Page 75 of Secret Obsession

Crazy Bestie: It’s him, isn’t it? Well, too late for me to talk some sense into you. Get it out of your system, and do NOT, under any circumstances, fall in love with him.

I sent her a kiss emoji and turned off my phone. Looking at the pretend-sleeping Hawk, I wondered what I really did feel for him.

We had done it so many times, trying to satiate the lust. But if it had truly been purely about sex, I’d be satiated by now instead of longing to curl up to his body, rest my head on his chest, and listen to his heartbeat.

I snuggled up to him, and he wrapped his arms around my shoulders. He nuzzled his nose into my neck and sighed contentedly.

Was he this affectionate with all the women he slept with? I hoped not.

Stop hoping for anything, Lila. This ends tomorrow night.

***

With a forkful of omelet, he pointed at me. “With the stock market in a strong bullish trend right now, it’s the best time for you to invest in your 401K.”

He’d spent the last ten minutes talking about investments with an expression I’d never seen on him before. One that told me he was truly passionate about stocks and something called derivatives.

Maybe I was wrong about him. Was all the violence behind him? “How do you know so much about all of this?”

“I’m the CEO of a hedge fund company. And I studied finance in college.”

My mouth gaped open. “Really?” Investors didn’t have bodies that looked like they were chiseled by gods, and they didn’t have so much torment in their eyes that reflected a lifetime of savagery.

Disappointment crossed his features. “You’re surprised I actually have a brain.”

I waved my hand. “No, not at all.” I knew he was smart, but not book smart. And a little something within me cheered, knowing that Hawk and I had another thing in common. We both had college degrees. That gave us another common ground to talk about.

“I just can’t picture you in a suit carrying a briefcase to work every morning on Wall Street.” Although judging by how good he looked in a tux last night, I was certain he’d look yummy in a suit.

“I can’t stand to wear those stuffy shirts. When you’re the boss, you don’t have to follow a dress code. My analysts are the ones in suits.”

I perked up at the chance of talking about something we both had experienced. “So, what was your favorite part about Uni life?”

His eyes softened. “Friends.”

“I totally agree. Mae was my roommate. That’s how we met. Those are the type of friendships that stay with you forever. What about you?”

“Stephen and John are still friends with me.” His voice had a hint of surprise in it as if it was strange that someone would want to be friends with him.

“What do you guys do when you hang out?” I asked.

“We often meet at a club to spar a few rounds in the cage and then have burgers and beer.”

“Cage?”

He nodded. “Yep. A UFC Octagon. We meet at a mixed martial arts gym. There’s a big fighting cage in it, like the ones you see on TV.”

Was this what he considered a good time? “So…you beat each other up and then share a meal?”

“It’s the best,” he said with genuine enthusiasm. “What about you?”

“Well, luckily, Mae and I have never punched each other. I don’t think we’d be good sparring partners. She’s too fast and too tall. Her arms are so long she’d just have to hold me away from her, and my swings wouldn’t be able to reach her.”

“John’s no match for either Stephen or me, so we go easy on him. But sometimes when he’s really annoying, we don’t,” he said with mischief in his tone.

I didn’t think anyone could be a match for Hawk. “And Stephen? Is he a worthy opponent?”

“In a friendly match, yes. As long as I pull my punches.”

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