he had to say obviously wasn’t good, and dread grew around me like a storm cloud.
The SUV continued to idle on the street, which meant Dean wasn’t staying long. As we approached the porch, I asked him if his visit had anything to do with my contract. He smiled down at me and shook his head, and I felt a moment of relief.
Talon unlocked the door, and Draco immediately scurried away when he saw Dean enter.
“He doesn’t really like people. Just me and Talon, and whoever feeds him,” I explained as I excused myself to head to the bedroom to change.
As I closed the bedroom door, I leaned my shoulder against the wood attempting to eavesdrop, but I heard nothing more than Draco purring under my bed. Quickly, I slipped out of my dress, laying it across the chair in the corner to send out for dry cleaning on Monday. I pulled out an oversized T-shirt and a pair of leggings and yanked them on.
I snuck out of the bedroom, carrying my ink-furred best friend, and was surprised to find Dean and Talon hunched over something on the kitchen counter.
“What’s going on?” I asked, hoping they’d fill me in, but both men ignored me. Talking to Draco, I asked if he wanted togo sit outside on the deck with me for a little bit. The air was turning colder, so I grabbed a blanket from a basket I kept by the couch and draped it around my shoulders before letting myself out through one of the French doors.
The fireflies of summer were long gone and were replaced by the scattering of leaves in the air, flipping around as they fell from trees. Fall in Ashfield was something to behold. Watching the forest-glazed mountains change into autumnal shades was breathtaking. Sometimes, I took it for granted, knowing I could witness the colors every year.
It wasn’t long before I heard the hinges of the back door creak.
“Hey, everything okay?” I asked Talon as he took the seat next to me. The plastic chair’s legs bowed a little under his weight.
“Yeah, I think so.”
“You don’t sound positive about that.”
“That’s because I’m not.” Talon was quiet for a few minutes. I watched him stroke his fingers through his hair, tugging at the shorter strands. The soft skin between his eyebrows formed a V. “My grandfather died today, just after my uncle visited him to protest the CEO position being changed over to me.”
I gasped and turned to face him. “You don’t think…?”
“We’re not sure. There will be an investigation. The thing is, I need to be there for Gigi.” The light from the kitchen shone through the glass door pane, illuminating Talon. The muscles in his face ticked as if he was grinding his teeth.
“Of course you do. I wish I could go with you,” I said, reaching out to grasp his hand.
“I know.”
“How long do you think you’ll be gone?” I asked, wondering if this was the last time we’d be together. With hisgrandfather out of the picture and his new role secure, there was no reason for us to remain married.
“Maybe a week or two?” he replied, sounding unsure of himself. “Dean said Gigi is distraught. Even though she never loved the man as her husband, he was still a part of her life since she was young and the father of her children. Dean flew to come get me the minute he heard about the passing from her.”
“It’s okay, Talon. Take your time.” I was trying to be supportive, even though I was silently breaking inside. I’d grown attached to the man I called my husband. We’d fallen into a routine, and I wasn’t sure if I was ready to go back to the way things were before I signed that contract.
“I’m sorry, Aurora.”
The chair slid backward as I stood. “It’s okay. Do you want me to help you pack?”
“I have everything I need in Miami.”
Everything but me,I thought to myself.
Dean called his name from somewhere in the house, and I followed him back inside, Draco jumping off my chair and doing the same. Talon spent a few minutes grabbing the items he’d need for work, then he joined us back in the living room. He still wore the tuxedo from the wedding.
Dean must have noticed that neither of us was ready for a goodbye, so he quietly exited through the front door, leaving us alone. The moment the door shut, Talon’s hands were cupping my jaw as he smashed his lips down on mine. This kiss was urgent. It was one of need and necessity. It was desperate. When he pulled back, we were both gasping for air.
“I…” His words hung in the air. I hoped he’d say two more that would complete the phrase I felt down to my bones, but instead, he said, “I’ll miss you.”
Smiling, I told him that I’d miss him too.
“Take more pictures for me.”
“I will,” I promised, and when a knock sounded on the front door, I knew Talon needed to be on his way.
