Silver Sunrise (The Silver Springs #5)

Chapter 1

One

Hawk Morgan’s hips swayed back and forth to the music filling the tent.

Fuck, it had been a perfect day, and he was so fucking happy for his friends.

A marriage already so solid they wanted to do a vow renewal in front of all their friends and family?

That was the stuff dreams were made of. Gunner and Lily Brooks had a relationship he looked up to.

Was he a little sad he couldn’t give them anymore shit about their elopement a few years back?

Yeah. Especially when Gunner, someone he’d served in the SEALs with and who was notoriously grumpy, was so easily triggered any time he did it.

But seeing them happy, standing up in front of everyone they loved renewing their vows…

it was worth it. And, although he’d never risk his status as a truly charming man who enjoyed making all the women in Silver Springs smile with a little well placed flirting, Hawk fucking ached to have that for himself.

His eyes scanned the crowd. Most people, if they saw him, would think Hawk was looking for one of his Montgomery Defense buddies.

He’d moved to Texas a few years back to start the business with them, after all.

Gunner had married Lily. Gage Walker had fallen in love with the psychologist who worked out of the same building as them, Dr. Sloane Donovan.

Nash Caldwell was married to his wife Lacy, who was massively pregnant and going to have their newest daughter any day now.

Yes, Lacy’s daughter Embrie was also officially Nash’s now after the adoption went through last year.

And Stone Lawson, his best friend, was somewhere in the tent trying to win back Mae’s heart.

Yes, Mae Morgan. His best friend and his sister.

He never saw that one coming, but man was he rooting for Stone and Mae.

They deserved to find their own slice of happiness after all they’d been through.

But no, they weren’t who he was looking for. His eyes were searching for someone in particular. A sweet little five-foot-nothing curvy goddess that he’d shared one amazing night with a year ago before the world came crashing—

A warm hand slipped over Hawk’s, and before he could set his plate of cake down, he was being tugged out of the tent. A familiar flash of blond hair flicked in front of his face as his plate went flying out of his hand and landed precariously on the edge of the dessert table.

All his attention turned to Jessie Ford. The goddess had apparently been looking for him, too.

“Jess? What the hell? Are you okay?”

“No. I’m not,” she hissed as she continued to pull him forward, onto the lawn and down towards the driveway. “It’s bad, Hawk.”

Her whimper had him immediately on high alert. “What’s going on?”

“Please, I feel silly, but I need your help.”

He finally pushed his heels into the ground, tightening his grasp on her hand. She tripped, just slightly enough to put her off balance, and Hawk wrapped his arm around her waist to steady her.

“You can always come to me, Pretty Girl.”

She’d always been his type. From the first time he’d walked into Dolly’s, completely unaware that the most carefree and vibrant woman he’d ever met would greet him with a smile so brilliant it sent his heart into overdrive… and denim shorts so short they made him blush.

“Hey.” His fingers pinched down on her chin, gently tipping her face so she’d be forced to look him in the eye.

“Is someone bothering you? Are you in danger?” He wasn’t above throwing her over his shoulder and driving away with her if she was.

Everything about how she was acting made him think the situation was dire, whatever it may be.

She bit down punishingly on her bottom lip, Hawk’s hand immediately moving to cradle her face while his thumb gently encouraged her to let her lip go. “Danger of spontaneously exploding because of how fucking hot you look in your uniform!”

Ah, his dress whites. Lily had insisted all the guys wear them for the occasion. Jessie pressed up onto her tiptoes, her hands reaching out and threading together around his neck. And before Hawk could think about what was happening, her lips were pressed against his.

It was all he’d thought about for the last year. The ache that settled deep inside him after she’d been taken with Mae. Their one night together had been incredible. He’d wanted to ask her out. Wanted something more. But she faded away. Whenever he saw her, Jessie turned the other way.

Hawk thought things fizzled out for her…

Jessie’s tongue licked across his lips as her hips rocked against him. The tiniest moan escaped her as he opened up, and holy fuck, that was the hottest noise he’d ever heard.

But all of this was happening just a few yards away from where her entire family was. Where his friends were. Hawk knew she’d be embarrassed when the fogginess of the endorphins from the day wore off.

“Wait, I… What’s happening here?” he asked.

“I need some relief, Chief. And your service number just got called up. Are you ready and willing for the mission, or do I need to drive my pretty ass into town and find another willing man?”

Hawk growled. “I know I don’t have a claim on you, Jess, but don’t you fucking think for a second I’d let you run off to fuck a stranger.”

“This is my hometown, Hawk. No one is a stranger here,” she teased. “I’d be safe. Someone could take care of this ache…”

“The only person who’s touching you tonight is me. Got that?”

“Yes, Sir.” She winked as her tongue licked along her bottom lip.

“Fuck,” he groaned as she giggled. “We shouldn’t be doing this.”

“Oh yes, we should. And did you think I forgot how much you liked when I called you that?”

“No, beautiful. I haven’t forgotten. I’ve thought about it every goddamn day over this last year. But you’ve been giving me the cold shoulder. Should I be worried there’s some young asshole who’s going to try and beat my ass for sleeping with his girl?”

“I’m no one’s girl. Except tonight. Tonight I’ll be yours, if you want.”

“I fucking want, Jess. Not just for tonight.”

“That’s all I can give you. But it can be one really great night. We can even start in your truck on the way back to your place, if you want.” Her hand drifted down to cup his erection. Hawk’s eyes rolled to the back of his head and he had to remind himself he was still in uniform.

“Fuck. I want that. But I have to change…”

“Oh, but I like the uniform,” Jessie pouted.

“I didn’t say you couldn’t help me get out of it.” His fingers dusted along the thin strap of her dress. “And I can’t wait to get this off of you. I’m drooling over the thought of seeing all your curves again. Biting into each and every juicy line of your perfect body.”

“Careful, Hawk. Keep talking like that, and I’ll be a puddle before we get back to town.”

He grabbed her hand and pulled her towards the driveway of Gunner and Lily’s house. “Let’s go.”

“Such a gentleman.” Jessie sighed as Hawk held open the passenger side door to his truck.

“I try. You think you can make it up there okay?”

“Better give me a boost. Just don’t try to cop a feel…”

“Never, baby.”

His hand landed on her ass and squeezed.

Jessie couldn’t hold in her laughter as she nearly catapulted on to the seat.

Hawk’s mischievous smile, the one that made her belly quiver, was right in front of her as he reached in and slid the buckle across her body.

He didn’t hide the way his hand skimmed right over her chest either.

“No bra?”

She giggled. “Didn’t want any straps to show.”

“Fuck if I’m going to be able to concentrate on driving now that I know that.”

She pressed her thighs together, the throbbing between her legs getting stronger. It had been so fucking bold of her to even approach him. Never in a million years had she thought he’d say yes to another night of fun. Especially after the way he found her in the forest…

“Hey. You okay?” Shit. She’d been lost in thought and he’d clearly caught her. “I can drop you off at the ranch if you changed your mind.”

“Oh, absolutely not.” She leaned over and pressed another kiss to his lips. “Go get in the driver’s seat and get us back to town before I die from the need to have your dick inside me again.”

The corner of his mouth quirked up. “Yes, ma’am. Orders heard loud and clear.”

The second Hawk sat in the driver’s seat, her hand was on him. It started innocently enough. Just her fingers brushing against the sleeve of his jacket. But then her fingers made their way up to his shoulder, and then onto his neck.

She knew the instant he was going to snap.

Not in a bad way. Hawk was such a goddamn dream with how sweet he was to her.

She never would have guessed it with the way he flirts with every woman in town.

But she’d seen him lower the mask. She’s seen the tears in his eyes as he scooped her up off that snowy ground.

He was a gentle giant. If only he could be her gentle giant.

But she’d settle for one more night. One night where a few sips of bubbly stuff in a fancy flute seemed to take away all her fears of rejection.

Where wine had made her forget her responsibilities.

Jessie’s fingers threaded through his short hair.

She found herself wondering what it would look like if he grew it out just a little bit.

Hawk would probably look like a surfing god, all shaggy golden hair to match his ocean-blue eyes.

She couldn’t take it any longer. Jessie reached down her legs and started bunching the fabric up. Her feet slipped out of her shoes coming up to rest on the dashboard. And her hand slipped under the fabric, a moan escaping before she could bite down on her lip to stop it.

“Fuck,” Hawk growled. “Eyes on the road. Don’t fucking crash the truck,” he mumbled.

She felt the instant he looked over, heat exploding across her skin.

“Baby, oh god. Are you not wearing any panties?”

“Didn’t want any lines showing through. Satin is very unforgiving,” she panted as her fingers brought her closer and closer to climax.

“Thank fuck for satin. Better set your bare ass on my seat. Wouldn’t want you ruining your pretty dress with how close you sound to gushing all over my seat.”

“I’d just send you the dry cleaning bill.”

“Fuck that, Jess. You come all over that dress, I’m keeping it forever.”

“Don’t you dare move those fingers off my thigh, Hawk. I want to imagine it’s you driving me closer and closer to the… edge… ”

His fingers squeezed down on her leg as her own touch became frantic. Her eyes never strayed from watching him, and his eyes never left the road.

“Hawk,” Jessie moaned out his name as she sank down in the seat, her legs spreading wider to accommodate her fingers exploring exactly where she wished he would touch her.

“Fuck, Jessie. Let go.”

His command was all it took. Her legs clamped down around her hand as her orgasm rushed through her body.

“Beautiful,” he murmured, his hand leaving her thigh to rest on the back of her neck. She leaned over, pressing a kiss against his arm. “I can’t wait to see you fall apart like that all over my cock.”

“Grab a condom out of that drawer.” Hawk pointed to the table next to his bed as he finished putting his uniform away.

“I remember,” she laughed, rolling over so he got a perfect look at her ass. God. Her body was like one of those fertility paintings from the Renaissance. She was all curves, all goddess. And he was going to lick, and kiss, and worship, every single one of those plump lines before the sun came up.

Jess took the condom out as Hawk laid down, his hands running up and down her thighs as she straddled him, rolling the condom over his cock. His abs flexed as the sensation of her touching him sent sparks through his body.

She climbed up, hovering over him as he lifted his head off the pillow, kissing her lips. Jessie gripped his base, lining him up to her entrance, and then she lowered herself onto him.

“Oh,” she panted. “God. I forgot how good you feel.”

“You’re fucking perfect, Jess. Fuck. You feel so good…” he groaned. “I’m not going to last long.”

“That’s okay, Chief. I plan on taking you for a couple more spins tonight. Have to make the most of it…” Hawk moved his hand so it rested on her inner thigh. Then he moved so his thumb could circle her clit. “Oh… oh… fuck, Hawk. God. That feels so good…”

Jessie’s nails raked across his chest as her breasts bounced in his face. He wanted to commit every second of their time together to his memory, but it was all growing hazy.

He snapped, rolling them in one fluid motion so Jessie was now under him.

He pounded into her, a man lost to the frenzy of sensation.

Her pants and moans and nails clawing at his shoulder just encouraged him more.

Thrust after thrust until he felt her walls clamp down around his shaft, the fluttering sensations sending him barreling over the edge with her into his own orgasm.

He stayed connected to her for a moment, catching his breath and kissing her back down to earth.

“Fuck,” Hawk groaned as he pulled out of her. The reality of what had happened crashed into him like a bucket of cold water had been dumped over his head. “I’m so sorry, Jess.”

“What’s wrong?” Her face went pale as she dropped her eyes to the exact problem he’d just been groaning about.

“The condom broke.”

Silence filled the room for so long, Hawk thought Jessie might be in shock. But she blinked, and blinked again, before a shy smile turned up the corner of her lips.

“It’s okay. It happens.”

Hawk groaned. “I’m clean, Jessie… I swear.”

“I believe you. And I am too.”

“What about…” His eyes dropped to her belly.

“I have an IUD. The condom was just another layer of protection. I promise. We’re covered.”

“Good.”

“Good,” she agreed.

Fuck. Why was he being so fucking awkward?

“Want to take a shower with me, Pretty Girl?”

She laughed. “You think I can walk after what you just did to me? I need a minute to just lay here and get the feeling back in my limbs.” Her hand raised an inch off the mattress and waved at him. “You should go. Don’t dry off when you get out. I have a wet Hawk fantasy we’re going to explore.”

“Just promise me you won’t run off like last time.”

“No way. I can’t even think about moving right now. Go. I’ll be a good girl, I promise.”

Hawk nodded, lingering for a few minutes to make sure she was actually okay and not completely freaking out at the huge issues a broken condom could make. And when he finally felt confident that her beautiful ass would be waiting for him in his bed, Hawk stepped into the shower.

But he should have known better. Because Jessie Ford was the ultimate dream for him. But no matter how good, or right, or perfect a dream felt, he always woke up. And when Hawk walked out of the bathroom to find his bed empty, he knew the dream was over.