The Pattels

by S. K. Hardy

  Deciding he needed a distraction, Hawk walked to the living room and pulled out his phone to check his messages. While on the drive there, it vibrated several times. He hadn’t answered because whatever or whoever it was could wait; his main focus had been Raven. His eyes lit up with amusement when he saw, among others, Lo’s text wondering if he needed to meet him at the police station.

  After answering the most pressing messages, Hawk sat down on the sofa. Thirty seconds later, he stood up and started pacing. It was after 2 a.m., but he was restless and wide-awake. He glanced up towards the stairs. Rae was probably already in bed. He swallowed hard as he imagined her lying underneath the sheets. Was she naked or wearing one of those sexy little nightgowns he bought her. Was she fast asleep or tossing and turning in bed as restless as he was. Hawk rubbed his chin. She was so close. Only a few steps away up those stairs.

  Why did he insert that crazy ‘no sex’ suggestion in the conversation?

  Calling himself all kinds of idiots, Hawk closed his eyes, fantasizing about how he could’ve been in bed with Raven and making up for lost time. Instead, he was stuck sleeping by himself for the next week. Damn! As much as he ached to make love to her he couldn’t go back on his word. The damage that decision could possibly cause wasn’t worth it. Raven already left him once. He couldn’t risk her packing up and making a permanent move to D.C. to get away from him.

  Opening his eyes, his gaze fell to one of the drawers on the entertainment center across the room. Walking over to it, Hawk opened it and pulled out a box before sitting on the couch. Placing it on the table in front of him, he took out some rolling papers and a small jar containing his ganja. Within seconds he held an expertly rolled joint in his hand.

  Grabbing a lighter, he stood up, turned the lights out and went out to the back terrace. Once there, Hawk picked up a remote to turn on some music, and within seconds the sounds of Sade wafted through the speakers and mellowed out the atmosphere. After lighting the joint, he sat down and took a long, slow drag. The smooth, flavorful hit travelled down his windpipe and filled his lungs. Holding it for a few seconds, he slowly exhaled, feeling his body relax and the stress dissipate.

  Hawk rested his head back on the chair. Staring at the joint, he thought how crazy it was that people were still serving time for something that was now legal in most states. Not only was the recreational drug controversial, it was now extremely lucrative. Once the law legalizing it went into affect, the fucking industry exploded. He was talking billions. Funny how once profits were involved, white collar corporate CEO’s were all in. Hawk couldn’t knock their hustle, though. The Pattels were benefitting along with everybody else. Their companies owned everything from processing facilities that grow medical marijuana, to real estate for cannabis operations. The profits were nowhere near the amount of money their illegal product brought in but it was a respectable amount.

  Taking another drag, Hawk smiled as he thought about his father and uncle’s reactions when they found out cannabis was being traded on Wall Street. They still found it hard to believe, had been skeptical and dismissive of it at first. However, the younger Pattels took the lead on this one from the very beginning and planned on expanding even more.

  “I thought drug dealers weren’t supposed to use their own product.”

  CHAPTER 15

  Hawk opened his eyes and found Raven standing in the doorway of kitchen holding a half full glass of wine. His heavy lidded gaze ran over her in the short, white negligee that skimmed the tops of those pretty brown thighs of hers. Well. That answered the question of what she had chosen to wear to bed.

  “This is the only thing I make an exception to every now and then,” he answered. “What are you doing up?”

  “Couldn’t sleep,” she said, holding up the glass up. “I was pleasantly surprised to find you still had my wine in the fridge.”

  “First you were surprised that I didn’t throw your things out. Now you’re surprised that I still keep your wine in stock. You may have given up on us but I never did. I still haven’t.”

  “Maybe you should. It’ll make things easier once I leave at the end of the week.” Avoiding his unwavering stare, Raven took a sip of her wine and glanced at the speakers. “I never would’ve taken you for a Sade fan. Thought you would be more into these new rap groups or something.”

  Hawk grinned at the assumption. “Nah. Sade is my jam, baby. I’ve loved that woman since I was a kid. I used to always say I was going to marry her when I got older.” He chuckled softly at the memory. “Ask my fam. They still tease me about it to this day.”

  “You’re full of surprises, Pattel. A crush on Sade. Smokin’ trees...” Raven walked over to him and placed her glass on the table before taking the joint out of his hand. “What else don’t I know about you?”

  Shocked as shit, Hawk watched her bring the blunt to her lips and inhale. “Damn. I should be asking you the same thing. Never would’ve thought you indulged.”

  “I haven’t in a long time. Not since college.” Raven took another puff then handed it back. She pulled out the chair next to him and sat down. Blinking, her eyes widened as the high hit her almost instantaneously. “Wow. That’s some high quality stuff.”

  Hawk’s brow lifted in amusement at the comment. “Did you expect anything less?”

  “Wow. I guess not,” Raven shrugged, crossing her legs and leaning back in the chair. “So you couldn’t sleep either?”

  “Nah,” he said in a slow drawl. “Got a lot of stuff on my mind.”

  Raven nodded in agreement. “Same here.”

  The eye contact between them lingered. Neither said anything but they didn’t look away either. Hawk stared at her trying to figure her out. He always felt that the eyes expressed a person’s emotional state, whether anger, fear, happiness...or desire as he saw in Raven’s depths now. Hawk was positive he had the same look in his. He wanted her so bad it was a literal ache in his gut. He needed her. Hawk never realized how much until she wasn’t there.

  He lowered his lashes, silently debating on whether or not to tell her that. He’d made himself vulnerable to her once before. It wasn’t something he was comfortable doing again. The more he thought about it, it probably wouldn’t be a good idea. Making her privy to his feelings right now would only cause her to withdraw and close herself off to him even more than she already was. Instead, he took another puff of the joint and passed it to her.

  They sat in compatible silence, listening to the soulful sounds of his childhood crush and keeping the hit travelling between them. With each moment that went by Raven became more relaxed. He saw it in the slight smile that came across her lips and the way her body rested loosely in the chair while humming the words of the songs he knew by memory. When one track in particular came on, her smile broadened.

  “Oh, I love this one!” Raven said with a high-pitched lilt in her voice.

  Hawk grinned. She was so fuckin’ lit. He watched as she stood up, swaying sensuously to the music and snapping her fingers. Closing her eyes, she started singing the lyrics:

  This may come, this may come as some surprise...

  But I miss you.

  I could see through all of your lies

  But I still miss you...

  Hawk leaned back in his chair and watched her. He liked seeing Raven like this, so free and uninhibited. It reminded him of the way she was with him before things changed. He knew it was only because of the effects of the chronic, but he was going to enjoy it while it lasted–before she remembered she was supposed to hate him.

  Opening her eyes, she saw him staring at her. Tilting her head, she took a few slow steps forward until she stood snugly inside the triangle made by Hawk’s open legs. Staring back at him just as intently as he was staring at her, she sang the hook of the song:

  Is it a crime...

  Is it a crime...

  That I still want you,

  And I want you to want me too...

  Hawk’s gaze dropped to the sexy s
way of her hips. There was no way for him to hide how much she affected him; the undeniable proof was displayed prominently in the aroused bulge in his pants. His tongue came out to lick his lips as his eyes rolled back up her body. Raven was a beautiful woman. Beautiful and so fucking sexy. All without even trying to be. If anything, that was the crime here.

  Raven broke eye contact and turned so that she faced away from him. Placing her hands on his knees she slowly lowered her swerving hips to his lap until she felt the hard imprint of his erection. With her back curved in a graceful arch, she undulated in an erotic grind, moving her hips in a forward and back motion.

  The sexual tension around them dominated the air. Hawk bit back a low growl, but kept his hands planted on the arms of the chair throughout the impromptu lap dance. As much as he wanted to touch her, he knew if he did she would end up on top of the table with a stomach full of dick getting fucked within inches of her life. It didn’t matter that she was asking for it. He gave her his word that they wouldn’t have sex. As impossible as it seemed right now, he would stick to that promise.

  Besides, Hawk wanted more than just her body. No matter how much she protested, he knew he could get that whenever he wanted. He wasn’t being obnoxious; it was just a fact. However, the physical release without the mental stimulation wouldn’t satisfy him. Hawk wanted her mind and every ounce of her soul.

  Biting down on her lip, Raven glanced at him seductively over her shoulder. Hawk couldn’t help but smile. He was so crazy over this woman. If she ever found out that she was his one true weakness...

  The smile slipped away when she lowered herself all the way down on his lap. With eyes closed, she writhed against him, gyrating in a circular motion. Raven threaded her fingers through her thick tresses. Her neck fell forward then rolled back so that her hair cascaded down her shoulders. As if imagining her hands were his, she ran them over her body, touching her neck, caressing her breasts, rubbing her thighs...

  “Hawk.” His name slipped passed her lips in a breathy whisper.

  Leaning back against his chest, she reached for his hand and slipped it up under the lacy hem of her negligee. Hawk’s fingers splayed wide over her taut stomach, caressing her silky skin before inching underneath the top of her panties. Raven’s breath sped up in anticipation. His fingertips skimmed over her trimmed mound. He wanted to linger and play a little bit, but something more pressing was calling his name. Sliding down further, he took his time and parted the crevice of her satiny lower lips. They both sighed when his middle finger slipped inside her tight warmth and found heaven.

  Raven’s breath hitched. Her back arched as a strangled cry escaped through the muscles of her throat. She squirmed against him as he placed soft kisses along her shoulder and up to her neck.

  “You’re so wet, Rae,” Hawk whispered in her ear. “I love that shit.”

  He gave her what she needed without hesitation. Raven moaned as he thrust his finger inside of her, gently twisting in and out. Her body’s natural lubricate covered his fingers, leaving behind a thick glaze. He kept the rhythm repetitive and consistent. She instantly caught on to the groove and followed his lead.

  “That’s it, baby,” he whispered encouragingly. “That’s it.”

  Raven panted as she moved with him. “That feels so good, Hawk.”

  “Does it?” The sound he let out was a possessive one when she nodded. Proprietorial. Everything he touched was his.

  Hawk’s thumb grazed around the protruding nub of her clit. She was so swollen and ready. “I missed touching you like this. Thought about it every fucking night you were gone, you know that, right?”

  “Hawk, please!” She breathlessly panted his name.

  “Did you hear what I said?”

  “Yes!” Raven answered impatiently. She was ready to get to the next part.

  Hawk chuckled. “It’s okay, baby. There’s no rush. We’re almost there.”

  He withdrew his fingers and used her wetness to lubricate her clit until it was well coated. With his eyes glued to her face, he continued to stimulate her. His feather light touch glided over her sensitive flesh like the delicate wings of a butterfly. Raven’s moans intensified.

  “Faster?” Hawk whispered.

  “Y-yes. More.”

  Knowing she was close, his fingers gradually quickened over swollen clit, beckoning her orgasm to completion, enticing her to take a leap of faith. “Come on, sweetheart. Cum for me.”

  Panting heavily, air rushed from Raven’s lungs. Spreading her legs wider, she braced her foot on his knee for support. Her hips arched forward, seeking more and focusing on her pleasure.

  Biting his lip, Hawk kept his concentration on Raven. As much as his beast ached to be let free, this was all about her and her pleasure. Women were nuanced creatures. They had so many layers. Hawk patiently peeled away each and every one of Raven’s, and when she reached the peak of her journey, he held her securely. Her relief was so intense her entire body quaked.

  “That’s it,” he crooned. Her sleek inner muscles quivered and pulsated around his fingers with each contraction.

  Her body stiffened in his arms for several heart stopping moments before collapsing in his arms. Her breathing was heavy and labored. She lay spent and unable to move. Hawk calmed her with soothing words until she finally roused her weak limbs enough to turn and slip her arms around his neck. Curling close to him, she kissed his cheek and mewled like a satisfied kitten before resting her head on his shoulder. It didn’t take long for her breathing to slow and even out.

  Hawk shifted in the chair, trying to get comfortable but the raving beast in his pants made that next to impossible. Raven’s soft, round bottom pressing against him didn’t help. He lifted her up a bit higher. When she didn’t stir, Hawk tilted his head to look at her face and saw that she was fast asleep. He leaned down and kissed her softly on the lips then stood up to go into the house.

  After climbing the stairs, he took her to the master bedroom and laid her down gently in the bed. Mumbling underneath her breath she turned on her side, and with a deep sigh, went promptly back to sleep. Hawk pulled the covers over her and stood back. As tempting as it was to climb in beside her, he forced himself to turn around and quietly leave the room.

  Blowing out a long breath, he stood outside the door and ran a hand down his face. Guess it was time to take that cold shower now. He glanced back at the closed door one more time before heading downstairs. It was good to know that at least one of them would get some sleep tonight.

  CHAPTER 16

  The next morning, in spite of having barely gotten any sleep, Hawk was up bright and early. He was used to functioning on little sleep at times, so it wasn’t a big deal. After working out, he checked his emails and made a couple of phone calls, one of which was a conference call to the managers of his latest venture in Miami.

  Hawk had to admit he was excited about it. The huge three-story building featured a restaurant on the top floor and a club downstairs. It was scheduled to open in four months, an admittedly aggressive timetable, but Hawk was determined to have it ready. The early planning for a fourth club in LA was already in the works.

  He was in the kitchen finishing up breakfast when Raven walked in. He glanced up from the scrambled eggs he was beating and gave her a quick smile. “Morning, sleepyhead. I was beginning to think you were goin’ to sleep all day.”

  “Morning. Uh, no, I’ve been up a little while. I just got out of the tub.”

  Hawk nodded and grinned. “Ahhh. That explains it. Those baths of yours last at least an hour. Breakfast should be ready in about twenty minutes.”

  “Oh, you didn’t have to go to all of this trouble. I’m not hungry.” At that moment, her stomach let out a loud rumble that contradicted her claim.

  Hawk laughed at the embarrassment that covered her face. “Sounds like your stomach says otherwise. It’s no problem. I like to cook for you.”

  “I could’ve gotten a piece of fruit or something. I need to cut d
own anyway. Lazing around on a tropical island all day for two months straight was great for relaxing my mind but I gained about eight pounds,” Raven grimaced.

  Remembering the way she felt in his arms last night, Hawk’s eyes peeled away the blue jean shorts and white tank top she wore. “Looks like it landed in all the right places to me.”

  Pleasure infused Raven’s face at the compliment before she lowered her eyes. Glancing around the kitchen she quickly asked, “Is there anything I can do to help?”

  “Nahhh,” he drawled. “You know your cooking skills are nil to none, so...”

  “Hey!” she scowled.

  “I’m joking. Sort of.” Hawk grinned when he saw her lips twitch. “I’m almost finished, but if you want to do something how about keeping me company until the food is ready.”

  Raven hesitated before pulling out a chair from the island and taking a seat. “I...guess I can do that.”

  “Did you rest well?” Hawk asked.

  Raven’s eyes flew up to meet his. “I, um, yeah. Look Hawk, about last night. I never should’ve...indulged with you. That, plus the glass of wine...I apologize for my...actions.”

  Hawk put the bowl he was holding down on the island and came around to stand in front of her. “There’s no need to apologize, Rae. We’re both adults here. No one was hurt or misled. It was a moment that happened. No harm, no foul.”

  Raven watched him warily. “Thank you. And thank you for not taking...advantage of the situation.”

  “How do you know I didn’t?” Hawk couldn’t help but tease her a little.

  Raven’s eyes rounded wide before her brows bunched together in a frown. “Because I would’ve remembered, that’s how.”

  “I’on know. Like you said, you were pretty out of it.”

  “Okay, even if I didn’t remember, I would’ve...known.” Her eyes lowered to the dick print in the front of his sweatpants. Hawk was sure she wasn’t aware of the look of longing she wore on her face. “After two months of abstaining, I definitely would’ve, um, felt it this morning when I woke up.”