Lexi noticed something in Hannah’s eyes though.
“What about Josh Porter?” The NHL hockey player had been raised in Snow Valley by his uncle and aunt. He and Hannah had dated her junior year but then he went off to college. Hannah always clammed up when somebody mentioned him but the addition of a poster of him on her bedroom wall next to the other NHL stars that had been there for years was interesting.
“Um, sis …” Hannah pointed as they pulled into the barnyard. The evening sun highlighted a shiny black Hummer. Lexi’s stomach took flight, yet her body froze.
“Who is …” Hannah’s voice trailed off as Callum strode out of the back door of the house and toward the truck, still in his fancy suit. He looked powerful and handsome and perfect. “Holy Toledo, sis. If you can resist him, you’re a bionic woman.”
Lexi simply stared as Callum approached. His dark gaze penetrated through the dirty windshield of the truck and heated her up from the inside.
He yanked her door open, reached in, and lifted her out of the truck and into his arms. “Lexi … forgive me.”
Lexi wrapped her hands around his neck and arched up to kiss him. An explosion of warmth and tingles spread from her lips out. She communicated with her mouth what she couldn’t formulate in words—she loved him and wanted him with her always.
Hannah was whooping and hollering at them.
“Hannah Haven Hall!” her dad’s voice called. “You get your rear in this house and leave them be.”
“Aw, Dad, ruin all the fun. Tell him off, sis,” Hannah encouraged, then ran up the porch steps and slammed into the house.
“Tell me off?” Callum questioned, letting her slide to her feet, but keeping her close. The freezing wind couldn’t counteract the heat from his touch.
“She likes you. But what are you doing here?”
“I didn’t go to California. My dad cussed me out, and told me he was proud of me.” His voice dropped and he smiled tentatively. “I called the seller and told her if she couldn’t wait until the New Year, I didn’t want the deal.”
Lexi’s eyes widened. “Two hundred and fifty-eight prestigious hotels? Are you ill? Did all three of your brothers have to hold you down?”
Callum smirked. “No, I made this decision all on my own. What’s a couple hundred hotels when compared to one beautiful woman?”
Lexi put a hand to her heart. She loved him, but she still had to know. “What did the seller say?”
“She said she’d wait.” He shrugged. “Who knew? It hit me that I work so hard, and even though I think I’m always in control, I let people steal too much of my time to get a deal done. I’m going to be stronger, trust my own people more, and put my foot down when I need to. Especially if it interferes with time with you.” He gently kissed her. “You always come first, Lexi.”
She was warm despite the cold wind biting at her face. “I guess I don’t need to tell you off like my sister told me to?”
“I hope not.” He pulled her closer, bowing his head. His phone buzzed in his pocket, and she felt it. Callum pulled back and murmured, “Excuse me for a second, please.”
Lexi felt a rush of disappointment stream through her. Even though he’d walked away from a huge deal for her, he still couldn’t let voicemail get his phone when they were having a special moment.
Callum tugged his phone out, walked a couple of steps, and hurled it at the cement barn wall. Lexi gasped as it shattered into pieces. Callum turned and strode back to her, his face lit up with an irresistible grin.
Lexi jumped into his arms, threw back her head, and laughed. He caught her and laughed with her, but then he kissed her neck. All laughter disappeared as she bent toward him.
She stopped and murmured, “Callum Hawk?”
“Yes?” He gazed at her so lovingly she thought she would burst.
“Would you kiss me … please?”
Callum groaned and captured her lips with his. He gently lowered her to her feet, deepening the kiss and bringing joy to her life she’d never thought she’d feel. He cupped her face with his hands, tilted her head, and continued to kiss her as if she was the only thing that mattered in the world.
She pulled back, running her hands over his strong shoulders. Glancing over at the scattered phone pieces, she said, “Did you really just throw your phone at the barn?”
He nodded solemnly. “You’re so much more important than any phone call.”
“Ah, you sweet-talker.”
“I’ll show you sweet.” He kissed her again, using his beautiful lips to his full advantage. Lexi didn’t even notice the cold wind as Callum held her firmly against him and worked his magic on her mouth.
Someone cleared their throat, pulling them apart. “So you gonna give up being a billionaire boss and work on the farm, boy?” her dad asked from the porch step. “After that pretty speech you gave me asking for her hand, I might be willing to hire you on.”
Callum looked down at Lexi with an arched brow. “I’ll do whatever Lexi wants.”
Lexi took her time looking him over, tilting her head to the side as if considering the offer. She smiled. “I want my billionaire boss. But sometimes I want him without his phone and computer.”
Callum lifted her up and squeezed her. “Done. You say when and I’ll chuck any phone and computer against the barn wall.”
“You two are crazy. Come inside so Andrea can make a fuss over you.”
Callum wrapped his arm around Lexi and walked her to the house.
“Are you staying for the holiday?” her dad asked.
Callum looked to Lexi for the answer.
“We’ll stay here until tomorrow night, but then we’ll go back to Cancun for the New Year.”
“You’re okay going back?” He focused on her, as if trying to see if she was giving him mixed signals.
“We’re going to have to get used to splitting the holidays between two families. Might as well start this year.”
“That will mean a lot to my mom.”
“Plus I want to hang out on the beach some more.”
“Have we discussed eloping yet?” he asked, escorting her up the steps and into the warm house. They shed their coats on the washing machine.
“Why don’t you come try discussing that with my mama?”
Callum’s face blanched. “Yeah, I think a traditional wedding will be just fine.” He lowered his voice. “As long as you promise a short engagement.” Callum suddenly dropped to one knee, right there in the laundry room, and wrapped both hands around her left hand. “Alexia Hall … Do you have a middle name?”
She laughed, her heart thumping out of control. “Jane.”
“I like it.” He squeezed her hand. “Alexia Jane Hall? Will you marry me?”
Tears threatened and Lexi tried to blink them away, but they spilled over. She tugged him to his feet and kissed him. Her tears mingled with the warmth of his lips.
“Why are you crying, love?” he whispered against her lips.
“I’m just so happy.”
“Oh. In that case, I’ll let you cry.”
“You’ll let me?” She pulled back and gave him a sassy look.
Callum grinned. “I’ll allow some tears if you promise a really, really short engagement.”
Lexi couldn’t help but laugh and tug him close again. A short engagement sounded lovely.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Lexi walked into the elevator right at noon. A hand slammed against the closing door and it popped back open. She laughed at their silly tradition. Callum hurried inside, a broad smile on his handsome face. As soon as the door shut, he cornered her against the elevator wall and proceeded to kiss her until she was seeing stars. His lips made their way down her neck, and she groaned in pleasure. He worked his way back up, and she savored each movement of his lips.
The elevator opened at the garage level and eventually they made their way out. “How many more days?” Callum asked.
“Fifteen. I think you’ll survive, love.”
“Don’t count on it. I’m going to pummel Joseph today.”
“What did poor Joseph do to deserve that?” They walked to his motorcycle and slid their helmets on.
“Nothing. But I have to take my pre-wedding frustrations out on someone.”
Lexi laughed. “Standard lunch date today?”
They went to Callum’s gym every day at lunch. They both worked out, and then she watched him box Joseph or some other poor guy. They showered and found lunch somewhere. Callum still worked a lot of long hours, but he was doing better at delegating and training his people, and he was getting really good at putting his foot down and walking away from opportunities, especially if they interfered with time with Lexi.
“I love our standard lunch date. Is it going to change when we get married?” He straddled the bike and she slid on behind him.
Wrapping her arms around his taut abdomen, she said, “Well, of course it is.”
“Really?”
“You’ll get all soft and lazy and Joseph will be the one pummeling you.”
Callum laughed as he revved the throttle and they shot out of the garage. “Don’t count on it.”
Lexi leaned in as close as she could with the helmet on. They puttered down the busy Manhattan street—cold air, people, and traffic rushing around them. All Lexi noticed was the warm man she clung to. Fifteen more days and her billionaire boss would truly be hers. She knew he’d never be lazy and Joseph would probably never pummel him, but he was already soft … for her.
I hope you loved Callum and Lexi’s story. Find Hannah’s story, Fighting for Love here.
Risking it All
Chapter One
Avalyn Shaman exited her room at the beautiful Cancun resort and took the stairs six flights down. She couldn’t wait to float in one of the infinity pools overlooking the beach. This five-star resort had so many pools she’d lost track. She’d arrived a day early for Creed Hawk and Kiera Richins’s wedding. The three of them had been friends since childhood.
She adored the entire Hawk family, with the exception of the youngest brother, Bridger. He was a cocky extreme athlete who thought the women of the world were created to decorate his muscular arms. Bridger was two years younger than her and lived to torment her—teasing her whenever he saw her, lodging himself in her brain the rest of the time. It aggravated her to no end that she had dreams about him on a regular basis, and even during the day she couldn’t get his handsome face out of her mind.
No, thank you, brain. Please choose again.
She exited the elevator and walked along the covered path toward the closest section of pools. A large man stepped in her path. Avalyn skidded to a halt to avoid running into him, then made the mistake of looking past the muscular body to the man’s face. Tanned skin, dark hair, deep brown eyes, the perfectly trimmed facial hair, and a permanent smirk on those intriguing lips. Bridger Hawk. Her heart rate picked up without her permission.
His dark eyes lit up, sparkling at her. “Ava Baby!” He wrapped his lean arms around her and lifted her off the ground, squeezing her tight against his bare chest in one of his famous bear hugs. She’d had her share of these hugs since childhood, but she could never stop her body from reacting. Her body was trembling and warm all over. She was an accomplished, self-made woman. Why did she have to react like a teenager every time she saw this beautiful man?
“Bridger,” she sort of moaned out. No! Oh, no. She couldn’t reveal how much he affected her; he’d laugh himself to sleep at night. He was a world-renowned extreme athlete who took nothing seriously, and she was a world-renowned philanthropist, author, and speaker. They had nothing in common, and she needed to stay far away from him.
He set her on her feet but kept her tight in his embrace. Avalyn’s hands went to his chest to steady herself. Big mistake. The smooth skin and hard muscle there made her stomach fill with heat and desire that she had to squelch … and quick. She’d allowed him to kiss her once in high school. The beautiful connection had messed with her mind for years, especially since he’d kissed Kelly Turner the next day at lunch in front of the entire school and broken Avalyn’s heart. She couldn’t go back to those immature and stupid longings. She was way past all of that, way past Bridger Hawk. She just needed her heart to catch up with her brain.
He stared down at her with that trademark smirk on his lips. “Ava. I hoped you’d be here.”
“Why?” What was wrong with her? Why was she reduced to these one-word answers? She needed to demand he release her, and she needed to take her hands off his chest pronto. She felt like she was in a cloud with him staring at her like she was his prize for winning the international surf competition.
Bridger simply smiled, bowed his head, and claimed her lips with his. Avalyn’s body shoved her logical mind to the side as those perfect lips she’d had dream after dream about worked their brain-deceiving magic on her. She stood on tiptoes and pressed herself tighter against him, her hands sliding up his chest and around his neck. She wanted him closer, she wanted him to never stop kissing her, she wanted him …
No! This was Bridger Hawk. Heartbreaker extraordinaire. The world expert on claiming hearts and then shattering them.
Avalyn yanked herself away from him. Bridger unfortunately didn’t release his grip on her waist, and instead of his trademark smirk, he was pulling in quick breaths and staring at her like his mind was as cloudy as hers was.
“Avalyn,” he murmured, his gaze full of wonder and desire. Then he pulled her in again, and heaven help her, she didn’t put up an ounce of resistance. Truth be known, she urged him closer. His mouth was full and warm and his muscular frame surrounded her. She couldn’t escape, and she didn’t want to. The kiss took on a life of its own, and Avalyn had no choice but to surrender to the desire she’d always had to be in Bridger’s arms, to kiss him, to know she was the only woman in the world for him.
No! She wasn’t the one for him. She was one of thousands of women he kissed while thousands more waited for their chance to have the superstar give them one glance, smile, or touch.
She wrenched her mouth free and slapped him hard across the jaw.
Bridger’s eyes widened and he finally released her. They were both breathing heavily as they stood in the shaded walkway and stared at each other.
“Hi, Ava Baby,” he murmured as if they’d just run into each other. His eyes slid over her floral one-piece swimsuit that was underneath her lacy cover-up. “You look … amazing.”
“What are you doing?” she demanded, folding her arms across her chest. He acted like she hadn’t even slapped him. Like they hadn’t even kissed. Dang him! Didn’t those kisses mean anything to him? She knew they didn’t, and the pain deepened. “You don’t just kiss someone hello like that.”
“I’ve been dreaming of doing that for years.” His smirk reappeared briefly, and then his eyes went soft and warm as they studied hers. “I just had no idea it would feel like that. Just like in high school … only …” His voice trailed off.
“Only what?” Be strong. He’s a player. He’s not your type. He’ll break your heart all over again. Oh, have mercy. Why does he have to look at me like that?
Bridger took a step closer, his large form overshadowing her. She glanced up to meet his gaze so she wouldn’t focus on his beautifully formed chest. “Your kiss is like heaven,” he murmured. He reached up and cupped her cheek with his palm, leaning down like he was going to kiss her again.
Avalyn’s heart was thumping so high and fast she could hardly breathe, let alone speak. She had to be strong, though, or she would regret it forever. Bridger Hawk was not the man for her, no way, no how. “Do you want me to slap you again?”
The smolder in his dark eyes made her knees gooey. “For sure, if it means I can kiss you first.”
Avalyn planted her hands on his firm chest and pushed hard. “Stop with your games, Bridger. I’m not a teenager anymore, and I’m not your hoochie of the week.”
Bridger straightened and r
eleased her face. His brow furrowed. “So you do remember kissing me before you left for college?”
Avalyn’s face heated up again. That kiss had been almost as good as the ones he’d just given her, but the mature man in front of her was much more irresistible than the teenage tease had been. Her eyes narrowed and she planted her hands on her hips. “So why was this kiss like heaven and the other one wasn’t?”
Bridger grinned like he’d just won the X Games. “They were both like heaven. It’s just been so many years I’d forgotten how heavenly you are, love. Can you help me remember again?” He moved in for more. The nerve of this man!
Avalyn backed away until she ran into the building. “No.” Still, between him saying her kiss was like heaven and her easily remembering how his kiss had lit her up from the inside out, she wanted to throw herself into his arms again. What was wrong with her? She was a strong, driven woman. The men she dated were hardworking, well-known philanthropists like her who took life seriously and lived to help others. Bridger was a playboy who cared about nothing but his next thrill.
“No?” He arched an eyebrow as he tracked her movements like a panther. When he had her cornered against the wall, he planted his hands on either side of her head and leaned closer and closer. His breath brushed her cheek, and Avalyn quivered. Maybe just one more kiss, and then she’d tell him off and stay far away from him.
She glanced up at those well-formed lips and found herself arching up to meet him. “No!” she yelled, pushing at his bulging chest muscles yet again. “I am done kissing you, Bridger Hawk.”
He blew out a breath and smiled. “Ah, well. You can’t blame a guy for trying.”
“That’s what you think!” She ducked under his arm and then pivoted to face him.
He slowly straightened and smirked at her again. His beautiful body was on fine display in nothing but a gray swimsuit. She supposed he had to be in good shape to excel at so many different sports like he did. Not that she watched his YouTube channel fanatically or something. She watched a video here and there, but once a week was all she allowed herself. Okay, that was a lie. It was one a day, and she only allowed herself five minutes of viewing Bridger time, like savoring a piece of Ghirardelli chocolate after a hard day.
Hawk Brothers Romance Collection Page 43