Page 14 of Witness Protection

Chapter Four

It had been almost a week since they’d checked into the hotel. Sophia’s emotions had been scattered, but she began to accept her new reality. There was no other choice.

She’d rented a movie and crashed on her bed to watch it. “Hurry up, Hawk.”

A few minutes later he stood in her doorway, wearing just his black pants, eating an apple. “I’m not watching that shit.”

“You promised. It’s not as fun watching a movie alone.” She was sick and tired of doing everything alone. If she could convince Hawk to join her, all the better.

His body was ripped to perfection. Did he even realize how tempting he was to women? To her? Even at rest, casually leaning against the doorframe, his abs were toned, his shoulders strong and thick with muscle.

He tossed his core into the garbage can near her dresser and came into the room. He’d been sleeping on the couch all week, despite her offers to share the bed. She patted the mattress beside her and ruffled the mountain of pillows for him.

“You’re lucky we’re trapped in here.” Hawk sat on the bed, the mattress sinking as he lifted his legs and settled on the pillows. He was so big next to her, his skin golden against the white sheets. And so much ink.

She lost interest in the movie.

“What do all these tattoos mean?” she asked. Sophia sat up and crossed her legs, running her palm down his chest. She swallowed hard. His skin was warm and firm, and her body lit up from just touching him.

He looked up at her, resting his hand over hers to still her movements. “I guess they tell a story. Badges of honor, mistakes, memories.” Hawk leaned up on one elbow and led her hand down to the side of his stomach. “Your dad gave me this one.”

She appreciated art and knew each picture had to have meaning. Sophia pulled her hand away and looked at the small abstract skull. “He actually did it himself?”

“A long time ago.”

Sophia had no clue her father had an artistic bone in his body. He’d always been a complete mystery. He’d never spoken to her about himself or his past. Although he never demanded she stop her painting, so maybe he understood her passion. She ran her finger over the picture, trying to capture a piece of the father she knew so little about.

“It’s my most cherished piece. It’ll always remind me of him.”

She scowled at that. Her feelings toward her father were volatile and mixed. And Hawk’s loyalty to a dead man was getting old. “Maybe I’ll get one myself.”

He shook his head, running the backs of his fingers down the length of her arm. It felt way too good. “No way. He’d never approve.”

“He’s gone, Hawk. I make my decisions now.”

“Guess I’ll have to take his place.”

She wanted to retch. “You want to be my daddy?”

“I want to take care of you. Besides, you’re perfect the way you are. A tattoo would only ruin that.” He tapped her lips with his finger, and she hadn’t realized they were pursed. She was tired of being treated like a child, especially by Hawk. “No more pouting.”

She grabbed his wrist and made him cup the side of her face with his palm. Sophia closed her eyes and leaned into his touch, not letting him pull away.

She loved him.

Had for years.

But he only thought of her as a responsibility, a child needing supervision.

She turned her head and kissed the inside of his rough palm. Instead of lecturing her, he shifted to his side, pushing up on his elbow until they were almost face to face. His chest rose and fell, on the brink of control. He gently cradled the back of her head and pulled her closer.

Is this actually happening?

Sophia parted her lips and sighed when they kissed. She’d been waiting for this forever. He was slow, gentle, and deliciously thorough. So much better than her fantasies. Hawk pushed himself higher until his weight was braced on his hand, his big ribs pushing her backward to the mattress. She felt as if she was being consumed, swallowed whole by his much larger frame.

This was exactly what she wanted, what she’d been dreaming of.

She ran her hand over his shoulder and down his back, needing to feel him, wanting him all over her. Never wanting tonight to end.

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