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I was excited to get to know this new Talon. The one who was grown up, who’d realized his dreams and was so successful, yet was there for his family.
Had what happened between us changed him? I hadn’t wanted that for him. I wanted to leave him unscathed. Unfortunately, I don’t think that’s what happened. We’d both been hurt. If he thought talking and spending time together would help, I’d do it.
I tried not to think about the fact that I was getting as much out of this reunion as he was. It felt good to be around him again, to touch him. I had a feeling things would be different in the morning, but at least for tonight, I had some beautiful memories to hold on to.
Chapter 4
Talon
I resisted the urge to touch my cheek and to retain the tingle of her lips against my skin. How could this woman make me feel like a lovesick teenager all over again?
We hadn’t been kids in a long time, and she still had this effect on me despite everything we’d been through together.
I wanted to go back into the guest room and demand that she talk to me about what she was going through when she broke things off. But I knew that wouldn’t get me where I wanted to be. It was better to be patient and to give her time to open up.
I’d proposed that we spend some time together, and I hoped she followed through with the plan. I’d said that with the intention of healing and moving on, but the more time I spent with Holly, the more I wanted her.
I was positive she’d bolt if I was honest with her.
When everything went down, we were both in pain, and we couldn’t go through it together. Talking about it would help both of us. The only difference was that I wanted a chance to explore this thing between us. I wasn’t ready to let her go.
The next morning, I woke up, showered, and headed downstairs to cook something for breakfast. The house was quiet, so I assumed Holly was still sleeping. I wasn’t sure how many more chances I’d get to be alone with her, so I wanted to take advantage of it.
I mixed the ingredients for waffles and poured the batter into my Belgian waffle maker.
When I checked my phone, there was a string of messages on our family chain discussing the auction. Emmett characterized Daphne as the enemy, and then there was talk about my extravagant date with Holly and Sebastian’s date with his best friend, Hanna.
Fortunately, the focus seemed to be on Sebastian because he’d dropped into the chat with a line about keeping his newfound relationship with Hanna a secret. My brothers had some choice words about that. But it seemed that Sebastian had turned off his phone after he’d dropped that bomb.
I didn’t blame him. I almost wished I didn’t have to face my family after last night. I’d paid ten thousand dollars for a date with my ex. The money wasn’t an issue for me. I’d made a lot over the years and saved by living on my family’s farm. My only expense outside of business was building the cabin, and I’d saved a significant amount by hiring Heath as the contractor. But it sent a message to my family that I was serious about my ex.
When the first batch of waffles was cooked, I poured another. The bedroom door opened, and feet padded on the wood stairs.
“Morning, sleepyhead,” I said as Holly descended the stairs in bare feet.
She wore my oversized hoodie and sweatpants. She looked adorably rumbled, and I had to grip the counter so I wouldn’t cross the room and kiss her.
“Morning,” she said as she cracked a yawn.
I poured coffee and handed her the mug. “Do you need cream or sugar?”
“This is fine,” Holly said as she settled into the stool at the counter and gripped the handle.
“Did you sleep okay?” I asked her.
Holly nodded. “I wasn’t sure I’d be able to fall asleep, but I did.”
“Good. I’m glad.” I grabbed strawberries and whipped cream from the fridge.
“You’re cooking?”
“Chocolate chip waffles.” I pushed the plate with her waffle toward her. Then I sliced strawberries and placed them into a bowl.
“This looks amazing.” Holly poured whipped cream over her waffle, then sprinkled strawberries over it.
I grabbed her a fork and handed it to her, thinking it was nice to wake up with someone in my house. Normally, I’d eat whatever I found in the fridge and go out to my shed to work. There was no one to cook breakfast for or to talk to about my day.
Holly picked up the waffle and ate a bite, her eyes closing in delight as she moaned in appreciation.
