by S. K. Hardy
Hawk’s eyes narrowed back to the screen where the manager of the restaurant was staring at them thoughtfully. “Ryan, what do you think about that?”
“I think that’s a damn good idea,” Ryan said slowly. “It would definitely attract elite partygoers from all over who would vie for the chance to enjoy a night of decadent dining. I’m just mad I didn’t come up with it.”
Hawk nodded slowly, his mind racing at the possibilities. “We could also incorporate it into our other restaurants. Like Rae said, something that would set us apart even more from all of the other eateries in those areas.” A smile teased the corner of his mouth as he looked at Raven. “That’s a great idea. I love it.”
“Thank you,” Raven said softly with an answering smile.
“No, thank you.” They stared at one another until Ryan broke in.
“Seems like you have a knack for this, Raven. Seriously, I’d love to hear any other ideas you might have.”
“Oh, um, I don’t know about that,” she laughed, slightly flustered at the compliment. “I think I’ll stay in my lane and stick to law.”
“Intelligent and creative. I think she’s a keeper, Hawk.”
“I think so as well, Ry. Now I just have to convince her that I’m worthy of her staying with me.” Pulling his gaze away from Raven, Hawk decided it was a good place to end the call. “That’s all for tonight. Thanks, gentlemen. I’ll be talking to you soon.”
Raven turned to Hawk as soon as the screen went blank. “Did you put him up to saying that?”
“Saying what, that he likes your idea? Of course not. I didn’t even know you would be here. Like he said, it’s a damn good suggestion. I think I’ll implement it in some form or the other at my other restaurants.” When her expression still remained skeptical, Hawk added, “Look sweetheart, I may be willing to do almost anything it takes to get you back, but I don’t screw around when it comes to my businesses. Not even for you,” he winked.
Raven searched his eyes before her face cleared. “Well, thank you. Sorry for hijacking your call. I, um, guess I’ll go to bed now.”
“Hold up. Why did you initially come down here?”
“I was bored. I’ve been asleep all day and woke up a couple of hours ago. I remembered that movie I never got a chance to finish watching the last night I was here and figured now would be as good a time as any. But if you’re not done here...”
“No, I’m finished. You want me to put the movie on for you?”
“Sure. If you don’t mind.”
“No problem.” Hawk started going through the settings until he pulled the movie up then gave her the remote. “Here. Just push this button whenever you’re ready to watch it and when you’re finished just hit the red button to turn it off.”
“Okay, thanks. And Hawk? Before you go...I...well...”
When she hesitated, Hawk waited patiently for her to continue. It was obvious she had something on her mind.
“I’m sorry for throwing the vase at you.” The apology came out rushed as if she had to say it before she changed her mind.
“Don’t worry about it. Tempers flared, things got a little out of control. We were both at fault.”
“I know, but that’s no excuse for what I did. I could’ve seriously hurt you.”
“I doubt it. Your aim was horrible,” he grinned.
It took a second for her humor to sink in. When it did, her lips were on their way to curving up into an answering smile when she caught herself and went back to a stoic expression. “Anyway, I know it was expensive. Of course I’ll reimburse you.”
“Nah.” He immediately shook his head. “You don’t have to do that.”
“I insist.”
“Rae–”
“Just tell me how much it is and I’ll pay to replace it.” Her voice was firm, telling him nothing would change her mind.
“Okay. If you insist.” His eyes shining with sudden amusement, Hawk pulled out his phone. He started typing something then handed it to Raven. “Here ya’ go.”
Raven looked at him in confusion before she took the phone. Hawk kept his eyes on her face and knew the exact moment she realized that he pulled up a replica of the vase with the price listed.
Raven’s mouth dropped and stayed suspended open. She dragged her eyes up from the phone and peered up at him with a slightly dazed expression. “Is...Is this how much it...?” Her voice faint and barely above a whisper, Raven swallowed and looked back down at the phone. “Oh my god.”
“So how do you want to pay for it? Check, wire transfer...cash app?” The options were offered tongue in cheek, but Raven was too horrified to realize he was joking.
“I’m so sorry, I had no idea it was this expensive.” She blinked and shook her head. “This literally would’ve been three month’s salary when I worked at the DA’s office.”
“I’m messin’ with ya’, Rae.” Hawk chuckled and took his phone. “I told you, I don’t expect you to pay for it.”
“No, no, I said I would and I will.” Still out sorts, she swallowed hard. “I might have to do installment payments if that’s okay with you, but...”
Hawk chuckled because she was so serious. “I said don’t worry about it. I’m not takin’ your money.”
“Are you laughing at me?” she asked suspiciously. “Just because I can’t pay you all at once doesn’t mean that I won’t.”
“Of course I’m not laughing at you.” But he still kept the grin on his face. She was so fuckin’ cute. “You’re beautiful when you’re mad, you know that, right?”
But Raven barely heard him. She was still trying to process the price. “I can’t believe you spent so much money on a vase. But it’s your money. Like I said, it might take a little while, but...”
Hawk’s eyes waved over her bare thighs and the curves filling out her pajamas. “Tell you what, if you insist, I’ll tell you how you can pay for it.”
Folding her arms and squinting at him with a clear warning, Raven tapped her foot in irritation. “I’m not sleeping with you to pay for an overpriced vase.”
Hawk burst out laughing. He’d intentionally worded the suggestion as a proposition just to put her on the spot. “Now see, who said anything about you sleeping with me as payment? I was going to suggest you pay me by flying out to Miami with me.”
“F-Fly to Miami?” Raven stuttered. She clearly hadn’t expected that. “With you?”
“Yeah. I agree with Ryan, I’d love for you to see the project in person and hear any other ideas you might have. If they’re anything like what you’ve suggested so far, they’ll be golden.” Hawk tilted his head to the side. “I gotta tell ya’, though, I’m a little offended that you thought I’d demand sex to pay for something as inconsequential as a vase.”
“You knew exactly how I would take it, Pattel. That’s why you said it.” Raven rolled her eyes away from him then bounced them back. “And I’d appreciate you not patronizing me. You’ve already opened several restaurants and clubs. I’m positive you don’t need my help. Plus, you have experts that I’m sure you’re paying a small fortune to give you feedback.”
“One, I’m not patronizing you. I wouldn’t insult your intelligence like that. And two, as much as I want to do everything I can to make things right between us, I told you that I don’t fuck around like that when it comes to my businesses.” He stepped closer and stared down into her eyes. “I really do value your opinion. You get what I’m trying to do, where I’m trying to take this. If there’s anything else you think would help me do that, I’d like to hear it.”
“I don’t want to step on anyone’s toes. I’m sure Ryan was just trying to score brownie points with the boss. He probably wouldn’t be too thrilled with me coming in telling him what to do.”
“Ryan’s a pretty blunt man. If he didn’t like the idea he would’ve said so. But even if he didn’t, he works for me. Ultimately, the final decision is mine. I liked it. If you suggest something I don’t think will work I’ll tell you.”
<
br /> Raven stared at him before slowly nodding. “Okay. Well. Since you put it that way. I’ll go with you to Miami. When?”
“In the morning okay with you?”
“It’s fine.” She stared back at him with liquid brown eyes. “I know the first time you asked me to go with me to Miami, I was hesitant because someone might see us together. Since I don’t work for the DA’s office anymore I guess it won’t be a problem.”
Hawk allowed a smile to play around his mouth at the small victory. “Great. There’s just one more thing.”
Raven blinked coyly. “Yes?”
He lowered his head a couple of inches. “About the payment for that vase...”
Raven’s tongue came out to moisten her lips in anticipation. Her low-lidded gaze drew an invisible triangle over his face, moving from one of his eyes to the other, down to his mouth, then back up to his eyes. She bit down seductively on the soft inner corner of her lip before slowly releasing it.
“What about it?” She whispered.
Hawk’s eyes thinned in a narrow squint as he stared at her mouth. She was deliberately flirting back with him. “I think I need a down payment as a gesture of goodwill.”
“That’s fair. How much?” Her lashes lowered demurely.
“Not much.” His mouth moved steadily closer as if drawn to her like a magnet. “Just enough to hold me over until you’re ready to pay the rest.”
They both knew they were no longer talking about a vase. “Okay. I can do that.”
Their lips were now close enough to share a breath, but instead of sealing the deal with the expected kiss, Hawk brought his hand up and gently held her face with his fingers. Tilting her head up, he nibbled at her chin before gently planting a kiss on it. Taking his time, he moved up from there until their lips finally came together in a punctuation of slow, two-second kisses. That was all it took to get Hawk aroused and ready.
Raven released a pent up breath that ended on a whimper. When her tongue tentatively peeked out, he circled the tip with his then gently sucked it into his mouth. Hawk’s low groan vibrated against her lips. She smelled like the citrus and brown sugar body oil she loved to bathe in. Delicious. His heartbeat raced as she lifted herself up on her toes and leaned further into the kiss. He wanted to crush her closer and deepen the bond that their lips initiated. The emotion was a tangled knot in his stomach counting down like a ticking time bomb, but he managed to restrain himself and disarm the urge.
Instead he kept the kiss soft. Seductive. As much as he wanted to, he couldn’t just act in the heat of the moment; he had to think ahead. She wasn’t ready for things to go further. Not yet. Even though Hawk knew she wanted to have sex with him, the same as last night, he didn’t know how she would feel about that decision in the morning. So he needed to step back. Slow things down a bit and wait for the right moment.
He lifted his head, breaking the kiss. It took several moments for Raven to open her eyes. When she did, they showed her confusion. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. I’m going to let you get started on your movie.” He took a couple of steps back to put some distance between them. “I’ll make sure the helicopter is ready so that we can get an early start in the morning.”
“Wait, helicopter?” Raven blinked as if trying to keep up. “We’re flying to Miami in a helicopter?”
“Yeah. You ever flown on one?”
“No, and I don’t think I want to. They don’t seem very safe.”
“Yet, you fly on airplanes...” Hawk smiled.
“That’s different. And don’t ask me why, but it just is.”
“Helicopters are extremely safe. I wouldn’t travel in them as much as I do if they weren’t. Trust me, okay?”
Raven started shaking her head. “I don’t think–”
“Pack light, just the essentials. You can go shopping for whatever you need once we get there.”
“Hawk–”
“You might not want to stay up too late. Like I said, we’re leaving early.” He leaned down and gave her a quick kiss then turned to leave.
“Wait,” Raven said hurriedly. “Do you want to stay and, um, watch the movie with me?”
“If I stay, it won’t be to watch a movie, so I think it’s best I go to bed right now.” His scorching gaze ran over her one last time before he forced himself to start walking out of the door. He could only take so much temptation. Raven tested his limits of self-control. The best thing he could do for both of them was stay as far away as he could.
For now.
CHAPTER 18
The next morning, Hawk drove the to the airport early. He glanced at Raven in amusement as he parked the car. They both had on dark shades to block out the bright morning sun. He was a morning person and could function off of only a couple hours of sleep if need be but he knew from experience that wasn’t the case for her. When she walked into the kitchen this morning, she hadn’t done more than grunted until after she took a couple of sips of the coffee he had waiting for her. The twenty-minute ride to the airport had been made in relative silence while she took a catnap in the passenger seat.
Hawk eyed the elegant white pantsuit she wore with a white lace camisole underneath. She accessorized the outfit with gold hoop earrings, a thin gold necklace, and a gold bracelet. The entire look was cool, chic, and elegant.
“You look nice.”
Raven gave him a half smile. “You told me that already. But thank you.”
“What time did you get to bed last night?”
Raven wrinkled her nose. “I fell asleep while watching the movie. I guess it’s just not meant for me to see it.”
Hawk laughed before opening the door to get out. “Tell ya’ what, I’ll sit down and watch it with you when we get back. It’s a good movie.”
He came around and opened her door then grabbed her small overnight bag out of the backseat. Taking her hand in his, he led the way to the helicopter. “Still nervous about flying?”
“A little. But if you say it’s safe...”
Hawk’s white teethed flashed brightly against his brown skin. “It’s only going to take us a couple of hours to get there. I promise you’ll enjoy the ride.”
“If you say so.” Raven’s tone was still skeptical, but she followed him without voicing any more concerns. Once they got to the helicopter, Hawk saw her remove her sunshades to get a better look. “Oh. Is this it?”
“Yeah.” Hawk’s eyes roamed over the shiny black and charcoal exterior of the helicopter. “She’s a beauty isn’t she?
Raven shook her head in wonder. “I should’ve known. It’s gorgeous.”
“Don’t know when you gon’ realize I ain’t the average muthafucka.” Hawk’s words were teasing but had a hint of arrogance to them. “Wait until you see the rest.”
He exchanged a few words with the pilot and introduced Raven before they climbed inside. The interior was cutting edge. The customized cabin seated up to six passengers with chairs that were upholstered in a soft cream-colored leather. The floors were an elegant dark colored wood that matched the rich brown paneled accents integrated throughout the space. Great detail had gone into the modern and stylish design.
“Wow. This is beautiful, Hawk,” Raven commented as she settled into one of the plush, seats. “It’s much more spacious than it looks from the outside.”
“Yeah, it’s very comfortable.” Hawk sat in the seat beside her and stretched his long legs out in front of him. “You hungry? I ordered a light breakfast to hold us over until we land.”
That’s when Raven noticed the tray of fruits, several different cheeses, and warm buttery croissants. “I swear you’re trying to make me gain even more weight,” she said, getting up to fix them a plate. “This looks so good.”
They sat eating and making small talk while the helicopter took off. The hours passed quickly, and pretty soon they were approaching Miami. The helicopter flew low over crystal blue waters lapping along the coastline of the Atlantic Ocean. Accustomed to the sc
enery, Hawk worked on his laptop typing up a few ideas he wanted to go over with his managers. When he happened to glance up, he saw the enjoyment covering Raven’s face as she looked out the window. He understood her excitement. The aerial view was amazing from this vantage point. Closing the computer, he sat back and studied her with an appreciative smile playing along his lips. Watching her was much more satisfying than the view outside.
It wasn’t long before they landed at the airport in Miami where a car waited for them out front. Hawk introduced Raven to his driver. The same as Danny, Tony doubled as a bodyguard and stayed strapped and ready. They climbed into the car settled back into the seat.
“We’ll head to the restaurant first if that’s okay with you,” Hawk told her. “Afterwards, we’ll grab some lunch then go shopping for whatever you think you might need while we’re in town.”
“Do you have a place here?”
“Not yet. Eventually I plan to buy something but for now, I have a suite that I keep on reserve at a hotel until I decide what I want to do.”
Raven nodded and looked out the window. “It’s beautiful here. I can feel the vibe of the city already.”
“Very true. There’s always something to do twenty-four seven. It’s a cultural melting pot. Wait until you taste the food,” Hawk smiled.
“I bet it’s delicious.”
“So what did you think about the helicopter ride?”
“It was nice. And if you want to hear me say it, you were right. I enjoyed it. Satisfied?”
“Not yet. But hopefully I will be soon.” He grinned, expecting a smart comeback, but when she continued to stare pensively out the window without responding, Hawk frowned. “What’s wrong?”
“Can I ask you a question?”
“You can ask me anything, Rae.”
She turned her head and met his gaze. “What is it that you want from me? I mean, what do you really want?”