by Alexa Riley
“Go on,” I say against his lips before pulling back. I want to know why there’s nothing to go back to.
“I didn’t want that life for you and I could see it in your eyes you didn’t want to be there either. So I made plans for us and hoped that when I got everything laid out you’d come with me.”
“I would have come with you,” I cut in, and he gives me one of his rare smiles.
“I started working with the feds,” he says, and I gasp in shock. “I didn’t give a shit, they can call me a snitch. Call me whatever the fuck they want but I would have done anything to get you away from your father and for us to have a new start.”
“Is he in prison? Is that what happened?” He said I didn’t look back and I’m guessing my father going to jail would have made the news.
“No.” Hawk’s face grows a little solemn and I’m sure mine shows my disappointment. “He didn’t go down without a fight.”
“He’s dead.” I try to sit up but Hawk doesn’t let me go. It’s like a giant weight has been lifted off of me and suddenly I feel truly free for the first time.
“Because of me,” he admits.
“But you’re okay, right? No one is looking for you?” My eyes start to water, thinking about the FBI or someone else coming for Hawk. “I’ll leave with you, if that’s what we have to do.”
“You just said you didn’t want to leave here.”
“I don’t, but I want to be with you more. If we have to start over new, I will. As long as we’re together. I’ll miss this place but I love you and I don’t want to be without you. Now that I know where you stand, I’m so sorry I ran. I’m—” My words are cut off when his mouth comes down onto mine.
“Muñeca,” he growls. “You love me.”
“So much it hurts. It’s part of why I ran. I couldn’t see you every day and not have you. I couldn’t live that way.”
“No one has ever said those words to me,” he says before he kisses me again. He rolls us so he moves between my legs, and then I feel his cock nudging its way inside of me.
“I love you,” he says, and I moan.
“No one has ever said those words to me either,” I say in realization.
“I’m going to give you the life you deserve, muñeca. I won’t take you from here.”
“I want to give you the life you want too.” My eyes lock with his. This is about all of us.
“All I want is you.”
“I’m yours,” I say, wrapping my body around his. “We’ll never be apart again,” I reassure him as we make love this time. It’s soft and sweet and I get another glimpse of the man Hawk is and I know he’ll always be what I need.
Chapter 8
Hawk
It’s early the next morning when I meet with Ford and his wife. I don’t feel comfortable calling another man’s wife Honey, so I just stick to Mrs. Cyprus. Turns out the ranger Moose has already done some digging into my past but also found out that I was working in cooperation with the feds.
“Are you going to take Piper from us?” Honey asks with round, pleading eyes.
“No.” I let out a sigh as I think about her in bed. She was sleeping like the dead when I left her and I want to make sure I’m back before she wakes up. “She’s made a home here and she’s asked me not to take her away.”
“Oh thank God.” She puts a hand over her chest and smiles brightly at her husband.
“So what happens next?” Moose asks from nearby, and I shrug.
“You know I got out and this is as good as a place to hide as any.” I turn to Ford and make eye contact. “To raise a family.”
He’s thoughtful for a moment before he steps forward and holds out his hand. “If Moose says you’re to be trusted then I won’t argue with him. I’m sorry we all got off on the wrong foot, but Camp Hardwood is open to you and Piper for as long as you want.”
I reach out and grip his hand firmly as I nod to him. “I appreciate that.”
“Welcome home,” Mrs. Cyprus says and beams from ear to ear.
“I’d like to speak to you about arranging a wedding as soon as possible.” And to my surprise she lets out a squeal of excitement and jumps up in the air. Her husband grabs her and settles her against him, but he can’t contain her joy.
She clears her throat and pretends to get herself under control. “Of course, just let us know what we can do to help.”
After I walk out of the office, I make my way back to Piper. To the woman I love. The sun is just beginning to come up and I hurry, not wanting her to wake up without me.
As soon as I take a step onto the cabin porch, I hear her call out for me and my heart leaps in my throat. I rush inside, calling her name, and I see her bare chested and sitting up in bed. Her pink nipples are pebbled under the thin sheet and I involuntarily lick my lips.
“Oh thank God. I thought you left again.” She lets out a ragged breath as she puts her hand on her chest.
“Muñeca,” I say as I go to the bed and sit beside her. I hold her close to me and realize leaving her that night has left its mark. “I was talking with Ford and telling him that we’ve decided to stay. Moose explained everything to him about me working with the government and getting away from my past.” I take her face in both my hands as she looks up at me. “I told you I’m never leaving you again, and if this is where you want to raise our son, then so be it.” I kiss her softly and then touch my forehead to hers. “That night in the hotel, I didn’t leave you because I didn’t want you.” I look into her eyes as I reach into my pocket and pull out a blue velvet box. “I left to have this made for you.”
Her eyes widen and she gasps as I open it up to reveal the ring. It’s a ruby surrounded with diamonds in the shape of flowers. It sparkles in the first light of the morning sun and she looks up at me with tears in her eyes.
“You deserve a one-of-a-kind ring, so I ran out and had the jeweler make it right then. I didn’t think in that time you’d run out on me and I’d spend months looking for you.” I shake my head as I let out a laugh. “I should have known you would have jumped to conclusions.”
“I just thought—I mean, I don’t know.” She shrugs as she looks away from me. “I assumed you had other women to keep you occupied.”
I take her chin in my hands and force her to look at me “Never, my muñeca.” I shake my head and open my heart. “Not since before the day I came to work for your father have I touched another woman. I pledged my loyalty to protect you and at first I didn’t want the distraction of a woman to cloud my judgment. But I began to fall in love.” I take the ring out of the box and slide it onto her finger. “Then when you became a woman, I wanted to claim what was mine.”
“I’ve always been yours, Hawk.” Tears stream down her cheeks and I kiss them away as I pull her close.
Without thought I push her down on the bed and climb on top of her. The only thing I can think of right now is sealing this with love.
“Open for me,” I demand as I take my cock out and move between her legs.
She moans as I slide the head through her wet folds before sinking my entire length home. She clenches around me as her sweet honey coats my cock and I thrust desperately into her. It’s uneven and rushed but I need her too badly to slow down.
Her nails dig into my arms and I go faster. She closes her eyes in pleasure. I grit my teeth, trying to hold off until she can get off, but I’m so close I don’t know if I can make it.
To my utter shock and pleasure I watch as her hand goes between us where we’re joined and she begins to rub her pussy.
“Fuck,” I groan while my cock swells and throbs. I can feel spurts of cum dripping from me as her small hand speeds up over the top of her clit.
She’s just as eager as I am and the sight of her horny and seeking her pleasure is too goddamn much.
I thrust as deep as I can go and watch her little fingers scissor over her clit as my cum fills her pussy. With a catch of her breath followed by a shout, she finds her release on my cock.
She’s so fucking beautiful, lying under me and writhing in pleasure.
I reach down and place my large palm over her belly and cup it protectively. As she comes down from her high she looks up at me and smiles with heavy-lidded eyes.
“You’ve made me into a good and decent man.” I lean down and kiss her sweetly as I begin to slowly move inside of her again. “Thank you, muñeca. You’ve washed my soul clean.”
“You were always good and decent, Hawk. But love has opened you up to see it in others.”
“That’s because of you.” I rub my nose against hers before I kiss her again. “I love you.”
“Forever,” she agrees as we begin our happily ever after.
Epilogue
Piper
months later
I stare at the giant beast of an SUV outside the hospital as I hold our baby boy in my arms. “What is that?” The thing is a freaking tank. It clearly had a lot of custom work done to it. I wonder if it’s even street legal. I’m sure Hawk got some special something so that he could drive it. Nothing stands in Hawk’s way when he wants something.
“That’s protection,” Hawk answers, leaning down and kissing me before placing a kiss on the top of our baby boy’s head. I’m actually not shocked over the vehicle or whatever you want to call it. I’m not going to ask if the glass is bulletproof because I know it is. If he wants to be over the top with our protection, fine. I don’t care as long as it makes him feel better. It’s not like there’s anything to worry about. The past is done. We aren’t connected to my father's dealings. We have a clean slate here. Everything has died with him.
Okay, maybe it’s not completely clean. Hawk has money. I never ask how or where he got it. I’m sure if I did he’d tell me, but I don’t want that in our lives. When I think back, I only remember the times when I was with Hawk. They’re the only times I care about. I love now when I look back I can see how he was hiding his want for me. The one thing I will always be thankful for is that my father did bring Hawk into my life. Then Hawk saved me from my father. I might have run on my own, but Hawk made sure there was no one coming for me. Well, except him.
Hawk takes our son from my arms and puts him into his car seat. I watch as my husband buckles him in and tucks him safely away into the giant tank of a vehicle. He’s going to be a wonderful father. I knew that when he held my stomach protectively that first day he found me again. But getting to see him with our son only solidifies what I’ve been thinking. My big beast of a husband is showing every part of the gentle giant that he is. It melts my insides.
He opens the passenger side door for me. I’m about to ask him how I’m supposed to get in but he lifts me gently and sits me inside before buckling my seat belt and giving me a kiss. I watch him round the front and hop into the driver seat before taking off. I let out a long sigh. I’m ready to be home, just the three of us.
“I love you pregnant but I’m not sure I can do that again.” Hawk shakes his head.
“It wasn't that bad.” That’s a small little white lie. In the moment I knew the labor was bad but looking back, it was worth it. I’d do it a few more times, for sure.
“Liar,” he mumbles, but his lips twitch into a smirk because he knows we’ll be doing this a few more times too.
“Where are we going?” I ask when he doesn't turn down the road toward our cabin.
“A surprise.” The smirk turns into a full-on smile now. I perk up in my seat.
“I love surprises.” I can’t keep the excitement from my voice.
“I know you do, muñeca,” he says with a laugh. I do a small clap, wiggling in my seat. Then my eyes go round as we pull down a long stone driveway and a big beautiful cabin comes into view.
“But we only drafted plans,” I say, looking at the home we’ve been talking about building. We've been staying at Camp Hardwood. Hawk and Moose became fast friends and Hawk often helps out. You’d never know it but Camp Hardwood is probably one of the safest places on earth between the two of them. We knew we would need our own place but I hadn't been in a rush. We agreed we’d build and I thought that would take a long time. Now I get all the random questions Hawk was always asking me when he’d bring up what we’d have in our forever home. He was building it for us.
“I didn't want you to stress over it so I just handled it. I think I got everything you wanted but we can make any changes you want.” Hawk enjoys taking care of me and he’s good at it. I know the house will be everything I ever wanted and more. At the end of the day, though, all that matters is that I’m with him, that our baby is healthy and happy, that our kids are going to grow up safe and loved. This is one of Hawk’s ways of showing me that.
“You’re always just handling things for me.” I look over at him.
“Can’t help myself.” He shrugs.
“Don’t want you to.” I lean over. Hawk meets me halfway and our mouths touch as he kisses me softly. I don’t want to change anything about Hawk. I know he will always do what he thinks he needs to, but I also know I come first in his thoughts. It’s just his bossy, sweet way.
“This is nothing compared to what you’ve given me,” he says when he pulls back to look down at me. I know he’s talking about our son. My love. Everything, really. “I love you.”
“I love you too.” Those words never get old and I know they never will.
Epilogue
Hawk
Five years later
I watch as Moose flicks through the app on his phone checking the security cameras. We’ve just upgraded them. He’s catching on a lot easier this time around than he had the first time we installed them. Technology isn't Moose’s strong suit, but being out in the middle of nowhere with nothing isn't mine. We’ve taught each other a lot over the years.
“Can’t wait to see these at night.” It’s the reason we got the new cameras. Their night vision is supposed to be the best. We don’t really need the cameras around the camp and our homes, but they give us peace of mind and that shit is invaluable. Especially when you have priceless things like my muñeca and our little ones. My mind drifts to this morning and how I got to eat her sweet cunt before our little ones woke up. My cock comes back to life when I think about that. I’m reminded that I hadn't gotten to have my turn inside her body. I should go track her down now. She’s with Tia in the kitchen and I know she’d keep an eye on our boys while I stole my wife away for a bit.
“Who the fuck is that?” I look back at Moose’s phone. The food delivery truck is here. It’s the usual time, but I don’t recognize this delivery person. I don’t respond to Moose’s question. I turn and take off toward the main lodge because that’s where the truck will stop first before it goes to the main cafeteria kitchen. It’s not that I think the guy is a threat, at least not physically, but I don’t like anyone new around my wife that I don't get to do a once-over on. I’m good at reading people. Always have been. It kept me alive in my old life and I can tell this guy is one of those cocky little shits just from watching him get out of the truck. I also know my muñeca is the most beautiful thing that ever graced this earth and no man could resist her. The only thing I feel keeps them away is me. Once they see me they give my muñeca a wide berth. You’d think the ring on her finger would keep those fuckers off but it doesn't. Some men have no respect and I’m more than willing to teach it to them.
It takes me no time to reach the main lodge. When I enter I see Fuckface talking to my wife. He’s standing way too close. I don’t think she’s noticed how close he’s gotten because all her focus is on the apple pie in front of her. This is the third time I’ve knocked her up and each time she gets on a kick for one kind of food. This time she will eat anything apple. She’s only a few months along but the cravings are already strong.
“Back up,” I bark. Piper doesn't look up from her pie. The young man jumps back about ten feet, putting his hands in the air and seeing the error of his ways instantly. I’m going to be making a call to the food delivery service later. I don’t want s
ome punk wandering around camp thinking he can get in women’s personal space.
“Run,” Moose warns the guy. I figure he followed me to make sure I didn't hurt anyone because his wife is safely tucked away at home where no men can get near her right now. The young man nods and takes off, almost tripping over his own feet in the process. He got off lucky. I don’t have to look to know Moose is following him out.
“Let me finish my pie.” My muñeca finally looks up at me, shoving another bite into her mouth. As she chews she fights a smile because she knows I’m coming for her. I don’t see our boys so they must be off with Tia or Honey or playing with the other little ones. We could start a day care at this point with the kids we all have running around.
I round the counter and pluck her up from the chair she is sitting in. “Pantry.” She points to it. She doesn't have to tell me twice. I move us, kicking the door closed behind us.
“You got here fast. I think he got three words out to me.” She licks her lips as she looks up at me with a smile. She knows I’m a jealous fucker when it comes to her. She likes it. I think she gets off on it even. That’s a good thing because I’m not changing. I can't control it. Not when it comes to her. I spent too long not getting to tell everyone she was mine. Those days are long over. I stake my claim when it comes to her.
“I’m going to fuck you,” I tell her.
“I know.” She starts lifting her dress for me. Her thighs can’t spread any more than I already have them. I take up all the space between her legs. My jaw goes hard when I see she doesn't have any panties on.
“You been walking around like that?” I growl.
“Been waiting for you to finish what you started this morning.”
