Chapter 18

WALKER

Maybe it was a blessing in disguise that jerk had interrupted us. I was on the verge of bending Tayla over the table and losing myself in her.

I didn’t want that creep to catch even a glimpse of Tayla’s skin.

I didn’t appreciate the way he kept ogling my girl. A growl rumbled in my throat.

“Dominic, you were banished from this town. You’re not welcome here,” I warned him.

“Your father banished me, not you,” he retorted.

I felt Tayla inch closer to me, her hand slipping into mine.

“That decision still stands.”

“This is my hometown. I grew up here, went to the same school as you and Hayden,” he whined.

“Did you consider that when you stole from my father?”

Dominic averted his gaze.

“I just want another chance to prove myself,” he pleaded.

“We’ll discuss this some other time.”

I took Tayla’s arm, leading her towards my bike. I handed her her helmet.

I helped her secure it, then put on mine before climbing onto the bike.

Tayla slid on behind me, her arms wrapping around my waist, her head resting on my back.

I shot Dominic a warning glare before sliding my visor shut and kick-starting the engine.

The warmth of her embrace was comforting as I sped back towards town. Before long, we pulled up outside my house.

Leaving the bike out front, I hung our helmets on the handlebars and took Tayla’s hand, guiding her back into the house.

Just as we were about to enter the kitchen, Tayla tugged on my hand, stopping me.

“Are you okay?” she asked.

“Yeah. He’s just a jerk,” I reassured her.

She nodded and followed me into the kitchen.

Hayden was shirtless, wearing only his combat trousers, busily preparing what looked like hefty sub sandwiches for lunch.

Why hadn’t he ever made food like this before?

He smiled when he saw us and brought the food to the island.

I noticed Tayla eyeing his abs and arm muscles before sliding onto a stool.

She shrugged off my jacket from her shoulders. I noticed a fading yellow bruise near the top of her spine.

Where did she get that?

Hayden slid a silver mobile phone across to her. She looked at us, surprised.

“You have our numbers in there in case you ever need us,” Hayden explained.

“I was planning on buying my own phone,” she said, frowning.

“It’s a gift from us,” I assured her.

At first, I didn’t think she would accept it, but she nodded and started to eat her food.

Good girl!

“We ran into that townie again on the cliffside,” I informed Hayden.

His ears perked up and his arms tensed.

“What does he want?”

I glanced at Tayla and frowned.

“He says he wants a chance to come back to town?”

Hayden scoffed and took a huge bite out of his sandwich.

I reached out and traced a finger over the back of Tayla’s hand. She gave me a side glance.

“Aren’t you eating?” she asked.

How could I?

All I wanted to devour was her?

I smiled at her and shook my head.

Hayden’s mobile phone started to ring. He answered it, mid-bite.

I smirked as he spoke with his mouth full, then nodded.

“That jerk Logan is at the gate asking about Tayla?”

Tayla rolled her eyes and put her sandwich down.

“I’ll go and talk to him,” she said.

I slid off my stool and followed her out.

I didn’t like leaving her alone with him.

I followed her down to the gate where Logan was pacing like a caged bear.

“Thank God you’re alright!” he exclaimed.

“What are you doing here?” she asked him.

“You left my phone and I was worried. I figured you’d be here.”

“Okay. I’m fine, just having lunch actually,” she informed him.

His face changed as he noticed me coming up behind Tayla.

“She’s perfectly safe with me,” I assured him, firmly.

“Given your reputation, I’m not so sure,” he shot back.

I raised my eyebrows at him in warning.

“I can take care of myself, Logan. You’re not my dad!”

“And neither is he. You can do better than that. What would your mother say?”

Damn, this guy really was an asshole!

I moved behind Tayla and wrapped my arms around her waist. Logan’s eyes widened and his mouth tightened.

He didn’t like that!

“Tayla is a grown woman who can make her own decisions,” I told him, pulling her closer against me.

I noticed Logan tense up. The guards were watching his every move.

“Be careful, Logan. If you know my reputation, it’s not wise for you to start trouble here or with my girl,” I growled at him.

“She’s not yours!” he yelled before storming off to his truck.

Hayden came out and stood next to us. I noticed that Tayla hadn’t moved from my embrace.

She fit perfectly against me, her body heat seeping into me.

“Everything alright?” he asked me.

I nodded and slipped an arm around Tayla’s shoulders, guiding her back to the house.

“I guess I should be grateful to him. He did give me a home when I had nowhere to go,” she said.

“Why did you leave home?” Hayden asked, trailing behind us.

My eyes locked onto the bruise on her neck and I gritted my teeth.

“I wanted a fresh start and Logan offered me a room here,” she explained.

We moved back into the kitchen. I let my fingers trace over the back of her neck as she slid back onto her stool.

I slid onto the one next to her, making sure my thigh was touching hers under the table.

“Do you have any other family?” Hayden probed.

“Just my mother.”

“No father?”

Her face fell and her eyes dropped to her sandwich.

“No.”

I watched her pick at her food and frowned.

I didn’t like seeing her like this.

“How did you get that bruise on the back of your neck?” I asked her.

Hayden looked at me and frowned.

Tayla’s gaze dropped to her lap, her fingers nervously twisting together.

“My ex-boyfriend did it,” she murmured.

Hayden’s eyes turned stormy, his hand reaching across the table to cover Tayla’s.

“Who?” he demanded, his voice a low growl.

“It doesn’t matter. I’m better off without him,” she replied.

A knot formed in my stomach, and I had to take a deep breath to steady myself.

Some asshole had actually laid hands on her?

How many times?

Had she been in pain?

“Can I see?” I asked, my voice soft.

She stood, pulling her top over her head.

I clenched my jaw, fighting the urge to punch a wall.

Faint yellow and purple bruises marred her back, looking like the aftermath of a belt.

Hayden moved to get a better look at her back, his expression thunderous.

“That bastard will pay!” he seethed.

I placed a hand on his shoulder, a silent plea for him to keep his temper in check.

Tayla didn’t need his rage scaring her right now.

I reached out, my fingers lightly brushing her bruised skin. I heard her sharp intake of breath.

As I traced her bruises, I moved closer and pressed a gentle kiss to one.

When she didn’t protest, I kissed another.

Hayden ran his finger down her spine, stopping at her bra strap.

“Undo it,” she instructed, her breath hitching.

Hayden didn’t hesitate, unclipping her bra.

I kissed her shoulder, watching as her eyes fluttered shut.

She was enjoying this.

“Do you want more, Tayla?” I asked.

Hayden bent his head, pressing a kiss to the side of her throat.

“Yes!” she breathed.

My cock hardened instantly, straining against my jeans.

“My room,” I told Hayden.

I turned Tayla around, her bra straps slipping down her arms.

Her bare breasts were exposed, and my mouth watered.

Damn, she was perfect!

I lifted her, her legs wrapping around my waist.

She moaned, kissing me passionately as I held her against me.

I was sure my dick was about to burst through my jeans like some scene from Alien!

She broke the kiss, her eyes meeting mine.

“Take me to bed,” she whispered.

“Both of us?” I asked, wanting to make sure she understood.

“Yes. Take me to bed, both of you,” she confirmed.