Page 23 of Hawk

“Babe, you look wiped. Go get ready for bed. I’d appreciate a pillow and an extra blanket if you’ve got one,” Hawk says, leaning his elbows on the kitchen counter.

“You can’t sleep on the couch. Only half of you will fit on it.”

“Slept on worse.”

“You take the bed. I’ll fit on the couch.” It’s true, and I find it easier to fall asleep there. Maybe it’s from years of listening to the television drone in the background that does it for me.

“No way am I taking your bed, Ginger. And when I’m in your bed, you’ll be with me,” he states.

I want him in my bed, but this is moving very quickly. and I need to think with my head. The last time I let my heart lead me, it was a disaster.

“I’m not ready for that,” I say in a hushed tone.

“No, you’re not. I don’t force women, and I would never hurt you, Etain. You need time? I’ll give that to you.”

I let out a breath. “Could you sleep in the bed with me, but not…you know…?” I sound like an idiot, and I’m sure my face is matching my flaming-red hair.

He rests his cheek in his palm and bats his eyes. “You know?” He bats his eyes some more. “Know what, babe?” I bite my lip, and he reaches over to take my hand. “I can curb my baser instincts. We won’t take it there, until you’re ready.” ”There” meaning sex. I find it cute that he’s being so playful. It doesn’t stop me from blushing, but he’s been so adorable.

“We can share the bed. I trust you,” I tell him softly.

“Thank you, baby.” His fingers trace the apple of my cheek. “Go get ready for bed. I’m going to take my time to lock everything up tight.”

I do my best not to scurry off and to look somewhat cool when I walk away. I even put a little jauntiness in my step, but inside, my belly is full of butterflies. Not because I don’t trust Hawk, because I do. But because I don’t trust myself. I loved our kiss, and I jumped him the last time. I can’t be certain I won’t do it again.

Hawk

Fuck me, she has a perfectly rounded ass, and as she walks away, I think my patience is being tested to the limits. I get where Etain is coming from; she walked out on a relationship she thought was based on mutual trust, and in a little over forty-eight hours, our lips were seared together in a kiss that is burned into my brain forever.

The timing of our getting together sucks. With the Jackals on the prowl and Robert wreaking havoc and screwing with Etain’s mind, the smart thing to do would be to wait it out before we start on us. When I saw Gunner looking at Etain, though, there was no way I could hold off.

Women come and go, and I can usually take ’em or leave ’em, but not Etain. It was an instant connection. I felt it so deep that I swear my heart was speaking to hers. She felt it too. Even in the diner, when our eyes met, there was a moment between us. Giving her a job and a safe place was my way of keeping her in town until our business with the Jackals was over. Plans don’t always go as planned, and that means that I need to take Etain into account and protect her until this is done.

I give Etain some time before walking into the bedroom. The room is lit by a lamp on the bedside table, and in the center of the bed is Etain in a purple tank top, her bottom half covered by the sheet, drawn up and tucked into her sides. Her face is scrubbed clean of makeup, her hair frames her face, and she’s more alluring than ever.

“Got an extra toothbrush?” I ask.

She grins. “I left one by the bathroom sink for you.”

I want to climb into bed, take off her top, and suckle on her breasts until she begs me to take her. Instead, I go into the bathroom and splash cold water on my face. It’s not enough to cool me down, so I turn on the shower, strip out of my clothes, and let the cold water rain down on me. Still, the image of Etain waiting for me in bed has me stroking my cock and relieving myself of the pent-up sexual frustration I’m experiencing.

By the time I return to the bedroom, Etain has shifted over to one side to give me space. I text Shooter to have a prospect bring me fresh clothes for the morning before I climb in beside her with a towel wrapped around my waist.

“If you’re trying to tempt me, it’s working,” Etain murmurs.

“Sorry, babe. I wasn’t planning on staying.” I chuckle. I lift my hands so she can see them. “I promise to be good,” I tease.

Her big green eyes grow wide. “It’s not you I’m worried about.”

I burst out laughing and she rolls over onto her side with her back to me. I settle in beside her, but can’t help pulling her to me so that we’re spooning. “Be good, baby. Don’t take advantage of a helpless man.”

“You may have to distract me.”

“Oh yeah?”

“Your real name’s not Hawk.”

“Not entirely.”

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