Page 8 of In Hawke's Eyes (Toron's Pride 2)

“And now they want Meechi?” She clenched her hands into fists.

“He foolishly bragged that he would soon come into money from his heiress niece. They did a little digging and found out what she’s worth. When they started pressuring him to get the money, he began to worry they’d snatch her, so he did it himself.” Hawke shook his head. “He thought he was protecting Meechi, but he went about it the wrong way.”

“That doesn’t make him a good guy.”

“Shh,” he soothed her. “I agree. That’s why I’m going to talk to some friends and see what I can find out. I will locate the people he owes and take them down.”

Stephanie kissed him on impulse and rested her forehead on his chin. “You’re so amazing. I appreciate all your help, but I’m going to take care of Meechi.” She sighed. “I’m going to quit my job and look after her full time. I might even move out of New York.”

“Stephanie…”

She slipped off his lap and stood up. “Don’t, Hawke. I know you think I’m weak, and all I get is Melanie nagging me saying I can’t take care of Meechi with my eyes the way they are. Now, she might even use this situation against me to try to get custody of her. I can’t let that happen.” She burst out crying and spun on her heel to run out of the room, but he caught her and forced her gently into his arms.

“I don’t think you’re weak. In fact, I know you aren’t. If you fear Meechi’s grandmother will take her away, don’t. There’s no way a court of law will give custody to a woman who’s son kidnapped her.”

“You don’t know the hell I went through with them. Back when my husband died, they berated me so much, I actually changed back to my maiden name to break my ties, which was ridiculous since I still had Meechi. I was so emotionally done, I questioned every day whether I was strong enough to keep her. Now I won’t give her up. I will take care of her if it kills me, so if we have to leave, so be it. I can homeschool her. We can live off her allowance until I can get another job.”

“Stephanie.”

“What?” She frowned up at him.

“I know a place where she can never be hurt, and the people who live there would protect her with their lives—all of them. While you two are there, I can focus on finding the men who threaten you. Will you consider my solution? I promise I’m not offering because I don’t think you can care for Meechi. I just can’t bear to see you hurt.”

She gasped at his tender words and dipped her chin. “I can’t imagine a whole community of people to look out for us.”

“They are…unusual. I wouldn’t send you if the situation wasn’t dire.”

“You’re not coming?”

He flashed a grin, and his voice dipped low when he spoke. “Would you miss me?”

“Well you do come in handy for lifting heavy grocery bags,” she teased.

He smacked her on the ass, and Stephanie squeaked. Her body lit up like he set a fire to it, and her pussy clenched. She shut her eyes, lowering her head so he wouldn’t see what that one move did to her. Hawke left his hand right where it was, on the curve of her ass. She curled her fingers into his chest and breathed deep.

“I want to help.”

“I know,” she whispered and swallowed. All this time—even before her accident—she let no one in, but when Hawke asked, she said yes. Why was he so special? Was it because deep inside she needed love? While she missed her husband, the truth was toward the end they had been close to a divorce. She didn’t admit it to Hawke, but closing off her heart from the many hurts was another reason she changed her name. “Okay, I’ll go.”

At her soft-spoken words, he raised her chin and kissed her. Stephanie stretched up to her toes and parted her lips. His tongue dipped between them, and an arrow of heat zipped down to her core. With wanton abandon, she rubbed into him, feeling his arousal. Her palm longed to stroke it, but she held off.

Hawke picked her up and carried her to the couch. He sat down and drew her onto his lap. When he slid his hand between her thighs to cup her sex, she moaned and arched her back. Once again, he claimed her lips. They explored each other’s mouths, Stephanie growing hotter by the second.

Hungry for more, she dragged her dress up, and he took the invitation to stroke her pussy through her panties. She couldn’t get any wetter if she tried. He flicked aside the small patch at her apex and ran his fingers over her folds. She cried out in pleasure. When he parted the soft flesh and eased a digit into her channel, she rode it in desperate need.

Five years without a man left her greedy for an orgasm she didn’t create using her own hand. She encouraged Hawke’s touch, pulling him closer, and rocking her hips. He drove in with another finger, stretching her inner walls just a bit. Because it had been so long, she felt new and innocent. A twinge of pain made her moan. He retracted, but she grabbed his wrist.

“Stephanie, I don’t want to hurt you.”

She never opened her eyes but nuzzled his face. Their warm breaths mingled, and her heart seemed ready to burst. She put too much emotion into this. Maybe her vulnerability drove her decisions, but she didn’t want to stop.

He ran moist fingers up to her clit, and a shock of delight raced over her being. He teased the small bud, bringing it to swollen readiness, and then he massaged it in a circular motion with the pad of his thumb. The slow, steady movements caused her inner muscles to contract. Her orgasm built higher and higher. She spread her legs wider and fell back against his arm. Hawke never lost the pace he created. He controlled her pleasure, and she gave herself to it, murmuring his name.

Keening at the crest of her climax, she shook in each of her limbs. Sheer bliss exploded from her core outward. She quivered out of control with each wave, but at last when she didn’t think she could bear it anymore, the sensations settled.

Panting, Stephanie opened her eyes to peer in the direction of his face. She longed to see the lust in his gaze, to know what he thought at that moment. “Let’s go to the bedroom. We shouldn’t have done this here.”

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