Wooing a Lady

“What are you…” Wren sagged against the wall as his mouth began moving up her neck.

“I cannot help it. You look too good to miss this opportunity,” Talon said, tugging on her earlobe before moving to take her mouth with his own. He let out a groan as she opened her mouth and body to him willingly.

She could no longer deny him this. She wanted it just as much as she could feel he wanted it.

Her hand slid up his arm, but she hesitated partway.

She knew he had been hit in the arm and she was a little afraid to touch him, even though she had seen him heal himself.

Talon pulled back, breathing hard.

“Come on, we need to get you to class before I forget my manners and take you here in the hallway,” he said, taking her hand and pulling her along.

Wren flushed as she realized she had not only failed to put up a fight but had willingly participated. It seemed she had let herself get carried away there for a moment.

***

Wren entered her classroom a moment later, minus Talon. She had refused to allow him to come in, knowing she had students waiting for her.

“Nice outfit,” one of the students in the back called out.

“Shut up. Detention for anyone who comments on my outfit,” Wren said.

“We did not know you were like Mr. Fielding,” another commented, making reference to Wren’s other job.

Wren nodded. “It is not something we wish to advertise.”

“Why?” another student asked.

“It is totally cool the way you two were in sync while you were fighting.”

“You saw?”

“The whole school saw, kind of…”

“Thank you,” Wren replied, not sure what to say. “I think,” she finished under her breath.

***

“Mr. Fielding?”

“Yes.”

“Evan, Emerald, and Ms. Hintz are like you, aren’t they?”

“Yes.”

“Why are there so many of you here?”

“Because Emerald and Evan need an education, and Ms. Hintz has just started with us.”

“What will they do to Emerald and Evan?” another one asked.

“What do you mean?”

“Well, they are still students. Will they get in trouble for fighting?” a student asked.

“Of course not, dummy,” another student said. “They saved the school.”

“They are weird.”

“No, they are cool.”

“Mr. Fielding?” The students stopped their bickering and looked at him for an answer.

“I do not know,” Mr. Fielding replied. “The head of all of us will come and work it out with the school. Until then, please think before you say anything to Emerald or Evan. They are very self-conscious of what happened.”

***

“Are you ready?” Talon stood in the doorway of the room, looking good enough to eat.

Which reminded Wren they had missed lunch. She needed food.

She had not eaten since breakfast. She gathered her things.

“Ready.”

Talon had moved into the room, and she turned around to find him standing directly behind her.

“What…”

“You look good enough to eat,” he whispered, nuzzling her neck with his nose.

Wren let out a sigh and stepped around him.

“If I hear one more comment about my outfit or the fight, I will not be held responsible for my actions.”

Her stomach growled.

“Can we please go home? I am hungry and tired.”

Talon bowed low.

“Whatever my lady wishes.”

“Your lady wishes to go home.”

“But first…” Talon swept her into his arms and kissed her soundly on the lips.

Wren bit back a moan. If the man was going to continue to do this to her, she might just cave one of these days.

“Talon! We cannot do this here. Someone might come in,” Wren tried to push him off of her.

“That is true,” Talon said, letting her go.

In a few long strides, he was across the room, shutting off the lights and locking the door.

He crossed back over and collected her in his arms again.

“Now, where were we?” he started to nibble on her ear.

“Wh-what are you doing?” Wren exclaimed. “Talon!”

“I cannot take it anymore,” Talon murmured against her neck.

He did not realize he had a neck fetish until this moment.

“You look positively edible in that outfit and I just have to have a taste.”

Talon’s mouth traveled down her neck as he opened her tunic, continuing his exploration of her shoulder.

Wren held back the moan but was unable to stop herself from pushing her hips against his erection. Talon let out a groan at her contact. It was the only encouragement he needed to slide his hand up to cup one of her breasts, slowly rubbing his thumb over the nipple until it started to pucker.

Wren gasped for air. He was good, but they had to stop.

“No. Please. Stop,” she said, pushing against him, but he did not budge.

She started to panic. He was not listening. He needed to stop.

It was just like before. The panic rose higher, and she started to struggle against his arms, feeling like the chains were being slipped back on her once more.

Talon pulled back but did not release her. He could feel her panic rising and her body starting to shake.

“Wren? What is wrong?” he asked, seeing the tears start to fill her eyes.

“Please. No more,” she begged, looking away from him.

Talon’s mind was hazy, and he was not sure what was going on.

~Oh shit.~ He remembered. ~She was raped. Damn, I am an idiot.~

He gently reached up and covered her before taking her hand in his and putting her bag on his shoulder.

“Come on, honey, let’s get some food.”

Wren stared at his broad back. What had just happened? Had he really not pushed his advantage?

No, this is not what happened. Men did not worry about the woman’s feelings.

Even more importantly…would he punish her later for pushing him away now?

“Talon?”

Talon smiled at her and kissed her cheek before escorting her out of the building and putting her into the passenger side of his car.

“It is all right,” he said as he climbed in. “I understand. I will not push.”

“But…”

He laced his fingers through hers and placed a kiss on them.

“Let it go. Let’s eat, and then you can go home and crawl into bed. I will make sure you are safe from everything, including me, if I have to.”

Wren fell silent at his words, not sure if she could trust them. Would he still say that once they were alone?

“I do like the outfit,” she spoke softly. “It is just not a good outfit for school.”

Talon smiled. “I know. I did not think you would have to wear it there. Sorry.”

“There is nothing to be sorry about.”

They finished the rest of the drive in silence. Wren tried to push her fear away.

~Talon is not Don. I can trust him. Right?~

***

Talon parked the car and helped Wren out a few minutes later.

“How about a little bit of window shopping?”

“Ummm, sure?”

They walked down the street, hand in hand, pausing to look into the different shops as Wren tried not to notice the looks they were getting.

“Shall we go in there?” Talon pointed to a jewelry store.

“Why?”

“I want to get Emerald something.”

“Okay.”

Talon pulled her into the store.

“Mr. Fielding, it is good to see you again. It has been a while. Are you looking for something in particular or just looking today?” the salesman asked.

“Just looking, thank you,” Talon replied.

Wren looked at all of the jewelry. There were some very beautiful pieces.

She stopped in front of the wedding ring section as Talon came up to her.

“Do you like anything?” he asked.

“What?” Wren blushed. “No, I was just looking.”

“Would you like to try something on, Miss?” the salesman asked her.

“No.”

“Yes,” Talon spoke at the same time.

Wren turned toward him. “What?”

“Come on, it will be fun,” he said. He peered into the case. “Which set would you choose?”

“I am not choosing,” Wren insisted.

“Wren…”

She saw his eyes start to twinkle—actually twinkle. She did not know eyes could do that, let alone his.

She did not want to speculate what he would do if she did not do this.

She let out a sigh. “Fine.”

She peered into the case for a few moments before pointing to a man and woman’s set.

“That one.” She pointed.

“May we?” Talon asked.

With a nod, the salesman pulled them out and placed them on the counter for the two of them to look at.

“Here you go,” the salesman said.

He handed over the lady’s ring, and Talon took it from him, placing it on Wren’s finger.

It was a simple white gold band with a row of diamonds across it, nothing fancy.

“It suits you. Shall you put mine on?” he asked with a smile.

Wren looked at him and the offered ring. She slowly took it from the salesman and placed it on Talon’s finger.

He held it up and looked at it, and then at hers.

“Very nice, I approve. Shall we get them?”

“No.”

Wren slipped hers off and handed it to the man before turning away and looking at another case.

Talon slipped his off and nodded at the salesman as he handed it back before turning and stepping up behind her.

“Shall we get those then?”

“What?”

“You have looked at them twice now.” He pointed to an earring and necklace set in front of her. “They match your eyes.”

“Oh no, I do not need anything, and I have no place to wear something like that.”

“Nonsense. You should have them.” He looked up as the jeweler approached. “I would like to purchase those to take with me,” he said.

“Of course, sir. Anything else?”

“Yes, I would also like those.” Talon pointed to a nearby set of emerald-green earrings as Wren just looked at him.

What was he doing? He was a completely different person than he had been a few days ago, and he seemed so confident and easygoing now.

What had happened to the moody, irritable Talon she had known all these months?

Talon came back after purchasing the jewelry. “Ready?”

Wren nodded, and they left the store.

“Come on, we need to get going,” he said.

“Where are we going now?”

“To get ready for our date.”

“Date?”

“Yup. I am taking you out for a night of dancing and champagne and plan to woo you to the point you let me climb into bed with you afterward.”