Page 11 of Hawke

He cleared his throat, then spoke a little louder than he had before. “I’d like to discuss the food menu in more detail with you. Since I’m not from this area, I’m sure you can give me the names of a few places.”

I nodded, especially since I already had several caterers I worked with on a regular basis, and I was sure I could arrange a meeting with all of him. “I can email you a list. Is there a specific type of cuisine you’d like at the grand opening?”

I sat back down, and immediately felt pain radiate from my sore ass cheeks, and I grimaced slightly. If Hawke noticed my discomfort, he didn’t let on. In fact, he stood there stoically as he thought about an answer to my question.

“Get me a sample menu from a few different places. I’ll look them over and get back to you.”

“Will do. Is there—” I started to say before he abruptly cut her off.

“That will be all for now, Miss Maxwell.” Hawke grabbed the signed documents, then stuffed them back into his briefcase. “I’ll let you know when I require any more of your other services.”

I just bet you will.

I almost rolled my eyes, but I resisted the urge as I forced myself to smile brightly at him. “Very well.”

Hawke looked at me once more before turning around and exiting my office. With him out of sight, I was now able to exhale. Taking a deep breath, I placed my hand on the phone. I still had a caterer to get in touch with. Before I could hit redial, however, it rang. Smiling at the name on the caller ID, I quickly answered it. “Hey, Chase. Same place, same time tonight?”

“See you at six,” my older brother answered.

“Okay.” I hung up the phone, then decided to start that list for Hawke before leaving to meet my brother. Every week without fail, the two of us would go out for dinner. It was a ritual I had grown to treasure. I was very close to all of my brothers, but especially this one. Pulling up my catering folder, I attached a few different menus to an email for Hawke. After hitting send, I wrapped up a few more details for another client before shutting my computer down for the day.

8 – HAWKE

For the next week, I had done my best to keep my interactions with Charlotte Maxwell to a minimum, and I was glad as fuck that I had. Something about the blonde was starting to get under my skin, and I was clueless as to what it was. I’d been with dozens of women, some by choice and others… Shaking my head to rid it of those thoughts, I turned off my computer and decided to head back to the hotel.

Maybe it had to do with my not fucking her that night in Washington, D.C., or maybe I was just that horny. In the many weeks I’d been in Denver, I’d not been with a submissive. That was something I hoped to rectify once Syn opened. It’d not be long until the doors finally opened. I, for one, could hardly wait.

Leaving my office, I walked down the hallway which had been transformed from a nondescript warehouse to something straight out of medieval times. Smooth concrete was underfoot, large wrought iron doors lined the narrow corridor, and the stone walls were being prepped for many different types of restraints.

“Where are you going, Hawke?” Benny, the construction manager, asked.

“I’m going to sample a tasting menu at that steakhouse near Union Station.”

I had been checking out a lot of the businesses that would soon become my neighbors. The Lo-Do area had once been considered a skid row until revitalization occurred. Now, the once impoverished area boasted some of the city’s best clubs, restaurants, art galleries, boutiques, bars, and more. It was one of the reasons I had chosen this location for Syn.

“I’ll be back to check on things later this evening,” I said, readying myself for the blast of cold I’d experience once I stepped outside.

The foreman gave a nod, then headed back to the main area of the club where I hoped the last of the bar would be finished. I opened the door and stepped outside, rubbing my hands together. After blowing my warm breath on them, I looked down at my watch. Vivian Price, my interior designer, had raved the past few days about the place where I was headed. She’d been so convincing in her sales pitch, that I’d booked a table the same day. Now, as my stomach growled, I just hoped it was worth the hype.

Snow was falling once more and intending to drive, I headed toward the parking garage. Halfway there, I changed my mind. The restaurant was only a block away and considering the traffic, it’d be better to just go on foot.

Ten minutes later, I arrived at my destination. The building itself was interesting. The modern façade with rustic stone features was something one would expect to find somewhere like Aspen. That was something else I loved about this particular neighborhood. After having undergone its renaissance, the architecture of the buildings was as unique as the spaces that filled them. Removing my gloves, I slipped them into my coat pockets and stepped inside.

The petite brunette at the hostess station smiled at me as she looked up from the desk. “Do you have a reservation?”

“Yes,” I answered. “Hawkins.”

She tapped the screen with her hand, and I watched her manicured finger as she scrolled through the names. “I’ve found it.” She reached to her left, grabbing one menu, then looked up at me. “Right this way, Sir.”

I followed her as she weaved through the first dining room, relieved when she stopped in front of a small table in the far corner. She motioned with her hand for me to sit, and when I did, she set the menu down.

“Allison will be your server tonight,” the woman said. “She’ll be with you in a few minutes.”

“Thank you,” I replied, then dismissed her with a curt nod.

The women left and I picked up the menu, going straight toward the drink section. The place boasted of unique cocktails, and while normally content with something simple like a tumbler of scotch, I decided to try one of the advertised specials instead.

“Hello, Sir. My name’s Allison, and I’ll be taking care of you this evening. What can I bring you to drink?”

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