“You want a chair,” Ethan asked, nodding to the ones in the corner. I rarely used them anymore.
I shook my head and took a swig from my bottle. “Remember all the crap we used to do out here when we were kids?”
He sat down next to me. “Yeah. I drank my first beer out here. Avery was always sunbathing in her lawn chair over there.” He nodded to the far end of the terrace. “She was always greased up like a wet seal.”
We laughed at the memories, and then we were back to the brutal here and now.
“So, what did you want to talk to me about?”
He downed half his beer and looked up at the sky. “I was just hoping we could kind of forget about everything that’s happened recently. I never meant to get you involved in this Rebecca shit.”
“I know you didn’t. Rebecca is an opportunist who’ll use anyone to get what she wants. She’s a snake. We didn’t see it before because she didn’t dare pull all these stunts when Mom was alive. She would have eaten Rebecca alive. Chewed her up and spit her back out.”
“Christ,” he said, shaking his head. “When did it all get so fucked up?”
“The day she drove out to the Hamptons and walked into the ocean. That’s when the feeding frenzy started. I still can’t believe Cabot would betray her wishes the way he has.”
Ethan huffed. “Cabot’s always been power hungry. It’s the only thing that makes him feel important.” He shrugged. “I mean Mom had it all, and Uncle Samuel was like her twin. I guess Cabot felt inferior most of his life.”
“Yeah, right. He’s rich, gorgeous, and runs an empire. Temporarily,” I added. “Maybe all the women he keeps around the city can throw him a pity party. Rebecca probably knows about them and doesn’t give a shit as long as he gives her anything she asks for.”
He finished his beer and looked at me thoughtfully. “Do you really want to be CEO of Winterborne Holdings?”
“Well, not now, but in a few years I’ll be ready.”
“That’s not what I asked you. Do you want to be CEO?”
I’d never even asked myself that question. It was just something I knew I had to do. “It was her wish. I don’t have a choice.”
He scoffed and stood up. “Of course you do.”
We both looked up when we saw the shadow of a hawk overhead. “Would you like to meet him?”
Ethan’s face hardened. “Don’t tell me you’re still seeing him?”
“I thought I made it clear the other night when the Elders tried to condemn him. I’ll see whoever I want.”
“He’s a vampire, Morgan! You know, our sworn enemies.” His face was filled with loathing.
“We’re not having this conversation again. You can stay and meet him, or you can leave.”
Hawk landed on the terrace and shifted, towering over Ethan. At first he didn’t say a word, but then he kissed me before turning back to Ethan to extend his hand.
Ethan glanced at it. “You’ll have to forgive me if I’m not ready to shake the hand of a vampire.”
Hawk dropped his hand. “And here I was ready to shake the hand of a hunter.”
Sensing an impending war of words, I tried to defuse the situation. “I appreciate the olive branch, Hawk, but Ethan, I think it’s time for you to go.”
“You’re right.” He gave Hawk a warning looked and headed for the terrace door.
“I’m sorry about that,” I said after my brother left. “When he looks at you, all he sees is a vampire. He’ll come around eventually.”
Hawk put his arms around me and pulled me against him. “He’s right to be suspicious of me. For all he knows, I’m planning to seduce you and turn you into a vampire too.”
I chuckled and pushed him away. “I’m already a vampire like you.”
“Like me? You’re nothing like me. You’re a beast.”
I smiled and ran my hands around his waist. “I was afraid you wouldn’t come. After what you told me last night.”
“My sister was lost before the Circle found her. It wasn’t her anymore. If they hadn’t killed her, I would have had to do it.” The sadness in his eyes was unbearable.
I pressed my face to his chest so I didn’t have to look at them anymore. “Stay with me tonight. I’ll even make you dinner.”
I took him by the hand and led him into the kitchen to scrounge up something to eat. “Hmm…” There was nothing remotely appetizing in my kitchen, but I intended to feed him a good meal. “I’ll be right back.” I went to the living room to find my phone and make a call. A few minutes later, I walked back into the kitchen and grabbed a couple of bottles of beer from the refrigerator. “Dinner is on the way.”
“You know you don’t have to bribe me with food. I’ll just eat you instead.”
“Huh. I never thought about that.”
Five minutes later, I heard Otto’s voice announce Michael as he walked into the penthouse. One of the benefits of having a chef for a brother was the ability to order a good meal and have it delivered almost immediately. As a consultant, he developed world-class recipes out of his own kitchen and had a giant freezer full of delectable entrées just waiting for a turn in the microwave.
“You’re a lifesaver,” I said when he walked into the kitchen carrying a bag.
He set it on the counter and stared at Hawk. “So you’re my sister’s latest distraction.”
Hawk fought back a grin.
“I approve,” he said, holding out his hand. “I’m Michael.”
Hawk shook my younger brother’s hand and finally let his guard down. “As least one brother doesn’t want my head on a platter.”
“So you’ve met Ethan?”
“He left a few minutes ago,” I said. “He can’t wrap his head around the idea that all vampires aren’t Night Walkers.”
“Well, I’m not as ignorant as my older brother.” He started to unpack our dinner. “I hope you like Italian. I wasn’t sure if you’re eating meat these days,” he said to me. “I decided to err on the side of caution and bring you eggplant cannelloni. And you’re in luck. I made it this afternoon.” He put the dish in the microwave and leaned across the counter. “So, I hear you’re also a hawk.”
“I am. I guess I’m a little of everything.”
Michael straightened back up and grinned at me. “Four minutes on high. I also threw in a little dessert.”
I peeked at the decadent parfait in the bag, and my mouth literally watered. “Michael specializes in anything that contains boatloads of sugar. We’re in for a real treat tonight.”
“Can’t wait to try it,” Hawk said. “I told Morgan she didn’t have to feed me, but thank you.”
“It’s the least I can do for the man who saved my sister from the Reaper. I won’t forget that. Free food for life.” He gave Hawk a final look and motioned for me to see him to the elevator.
I started the microwave and walked him out. “What do you think?” I asked as we reached the foyer.
“About Hawk? You didn’t mention he looked like that. Be still, my loins.”
“Yeah, sometimes I think he’s too good to be true. Thanks for the food.”
When I came back into the kitchen, Hawk was setting out plates. “I like your brother. He’s nothing like Ethan.”
“That’s an understatement. Michael would walk through fire for me while Ethan wished me luck.”
I pulled the food from the microwave and filled our plates while Hawk got himself another beer. “I guess this is our first official dinner date.”
We sat down and dived into Michael’s latest creation.
“Your brother can definitely cook. This is amazing.”
“It always is.” I took a bite and glanced over at him. “Got any plans for tomorrow night?”
He shrugged and grinned. “I was hoping to be here with you.”
“I’m having dinner with my sister, and I want you to come with me.”
“You mean the sister who walked in on us?”
Avery had met Hawk in an embarrassi
ng way. She’d walked in my bedroom unannounced one morning and caught us half-naked. The same morning Rebecca claimed she’d been attacked by him. Avery had unknowingly been part of his alibi. Fortunately, it wasn’t necessary for her to testify because I finally confessed that Hawk had been with me that night and didn’t leave until well after the attack happened the next morning.
“That’s the one. There’s something going on with her. She met some guy at a Buddhist temple that claims to be some kind of spiritual advisor. At a Buddhist temple. Christ, she’s the least spiritual person I’ve ever known. And now she’s living with him. We’re all worried about her because he seems to be controlling her life, and I intend to find out what he’s up to.” I put Hawk’s mind at ease. “Dinner isn’t until eight, so it should be late enough for you to come with me.” Despite the myth, sunlight didn’t make all vampires burst into flames. I was the perfect example of that, and so was Hawk. But it did make him extremely uncomfortable and drained him of his energy unless he was in his hawk form. But I couldn’t take a hawk to dinner, could I? “Besides, it’s a good way for you to get to know my sister after that sketchy introduction in the bedroom.”
Taking his last bite, he put his fork down and finished his beer. “Of course I’ll come. What should I wear?”
“Avery will probably be dressed to the nines, but she’d a wear a cocktail dress to the grocery store. You can wear jeans for all I care, but I warn you, you’ll be getting disapproving looks from her all night if you do.”
“So I guess my denim overalls are out of the question?”
“If you intend to come home with me, they are.”
He laughed and changed to subject. “Where’s your phone?”
I turned around and grabbed it from the counter. “Why?”
“Just give it to me.”
I handed it to him and watched him tap something into the keypad. When he handed it back to me, my contact list was pulled up on the screen with his name and number displayed. “Is this what I think it is?”
He grinned. “Just in case you need to reach me.”
“Well, I’ll be damned. You’ve decided to enter the twenty-first century.”
Hawk had never owned a phone. He said he’d never needed one until he met me. I guess it was too late now to buy him one as a gift.
I set the phone down and pulled the parfait out of the bag. “Want some dessert?”
His lips parted slightly as his eyes lingered on mine, making the lower regions of my stomach flicker. “I want you,” he said in a whisper.
The flicker ignited into a flame, and I took his hand to lead him out of the kitchen. “Otto,” I said as we walked through the living room, “don’t let anyone up to the penthouse until I say otherwise.”
I was putting an end to the queen’s open-door policy that my mother had instituted. No more surprise guests.
The second we walked into the bedroom, Hawk pinned me against the wall and kissed me. He worked his way down my neck and torso, dropping to his knees and pushing my shirt up to pepper my stomach with more soft, wet kisses. His hands moved down, gliding over my hips before coming to rest on the button of my pants.
The anticipation halted as he stopped trying to work it free and looked up at me. “Maybe we should go slower.”
“Slower, huh?” With my knee, I pushed him back and stepped away from the wall. When he stood up, I approached him and unbuttoned the top of his shirt. Then I opened two more buttons and ran my finger slowly from the hollow of his neck to the center of his chest. “You mean like this?”
His golden eyes grew darker. Smoky. A shade of rich amber.
I gasped as he worked his hand around my waist and pulled my hips firmly against him, his cheek brushing mine with a featherlight touch that sent a brilliant shiver through my entire body.
“More like this.” He ran his lips gently over my eyelids, traveling down to the edge of my mouth where his tongue caressed my skin. “Are you ready for me, Morgan?”
“Yes,” I said in a breathy whisper.
“You’re a vampire now. Tonight will be different. You’ll want more than you’ve ever wanted before, and so will I. Don’t be afraid to take what you need from me.”
It was almost painful the way the lust was building inside me. And my hunger was back. It scared the hell out of me as I found myself running my lips over his neck with my teeth slightly grazing his skin.
As I tried to step back and gain control, he shook his head and started to lift my shirt. I raised my arms while he removed it. Then he undressed himself and stood back to give me a good look. I’d seen his magnificent body many times, but tonight his skin seemed to glow against the light shining through the windows. For a moment I could barely catch my breath.
He stepped forward and reached for the button of my pants, but I stopped him. I wanted him to watch as I slowly took off the rest of my clothes. Wanted him to feel what he’d made me feel. I wanted to feast on his eyes as he watched me.
As I bent down and removed my last piece of clothing, he swept me off my feet and carried me across the room where he laid me on the bed, his intense eyes never leaving mine. Climbing on top of me, he placed his knees at the sides of my hips, kneeling and gazing down at me. He must have sensed my hunger and knew what I wanted to do to him, because he held me firmly against the mattress with the palm of his hand.
“When?” I asked, reaching for him when it became unbearable.
He lay down next to me and rolled me on top of him. “Now.”
It was the last word we spoke that night as I sank my teeth into his warm skin and ravaged him relentlessly until morning.
Chapter 9
Hawk showed up at seven thirty. In a few weeks, the sun would start to set later in the evening, and we’d have to adjust our social calendar accordingly. At least we could sleep in longer without him having to rush off so early.
I’d never seen him in anything but jeans or leather, so the black slacks and shirt was a nice change, the dark clothing making his platinum hair stand out even more than usual.
“You look really nice,” I said.
He grabbed me around the waist when I turned around to shut the terrace door, burying his face in my hair. “I enjoyed last night,” he whispered.
I felt my fair skin flush. Last night was more than amazing; it was primal. I was no prude, but we did things to each other that would make a pro blush. But the most intense part was the biting. Having been up all night, we overslept, and Hawk had to leave as soon as he got his clothes on, so there hadn’t been any time to talk about it. It also spared me from an awkward breakfast conversation. I’d been aroused all day just thinking about him.
“Is it like that with every vampire you sleep with?”
He let go and turned me around to face him. “How many do you think I’ve slept with?”
“Quite a few,” I replied with arched brows.
His grin was fleeting. “It’s always intense when two vampires have sex, but last night wasn’t just about that. At least it wasn’t for me.”
I gave him a shy smile. “I’m just curious, Hawk. I’ve never had such an intense experience before.”
“Yeah, it was… amazing.”
Either he was blowing smoke up my ass or I was better than I gave myself credit for. “I guess we’ll have to do it more often then.”
After a moment of gazing at each other, I shook it off before I decided to cancel dinner altogether. “We need to get going or we’ll be late, and trust me, we don’t want to be late for Avery’s dinner party.”
I grabbed a bottle of wine, and we headed down to the lobby. Thank God we didn’t run into Cabot or Rebecca. I wasn’t in the mood for a scene, and they’d definitely make one if they saw Hawk, even if it was just to reinforce Rebecca’s bogus accusations against him.
“Hawk.” Jakob greeted him with a firm nod. “It’s good to see you again.” He looked at me and lost his pleasant smile. “Be careful tonight, Mora. Avery’s new man may be nothi
ng more than a carpetbagger, but if he isn’t, there’s no telling what he might do.”
“Thanks, Jakob, but I think Hawk and I can handle him.”
“It’s not you I’m worried about. Men like that tend to act on their anger when the party’s over and the guests leave. Your sister has a way of attracting assholes and letting them walk all over her. Just keep that in mind tonight.”
I’d never thought about that. If he ever touched her, I’d make him regret it.
We headed outside when Edward pulled the car around.
“You don’t have to do that anymore,” I said when he got out and opened the rear door for us.
“Just being a gentleman. Get in.”
As the car pulled away, Edward started to say something but glanced at Hawk and hesitated.
“You can speak freely around Hawk,” I said. “He knows about the Order. And since he’s a vampire, he’ll be useful to us.”
The car swerved as Edward gave Hawk a long look through the mirror and almost hit a taxi.
“Take it easy. He’s my boyfriend, and he doesn’t bite. In fact, I think Samuel made him an honorary member,” I muttered, recalling their introduction the night I pinned my uncle to the wall and tried to rip his throat out. “By the way, did Samuel tell you what happened in Brooklyn?”
“You mean about how you almost got yourself killed?” he said, snickering quietly.
Hawk gave me a questioning look. “What is he talking about?”
“Your girlfriend learned a valuable lesson yesterday afternoon.”
I closed my eyes and sighed. I had enough to worry about tonight, and the last thing I needed was to be distracted by Hawk’s anger for not telling him what happened. “Edward is not my driver anymore.”
“Oh yes I am,” he said, taking his hands off the steering wheel and grabbing it again before almost hitting another car. “See?”
“He’s a member of the Order. The chauffeur gig is a front. He was working with my mother the whole time he was driving her around town.”
Hawk glanced at Edward before looking back at me. “And what’s this Brooklyn thing?”
Savage Sons (House of Winterborne Book 2) Page 7