“It’s amazing. I love it.”
“I knew you would,” was all he said. They rode in silence after that, drinking in the splendor of the evening. At one point he guided the bike off the road onto a lane that ran steeply uphill. At last they came out on a plateau, the hills tumbling away to the lake below.
“That’s Hawk’s Nest, isn’t it?”
“Yep.” Hawk turned the key and let the bike go quiet. For a few minutes they sat there without speaking, just looking out over the land. It was beautiful with its patchwork of varying shades of green rippling over the hillsides, the farmhouse sparkling white, the silvery blue of the lake shining in the rays of the lowering sun.
“Sometimes I still find it hard to believe it’s all mine,” he murmured quietly before climbing off the bike. “Come on, let’s stretch our legs.
Robyn’s legs were a little unsteady making the switch from bike to land, but she managed to swing her leg to the ground and stand shakily before him. He took her hand and led her further down the path.
“This is my land, too,” he told her, turning to face her and taking her hands in his. “This is where I’m going to build my dream house one of these days… someday when I’m ready to take a wife and start a family.”
Chapter 16
His topaz eyes held her gaze, his face solemn. “I’ve never shown this piece of property to another woman… but I wanted you to see it.”
“It’s beautiful, Hawk.”
“Look, I’ll build a big deck here, facing the lake. Can you imagine the view at sunset? Or in the autumn when the woods are on fire with color? Or the winter, when the hills are all painted white and black? And here, this is where the staircase will be that leads down to the lake.”
Robyn picked up some of his enthusiasm. “And the master bedroom should face this way, too, looking out at the water.”
“Mmm hmm. With French doors that open onto the deck.”
They stood there for a moment, each of them imagining what the home would look like, each of them wondering if she would share that home with him. Would she ever wake up in that master bedroom? Would she ever share that bed with him?
Hawk moved closer and slid an arm around her waist, snugging her to him. She just fit under the slant of his shoulder, safe, warm, protected.
No, not protected. No one had ever protected her. She had no reason to believe anyone ever would. But she needed to indulge in this moment, needed to pretend for a little while.
“Whoever shares this with you will be a lucky woman.”
“She’ll be a very special woman. A woman with courage, a woman with pride. In fact, I think she’ll be a lot like you.” He grinned and dropped a kiss on her forehead.
She wanted to say something casual, something funny, but she found she couldn’t speak at all. There was a lump in her throat that wouldn’t go away. She let herself imagine for just a minute what that would be like, to be married to Hawk, to wake up next to him every morning. To go to sleep with him by her side every night. To raise children with him. To know that they would be together forever.
But things like that didn’t happen in Robyn’s world. No one stayed together, nobody loved forever. Hadn’t she seen enough to know that? She shook her head to rid herself of the image.
“It’s getting dark, Hawk. Shouldn’t we be heading back?”
She felt him stiffen against her momentarily then turned and headed back to the bike. “You’re probably right. We need to get something to eat, too. Let’s go.”
Robyn knew he was disturbed by her reaction but she couldn’t help it. He expected way more from her than she was ready to give.
They didn’t speak as they rode back into town. Hawk pulled up in front of a cozy restaurant in Nashville. The log cabin building was welcoming with its huge lanterns at the doorway, an array of colorful potted plants lining the porch.
Hawk held the door and ushered her into the restaurant. It was crowded, nearly all the tables filled, but the hostess led them to a little table for two in the corner next to a window.
“They’ve got great food here,” Hawk said as they sat down. “Everything’s good, but I know what I want; they have fantastic roast beef manhattans.”
“That sounds good to me.”
A waitress hurried over to their table, notepad in hand. The young woman seemed almost hypnotized by Hawk, her big blue eyes hardly ever looking away from him. Robyn didn’t think the girl even glanced at her once as she took her order. She was too busy lusting over Hawk, giggling and gushing over every word he spoke. For a moment Robyn was tempted to tell her to pull her eyes back in her head.
When the blonde finally left their table Robyn, raised an eyebrow at Hawk. “Geez, I can’t take you anywhere. All the girls fall for you.”
“She’s just a kid, Robyn. I like my women a little more mature.” He winked as he said it and Robyn felt her stomach lurch. Damn him, why did he have to be so handsome?
Robyn was surprised at how easily the talk flowed between them. She thought she’d feel awkward alone with Hawk away from work, but to her surprise she was relaxed and comfortable. They talked about her job and Crystal, his travels and adventures. Then he talked about his parents.
“My mom and dad fell in love at first sight. They were really happy together. Dad’s comic strip was becoming more popular every day and Mom was writing children’s books. But what I remember most was how much they loved each other.” His eyes softened as he recollected the past. “They’d laugh and tease each other, call each other funny pet names. They used to dance together on the patio after they thought I was in bed. I’d watch them from my bedroom window. Sometimes they’d kiss.”
“Then one night Dad was home and Mom went to a PTA meeting. I remember hearing the knock at the door and running to open it. There were two policemen there and they asked to talk to my dad.” He stopped for a moment, his eyes looking down at the table. “Mom had been in an accident. A man had had a heart attack while driving and ran his car head on into my mother’s. She died instantly.”
Robyn’s heart clenched for the little boy who lost his mother way too soon. She reached out her hand and laid it on top of his.
“That next year was pretty tough for me and my dad,” he slowly continued, “but we finally came to grips with life without Mom. We spent a lot of time together. He coached my little league baseball team, taught me to fish. We went camping and rock climbing and back packing. And we talked. We talked about life, and death, and love.”
Hawk turned his hand over and began sliding his thumb up and down the edge of her palm. He looked at her and tilted his head. “He told me that when I found love, I’d know it. That it wouldn’t take years. That it would rush me like a flash flood, sweep me off my feet. I wouldn’t have any doubts. I’d just know. And being with that one special woman would be worth any sacrifice. Even giving up a fortune.”
Their gazes locked. She knew what he was trying to tell her. That love could happen swiftly, without making sense. But her mom had fallen in love quickly, too, over and over again, and it had never worked out.
Did he think they were following in his mom and dad’s footsteps? Or was she following in her mom’s? Did she believe him or what she had witnessed for herself?
Was she actually falling in love with Jameson Hawkins III?
The thought was so overwhelming she had to look away. She gazed out the window, trying to pull her thoughts together.
And then she blinked, peering harder through the pane of glass. Her body tensed.
It was her.
“Crystal.” She leaped from her chair and ran towards the front door.
Chapter 17
Robyn raced through the crowded restaurant, shoving past servers and customers alike. She almost cried when one obese man stepped into the aisle and blocked her path completely. She finally managed to squeeze by him and slam out the front door.
“Crystal!” she hollered as she made her way through the crowds towards the point where
she’d seen her. “Crystal!” Her voice raised to a near hysterical level. Where was she? She had seen her, she knew it. She stopped and spun in a circle, looking everywhere for her sister. Damn it! She was nowhere in sight.
Robyn’s shoulders sagged. She knew that was Crystal. How had she disappeared so quickly?
“Robyn.” Hawk strode up next to her, his eyes focused intently. “Did you see her?”
“Oh, God, Hawk, she was there. I know she was.” Tears blurred her vision, pain constricting her throat. “She was right there.”
Without thinking she threw herself into his arms, sobs shaking her shoulders.
“Hey, hey, it’ll be all right. We’ll find her.” Hawk’s arms surrounded her, pulling her close. “I promise.”
His voice caressed her, calming her. His use of the term “we” made her heart flip flop. No one had ever stood with her before, helped her, and worked with her as a team. She’d always been on her own. Yet somehow, he made her feel united with him. Like it wasn’t just her against the world.
Her tears slowed and she looked up into his eyes. They were the most compassionate eyes she’d ever seen. She slowly became aware of a new emotion, a new feeling within her. She didn’t feel alone any more.
“Come on, babe. Let’s go home.”
Robyn nodded and they made their way back to the motorcycle.
Robyn was quiet on the way home. She laid her head on Hawk’s back and let the breeze caress her cheeks. These new emotions were fragile, delicate. She’d just begun to incubate them, explore them. Her life had definitely taken an unexpected turn.
Hawk pulled up in front of the motel and turned off the engine. Without waiting to be asked, he dismounted and turned and gave her his hand. His palm scorched her skin where it touched hers.
There was no question of whether he was leaving. Robyn had already given in to the idea that she was going to sleep with him. She had to; she had to have this moment. It might turn out to be a decision she would regret, but she wasn’t going to miss the chance to find out. She might never enjoy it again, but by God she was going to enjoy it now.
Hawk took the key from her and inserted it in the door, swinging it open. The moment they were inside he shut it and turned his gaze on hers.
God, she could see the desire in his eyes. She felt the heat that radiated from him. Waves of need washed over her. Lord, she had to have him.
They moved simultaneously to wrap their arms around each other, their lips hungrily seeking each other’s mouths. She whimpered, he groaned, her hands delving deep into his hair.
She couldn’t get enough of him. Her tongue flickered, outlining his lips, then plunged into the warm cavern of his mouth. He swirled his tongue around hers, tickling and tantalizing, making her legs buckle beneath her.
Oh, God, she’d never felt such burning desire.
Hawk stepped her backwards until her knees hit the side of the bed. She toppled down on the mattress and he collapsed next to her.
She ran her hands frantically over his body, crazy to have him naked. She wanted to feel his skin next to hers, wanted to writhe against his bare body.
Hawk’s hands took control, his movements slow and easy. He ran his fingers through her hair, spreading it across the yellow bedspread, his lips caressing her temple. Slowly, deliberately, he calmed her down, allowing her to feel every nuance of their contact. Her breasts rubbed against his chest, their middles merged together. Every spot their bodies touched fused into one ball of flame.
Hawk gathered her to him, pulling her on top of his lean body, and she responded, arching her back, pressing her pelvis hard against the rigid pole of his erection. A flood of desire washed over her, making her rock against him.
Hawk ran his hands up her spine, caressing and massaging, his lips sliding along the length of her neck. He lavished kisses down the slender column, nipping and teasing the tender flesh as he went. He moved slowly, carefully, rolling her over beneath him, his mouth never losing its way.
One hand slid to her abdomen, rubbing gently across her belly. Her body rose to meet his palm, wriggling beneath his touch. She groaned as he slipped his hand beneath her tank top and gently shoved it upwards, exposing the full cups of her lace bra.
“Oh, God, Robyn. You are so beautiful. I need to see you uncovered.” With those words he swept the tank top over her head and unlatched her bra, peeling it away from her body. Her breasts popped out, the nipples swollen and pouting, inviting him to taste them.
Slowly, almost reverently, he leaned over and flicked his tongue across a hardened pebble. He swirled his tongue around her flesh, then allowed his lips to suck the nipple into his mouth. He twirled and teased the ripe bud, his teeth gently biting down until a stream of pain and pleasure burned through her.
Robyn responded by ravishing his body. Her hands explored and molded his flesh, feeling how strong he was, the power in his muscles. He was ripped, and her hands devoured every inch of his sculpted physique.
A second later, she felt his hands gliding across her belly, exploring her rib cage, caressing her abdomen. Slowly, methodically, they crept beneath the waistband of her denim shorts. His fingers deftly undid the button and slid the zipper down.
When his fingers slid into the damp valley between her labia she almost screamed, throwing her head back and groaning with desire. All of her senses centered on the heart of her femininity as his fingers played against her flesh, creating a beautiful melody of sensuality. She felt herself flying, floating, in a rarified atmosphere flagrant with feelings, ripe with sensations.
She drifted slowly back to earth, her hands clenching his shoulders, her throat raw with emotion.
But the enchanted journey wasn’t over. Robyn felt Hawk rise up and watched him shed his clothes, stripping away the last barriers between them. She snuggled against his naked flesh, reveling in the feel of him.
Hawk moved away for a moment and Robyn tensed, but he was back an instant later, a condom in his hand. He moved quickly to remove it from its foil wrapper and start to cover his huge dick. Robyn moved even quicker, taking the condom from him and slowly, slowly, rolling it down the long, broad length of his steely hard erection.
Hawk raised himself over her, looking long and deep into her eyes. His gaze spoke a thousand words: faith, trust, and love—most of all love. He took his hand and guided his erection to the opening of her cavity, making her inhale deeply.
And then he was sliding his huge length into her, spearing her, spreading her damp canal with the width of him. She groaned and her hips surged upwards, impaling her on his length.
It was only a matter of seconds after that. Robyn felt her head begin to spin, saw sparks start to fly. Frantic cries of pleasure burst from her lips, her hips thrusting up and down frantically. Oh God, oh God, oh God. The world splintered before her eyes and she felt herself explode, Hawk crying out her name, crushing her to him.
They didn’t move for a long time. Hawk lay wrapped around her, holding her tight against his body. Robyn wrapped her arms around him and drew in deep, shuddering breaths. My God, she’d never experienced anything like that. It was unreal.
A few minutes later they were kissing again. Robyn was amazed by how quickly she was ready for him once more. This time they slowed things down a bit, savoring every second, relishing every moment. They explored each other’s bodies, hands roaming freely, lips tasting every inch of skin. Reality slipped away and Robyn drifted into a land of endless sensations, a tidal wave of feelings and emotions saturating her consciousness.
When they finally drifted off to sleep Robyn snuggled up against Hawk’s strong body, relaxed and satiated. She couldn’t ever remember feeling so satisfied, so content. If it wasn’t for the missing Crystal, she would be deliriously happy.
With that thought she smiled and drifted off to sleep, Hawk’s arms wrapped closely around her, cocooned by his body.
It seemed it was just a few seconds later when Hawk shook her awake. She rolled towards him, reaching
out to caress his broad chest. She was tired, but she could go again. The thought ran lazily through her sleep fogged brain.
“No, Robyn, honey. Wake up,” his voice urged, “the motel is on fire.”
Chapter 18
At first his words didn’t sink in. She was too relaxed, drunk from their lovemaking.
Then it hit her.
Fire!
She sat up at once and scrambled out of bed. The smoke alarm was going off. Eerie orange lights danced across the walls, twisting and leaping. The acrid stench of burning wood filled the air, making her cough and gasp.
“Hurry, Robyn. We’ve got to get out of here.” Hawk urged her, sliding his legs into his black jeans. “Just grab a robe and some slippers and let’s go.”
Robyn was suddenly wide awake. She couldn’t see the clothes she’d worn last night so she pulled on the floor length robe she had lying on the end of the bed. She slammed her feet into the tennis shoes she’d worn and had enough sense to grab her purse off the nightstand.
“Come on.” Hawk pulled her in next to him and hurried her along. He peered out the window and realized it was the porch that was burning. There was no way they were going out the front door, which was already starting to glow with heat. “Get to the back of the room.”
The only other window in the room was in the small kitchenette[LM1]. Hawk flung the drapes open and tried to lift the window but it wouldn’t budge. Without a moment’s hesitation, he grabbed the chair tucked under the little breakfast table and slammed it against the window. Glass shattered and fell. He ran the leather sleeve of his jacket around the edges, knocking out the shards stuck in the frame.
“Up you go.” He lifted her in one smooth move and hoisted her over the window sill. In another moment he climbed out the opening and joined her on the turf. Just as he did the front window exploded and flames poured into the room.
They both ran their eyes over the other, checking to make sure they were all right. Robyn looked back into the room and saw the flames munching their way across the bed where they had been lying seconds ago.
Bad Boy Series: Hawk's Call (Bad Boy Romance Book 1) Page 7