Hawk

by Zoe Hart

  “I doubt that. In fact, I bet she’d be better off than he would if he lost her. After all, she already knows how to take care of the house and do all of that. I’m sure since he sells insurance that she would be taken care of financially. That’s the hardest part. I mean, if you’ve never worked outside the house. And if you only work outside of the house, then it’s hard to figure out how to take care of yourself when you’ve had someone else to do it all those years, and that’s what your mother brings to the table. She’s not last. They’re actually a team.” I kissed her forehead. I wanted to say more. “You’re lucky,” I began. “At least you know your parents love each other.” I looked away. I wasn’t sure I knew how to explain this without revealing too much. I caught her staring at me, and I planned to change the subject. Taryn beat me to it.

  She rolled on top of me, straddled me, then sat up and smiled. “Here’s the thing. I’m kind of wondering if maybe you’d like to be my rebound. You know, like the in-between guy. The one who helps me get over the hump from the break-up before I start dating anybody else.” Taryn bit her lower lip while she waited for my response. That was a huge mistake.

  I wrapped my arms around her and rolled us until I was on top. “So, no strings? Because right now, I’m not the kind of guy to build even next week on—maybe not even tomorrow on. Understand? I wish it could be different. I wish because of you.” This wasn’t a line. I knew this even as I spoke. I truly meant it. I wished things could’ve been different. Even a month would’ve made a huge difference.

  “No strings.” Taryn smiled at me. “Let’s face it, I’m just getting out of a relationship that I’m discovering was a really big mistake. Still, I’m ready to take a chance with you. I don’t need to walk past the fires to see him making out with Amelia and forgetting me. I’ll stay here all night if I have to.”

  “We should stay here all night regardless. Neither of us is in any condition to drive. And I don’t really feel like being a graduation night statistic.” I looked around and realized where we were. My parents had a place around the corner on the point. They were home, miles and miles away from our lake house, and I knew the key code to the doors.

  I brushed her hair away from her face. I wanted to remember every bit of this time with her. I was soaking it all in, the brown eyes and dirty blonde hair, the small, full lips and her cute button nose. I held her hands in mine, marveling at how tiny she felt compared to me. And yet at the same time, I remembered the wallop she’d given her ex. This was not someone to mess with. If only I were staying, Taryn would be someone I could be serious about.

  I stood up while carefully setting her on the beach sand. “I’m going to be right back,” I told her. “I’ll let Peyton know that you’re staying with me. Did you drive?”

  Taryn shook her head. “No, she drove me.”

  “Then I’ll let her know I’m taking you home.” I kissed her temple, letting my lips linger over her skin a moment. When I pulled away, I inhaled her scent once more. The way she was smiling as I met her gaze told me she knew I’d paused for a sniff. And I could feel my ears burn.

  After standing, I strode towards the groups at the fires and saw Peyton sitting with a few friends while staring at a guy with another girl. I knew that look. There was some serious unrequited love going on. I tapped her on the shoulder. “Hey, I’m going to drive Taryn home, okay?” I paused and watched for her reaction.

  She looked toward the beach and we both saw Taryn smile and wave. I guess that was all the information she needed to make her decision. “Okay, but if you do anything to hurt her, I’m coming after you. You should also know she has a brother. He’s big. Plays football. He’s not someone you want to mess with.” She made a serious face.

  I laughed. “I get it. I’ve been warned. And don’t worry, Taryn and I have an understanding. I’m not going to hurt her. Got it?”

  Peyton seemed unconvinced. Still, she finally nodded slowly. I grabbed one more Solo cup of punch and walked over to my friends. I motioned for Sebastian to come talk to me.

  “So, I met someone,” I began.

  “I noticed,” he teased. “Hell, even her ex noticed. He’s a dick, by the way.”

  I chuckled. “True story.” I rocked on my heels a moment and realized the ex was glaring at me. If he thought he hated me now, then he was really going to love this. “Sebastian, I don’t suppose you have any…protection on you?”

  He frowned. “No. I wasn’t thinking…”

  One of the other guys from St. Thomas, Fallon, passed me a condom without even standing up from his spot at the fire. Then he slapped me five. I didn’t need the support, but I’d definitely take the prophylactic. I hadn’t planned for this. I left the house in such a mood, with no desire to be close to anyone. I never expected to meet Taryn.

  I said my goodbyes to my friends. I had a plan. We were going to walk the beach and disappear into the privacy of my family’s lake house. Some alone time was the least she deserved. I couldn’t wait to be alone with her, even if we did nothing but sleep away from all those prying eyes.

  When I reached her again, I passed her the drink and offered her a hand to stand. “What now?” she asked with a grin.

  “Now we walk,” I suggested. I gestured to the distance. In the dark we could barely make out the shadows of houses on the shore.

  She inhaled deeply. “Let me guess…family beach house?” And when I nodded, she shook her head.

  “What’s wrong with that?” I asked.

  “Nothing. I’ve never done anything like this. I’m not really that girl.” She blew out a breath.

  Reaching for her hand, I pulled her back. “We’re just going to get away from everyone, if you want. Otherwise, we can stay here.”

  She laughed. “Away from everyone is good. And I have no idea why I’m so worried about what you think of me.”

  “I think you’re smart and beautiful. I think you were dealt a blow to your ego tonight, and maybe your heart. And I think that the two of us can turn some lemons into lemonade, or lemon meringue pie, or that lemon pound cake at Starbucks.” I shrugged.

  “Oh, I love that lemon pound loaf. And there’s that glaze…” Taryn groaned.

  “I’ll take you to breakfast. Promise,” I murmured, happy to find an excuse to spend more time with her.

  “Cool. I’m holding you to that,” she replied.

  We’d been walking, slipping in the sand, our strides matching perfectly. I was so enthralled by everything about Taryn that I almost passed our house. “Oh, here. We’re here.” I turned and tugged her to follow me up the path. In minutes, we were at the backdoor.

  I punched the code in and the door opened. Since I didn’t want my mother to kill me, I knew we had to do a few things before we walked inside. We took off our shoes on the porch, rinsed off any lingering sand in the outdoor shower, and then dried using towels just inside the back door from the rack in the mudroom.

  From there, I gave her the grand tour. “One day, this will be mine,” I murmured. “My family barely comes here, but this is my favorite place in the world.”

  “I’ve barely left Michigan,” Taryn commented vaguely.

  “On the wall in my room, I have a world map.” I winked. “Want me to show you all the places we can go?”

  “You’ll show me the world, huh?” She snickered. “Come on, Aladdin. I’m ready for that carpet ride.”

  We both knew what was going to happen and I was pretty sure we were both into it, but that didn’t mean that I didn’t ask her frequently to make sure she was still on board. “Can I kiss you?” I whispered seconds after we climbed onto my bed.

  She nodded. “Asking for consent is so sexy,” she responded in a husky voice.

  We kissed until I could barely catch my breath. Our hands were everywhere, a flurry of action as I worked to memorize every plane of her skin, every curve of her body. She had this perfect flat stomach, and tiny waist. Her hips flared and I rested my hands on them as I laid down and pulled her on t
op. She smiled at me. “I’m a lot buzzed and seriously tired. I don’t know how long I’ll last tonight. I’m sorry.”

  “Same. The lasting part. I think I just confessed that I’m about to be a terrible lay.” I chuckled. “How do you bring out that level of honesty in me?”

  “I think because I’m so open. My biggest flaw.” She blushed. I couldn’t see it, but I could feel it against my hand. Her cheek was warm.

  Soon, we were naked. While the moon provided ambience, I picked my pants off the floor and pulled the condom out of my pocket. “May I?”

  “I’d be more upset if you didn’t.” Taryn reached out and cupped my cheek. Then she ran her hands down my chest while I fumbled with the wrapper. And I tried to make it look like I knew what I was doing, but the truth was I’d only had sex a handful of times. I was less than impressed with the stuck-up chicks at our school. Little did I know that someone like Taryn was one public school away.

  With the condom on, Taryn surprised me by taking the top. “I mean…if you don’t think you’ll last long,” she teased.

  I didn’t care. Watching her on top of me was my new favorite thing. I wished the moon were brighter. I wished I’d left a light on. I wished tonight could last forever because it was going to have to last at least five years.

  She rode me while I fondled her breasts, tugging on her back until she was close enough so I could draw one nipple into my mouth, then the other. Taryn responded with a moan. My cock jerked inside her. I knew I was close and I refused to finish before she did.

  When I thought I was about to make a complete fool of myself with Taryn, I grabbed her shoulder with one hand and wrapped the other around her waist. I was about to roll us, but she whimpered, “Not yet.”

  Seconds later, I could feel Taryn contracting around me while her breathing came out in little pants. Her eyes opened slightly. She smiled shyly and nodded.

  “Now?” I grinned.

  I rolled us over, holding her so tightly that I felt every inch of her body against mine. I don’t know where the thought came from, but I almost dropped the “L” word on her, which made no sense. I didn’t even tell my parents that. And yet I knew she was special. She made me feel in a way I never had before.

  “I wish I could stay here forever with you,” I whispered against her lips before I kissed her and slammed into her one last time. Her legs wrapped even more tightly around my hips. I couldn’t get close enough. Then I felt it, the eruption. I pushed deeper, hoping I wasn’t hurting her. Based on how tightly she squeezed me, and the kisses she planted all over my lips, my cheeks, and down my neck, she felt it too.

  Slowly, I pulled out, saddened that I couldn’t stay in her longer, disappointed that I had to break our connection. “I’ll go get a towel,” I murmured in her ear.

  She nodded and rolled over, pulling the comforter around her. I stared at her a minute, the way the moonlight kissed her skin. God, she was special.

  In the bathroom, I flushed the dripping condom as quickly as possible. No way was I leaving evidence behind. Then I cleaned off and brought her a warm washcloth and a hand towel. Taryn was already asleep. I wiped her gently, surprised at the way she opened her legs for me. Ever so carefully, I patted her dry. And when I was done, I tossed them in the hamper and climbed into bed with her.

  She rolled into my arms like this was completely natural. Instantly, I was jealous of anyone who had come before me or would come after, while I was gone. I wanted Taryn, and not for one night. She was the kind of person I’d want forever.

  To save this moment forever, I picked up my phone, held it above us, and took a picture of me, lips pressed against her forehead, giving her a kiss.

  4

  Taryn

  August, Five years ago…

  “Wake up!” my mother shouted at me from the open doorway.

  I tried to open my eyes. I knew what would happen if I failed to prove my alertness. She’d come in and jump on me. That was no way to start the day.

  “I’m awake,” I mumbled as I rolled over and buried myself further under the blanket.

  My mother huffed and entered the room, her footsteps heavy on the carpet. “I don’t have time for this today, Taryn. I have a job interview.”

  That woke me up. In all my life my mother had never had a job. Now she was making an effort to get one? I struggled to sit up. “Why?”

  I suppose I worried that I was causing them money issues, that covering college was putting a financial burden on the family that didn’t previously exist. After all, Braxton hadn’t gone to college. And up until now, I’d taken classes, but only paid by the course each semester while in high school.

  My mother’s hands were on her hips. “You’re going to be gone. Braxton has moved out. So, I figured it was time for me to start a new chapter in my life.” Mom took a few steps closer to the bed and sank down on the end near my feet. “You don’t need me anymore, Taryn, so I’m going to try things that I’ve never tried before. Plus, your father said that with the added income, he could retire sooner and then we could travel more. With that added incentive, I’m really excited.”

  I smiled. “Good. Then I’m happy for you.” I glanced at the clock and realized it was only eight in the morning. “And why am I up this early? I don’t have classes on Fridays.”

  I had been going to the local university for veterinary tech classes ever since my junior year in high school. I was one semester away from having my vet tech degree, which worked out perfectly since it meant that while all the rest of my friends were home on breaks working fast food or the movie theater, I could have a real job making real money at the local animal hospital.

  “You have a doctor’s appointment. Remember? You have to turn in your shot record and provide a clean bill of health before moving into the dorms and starting college in a few more weeks.” She stood and made her way back to the door. “The appointment is scheduled for ten. Better get moving.”

  I rolled out of bed, stretched, and heard her leave the house. The front door clicked shut behind her. For a split second, I relished the quiet, which was quickly followed by a moment of panic. How was I supposed to get to the doctor if she was taking the only other vehicle?

  Racing downstairs, I nearly tripped before reaching the landing, but I quickly recovered. My plan was to reach the door and flag her down before she made it out of the driveway. And like most my plans, it was derailed by Braxton.

  “Gross. Put some clothes on.” He scowled at me.

  I was wearing a racer back tank top and booty shorts because of the summer heat. “What are you doing here?” I wrapped my arms around my body to cover my chest. This was not how I wanted my twenty-year-old brother to see me.

  On the bright side, he clearly didn’t want to see me this way either. “I told Mom I’d take you to the doctor when she found out she had an interview this morning.”

  I nodded numbly, realizing that Mom always had things under control. I wondered if I’d ever be as organized as she was when I grew up. “Okay I’ll go get showered and dressed. Maybe we can swing by the coffee shop for breakfast on the way through.”

  “That’s the plan. And you’re buying.” Braxton chuckled at his cleverness.

  Half an hour later we were pulling into the café. “I’d really appreciate it if you could try not to embarrass me in public this time.” My eyebrow arched while I stared him down.

  He laid a hand on his chest. “Embarrassing? Me? I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

  “The twinkle in your eyes tells me something different. Oh, but in case you need a refresher, let’s talk about the minor stuff like blowing the paper off the straw into my face. Every. Single. Time. Or, we could talk about last Christmas when I ate a gingerbread man and you provided the sound effects, which included a high-pitched blood curdling scream that was muffled when I bit off its head. Any of these ring a bell?”

  Braxton snorted. “That was one of my favorites. And come on, you have to admit that was funny.”<
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  “I’ll do no such thing. And for the record: you’re why Mom won’t come anywhere with us anymore.” I crossed my arms over my chest. “Behave.”

  He hopped out of the vehicle and rushed around to my side to pull open my door for me. And when I gave him a wary look, he mumbled something about how he was trying to behave. “More like trying my patience.”

  Once inside, we ordered our coffees and muffins to go. I went with a chocolate chip muffin because…is there really any other breakfast kind? Meanwhile, Braxton opted for the classic bran muffin with crumb topping because he’s eighty, stuck in a twenty-year-old body. My drink came out first, so I took a swig of the mocha while waiting on his caramel rappuccino. That’s when I turned and found Mia sitting at a table alone. I was going to say hello. After all, we graduated together, even if we never were friends. She was part of the group that I liked to call the mean girls. Popularity was everything to them, but I hoped since we were out of high school that she might be over that attitude by now.

  Before I could even say a word to her, I heard her sniffle and saw her swipe at her eyes. She seemed to be texting madly and would occasionally let out a little squeak or growl. I had no idea what had upset her, but now was not the time to test out a potential new friendship. I was leaving town in a few weeks anyway.

  “Hey, wasn’t that Mia?” Braxton asked as we climbed into his car.

  “Yeah. How do you know her?” I frowned.

  “Duh. She dated Jordan, who was on the football team.”

  “Dated? Like past tense?” My head tilted as I wondered if this was the cause of her mood.

  “I don’t know. They’re your age. It’s your job to keep up with them. All I know is that he went off to college and she was supposed to be going to LA with Sasha to become an actress or something.”

  Last I heard, Sasha had already left for LA. Maybe Mia was wrecked about being left behind.

  We drove to the doctor’s office in silence, other than the radio. After he parked the vehicle, I looked at him and sighed. “This is my annual girl doctor appointment. You won’t be coming in. Would you rather stay in the vehicle? I’ll be as quick as I can.”