Talon (Ashes & Embers, #4)

by Carian Cole

This is like rock star hippie Tarzan.

C'mon, jelly bean, let's do a slow dance."

"Don't even," I warn. "If you tell me you're one of those vegan, no-gluten, sugar-hating, non-meat-eating, smoothie-slurpin' chicks, I'm going to lose my shit right here."

I walk away from him and flop onto the couch, crossing my arms over me. I feel sick to my stomach thinking about him having sex with all sorts of women while we were supposed to be thinking about getting married and committing to this process in every way. I was so excited when I found out they had my match picked and I was technically considered engaged. All I could think about was finally meeting him. I daydreamed constantly about what he would look like, how he would act, how we would fall in love at first sight. Meanwhile, he was screwing groupies with no thought or care about me at all.

"You don't belong here." "Neither do you. Not anymore." Her eyes shift down to the floor. "Yeah, I do. Marrying you doesn't change who I am." "No, but it changes who we are together," I grab her hand to stop her fingers from nervously circling on her leg. "Together, we're supposed to be better."

"Close your eyes," she says. "I can't do it if you're looking at me like that." "Are you twelve? Stop stalling and put your lips on me like you own me."

"What are you thinking, Asia? You got quiet." "I'm thinking I want to kiss you like I own you right now."

In the darkness, his huge foot rubs up against mine under the covers and then stays there, nestled against mine. It feels nice and oddly affectionate.

"Who's my girl?" I whisper against her ear, moving my hand up to caress her stomach. "Me," she answers breathlessly. "That's right." My girl. The last thing I thought I would ever want, and now, all I could ever want.

"I want to be everything you need me to be. I just don't know how. I'm constantly fucking up."