Page 23 of Stalking His Prey

Hawk kisses me roughly at the end, thrusting his tongue into my mouth as if it’s his intention to devour me. He peppers me with kisses across my face, my neck, my shoulders, my arm…then twists me and takes my nipple between his lips and gently sucks.

I’m shaken by the intensity of the experience. I can only lie there and gasp for breath as the final pulses of pleasure ebb through me.

“I didn’t hurt you, did I?” Hawk asks. I manage to open my eyes and look back at him but realize he’s teasing me with his question. I shake my head, flashing my naughty eyes.

“You can’t hurt me, Hawk.”

“You’re right.” He nods. “Icould neverhurt you, Penelope.”

I feel the tiredness of sleep washing over me and twist so I’m enveloped in his embrace, my nose pressed against his damp chest, his arms encasing me in bliss. He presses his lips against my head and covers us fully with the sheets.

“I have to thank you for something,” he whispers.

“Oh? What’s that…?”

I’m fading quickly, feeling so safe in knowing I fully belong to him.

“Thank you for being such a crappy hiker that you got lost. Otherwise you might have never met me.”

I smile softly, calmed by the consistent thumping of his heartbeat. “You would have found me, Hawk. I’m sure of it…”

And I truly believe that.

Hawk and I are meant for each other. Even if it wasn’t that day in the woods getting lost with Anna, the universe would have found a way to bring us together. And it’s that thought that remains in my mind as Hawk gently rocks me to sleep.

10

HAWK

ONE WEEK LATER…

The Salty Seahorse.I’ve seen Penelope come in here before when I was watching her, but now I’m actually inside and sitting in a booth beside her as she sips some bright-red drink called a Cherry Craving.

I did it.

Two months of watching, biding my time, stalking my beauty, and I made her mine.

She’s absolutely ravishing as she simply takes her straw between her lips. She feels me looking at her and brings her eyes to mine, and I’m overwhelmed by pure joy and warm satisfaction.

Penelope loves me. And I love her more than life itself.

“So, Todd,” Anna says to her boyfriend, seated beside her, “did these two ever tell you how theyfirstmet?”

“Oh my God, Anna!” Penelope bursts out, frantically trying to shush her friend with the palm of her hand. “Would you shut up already!?”

Anna dodges the attempt to silence her and shoots a teasingly friendly look back. “What’s the matter, Pen? Embarrassed?”

Anna glances over at Todd, who clearly has no idea what’s happening. He seems intrigued, though.

“Yeah, what’s going on?” he interjects. “You two meet at a sex club or something?”

Now it’s my turn to burst out laughing. I shake my head firmly and give Penelope a comforting squeeze on the thigh.

“Yeah, no. Do they even have those around here?”

Todd raises his eyebrows at me and smirks, causing me to chuckle.

“Anna, stop!” Penelope pleads.

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