Hawk: A Rough Romance

by Piper Stone

  I made it another foot then a second. I was almost there. Hell, yes, I could do this. Keep going. Keep going. After few deep breaths, another six inches. More air, another eight inches. Excitement surged through me as I drew closer. I was forced to rest again then lunged toward the fireplace, making it to within a few inches. Almost. Come on, girl. You can do this.

  By the time I jerked around so my back was to the fireplace, I was nearly spent, my heart racing. I looked over my shoulder then stretched my arms as far as they would go, rubbing the rope up and down. The angle was atrocious, my shoulders instantly killing me, but I had to continue. After several scrapes, I realized I was rubbing off portions of skin.

  But I kept going.

  A minute passed. Then two.

  Three.

  I dropped my head, gasping for air, my hands and wrists aching like a son of a bitch.

  A few seconds later, I heard the crunch of gravel. The bastard had returned. Fuck. I worked the rope desperately, ignoring the cries of anguish in my arms. The slam of the vehicle door made me jump, but I refused to stop. When the door opened, the jerk didn’t bother to look in my direction. He was on the phone.

  “Yeah. I know exactly what I have to do. I doubt I’m going to get anything out of her.”

  He seemed exasperated as he paced the floor, rubbing his hand through his hair.

  “Hell, no. I’m getting paid more for this shit then I’m out. I’m finished being your lackey.” He slammed his fist against the wall. “Goddamn you! I’ve done everything you asked. This is going too fucking far. You can find somebody else. You...” His words trailed off and he smashed his fist against the wall several times, screaming his frustration.

  “Fuck all of you! Fuck. You!”

  I could see his shoulders heaving as he took several deep breaths. Very carefully I continued the process. The slight tug made me realize I’d cut through a portion of the rope. I worked faster, trying desperately to remain as quiet as possible.

  Then he turned around.

  Oh, no. Fuck.

  “What the fuck did you do?” Storming toward me, his face riddled with fury, he snarled before lifting his arm. “You bitch. I don’t know what the hell you think you’re doing, but I am finished with this.” He fisted my hair, prepared to drag me away.

  The rope snapped and on adrenaline only, I shoved my hands against his chest, the force and surprise just enough to pitch him backward.

  He roared, the sound of his bellow like a caged animal.

  I hunkered over, keeping my eye on him as I struggled with the rope attached to my legs. Please. Please. Please...

  Stumbling to his feet, he lumbered forward, yanking a gun from his waistband. “I guess you and me need to get this going. Where’s the evidence?”

  “I already told you, I don’t know what the hell you’re talking about.”

  “Yeah, you do. I can see you’re going to play games with me.” He lifted the gun, removing the safety and pointing the barrel toward my head. “You better start talking.”

  “I don’t know anything. I was guessing. Okay?”

  Pop! Pop!

  My scream floated into the air, my entire body shaking. He’d purposely shifted his aim, the two bullets going just over my head. Jesus. Stars rushed in front of my eyes, my mind reeling. There was nothing I could do but stall. “Okay. I can take you to it.”

  “Where the fuck is it, Ms. Myers? I’m finished playing games.”

  “You won’t be able to get access to the building without me.” Dear God, I only hoped he believed me.

  “I know better,” he said, laughing. “You wouldn’t be so stupid as to keep it in your office.”

  “I didn’t say the office. Did I?”

  He cocked his head, lifting his arm to strike me. “You need a lesson in manners.”

  Boom!

  The rumble was enough to draw his attention. I swung my head around, a silent scream now pushing past my lips.

  Hawk...

  “I wouldn’t do that if I were you, Calen.” Hawk took long strides into the room, the front door nearly ripped off its hinges from his force.

  Calen swung the weapon back in my direction, a grin crossing his face. “You can either put that gun down, Hawk, or I’ll have no choice but to shoot her. There is no way you can kill me and save her.”

  “It would seem that you’ve underestimated my skills, Calen. After all, I am a crack shot.”

  I held my breath, able to hear the sound of sirens in the distance.

  “You know what?” Calen asked as he inched closer to me. “I think I’ll take that chance.”

  Pop!

  The single shot was followed by an intense wail, the asshole screaming as he was tossed to the floor, blood already soaking through his jeans. I blinked several times in an effort to focus as Hawk rushed over, kicking the gun out of Calen’s reach. I finally recognized the man from the fire station. Oh, my God. Another firefighter.

  As Hawk stood over Calen, I remained frozen.

  “You’re an asshole, Calen. You really thought you could fool me? You weren’t the informant. You were the man hired to set the fires. What happened, buddy? Did you learn the expertise from your father?”

  Calen moaned in pain, holding his shattered arm.

  “You okay, baby?” he asked, tipping his head in my direction.

  “You’re late,” I managed as tears slipped from my eyes.

  “Yeah, I had a few things to do.”

  I could hear the slam of several doors, footsteps as people rushed into the room.

  “Put your gun down!” one of the deputies shouted.

  “It’s okay. He’s the good guy,” I offered meekly.

  “I said, put your gun down!” the deputy repeated.

  Hawk winked then reached behind him, waiting until someone took the weapon from his hand before raising his arms. “Don’t worry, baby.”

  “Turn around,” the deputy instructed as others rushed forward, moving over Calen.

  As directed, Hawk turned around and I was able to see one of the deputies smiling. “I’ll be damned. If it isn’t Jake Travers. I heard you were back in town. Same troublemaker as always, I see,” he chortled as he lowered his weapon.

  “You know some things never change, Steve,” Hawk answered.

  “What the fuck happened here?” Steve asked as he moved closer.

  “The answer to who started the recent fires. I think Calen might be helpful and I’ve got some evidence for the district attorney.”

  “I heard you had something big.”

  “If you don’t mind, I’d like to untie the woman I love.” Hawk shifted his gaze in my direction and for the first time, the darkness had been lifted from his eyes.

  “Yeah, I think that’ll be all right,” the deputy said as he smiled. “Hey, boys, we got ourselves a regular hero in our midst.”

  Hawk huffed then moved toward me, scooting the chair away from Calen. As he took my face into his hands, he shook his head. “You gave me an awful scare.”

  As I placed my hands on his, the tears refused to stop falling. “You know me. Once a brat, always a brat.”

  “That you are,” he whispered as he pressed his lips against mine. For a few precious seconds, there was no one else in the room, the only sound the rapid beating of my heart. And for those amazing seconds, I could feel love mixed in with the astonishing electricity.

  He eased back, his eyes glistening. “Let’s get you out of here.”

  I could only smile as he untied my legs, lifting me into his massive arms.

  My lover.

  My protector.

  The man who’d captured my heart.

  * * *

  Three days later

  “Famous,” Hawk half whispered as he glanced in my direction.

  “What does that mean?” I asked as I studied him. The day was just as beautiful as the last time we were here, fluffy white clouds in the sky, the water trickling over the rocks by the shore, and Gracie munching
on grass near a large oak tree. What could be more perfect?

  I certainly didn’t take Hawk as being romantic. After all, he was a big hulking Marine with a chip on his shoulder, but he’d surprised me by suggesting a ride to the lake. Granted, he’d been reflective over the last few days, likely still attempting to put Drake’s death into some perspective. I wasn’t entirely certain what to say to him. What we’d been through had brought us closer together, even if he’d talked very little, often going outside to stare at the sky.

  He pushed his phone toward me, his eyes shimmering and his grin full of mischief.

  “This is a gorgeous day and you have your nose buried in your phone?” I asked quietly as I tingled all over from the sultry look he was giving me. The horrible events were behind us, three full days passing, the man more protective than ever. The truth was he refused to let me out of his sight. I had no idea where he got the idea that I was fragile, but he would only allow me so much space.

  While my abduction had been frightening, the firefighter turned arsonist had pissed me off more than anything. At least he’d offered corroborating evidence to the sheriff, who as it turned out was one of the good guys. Along with the evidence that Hawk’s brother had kept, the sweep of arrests had stunned the city. Two city council members and several prominent business leaders had been arrested, their involvement still coming to light.

  Sadly, Calen had taken my truck, forcing the gear into drive then watching as it tumbled down the side of the mountain. He’d planned for my complete disappearance.

  While the fire inspector had been shocked that his son had been the arsonist as well as kidnapper, I’d gathered the poor man had blamed himself for not figuring it out. After all, he’d taken Calen on several of his investigations, explaining in detail what he looked for in arson cases.

  Then there’d been the informant. The fire chief, the man I’d believed to be one of the culprits. While he hadn’t been certain who was involved, he figured it had to be a firefighter. He’d taken a significant risk in order to do the right thing.

  “You never know what kind of an important call that I might receive, sweetheart,” he said as his nostrils flared.

  “Uh-huh. You’re all that and a bag of chips, I see.”

  He studied me intently as I reached for his phone, another shiver trickling down my spine from the light touch. The man had the ability to turn up the heat without trying. As I glanced at the screen, I exhaled. The article I’d written had reached several mainstream news locations, including Philadelphia. While I was happy for the extensive coverage, being on the front pages didn’t have the same effect I thought it would. Maybe fame and fortune didn’t have the same glow as it once did. I’d even managed to laugh when an email had arrived on my business account from my sister congratulating me. As my mama always told me, what goes around comes around.

  At least I’d done the right thing and provided my best wishes on her recent marriage.

  Yeah, they’d be divorced in a year.

  “Does that mean you’re angry with me?” I asked, trying to keep my tone full of innocence. The fact he’d packed a light picnic, including remembering to bring a blanket had given me another moment of pause. The man seemed to be full of surprises, enticing me even more. I slid the phone onto the blanket, dragging my tongue across my lips on purpose

  He leaned over, placing his index finger under my chin. “I’m angry with you for lying to me.”

  “When? Who, me?”

  Shaking his head, he pulled the hair behind my shoulders before gripping them. “When you left here early the other morning. Remember the note you placed on the refrigerator? Remember the words you said, as if you didn’t care about the fabulous sex we’d just had?” He narrowed his eyes, his breathing scattered.

  “Oh, that.” I rolled my eyes on purpose. “You know I didn’t mean what I said.”

  He snickered but kept his authoritative look. “That may be true; however, it’s not going to get you out of one hard spanking.”

  “But I’m injured,” I said, pouting as I held up my chafed hands.

  “Let me think,” he said, glancing toward the sky for a few seconds. “Nope. That’s not gonna do it either.”

  “What if I promise to suck your cock?”

  “Well...” he muttered. “You will be doing that later but the attempt at bribery is just going to garner you several additional smacks across that beautiful backside of yours.”

  “Pu-lease?” I teased and shifted onto my hip, pressing a series of kisses over his mouth and cheek.

  “You do drive me crazy.” His whisper tingled every part of me, goosebumps rising on my arms. Every time he touched me, my body sizzled from the heat and desire. Today was no different. I wanted to feel his cock buried inside, his hands exploring every inch of me. And God, I wanted to taste him.

  I yelped when he yanked me over his lap, his hand coming down in rapid motions. “Ouch!”

  “Didn’t I tell you before that spankings are supposed to hurt?”

  “You are so mean.”

  “Tell me something I don’t know, sweetheart.” He continued the spanking, moving from side to side.

  While the sting was harsh, my pussy quivered, my nipples pushing against my tight tee shirt. I closed my eyes, my mind falling to delicious and very filthy places. Tonight, I just might beg him to ravish my body.

  “I think you need to lower your shorts. No, I know you do.” He slipped his fingers under the edge of the material, ticking my thighs.

  Moaning, I knew there was no way to get out of this. He’d been lenient over the couple of days, but I knew that was about to end for good.

  After all, I belonged to him.

  Every. Square. Inch.

  “I think someone is very wet,” he whispered as he managed to slip the tip of his finger past my swollen folds.

  Another whimper left my mouth as I opened my legs further, my heart skipping beats as the desire began to build. “Yes.”

  He gave me another hard swat. “Yes?”

  “Yes, sir!” I quickly correctly, a smile crossing my face.

  “Suck a naughty little brat,” he mused. He issued a couple of additional swats. “Go on. Do as I say.”

  I crawled off his lap and onto my knees, keeping the pout on my face.

  “That’s not going to do a thing, brat girl. I suggest you do as you’re told, or your punishment is going to be a lot worse.”

  “So mean,” I huffed, glaring at him as he reached for his belt.

  The sound of the phone made me squeal inside. A reprieve.

  Hissing, Hawk reached for his cellphone, smiling when he noticed the caller before answering. “Brenda. I was going to call you in a little bit.”

  I bit my lip as I watched him. Every time he called about Ashley, he wore a huge smile. I couldn’t wait to meet the precious little girl who’d already stolen a portion of his heart.

  “Hmmm... Ashley. Mr. Bear told me what a good girl you’ve been. Have you been sharing Brenda’s famous chocolate chip cookies with him?” he asked, darting a look in my direction, a wry grin on his face. “He has a very big appetite so make certain you give him a bite of your food.”

  I could see the mixture of concern as well as a heightened level of anxiety. Even his shoulders sagged after a full thirty seconds. “Well, just remember that you can talk to Mr. Bear anytime. No one else has to hear what you’re saying. He does love you, Ashley, just like Unkie Jake does.”

  He shifted his gaze in my direction, shaking his head slightly.

  “Give her some time,” I whispered, knowing that his heart was breaking from not being able to get through to her.

  “Okay, honey. I’ll come see you really soon. Okay? You be a good girl for Ms. Brenda.” After ending the call, he held the phone against his head. “What if I can never get through to her?”

  “I don’t have any doubt you will. Mr. Bear, huh? Seems like you took my advice.”

  Chuckling, he tossed the phone onto the b
lanket. “You might have a few good ideas.”

  “Might, huh?” I asked as I slowly eased the tee shirt over my head, immediately sliding my hands down to my breasts, cupping both. Closing my eyes, I undulated my hips as I pinched my nipples.

  “That’s still not going to get you out of your spanking,” he muttered, the tone husky and dripping with lust.

  I kicked off my shoes, laughing when both hit him in the chest. “You sure about that?”

  He pushed the shoes away, folding and hugging his knees as he watched me. “What do you have in mind?”

  I kept my eyes pinned on him as I unfastened my jean shorts. There was nothing like seeing a man in a tight shirt accentuating his bulging muscles. Let alone the faded jeans that refused to hide all the juicy goodness that God had given him. I was fueled by my own raging hunger, a longing to have our naked bodies melded together.

  “You’re going to have to wait to find out,” I whispered before shimmying the material down my hips, the tug taking my thong at the same time. When I stood naked in front of him, I concentrated on his guttural low-slung growls as I twisted my hair into a makeshift bun. “Are you game?”

  “For anything, sunshine. You forget who you’re talking to.”

  Winking, I backed up several steps before turning and heading directly to the water. I could tell by the slight gasp he was shocked at my boldness.

  The moment I placed a single foot into the cool stream, shivers rushed into every inch of my body, the water freezing cold. But I knew one hunk of a man would keep me warm. I continued walking, biting back a moan as the ripples lapped at my legs. When the water was finally deep enough, I lowered all the way down, swimming several lengths away before turning to face him.

  “Are you chicken?” I asked. Oh, I’d pay for that later.

  He shook his head before rising to his feet, grabbing the neck of his shirt and yanking it off. Within seconds, he was fully naked, allowing me to enjoy the sight of him for only a limited time before stalking toward the lake.

  His cock was fully engorged, the tip glistening in the bright sunlight. My mouth watered at the thought of sucking on him, draining every delicious drop of cum. I knew that would have to wait.

  For now.

  He would have his way with me and there was nothing I wanted more.