At the same time I’m directing everything to Des because he’s clearly in charge. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said anything. I promise I’m good at keeping my mouth shut, sir. I just want to do an honest job.”
Biting down hard to stop talking. I wait for them to make up their mind, if my version of the story is fact. Obviously, there’s an equally important factor I’ve left out of the story—the very public declaration of Tynan calling me his wife—but neither Des nor Dessy Junior mention it, so neither do I.
While I wait, I employ standard submissive techniques—eyes down and a nervousness to my movements—and distract myself by wondering how pissed Tynan is going to be, given I’m notwearing my ring. But considering this interrogation from Des, I know I made the right decision to leave the wedding ring back at the apartment.
“Tally, go serve.” Walsh dismisses me a few, long drawn-out minutes later.
There’s a decent line of customers waiting for me along the bar, all of them impatient and seriously lacking manners. By the time I’ve served drinks, done a glass run to collect the empties and wiped the tables down, Des and his entourage have left. Only Johnny and Walsh remain.
Another wave of summons, and Walsh stands up, closing the distance between us and even sliding a hand over my shoulder. “Mr. Kelly will sort his kid out. But make sure something like that doesn’t happen again, Tally. It’s a bit embarrassing and doesn’t look good for any of us.”
Like always, my hand twitches in eagerness to dick punch Walsh. I nod, though, making myself smaller because I think I also just did the unthinkable and got a little further in Des’s inner circle.
I act completely surprised when Walsh lets me know the event I was going to work at tomorrow night has been moved to the following week, but Mr. Kelly and his friend asked specifically for me.
The rest of my shift passes in a haze as I work through the implication of tonight’s meeting while also coming up with a plan to put some distance between me and Pack O’Connor. For no other reason than they’re a complete goddamn distraction. I lose myself around them, in both a good and a bad way. Until I can balance them and my insane attraction towards them better, space is my only option.
And isn’t telling them that going to be fun?
Chapter Thirty
TALLY
It’s raining when I finally step out, my hand buried in my back pocket in an attempt to hide the fact my ring isn’t on my finger. It’s not a comfortable position at all, but it’s all I got, at least until I’m able to better gauge Tynan’s mood.
The blank stare I get as I make my way over to where he’s waiting is pretty much what I thought I would get.
“Tynan…”
“Save it.” He doesn’t look at me, but he does wait until I’m closer before he walks past the pub and turns down the side street.
I get he’s pissed, and I’m trying to put some distance between us, but I have to grab his hand.
“A bike? You dirty dog. You’ve been holding out on me.”
I get a tiny smile, but it doesn’t reach his eyes. He hands over a helmet and a leather jacket, both in my size. And then he steps close and brushes my hands away to do up the helmet strapunder my chin before taking my bag so he can help me put on the jacket.
Still no words from him, which is fine, but I grab the back of his jeans when he turns away to swing his leg over his bike. “Hey, thank you for picking me up. And getting me all this gear too.”
And then I let go of his hand, releasing him. He kicks his leg over and reaches down for my bag, so he can loop it over his body, twisting when it’s time for me to climb on.
Settling behind him, I wrap my hands around his waist. Almost immediately, his Ducati Panigale comes to life, the powerful engine purring under me. He grabs my left hand from off his waist, making a point of pulling it into his line of sight. He draws the moment out, making it impossible for me to lie that my wedding ring was actually there. And then he places my hand gently into position around his middle. He revs the Panigale once in warning before he guns it.
It’s lucky I know how to ride a bike, because Tynan weaves through the late-night traffic like people are chasing us. It’s exhilarating, and I feel free for the first time in a while.
Time becomes irrelevant. Every corner we take, I lean with him, each straight section when he opens up the throttle, we both dip down low. We move like we’re one.
And I get his message.
Eventually, our loop into the night comes to an end, but my night isn’t over. He pulls up to the gym and turns off his bike. Under me, he releases a big sigh, one I read as both relief and readiness.
Peeling his helmet off, he hangs it over the handle, his hand reaching back for mine. The night air, plus the ride, has cleared by senses, and his subtle lemon scent fills my lungs. Like always, Tynan’s unique smell settles my nerves and brings comfort. Which I need, right now.
Swinging my leg off, I rest my hand on his thigh, effectively stopping him from leaving the conversation we’re about to have. Although, with Tynan, I suspect it will be a one-sided thing.
“I know I upset you because I broke a promise. And yeah, taking off my wedding ring was intentional. I had safety concerns about wearing it while working. And those concerns are if it got caught on something and ripped my finger off, but also about who sees it, and what that would mean. It’s also very new to me, this wholewe’re marriedthing. I can’t think at all when I’m around you. Any of you. I lose my brains, Tynan. Completely. Perhaps you think that’s okay, but it’s not okay to me. I don’t feel like myself and I hate the feeling. You need to give me space. And time.”
He keeps staring at me without saying a word. I want to say I can read his emotions, and in the past, I’ve been able to, but tonight, much like his words, he’s shut himself away.
