Chapter 24

WALKER

Hayden and I wrapped up our warehouse duties late in the morning. We decided to do a little shopping for Tayla, our shared girlfriend. It felt odd stepping into a women’s store, a first for both of us.

We split up, each of us exploring different sections. I found myself drawn to some sexy dresses and high heels. I also picked out a silver bracelet. I wondered where Hayden had wandered off to.

A few aisles over, I found him in the lingerie section. Of course. He had an armful of thongs and was comparing a red lace one to a black one.

“Both,” I suggested.

He nodded and added them to his pile.

“I want her in silk,” he declared, moving to a rack of negligees. He selected a few and gave me a nod of approval.

We paid for our items and headed out.

“Where to next?” Hayden asked.

“Grocery store.”

I drove us to the store and found myself in the wine aisle. I wasn’t a fan, but maybe Tayla would appreciate it? I chose a red and a white and added them to our cart. Hayden grabbed our usual beer, and we stocked up on essentials like bread and milk.

“What’s with the wine?” Hayden asked.

“Thought Tayla might like it.”

“You’re such a softie,” he teased.

“Says the guy who bought every color thong for her?”

“I plan to rip each one off her,” he grinned.

Back in the jeep, I started the engine and we left the store. Hayden turned on some rock music, and I noticed his upbeat mood. We were finally going home, and Tayla would be there.

As we pulled up to our house, the gates opened. I sped up the driveway. Hayden was out of the jeep before I even stopped. I followed him inside, but Tayla wasn’t in the kitchen.

We heard a gasp, and Hayden bolted onto the deck. I followed just in time to see him tackle Dominic to the ground and punch him. Tayla jumped down from the rail and screamed at Hayden to stop. Dominic landed a punch back, and they started wrestling.

I pulled my gun from the back of my jeans and moved towards the scuffle.

“Motherfucker!” Hayden yelled.

Hayden rolled Dominic and pinned him to the deck. Suddenly, Tayla walked over and sat on Dominic’s chest, getting in Hayden’s face.

“Let him go, or I swear to god I will leave and never return!” she threatened.

Hayden looked shocked.

“Get off him!” Hayden demanded.

Tayla stared back, defiance clear on her beautiful face.

“You first,” she challenged.

I felt a sudden arousal and adjusted myself.

“I don’t want him looking at your ass!” Hayden protested.

“Then you best get up,” she growled.

Hayden moved and pulled Tayla up with him. Dominic scrambled up and dusted himself off.

“I almost fell over the rail, and he pulled me up,” Tayla explained.

“It looked like he was holding you in his arms!” Hayden argued.

“I don’t want him touching what’s mine!” Hayden growled.

“Ours,” I corrected.

“He wasn’t touching me!” Tayla yelled.

“We have cameras, Hayden,” I reminded him.

“Check them!” Tayla challenged.

Hayden ran a hand through his hair, gritting his teeth.

“Don’t push your luck, baby girl,” he warned.

“You clearly have trust issues, Hayden. Check your fucking cameras, and then when you’re ready, both Dominic and I will be waiting for an apology.”

Dominic scoffed, so I shot him a warning look.

“Fine!”

Hayden stormed into the house and returned with a laptop. He pulled up our security footage. I watched as the video showed Tayla nearly falling off the rail and Dominic rushing to save her. He hadn’t been touching her inappropriately. Tayla had been telling the truth.

I looked at Tayla. She was so damn sexy. Her eyes were wide, her chest heaving with anger. She stood with her hands on her hips, waiting for Hayden to speak.

Hayden watched the footage twice before sighing.

“I’m sorry!”

I was stunned. Hayden apologizing? That was new.

“Couldn’t quite catch that?” Tayla snapped.

Hayden stood, fists clenched.

“I said I was fucking sorry!”

I slid my gun back into my jeans, silently applauding Tayla’s bravery or stubbornness.

Tayla nodded and turned to Dominic.

“Are you alright?” she asked.

He nodded, and I fought the urge to growl.

“I guess the chances of you two working together today are slim?” I asked.

Dominic made a face, and Hayden rolled his eyes.

“It’s fine. I’ll do it,” Hayden muttered.

“Dominic? Will you help me get the groceries from the car?” I asked.

“Sure thing, Boss.”

I was surprised when he called me boss, a term he used to use for my father.

He helped me carry in the bags.

“Thank you for taking care of Tayla,” I told him.

He shrugged. “I couldn’t just let her fall, and I did tell her to get down.”

“I think she’s stubborn,” I said.

He laughed as we carried the bags back into the house.

Hayden was out on the deck, pacing back and forth, while Tayla sat on a stool, her silence speaking volumes. She was clearly giving him the cold shoulder, and I couldn’t help but smile at the sight.

I busied myself in the kitchen, putting things away, when Hayden popped his head in. “You coming?” he asked Dominic.

Dominic nodded and followed him out onto the deck. They both settled in front of the laptop, deep in conversation.

Turning to Tayla, I asked, “Can I get you a glass of wine?”

She looked up at me, her smile lighting up her face. “Yes, please.”

I held up two bottles. “Red or white?”

“White, please,” she replied.

God, she was cute.

I grabbed a wine glass—one I’d never had the occasion to use before—and poured her a glass. “I need a kiss before I let you have it,” I told her.

She slid off her stool and sauntered over, her hips swaying enticingly in those tight jeans. My cock twitched in response as she neared, her sweet, fruity scent filling my senses.

Her hands found their way up my chest, and she stood on her tiptoes to reach my lips. I bent down to meet her, kissing her back with a fervor that matched hers. I heard her moan into my mouth, and my hands instinctively moved to lift her up.

Carrying her over to the island, I set her down and wrapped my arms around her, deepening the kiss.

“I want you,” she whispered when we finally broke apart.

“When Dominic leaves,” I promised.

I handed her the glass of wine she’d asked for. “By the way, we’re taking you out dancing tonight. To a club,” I added.

“Really? I didn’t bring anything to wear out,” she said.

I couldn’t help but smile. “We bought you a few things today. There’s a dress or two in there that you can pair with heels.”

“What else is there?” she asked, curiosity piqued.

“You’ll see,” I said, planting a kiss on her nose.

I watched her take a sip of her wine, her smile making my heart flutter. “It’s lovely, thank you,” she said.

I made a mental note to remember the bottle so I could get it for her again.

Grabbing a couple of beers, I headed back out to the deck and handed them to Hayden and Dominic.

“We need the name of her asshole ex,” Hayden whispered to me.

I nodded, pointing to his phone as a signal to watch out for my text.

Back in the kitchen, I pulled out my phone and pretended to type on it. “Can I ask you something?” I asked Tayla.

She nodded.

“What’s the name of your ex?”