Page 16 of Toxic

His grip on my hip tightens. “Dangerous question, Silver.”

“I like danger.”

He chuckles, the sound sending vibrations through me where our bodies touch. “I’d make you beg me to touch you.”

The vivid image his words paint makes heat pool low in my belly. “And then?” I prompt, my voice embarrassingly breathy.

Raptor’s hand slides lower, toying with the hem of my dress. “Then I’d bite my way up your body and eat you out until you’re screaming. I’ll fuck you all night long and make your legs shake. You know, like I always do.”

I swallow hard, my throat suddenly dry. “You’re a little full of yourself.”

“I am.” His voice is pure sin. “But am I lying?”

“No. You’re not.” I force myself to step back, instantly missing the heat of his body.

“What are you doing?”

“I can’t stay longer tonight. I have other matters that require my attention.”

Disappointment and hunger war in his expression before he smooths it into a neutral mask. “You can’t run forever, Silver,” he warns, his tone a delicious mix of promise and threat.

I lean in, my lips barely brushing his ear. “Who says I’m running?”

With that, I turn and disappear into the crowd, feeling his gaze burning into my back. My heart races, desire and adrenaline singing through my veins. It takes every ounce of willpower I possess not to look back, not to return to his arms and damn the consequences.

But I have work to do.

Back in my apartment, the soft glow of multiple computer screens pushes back the darkness. I slip out of my dress, letting it pool on the floor as I settle into my chair. The juxtaposition of my lace lingerie and the tech surrounding me isn’t lost on me—Devin West, society darling and secret hacker, straddling two worlds as always.

I force thoughts of Raptor—of Hawk—aside, focusing on the task at hand. My fingers fly over the keyboard as I slip past firewalls and security protocols, burrowing deep into Regina Black’s communications. I press my lights together into a tight line. I’ve been fighting cyber-attacks on Hawk’s business for years. But recently, it’s gotten out of control. Someone wants to truly take him down. It’s what prompted my return sooner than I planned. Regina’s a key player in the dangers to Rivers Financial.

The encrypted messages I intercept paint a troubling picture. Regina’s vendetta against Hawk has escalated beyond petty rivalry. She’s planning something big—corporate espionage on a scale that could cripple Hawk’s latest business venture.

Anger burns hot in my chest. Regina’s always been a snake, but this... this is crossing a line. I work methodically, rerouting communications, corrupting key files, planting misinformation that will send Regina’s lackeys on wild goose chases.

As I work, a notification pops up on my phone. Another message from Hawk, asking to meet outside of the Den. Ihesitate, my finger hovering over the screen. Part of me—a larger part than I care to admit—wants to say yes. To see him in the light of day without the masks and the games.

But that way lies danger. Vulnerability. Loss of control.

I’m about to decline when another thought strikes me. Meeting on my own turf where I have the home-field advantage... that could work to my benefit.

Before I can second-guess myself, I type out a reply.

“The Sky Bar at the Westbrook Hotel. 8 PM tomorrow. Don’t be late.”

The next evening, I’m nursing a gin and tonic at the bar when Hawk arrives. He cuts an impressive figure in a tailored charcoal suit, and I allow myself a moment to appreciate the view. When his eyes land on me, I see a flash of something—hunger, maybe, or triumph—before his face settles into a polite mask.

“Devin,” he says, sliding onto the stool next to me. The sound of my real name on his lips sends a shiver through me. “Thank you for agreeing to meet.”

I incline my head, outwardly cool despite the way my heart races. “I was curious about what was so important.”

Hawk orders a whiskey neat before turning those piercing eyes on me. “I’ve been thinking about the night of the gala,” he begins, and my body tenses.

“If this is about what happened between us, there’s no need to apologize,” I interject, my tone sharper than I intended. Panic rises in my throat—is he regretting being with me?

Hawk looks taken aback for a moment. “I just wanted to?—“

“We’re both adults,” I press on, my tone flat, desperate to regain control of the conversation. “No need for regrets.”

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