That night …

By all that was both feathered and furred.

He did a double-take and then feigned disinterest. It was almost impossible considering how his heart raced, sending blood south. Blast and damn and blast again! He had zero control.

Throb.

Throb.

Talon shifted, uncomfortable in his seat. He glanced back up while Vicky fiddled in her purse. She wore a dress similar to the one she was wearing the night they went out for drinks. It hugged all her curves and was as green as the sweet new grass of spring.

He had to force himself to stop staring all over again. Her ass, those thighs. Hellfire but she caught him staring. Her beautiful blue eyes locking with his.

“You look … you … you look nice,” he stumbled over his words. “Are we going out tonight?” Talon paused, looking down at himself. He wore jeans and nothing else. Not sufficient clothing to leave the house. “I can shower and change quickly. I didn’t—”

“No.” Vicky shook her head and sort of smiled. It didn’t quite reach her eyes. She clasped and unclasped her hands. Her shoulders looked tight. The human was nervous. Why? “I’m headed out, on my own,” she quickly added when he frowned. “I left the take-out menus next to the phone. You can call and order whatever you like. The Steakhouse—”

“Where are you going?” The question came out harsher than he intended.

She cleared her throat.

He realized how rude he was being. “I’m sorry. You do not have to answer if …”

“No, it’s fine.” She licked her lips. Acting like she didn’t want to confide in him. Why? “I’m going out on a date. We spoke about it the other day.”

“Two days ago. That is quick. Did you already find someone on Google?”

“Not exactly on Google but yes, I met someone online and I’m meeting him for a drink.”

“Like we went out for drinks the other day?”

Vicky nodded. “Yes, just like that.”

Everything in him tightened. The thought of Vicky meeting someone, of allowing someone other than him to mount her—

Brimstone and hellfire! Vicky could do what she wanted. She was a female in her prime. She could make her own decisions. Do whatever she pleased. It had nothing to do with him. “That’s nice.” He wanted to smile but he knew it would be forced. She would think there was something wrong with him when in truth he was fine. No problem here. None at all!

Except for his feelings about that dress. It was short. Showed much of her lush thighs. It pulled tight around her chest and even showed the tops of her plump breasts. His dick stirred a whole lot more.

Hellfire!

It angered him to no end. This thing that happened to him whenever she was near, whenever he pictured her naked, on her knees or back ‒ it wouldn’t matter to him as long as she was crying out in rapture, his prick deep inside her snug—

No!

This had to stop!

“And you’re wearing that?” He looked her up and down, trying not to react. It didn’t work. His prick continued to grow harder. Talon grit his teeth. It was like earlier today had never happened. Like he had learned nothing from the experience at the boxing gym.

Vicky frowned, a look of hurt appeared in her eyes.

He was such a prick! “You look good,” he added quickly. “That came out all wrong.”

Her frown deepened. “Are you sure? It’s not too short?” She pulled on the hem.

Talon felt everything in him soften. “It’s not too short. You look … beautiful.” His voice was deep. It gave away his raging need. Thankfully she did not seem to notice.

Her cheeks heated, her glorious chest puffed out further, putting strain on the material of the dress. “I was a little worried it was too much.” Her voice was timid.

"Don't be." It was Talon who was worried about what this male would try to pull. His prick strained against his zipper just looking at her. If she looked hard enough, she would see the bulge. See what she was doing to him. Again! "You enjoy your evening." He picked up the remote and began to look through the programs, not really seeing anything.

“Oh, I most definitely will.” She sounded happy.

The thought of her enjoying herself with this strange male made his blood boil. Vicky having a good time with someone else. He wanted to screech his annoyance. He channel-surfed some more while she moved around the room. Talon couldn’t concentrate on what he was doing. His mind was in complete disarray, his agitation increased with every long, drawn-out second.

He finally heard the keys tinkle as she took them out of the dish on the table.

“Don’t wait up, I might be out until late.”

Blast and damn! “Oh, I’ve been meaning to have a talk with you. I think it might be time for me to talk with more females. I need further interaction with others, not just with you.” It was a horrible thing to say, yet, he knew he was right. They had been spending too much time together. Just the two of them. “You have not allowed me to talk to them since Sandra tried to have sex with me. It is time I did so again,” he added unnecessarily.

“Oh.” Her cheeks turned distinctly pink. “Yes, of course.” She nodded. “I’ve been meaning to schedule something.”

“It might be a good idea to put my picture on Google so that I can go on a date or two of my own as well.”

She nodded. “Okay, we’ll look at it in the morning.” She frowned. “I’m not sure you’re ready to tackle dating all on your own though.”

“It might be awkward if you are with me.” He forced a smile. “Do humans take others on dates with them? If so, maybe I should go with you tonight. For learning purposes?”

“No, we don’t take other people on dates with us and yes, it would be awkward. Unless of course we were to double-date. You take a lady friend and I take a guy friend. That might work?” She smiled. Acting like it was the best idea she had all day.

Anger rose up in him and this feeling he’d never felt before. He hated the idea of seeing her with another male. He hated the idea of her with another male. It was ridiculous. Vicky did not want him to go with her tonight. Of course she didn’t. What if the male invited her to sleep with him? It wouldn’t work if Talon was there on his own as the third wheel. He felt like his stomach was twisting in knots at the thought. Any male with half a brain would take one look at Vicky in that dress and try to mount her. He hated these emotions running through him. He was still mated to Lark. It did not matter that she was no longer here. He had no place feeling this way about another female. He had no rights over Vicky.

Talon needed to continue to fight this, whatever it was, tooth and nail. “A double-date. That sounds good!” He nodded once, leaning back further in the chair, hoping he looked like he didn’t have a care in the world. Double-date … Huh! He’d rather have both his eyes gouged out.

Vicky nodded. “Great! That would be perfect.”

It would be hell. Talon pretended to channel-surf some more. He heard the lock turn on the door. “Oh, who is this male you are going on a date with?” he asked, just as she was about to step outside. “Have you ever actually met him?”

“No, I’ll be fine though.”

“Where are you going?” Not that it had anything to do with him.

“To a local bar for a drink. It’s nothing.” She waved a hand. “Maggie has all the details including the guy’s full name, so I’ll be fine.”

Talon narrowed his eyes. “I watched a movie just the other day about a female who met a strange male—”

“I will be absolutely fine,” she laughed as she walked out the door.

“But you don’t know him, it could be dangerous.”

"I will be fine," she repeated a little more firmly. With a wave of the hand, she left. The soft click coupled with her scent ‒ sweet as a field full of wildflowers ‒ left him feeling empty inside. That, and angry. Not to mention frustrated. Talon leaped up off the sofa and began to pace. He clenched and unclenched his fists. He was seriously jealous. Yup, jealous, that was the emotion alright. It wasn't just that; he was also worried.