Page 60 of Hawk

Giving him a mischievous smile, I roll off my bed and jump onto his, curling up next to him with my back to his chest. His body is stiff, and he holds his arm out as if he doesn’t know what to do with it. Laughing softly, I take it and wrap it around my waist. He remains rigid for a moment as if he’s trying to figure out what to do, but I melt into him, relishing the feel of his body pressed to mine. Hawk slowly gives in and lets his body relax, letting himself melt against me too.

We lay like that for a long while, just curled up together, enjoying the silence. I can’t even recall the last time I felt so cared for or safe. I close my eyes and snuggle closer to him, wanting him to enjoy this as much as I am.

If only for a little while, I want both of us to revel in each other and live in this moment. We don’t know what tomorrow is going to bring. But as long as we face it together, I think we’ll be okay.

CHAPTERTWENTY-THREE

Iroll over and look into Hawk’s eyes and a gentle smile touches his lips. I don’t know how long we’ve been lying here together, but it’s been so incredibly nice. We haven’t spoken a word. Honestly, I haven’t felt the need to speak. We’ve just been content laying in each other’s arms. But laying here with him, enjoying these quiet, tender moments, has made my whole body feel like I’m wrapped in a warm shell.

It’s strange for me to be feeling the way I am right now. Having gone through what I have, having been used by a series of men, something in the back of my mind is telling me this isn’t normal. This isn’t natural. I shouldn’t be having these kinds of feelings for Hawk.

And yet, I can’t deny the warmth flowing through my body that’s centered between my legs. Part of my brain is telling me that I’m wrong for wanting this. The other part—the majority share, if I’m being honest—is telling me this is right. And that it’s natural.

Hawk has touched me, not in a physical sense but on some deeper level. He’s shown me that I can trust again. Maybe even love again. He’s shown me that not all men are like the ones who took me. They’re not all like Hammerhead.

It’s crazy but in such a short span of time, Hawk has shown me there are better things in this world and that I deserve them. He’s shown me there are better men in this world.

Reaching up, I gently trace the curve of his lips with the tip of my finger. I feel him stiffen and start to pull away, but I don’t let him go. I grab hold of his belt loop and hold him in place. Then I lean forward and press my mouth to his. Though he’s hesitant at first, he quickly warms to the kiss. As our tongues slowly and gently swirl around one another, I can feel him pressed up against me. He’s starting to get hard and when he realizes it, he pulls back and tries to scoot away from me.

He looks me in the eyes, a look of surprise on his face. “We really shouldn’t,” he says softly. “I mean, I want to. I really want to. But I don’t think you’re ready for anything like this.”

I give him a flirtatious smile. “Shouldn’t I be the one to make that decision?” I ask. “I mean, you told me I’m free, right?”

He nods. “Well, yeah. Of course, you are.”

“Then I should be free to make my own decisions,” I tell him. “Especially when it comes to my own body.”

“Molly, I didn’t do any of this just to get you into bed. That’s not why—”

“I know you didn’t,” I cut him off. “You did this because, despite your objections, you are a good man with a good heart. I can see that. And you can’t deny there’s a connection between us, can you?”

He looks at me for a long moment but then shakes his head. “No, I can’t deny that. But I wasn’t sure you felt it too.”

“Yes, I do,” I tell him. “It’s not like anything I’ve ever felt before.”

“Me either.”

“And that’s why I know, without a doubt, this has never been about sex with you. It’s about something more. Something deeper,” I tell him. “And I want to explore that with you.”

I feel my cheeks flush and I look away for a moment, unable to believe I just admitted to that. But as I let it all settle in my mind, a strange feeling creeps over me. It starts in my toes and goes all the way up to the top of my head, bringing a smile to my face.

I’ve never felt as strong or as confident as I do right now. I don’t know why or where it came from, but I feel more powerful than I ever have before. I know what I want and for the first time in my life, even before I was taken, I have the strength to speak it out loud.

I’m done being taken. I’m done being used.

This time, I’m going to take what I want. Without apology.

Hawk is looking back at me with a gleam in his eye and that smile on his face that melts me inside every single time I see it.

“Molly, I’ve never wanted anybody the way I want you,” he says softly. “Nobody has ever made me feel the way you do. And I’m glad you feel that way because I feel it too. I want to explore everything with you. I think—”

I don’t let him finish that sentence because I press my mouth to his again. Pushing him gently onto his back, I climb up on top of him, straddling his lap. I slide my tongue against his, teasing it, reveling in the taste of him. Our kiss deepens and he runs his fingers through my hair, gently pulling on it. The feeling of his hands on me sends a shudder running along my spine that makes that fire inside of me burn even brighter and hotter than before. As I pull back, I give his bottom lip a gentle bite and look him in the eye.

“Less talk,” I whisper, almost breathless. “More of this.”

“Are you sure?”

I nod. “I’m sure.”

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