by Chiah Wilder
Yep, that’ll do it. This was the one that gave him the buzz. Hawk pulled out a crumpled napkin and unfolded it, the one with Cara’s number. He took out his phone and dialed it, wanting to see her again. He wanted to get to know her a whole lot better, especially her pussy and those tits. Damn, just thinking of her made his cock jerk. He was like a twelve-year old. What is it about this one?
“St. Clair’s Hospital. May I help you?”
“Uh—sorry—I—uh—must have misdialed.”
Hawk redialed more slowly the second time, making sure he punched all the right numbers.
“St. Clair’s Hospital. May I help you?”
He narrowed his eyes into slits. He drew in his breath. “Sorry, wrong number.”
“Sir, are you looking for someone in particular? Maybe I can help you.”
“You already have.” He slammed his phone on the counter. He picked up his shot glass and squeezed it, fury building inside of him. The glass shattered in his hand and drops of his blood dripped onto the counter. Fuck! Hawk would make her pay for this shit. No bitch made him look like a fool. Not. Ever.
Chapter Three
“They found another body. I just heard it on the radio.” Asher greeted Cara with the news as she came into the office.
“Crap, no. Where did they find it?”
“Some hikers found her in a shallow grave near Wolf Creek Pass. Can you imagine finding that on your hike?”
“Was it the same as the other ones?”
Asher nodded. “Yup. Blonde, young, stabbed, and probably raped.”
Cara shivered. “What a sicko. There’s no way this isn’t a serial killer. This is, like, the seventh body that’s been found in the last year: always blonde, young, with horrible things done to her. Why can’t they find this psycho?”
“Yeah, he’s a definite psycho. I worry about you.”
Cara looked at her assistant and smiled. Asher had been with her when she first opened her law practice, about four years earlier, and was her first employee. Not only was he her legal assistant, but he acted as her receptionist and “track down witnesses and information” guy. Without him, the office wouldn’t run as smoothly as it did.
“Haven’t all the victims been blonde and very young? I think my brown hair is my shield, and even though I look good for twenty-eight, I don’t look eighteen.”
“I’m just saying, be careful. And you need to tell your friend Sherrie the same thing. She’s crazy sometimes.”
“I won’t argue with you on that. She’s crazy way too often.”
Cara went into her office to prepare for her eleven o’clock appointment. Even though her workload was heavy, she had agreed to take on the referral because it came from a colleague who’d asked as a favor, since he had to have surgery and would be out of commission for a while. When she first finished law school, Les had been a great mentor to her, so when asked, she acquiesced to take the case.
Cara was tired, but she loved being on her own, and she found helping the underdog had its rewards. After all, wasn’t that why she went to law school—to help people, to make sure justice was served for everyone and not just for the ones who could afford it? She knew her father was disappointed because she went into criminal defense instead of corporate law and didn’t join his prestigious law firm, but she wanted to work with people, not companies and figures. She also wanted to make her legal mark on her own, without favors from her dad.
Sighing, she looked out the window. The Rocky Mountains, dotted with vibrant evergreens, never grew old. Cara wished she could stop a bit, breathe a little, and do something unpredictable. Her life had always been so well-manicured.
Coming from a good family burdened her with having to keep up appearances. Her actions had to be thought out; she couldn’t bring shame and scandal to the family. Her cousin, Eric, who was like a brother to her, was a district court judge and was constantly reminding her that his position was an elected one. As such, the family name could never be tarnished.
It was so tiresome, so predictable. She longed to do something a bit wild, on the dangerous side. She had the appearance of being a goody two-shoes, and she was, for the most part. But a smoldering darkness lay deep inside her. It was that part of her that held dark, erotic fantasies she could never verbalize. Sometimes, the urge to break free and give in to her lust was all-encompassing, and Cara had to will her inner demon to stay hidden under the layers of her good-girl persona.
Meeting that biker at Rusty’s the previous Saturday night threw her for a curve. Of course, he was hot and sexy, every part of him oozing machismo. Looking at him with his long, dark hair, blue eyes, tattoos, earrings, and leather jacket made her heart race.
The way she was attracted to the well-built biker scared the crap out of her. Cara had never reacted to a total stranger like that before. She’d convinced herself it was the alcohol, but the next day, and every day since, her skin tingled when she thought of him, when she remembered the way he kissed her, their close dance, and his arms around her.
Crap, I’m getting turned-on just thinking of him, and at work, of all places. What the hell is the matter with me?
The phone rang and Cara jumped out of her chair.
“Your eleven o’clock clients are here. They’re early.” Asher’s lowered his voice to a whisper. “And they look badass scary.”
Cara laughed. “Tell them to come in.”
Heavy footsteps and jangling chains announced her clients’ entrance into her office. Cara had her back to them as she rifled through a filing cabinet. “Have a seat, gentlemen. I’m just pulling a file.” She swung around in her chair. Sitting in front of her were three leather-and-jean-clad men, all staring at her. The oldest leaned forward, saying, “I’m Banger. This here is Jax, and this is—”
Cara knew who he was before Banger said his name. Hawk’s deep blue eyes bored into her, and his ebony black hair shined under the florescent lights.
“Hawk,” Banger finished.
“Nice to meet all of you.” She blushed when she glanced at Hawk. She couldn’t believe the sexy biker was in her office. She hoped he wasn’t the one who needed the legal help. Crap, this is awkward.
Hawk didn’t say a word, his blue eyes fixed on her.
“So, what seems to be the problem? Les didn’t give me too many details.” She turned her attention to Banger.
“Well, I’ll be honest here. We don’t do business with bit—women. Les ain’t able to help us ’cause he got some medical shit goin’ on. He said you’re fuckin’ good, so we gotta go with you. But, you know, we don’t have bitches—oh, excuse me, I mean women—who do this shit, you know?”
“Yeah,” Jax whispered to Hawk. “We only have bitches for pussy.” He elbowed Hawk. Both of them chuckled, Hawk’s eyes never leaving her face.
Cara pretended she didn’t hear. She looked each one of them in the eye. “You don’t have to hire me. I won’t be offended. I have a full caseload and agreed to meet with you as a favor to Mr. Anderson. I can recommend some excellent male attorneys in the area.” She started flipping through her Rolodex.
“Hold on there, pretty one. We didn’t say we didn’t want you. It’s just that we ain’t used to relating to women in this way, you know?”
She looked at Jax, whose head bobbed in agreement. Hawk just sneered at her. Why in the hell don’t I just tell these chauvinistic assholes to get another attorney? You better appreciate what I’m doing for you, Les.
“Just so no one’s uncomfortable,” she said.
“We ain’t. It’s just somethin’ new, that’s all.” Banger smiled, the corners of his eyes crinkling.
“What’s going on that brought you here?” Cara asked.
Banger pointed to Hawk. “Hawk here has had his shop searched a few times, and the fuckin’ badges have come to the clubhouse and tried to pass some bullshit warrants, but Les took care of that.
“Why have they singled you out? Do you have a record?”
“He’s on probatio
n for assault,” Banger answered for Hawk.
“Assault? What went down?”
“Just a barroom brawl. Nothing big,” Banger said.
Turning her head, Cara caught Hawk’s eyes. “Is that true? Nothing more than a few punches?”
Stone-faced, he nodded.
“Have they come to your home?” she continued.
Still staring at her, Hawk shook his head. Cara bit her lower lip. Damn, he’s good-looking. His cut revealed geometric and swirled tribal armband tattoos over his muscular biceps. On his left forearm, he bore a tattoo of a fierce-looking hawk, its eyes piercing and intense. Framing the hawk’s orange-yellow beak were sharp, black talons dripping blood. Its vividness was mesmerizing.
Patches covered his leather cut. There was a diamond-shaped one with the symbol “1%er” on the left side. Hawk’s outstretched legs were tight in his blue jeans, showcasing his muscles. Cara licked her lips and forced herself to turn away. Instead, she focused her attention on Banger, questioning him about various incidents with the cops.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Hawk staring at her, a smirk on his face. I bet he caught me checking him out.
Turning toward Hawk, she said, “If the cops come over again, call me right away, okay?” He lifted his chin.
Banger got up, looking at Cara, and said, “You take care of us and we’ll take care of you. You fuck us and, let’s just say, we ain’t the forgivin’ type.”
“I’ll do my best with all of your cooperation.” Staring Banger right in the eyes, she tried to prove she wasn’t going to let any of these think-they’re-badass bikers intimidate her. She could hold her own. “I need to know the truth at all times. No secrecy or game-playing. If so, I walk.”
Hawk sneered. “Yeah, truth all the way, counselor.”
Banger and Jax walked out. Hawk stayed back and said to Banger, “I’ll catch up with you later.”
Standing in front of her desk, Cara stiffened when she heard Hawk’s words. The last thing she wanted was for him to loiter around her office. The minute he’d walked in, her body betrayed her. No, she did not want him to hang around.
“I have to prepare for my afternoon docket, so I can’t chat, you know?” Turning around, she pretended to search for a file on her desk. With shaking hands, she tossed her hair over her shoulder.
Hawk came up behind Cara and slipped his arm around her waist, drawing her back into him. “You look sexy in your lawyer clothes, baby,” he whispered in her ear. Though she tried to pull away, he held her tight. “Shit, babe, having a lawyer like you makes me want to commit crimes.”
When he kissed her neck, her stomach flip-flopped and her skin buzzed. Crap, one kiss from Hawk and my body does this. She was so screwed.
“I saw you checking me out. Fuck, I can’t believe you’re a lawyer, my lawyer. This could be a lot of fun. Never had a lawyer between my sheets.” As he brushed his face against her jaw, Hawk’s stubble prickled her skin.
Cara squirmed out of his hold and pushed him back. Smiling, he raked his eyes over her body. “Do you moonlight at St. Clair’s Hospital?”
Reddening, she looked down. “I’m sorry about that. Really, I am. It’s just that I had too much to drink and it was a one-time thing, and I’m so busy with work. I’m sorry.”
“Yeah, I bet you are.” He stalked after her.
Cara tried to move behind her desk, but Hawk gripped her arms and pulled her toward him once again. Before she could react, he’d wrapped her hair around his hand and his warm lips were on hers. Urgent and probing, his tongue charged deeper into her mouth. When she moaned, his firm arms drew her closer as his free hand ran over her curves, pinching and cupping her ass cheek. Instead of shoving him away, Cara startled herself by leaning into him, a strong sense of comfort wrapping around her as she breathed in his smell.
Panting, she stood with her head on Hawk’s shoulder, lost in the moment. As the minutes passed, unease and dismay replaced her feelings of desire and comfort, while a voice whispered warnings in her head, This can’t be happening! She jerked away.
“What the fuck is wrong with you, baby?”
A pinkish flush crept across Cara’s face while her stomach dropped. Clearing her throat, she said in a low voice, “This shouldn’t be happening. I can’t believe this.”
“Don’t play innocent with me, babe. I saw you checking me out during the meeting. What I can’t believe is that you’re leaving me horny as fuckin’ hell.” He grabbed his crotch, and Cara saw his dick straining against the zipper.
“Come here, babe, and put me out of my misery.”
“Do you always talk this crudely?”
“Only when I’m turned on. Come here.” Gripping her arms, Hawk guided her toward him.
Propelling him back, she said, “You have to leave. Now. I mean it. Go.” Cara pointed to the door.
“What the fuck’s your problem?” Hawk’s eyes blazed with sudden anger. “You think you’re too good for me? Were you slumming at Rusty’s that night? Fuck that, I’m going to show you what your pussy has been waiting for. Once I fuck you, the assholes in suits you date will never satisfy you again.”
Cara swallowed hard, lifted her chin, and met his gaze. “Don’t bet on it. You’re just a jerk in a leather jacket who thinks every woman wants him because he has a motorcycle. Move on to another woman; this one is not interested.”
“Bullshit! You’ve never met anyone like me, and your wet pussy is telling you to shut off your brain, babe. The way you’re licking your lips right now makes me want those sweet things wrapped around my cock, sucking the shit out of it. I want my dick so deep in your mouth that my balls will be part of your face. I’m hard just looking at your lips and tits.”
She gaped. “How rude. I don’t like you talking to me that way.” Hawk’s tone aroused, yet infuriated her. Hoping he didn’t notice, she clenched her legs tighter together, trying to stem that sweet sensation fluttering around her sex. Damn!
“Your flushed face and squirming tell me I’m making you juicy. The way you were kissing and reacting to me tells me you like what I do just fine.” The hairs on the back of Cara’s neck stood up as his sensuous voice slid over her.
“I don’t know what came over me. It shouldn’t have happened. It was a mistake. Just go. Go!”
“Not until I get some of your pussy, baby. This is fucked up, and you know it. We’re not in fuckin’ high school. Get over here.”
Hawk stepped toward Cara, but she ran over to the office door instead. Throwing it open, she yelled, “Asher, can you come over here? I want to go over a couple of cases with you before my next client comes in.”
Hawk’s face was a mask of rage. He looked as though he could kill her. Shaking, Cara’s knees weakened as she grasped the doorway and said, “Can you come now, Asher. Please?”
“Sure thing, Cara. I’m just getting my notebook.” Asher scooted his chair back and walked toward Cara and Hawk. Brusquely pushing past the legal assistant, Hawk kicked open the lobby door and slammed it behind him as he stormed out.
“Things didn’t go so well?” Asher asked, wide-eyed. “That one’s got a real temper on him. Watch yourself, Cara.”
She let her breath go. “Things didn’t go well, and I do have to watch myself around him.” My body deceives me every time I’m near him. He’s not good for me. “Now, let’s go over the Remper case.”
* * *
Hawk stomped out of the building, nostrils flaring. He punched the brick façade and blood oozed from the broken skin. “Fuck!” he yelled. The pain from his bleeding knuckles eased his fury a bit. He’d had it with this goddamned, cock-teasing woman—he hated women like that. She was such a stuck-up tight ass and thought she was too fucking good for him. Well, she sure liked his tongue in her mouth and his fingers on her ass, when she’d squirmed and moaned like a slut. He ground his teeth. Fuck her!
Swinging his leg over his Harley 1250cc, Hawk revved the engine. The bike’s tires squealed as he shot out into the str
eet. He needed to ride. Fast. That’s what he loved about riding—it was freeing; just him, his bike and the wind. When he rode, nothing mattered, and it was his moment of peace—his glimpse of spirituality. Wanting to rid his mind of Cara—beautiful, sexy, and aggravating—he rode fast and hard.
* * *
Outside of town, as the sun dipped in the west, the man heard the roar of the engine. Tension spilled from his lanky frame as he licked his chapped lips; he didn’t think the biker was going to show up. As the sound filled his brain, he breathed easier knowing he’d have his fix soon.
The gravel crunched under his feet as he went out to meet the biker.
“Why are you so late?” he demanded.
“I had bitch problems.”
“Did you bring the girl?” He hated sounding desperate, especially in front of a dirty biker.
“Nope, I have a bitch who’s giving me a run right now. I didn’t have time to round someone up for you. It’s too close, anyway. I mean to the last killing. You gotta ease up a bit.”
Panic gripped him. “You know what our agreement is.”
“Well, you’re fuckin’ sick. The agreement was sometimes, not all the time. We’re doing shit for you all the time, and you’re doing—”
“I’m risking everything!” he screamed.
“I’m here to tell you to fuckin’ lay low for a while. Go to another county. The attention is on, and we don’t want to be in the limelight. If you keep this shit up, you’re gonna end up like your playthings. You fuckin’ got that?” The gruff biker seized the lean killer by his shirt and shook him, then threw him on his ass. Spitting on the ground, the biker jumped back on his motorcycle.
Raising himself up, the trembling man wiped the dirt from his pressed pants. “When will you bring someone?” he whined.
“We’ll let you know. Stay smart—being stupid gives you a one-way ticket to a painful death.” Shaking his head, the leather-clad rider took off down the lone road.