Page 15 of Witness Protection

He trailed kisses down her neck—soft, gentle kisses. The scent of his musky cologne was an aphrodisiac. His skin felt almost hot, and the tenderness of his touch had her entire body aching. Sophia craved so much more.

“Hawk…”

“You’ve always been my weakness, Sophia.”

Her body thrummed, her heart leaping in anticipation. She held his shoulder and leaned up to kiss his jawline. Sophia whispered in his ear without a second thought. “I love you.”

His body tensed, and he grabbed a handful of the comforter until his knuckles turned white. He dropped his head, taking deep, measured breaths. “I’m sorry. I’ve got to go.”

He rushed from the room.

“Hawk!”

What had she done wrong? Disappointment and shame assaulted her until her eyes welled with tears. Her father’s constant suspicions, and now Hawk’s rejection, made her feel dirty.

It had been too good to be true. Too perfect. It had to come crashing down, like everything else in her life.

Hawk had been coming and going more often lately, like he couldn’t stand the sight of her. Maybe he was getting cabin fever and those perfect kisses were meaningless.

They’d been staying in the same suite for five days. He’d been sleeping on the sofa every night since their room only had one king bed. Hawk was probably regretting his decision to babysit her for so long.

The most exciting thing they’d done was play cards or watch movies at night. This whole thing was ridiculous. No one was after her, and Hawk was being overprotective like he’d always been. Her father was controlling her from beyond the grave, but she did as Hawk instructed, and didn’t leave the suite.

Sophia used the alone time to take her evening shower. It had been her habit for as long as she could remember, and helped her sleep at night.

She closed her eyes as the warm water flowed over her hair and body. Her showers were more than getting clean; they were her therapy. She imagined all her worries and all the blood in her memories washing down the drain. Her nightmares hadn’t let up. They’d start with her painting in the foyer as a little girl. They’d end with blood coating the white marble and her father’s dead eyes staring back at her.

Now she had a new problem. Hawk had awakened something inside her. Her entire body was on fire, craving Hawk’s touch again. Craving so many filthy things. He was strong and gentle in equal parts, and she wanted him to use her, to make her his. They’d crossed that invisible boundary, and, for her, there was no turning back.

She stepped out onto the mat and dried off with the oversized bath towel. The mirror had fogged up, so she wiped her hand across it. She kept telling herself she couldn’t wait to leave, to get back to normal. But what was normal now? Life would never be the same again. Maybe she’d stay in this hotel room with Hawk, avoiding reality forever.

It was a nice thought.

She smoothed cream all over her body and dressed in a fresh t-shirt and yoga pants. Her choices were limited. Since she never left the suite, it was all about comfort. Sophia grabbed her brush from the top of the dresser and sat on the edge of the bed to start combing out the small knots.

Brushing her hair had always been soothing for her. She’d imagine her mother doing it, everything in vivid detail, right down to the feeling of tender love. Of course, it was all fictional, her imagination giving her a little taste of what she’d never had. Her mother was killed when she was born. There wasn’t even a picture to keep. She’d only had men in her life—her father, his hired hands, Hawk.

The mirror in front of her was massive with an elaborate carved gold frame. Everything about their penthouse suite was luxurious right down to the smallest detail. Back home, her father insisted on all the finer things in life. Material things failed to impress her.

She heard Hawk return a while later. Her heart began to race, and her cheeks flushed hot, remembering the taste of his kiss. She didn’t want him to be mad at her, to blame her for seducing him. What she wanted was to continue where they left off. She’d probably just end up apologizing and stifling her true emotions.

Her hair was nearly smooth, so she hurried up to finish, wanting to look her best. A dark shadow appeared in the reflection of the mirror. He’d come into her room. What would he say to her? Her breath caught in her throat, her pussy aching. She swore she’d spontaneously combust.

“Hawk?”

He didn’t answer her. She got up to check but didn’t even get a chance to turn around before a rough hand slapped over her mouth from behind.

Hawk would never hurt her.

“No screaming.” It was a man’s voice. A deep whisper that she knew would haunt her forever. Was it one of her father’s enemies? The man they were hiding from?

When he turned her, forcing her to walk forward, she saw him in the reflection. Those blue eyes, and now a scar on his face.

It was him.

Her father’s murderer.

He was going to kill her.

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