Page 31 of Toxic

Without waiting for a response, I make my way toward the garden, desperate for a moment of solitude. The cool night air hits me as I step outside, the scent of roses providing a brief respite from the evening’s tensions. I take a deep breath, trying to center myself.

As I stare out into the darkness, the distant laughter and music from the party a stark contrast to the turmoil within me, I allow myself a moment of vulnerability. The fear, the anger, the loneliness – it all threatens to overwhelm me. But then I straighten my spine, steeling myself once more.

Suddenly, I feel a presence behind me. Before I can turn, strong hands grasp my waist, spinning me around. My back slams against a cold marble column, knocking the breath from my lungs. Hawk’s steel-gray eyes bore into mine, blazing with an intensity that makes my heart race.

“Hawk, what—“ I begin, but he cuts me off, his mouth crashing down on mine in a fierce, possessive kiss.

For a split second, I’m frozen in shock. Then, like a dam bursting, all the pent-up frustration and desire I’ve been holding back explodes. I kiss him back with equal fervor, my fingers tangling in his hair, pulling him closer. Our teeth clash, the kiss more a battle than an embrace.

I bite his lower lip hard enough to draw blood. He growls low in his throat, the sound sending shivers down my spine. His hands roam my body, greedy and demanding as if he’s trying to claim every inch of me.

“You’re mine, Devin,” he rasps against my lips.

The possessiveness in his voice ignites something primal within me. I push back against him, spinning us so that he’s the one pressed against the column. My nails rake down his chest, leaving marks even through the fabric of his shirt.

“And you’re mine,” I snarl, nipping at his jaw. “Don’t you ever forget that.”

His hand fists in my hair, yanking my head back to expose my throat. He trails hot, open-mouthed kisses down my neck, teeth grazing my pulse point. I can’t suppress the moan that escapes me, my body arching into his.

The rush of adrenaline, the thrill of danger – anyone could walk out and see us at any moment – only heightens the intensity of our encounter. It’s reckless, it’s risky, but in this moment, I don’t care. All that matters is Hawk’s hands on my body, his lips on my skin driving away every thought of Regina or Viktor and the looming threats that have been haunting me.

Hawk’s hand slides up my thigh, pushing the fabric of my dress higher. I gasp as his fingers brush against the sensitive skin of my inner thigh. “Here?” I pant, equal parts scandalized and thrilled.

He pulls back slightly, his eyes dark with desire. “Tell me to stop,” he challenges, his voice rough.

I meet his gaze defiantly. “Don’t you dare.”

A wicked smile curves his lips before he claims my mouth again. His touch is fire, burning away everything but this moment, this raw, primal connection between us.

In the back of my mind, I know this is dangerous – not just the risk of discovery, but the way I’m losing myself in him. Hawk Rivers is becoming my addiction, my obsession. But as his hands and lips work their magic, I can’t bring myself to care. For now, I let myself get lost in the sensations and in the dark, twisted passion we share.

Eventually, we pull apart, both of us breathing heavily. Hawk rests his forehead against mine, his thumb tracing my swollen lips. “You drive me crazy,” he murmurs.

I smirk, nipping at his finger. “Likewise.”

For a moment, we stand there in silence, the air around us charged with unspoken emotions and lingering desire. Then, reality begins to seep back in. I can hear the muffled soundsof the party, a reminder of where we are and the roles we’re supposed to be playing.

Hawk seems to sense the shift in my mood. He cups my face in his hands, his touch surprisingly gentle after the intensity of our encounter. “Whatever’s going on, Devin, whatever you’re hiding – you don’t have to face it alone. I’m here. Let me in.”

For a heartbeat, I’m tempted. The weight of my secrets feels crushing, and the idea of sharing that burden is tantalizing. But I can’t. Not yet.

I place my hand over his, allowing myself a moment of vulnerability. “I know,” I say softly. “Just... give me time.”

He studies me for a long moment before nodding. “All right. But remember, I’m not a patient man, Devin. And I don’t like being kept in the dark.”

There’s a warning in his tone that sends a shiver down my spine – equal parts fear and excitement. I know I’m playing a dangerous game, keeping secrets from a man like Hawk Rivers. But it’s a game I have to play, at least for now.

I straighten my dress and run a hand through my hair, trying to erase the evidence of our passionate encounter. Hawk does the same, adjusting his tie and smoothing down his jacket.

As we prepare to rejoin the party, I catch my reflection in a nearby window. My lips are swollen, my eyes bright with lingering desire.

FIFTEEN

From my office atop Rivers Financial, I survey my domain, feeling the weight of power and the constant threat of those who would take it from me. The gentle hum of technology surrounds me, a reminder of the control I wield and the precarious nature of that control.

A soft knock breaks my reverie. “Come in,” I command, not turning from the window.

Daniel enters, his footsteps barely audible on the plush carpet. “Hawk, I have the information you requested,” he says, his tone familiar yet respectful.

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