want someone that keeps you locked up in an ivory tower, that's not me.” He walked towards me while brushing his hands across a dusty wooden piece of furniture that was warped and scuffed. Once in front of me, he planted a tender kiss on the corner of my mouth. “I’m the one that's going to challenge you.” He kissed me again, this time on the lips, and I responded eagerly as I wrapped my arms around him.
Another message came in on his Tablet with a ping and we broke apart. I grabbed it, reading the new message.
Air Vent.
“He wants us to go through the air vents?” I asked incredulously. Maverick just couldn’t make it easy.
“I’m not going,” Tallis replied with a frown.
“What? So you want me to risk my life while you sit here relaxing? Yea right!” I exclaimed while continuing my search for my shoes. Tallis was crazy if he thought I was doing this alone.
“No, I want you to save Ashleigh and come back to me so we can figure this out. I’ll take care of everything. You’ll be safe, Agapimenos.”
“Why are you doing this to me? Why are you so adamant about this? Is there something going on between you and Ashleigh?” I asked before stomping my foot.
The smile that broke out on Tallis’ face was ornery and pleased. He stalked towards me and placed a hand on my lower back pulling me close. I felt his attraction to me, hard as steel. “Does this feel like there's anything going on between me and Ashleigh?”
I gulped. This was nothing like our sweet night, this was harsh. Demanding. “No,” I replied. “I just don’t get why you want me to do this.”
“I’m not like your brothers, Jules. I see you as the strong capable woman you are,” Tallis whispered before placing his lips on the sensitive skin below my ear. I sucked in a deep breath as he kissed me. “Will I be worried? Fuck yes. I’ll probably go crazy waiting. But I want a future with the best version of yourself, and she’s waiting for me at the end of this mission.”
Another ping made him pull away. Once again, I checked the tablet for a final message from Maverick.
Please. I’ll do anything.
Anything? Maverick must be desperate. There was a time when I would have enjoyed this and taken pleasure in the power of his desperation, but it was only sadness that filled me now. I didn’t want to bargain or take. I wanted a future. A family.
Tallis began shifting through blueprints and news clippings on his Tablet, already preparing for my trip even though I hadn’t agreed to go.
I walked towards a cracked window and peered at the wasteland outside. Tall buildings with broken windows and crumbled hope towered empty in the distance. “I’m not a good person, Tallis,” I said with a slow exhale.
“So?”
I whirled around to face him. “So you seem to have a lot of faith in me, and I just wanted to make sure you know what you’re getting into.”
Tallis let out a quick laugh. “I’m a murderer, Jules. You’re in good company,” he said with a shrug and I rolled my eyes.
“You were saving your people,” I argued.
“…and you weren’t the same person you are now,” Tallis snapped back.
He started packing my tote bag with the Tablet and pulled the hairband from his hair before walking towards me. He stood behind me as his nimble fingers gathered my hair up and off my sweaty neck into a bun.
“But what if I’m caught? What if I can’t make it?”
Tallis’ hands froze on my shoulders. I felt him flex his muscles and tense up at my question. The hot air felt icy between us from his intensity. A low growl echoed in his chest before he leaned close and spoke in a steadfast voice that left no room for doubt.
“Then I’ll tear down the entire Empire to get you.”
I didn’t agree to go, not really. Tallis walked me to the Transport. My arm wrapped around his like he was escorting me to a dance. He opened the door of the Transport with a smile and eased me inside. After punching in the coordinates, he leaned in to kiss my cheek. His lips marked me. It was a sentimental goodbye in the simplest of gestures.
At that moment I promised myself that, one day, I’d wake in his arms and we’d enjoy a morning together. A lifetime together. I’d be worthy of his adoration, even