Chapter 5
CHAPTER 5
Men are smarter than horses…probably. ~ The Lady Elks Secret Archives.
Dawn chuckled. Hawk should’ve known better than to try the “I’m the boss” move with her. Would he have kept kissing her if she hadn’t stopped them? Part of her had wanted to continue on to definite orgasmic bliss, and the other part had just plain and simply freaked out. He kissed better than she’d imagined, and she’d imagined some amazing things. All of a sudden, she hadn’t been in control.
Fire lived in Hawk Rain, and she needed time to think. Time to let her body calm down. Time to cool off so his heat didn’t end up destroying her.
She had feelings for him, and there was no denying her body was primed and ready for him. But it wasn’t just about them. Her family mattered, and Hawk’s friendship with Colton was too important to harm. Also, Hawk wasn’t home for good yet. He had one eye on the door, even while he’d been drinking with Colt at the bar. So she would take some alone time to mull things over.
Plus, Hawk had gotten all bossy, and she couldn’t allow him to get away with it. Once he’d left her at Quinn’s, she’d borrowed Juliet’s SUV to go home. Take that, bossy pants.
Mirth filled her as she pulled the Jeep into the driveway of her cabin. Well, it was Colton’s cabin, but he’d moved into Mel’s house when they got married, and the cabin fit Dawn perfectly. Especially after she’d deep-cleaned the place. A frozen stream wound behind the back porch while trees spread out all around, giving the sense of privacy and comfort.
She turned off the ignition and jumped out just as her SUV lumbered down the main drive of the sprawling ranch. The bright lights cut through the night. Crap. How had Hawk figured it out so quickly? Or maybe he hadn’t, and he’d returned to Quinn’s in order to finish what they’d started in the truck and then followed her? She sucked in a deep breath, having expected at least a little reprieve before he picked up the challenge she’d definitely tossed down.
From the way he was speeding toward her house, she suspected his arrival had less to do with that get-some gauntlet and more to do with her purposely deceiving him. Hawk in full temper was never pretty, and he’d already been pissed off at finding her in a blizzard. He wouldn’t take kindly to her lying to him as well. Ducking her head, she hustled toward the covered front porch and waited.
No way would she run.
Hawk skidded to a stop and was out of the SUV in record time. Barreling through the storm, he came right at her, emerald eyes blazing. Even with snow billowing around him, he prowled like a determined panther on the hunt, graceful and deadly. And seriously pissed.
Well, geez. Talk about overreacting. She lifted her chin. “Hawk?—”
“No.” He stepped into her and kept right on going.
Yelping, she grabbed his shoulders as he lifted her and clamped both hands on her ass. Seconds later, her back hit the door. Not hard, but not gentle, either.
She gasped. “What?—”
“Where’s the key?” he ground out, his face in hers.
“Not locked.” Her heart battered her rib cage, and her breath caught.
He raised an eyebrow and opened the door. “Why isn’t it locked?”
She frowned. “Seriously? We’re on the main ranch—my parents live north, my brothers in every direction. We don’t lock any doors unless we’re out of town.”
His face hardened.
Oops.
“Like Quinn is right now?” Hawk shoved through the door and kicked it shut behind him, rattling a picture of the Eiffel Tower on the wall. The small Christmas tree she’d already put up shook in the corner.
“Um—” she whispered.
He leaned into her face, his breath fanning her lips. “Quinn’s Christmas lights threw me.”
“They’re on a timer.” She shoved against Hawk, getting nowhere. “If you’re so worried about my head, shouldn’t you take it easy?”
“Does your head hurt?” he asked.
“No,” she admitted.
“Then you’re fine but I’m not leaving you alone, just in case.” He held her easily, impressive muscles rippling in his chest.
She swallowed as parts of her heated throughout her body. “Put me down.”
Amusement—too dark to make her comfortable—glittered in his eyes. “You wanted to play, Dawnie. Now we play,” he whispered.
The tone, low and masculine, echoed in her torso, zinged around, and zapped right down to her core. She’d imagined this. Kind of. The reality of Hawk held more intensity, more danger, than she’d expected.
But she liked danger, right?
“You’re sending mixed messages,” she murmured, her gaze dropping to his mouth. But man, she liked how he felt.
His hands clenched on her butt, and his mouth hovered right over hers. “How is this a mixed message?”
She bit her lip. It was difficult to misread his intent. Even so, how could this be happening? To have a moment that she’d so longed for finally come was almost unbelievable. Yet she was fully awake. This was happening. “I don’t understand.”
“You in love with Adam?” he asked.
That again? “No,” she whispered. “Just friends.”
Hawk’s chin lifted. “That’s not what it looked like.”
“I know,” she admitted.
His gaze darkened. “I’m not a guy you play games with, baby.”
She shrugged. “Not playing—never was.” How many times had she dreamed about being in Hawk’s arms? Sure, her fantasies were a bit more “swept off her feet” than “up against a wall,” but even so. Nothing came close to the reality.
The reality thundered through her, springing every nerve alive and wide-awake. She reached out and slid her hand along his cut jaw. Stubble tickled her palm. “This is crazy.”
“I know. Let’s be crazy.” He lowered his head. “I’m only home the week, and you gotta know that. Say yes.”
“Whoa.” She wanted him with every cell in her body. “You can’t just change your mind like that.”
He chuckled. “My mind hasn’t changed. This is a bad idea. I know it’s a bad idea, but I’m tired of fighting it. Seeing you leave with Adam shot a rock into my gut, and I’ve been thinking since. Obviously not clearly, but who the hell cares. I’m done holding back.”
She shivered at his husky tone. Hawk in a thinking mood rarely boded well. “And?”
“And you’re gonna find somebody else at some point. If not Adam, then a lucky bastard who’ll get you for the rest of his life.” Hawk lowered his forehead to hers in a curiously gentle gesture. “I know it can’t be me. Not with my job, and not with the next mission. But I have a week, and you’re all grown up, Dawn.”
Yeah. She was all grown up, and it was about time he saw her that way. A sadness she couldn’t ignore echoed in his words. “You’ll come home for good someday, right?”
“I don’t know.” He remained tense beneath her touch, so solid it hurt. “I made a promise, and in keeping it, I probably won’t make it home. But we have this week, and I want it. For the future, to always remember. We’re safe here at home for now, and I’m done fighting it. I’m done fighting you.” He leaned back, his gaze heated. “Say yes. This is your decision, Dawnie.”
“Yes,” she breathed. Forget consequences. This? Yeah. This she wanted. She’d played it safe her entire life, not really having much choice with three overprotective brothers around. Safe was for wusses. She’d worry about repercussions tomorrow. After.
“You sure?” Hawk asked.
For an answer, she shot both hands into his thick hair and planted her lips on his. Not hard…but not exactly gentle, either.
He growled low, his mouth overtaking hers, all heated male.
Hawk Rain could kiss. Within two seconds, any doubts Dawn had disappeared. Completely. Yes, he could kiss that well. Rumors had abounded in high school, and they were all true.
She moaned deep in her throat, her nipples pebbling hard enough to hurt.
He stepped back, his tongue working hers, and then turned for the bedroom. Her coat hit the floor, followed by her shirt. It happened so quickly, she didn’t even realize he’d had to stop kissing her to get the cotton off—his mouth was that fast to return to hers.
Her bra came next, and the second her back hit the bed, her boots, jeans, and panties disappeared, as if just by thinking it, Hawk could get her naked.
Impressive. And kind of breathtaking, with a side of worry.
He finally released her mouth to stand and tug his snow-wet shirt over his head .
Whoa.
She’d seen Hawk in swim shorts, and she’d seen him running with Colton. His chest wasn’t unfamiliar. But in the years they’d been apart, he’d grown broad and strong…and ripped. Seriously ripped.
A knife wound and what looked like bullet wounds were scattered across his torso and down his abdomen. His jeans hit the floor next, and she forgot to breathe. All of the rumors were true—he was definitely gifted.
He leaned a knee on the bed and then was on her. Full frontal, Hawk Rain, all hard angles and smooth strength…on her. Tingles shook through her, and she smiled. “I’ve wondered.”
“Me, too.” His mouth dipped to her collarbone, and he traced a path down to kiss the underside of her breast. His hands were busier than his mouth, skimming her sides, stroking down her flanks, sliding around her butt.
With a shift of muscle, he turned, and she found herself on top of him, straddling him.
“Better,” he murmured, his hands going to her breasts. “You’re beautiful, Dawnie.”
His touch was one thing—the reverent words another. At his tone, something in her loosened. She relaxed and slid right into the moment she’d always dreamed about.
She flattened her hands against his chest, a soft purr escaping her. His skin was darker than hers and covered so much strength. For so long, she’d wanted to touch him. No matter what happened the next morning, she was taking the chance. “I love your chest,” she said, curling in her fingers.
He tweaked her nipple. “Yours is better.”
Liquid shot to her thighs, and she couldn’t help pressing down on his hard shaft. Shock ricocheted through her, and she threw back her head to grind harder.
“Slow down,” he whispered, his free hand rolling her other nipple.
“Can’t.” She fell forward to slide her mouth along his jaw.
Her only warning was a whoosh of sound before he manacled her waist—again—and rolled them over.
“Then you’re done on top.” He levered himself up on one arm to keep from crushing her and swept his free hand down between her breasts, over her abs, and straight for home.
“Control freak,” she muttered widening her legs, caressing down his sides.
“You have no idea, but you’re about to learn.” Then he slid one finger inside her.
She gasped, electrical zaps convulsing her sex. “I don’t like bossy, Hawk.” If nothing else, she knew how to get to him.
“Too bad.” He shifted down her torso, licking and nipping, his mouth soon finding her mound. “For years, you’ve done whatever you wanted… sometimes dangerously and often foolishly. I’ve tried reason, I’ve tried friendship, and I’ve even tried asking nicely. Now…now we’re gonna try something else.” To further make his point, he slid another finger inside her and sucked her entire clit into his mouth.
That quickly—she shattered. Crying out his name, she arched into his mouth and let the firestorm consume her. The orgasm whipped through her with such energy all she could do was close her eyes and ride out the riptide.
His smile held no small amount of determination as he maneuvered back up her body. “You’re gorgeous when you let go. ”
She reached down and grasped him, sliding her palm along his length. “We can go slow later.”
“Fair enough.” He grabbed a foil packet out of his jeans, bit it open, and unrolled it with steady hands. With masculine grace, he positioned himself at her entrance and began to ease in. Slow and careful.
Tears sparked the back of her eyes. Even now, even in the moment of passion edged with pain, he was careful with her. Finally, he pushed gently all the way home.
She arched, surprise mingling with a dark pleasure inside her. He was too much. So much. Her orgasm had prepared her somewhat, but even so, there was a lot to Hawk. And all of him was inside her.
She brushed dark hair off his forehead, suddenly consumed with more than lust. More than need. “Hawk.”
Tenderness mixed with the desire glittering in his eyes, and he brushed his thumb across her lower lip. “I know.”
Yeah.
They were joined. Completely, absolutely, male to female, and it was better than she’d ever hoped it would be. She smiled and ran a hand down his back to his smooth butt. “I’ve always admired your rear, you know. It’s phenomenal.”
He grinned. “Right back at you.” Then he pulled out and thrust back in. A muscle ticked in his jaw, showing the corded strength down his neck. “You’re tight, sweetheart.”
She wrapped her legs around his hips and her arms around his shoulders. “Slow later. Fast now.”
He shook loose of her arms until she dropped back onto the pillow. “Fine. Slow later. But you give me your eyes. ”
Now, that was intimate, and she wasn’t quite sure she could handle it. He’d used that voice…the one that meant he’d issued an order and would wait until she gave in. So she stared directly into his eyes. “Fine. Let’s see what you’ve got.”
His grin held so much promise, a tremble vibrated through her. His grin widened.
Securing her hip and lifting her partially from the bed, he started to thrust, hard, strong, and so deep she had no clue where he ended and she began. He took all of her, and he did it fast, furious, and with finality.
She’d worry about that later.
For now, she could only feel. Every nerve in her body flared and hungered. The harder he thrust, the tighter he held her, the freer she felt. Wildness lived in her and always had. For once, Hawk was there with her—far more wild than she’d ever be.
He reached down and encircled her clit with two fingers.
She gasped, her body stilling, her breath catching.
Then he pinched.
Her entire being climaxed. No slow uncoil, no slow burn, she just exploded into flames. Her eyes rolled back, she dug her fingers into his butt, and she let oblivion take her away. He’d keep her safe.
Waves, somehow sharp and pummeling, rippled through her, tightening every muscle into absolute bliss. She rode it out, holding him, coming down with a whimper. The orgasm finally waned, and he thrust harder, lifting her higher. The spiral snapped closed again, and her mouth opened in a silent scream. The next orgasm shook her to her core, taking everything. She held on with all her strength, holding firm, her body shaking head to toe.
Finally, she came down.
“Eyes,” he growled.
She swallowed, her eyes drifting open to see determination and promise in his. His hold somehow tightened, and he pistoned hard, his gaze keeping hers. The second he went over, her heart seized.
She exhaled slowly as he ground against her and came. Finally, he kissed her with so much tenderness, tears sprang to her eyes.
Hawk Rain. Finally.
He rolled off her and turned her to face him before sliding her hair out of her eyes. “You okay?” he asked.
“Great.” She played with his chest, her gaze dropping, shyness suddenly swamping her.
“Eyes, baby.”
She glanced up.
“No hiding. Period,” he said.
Fine. He wanted to talk? Well, she could chat with the best of them, and she had questions. “You were angry, and I’ve seen you do some things in temper, but this was a change of heart. A big one. What’s going on?”
He leaned into her touch. “I’m tired of fighting, Dawnie.” He turned and brushed her fingers with a soft kiss. “Honestly? Seeing you leave with Adam turned me around. I didn’t like it.”
“Adam and I are just friends,” she whispered, stretching.
“I know.” Hawk angled toward her, his hand wrapping around her hip. “Someday you’ll be more than that with somebody. Maybe Adam, maybe not. The idea makes something hurt deep inside me. ”
For Hawk Rain, that was about as close to a declaration of love as Dawn had ever heard. The guy had been head over heels for a track star in high school, and even then he hadn’t professed that much emotion.
Dawn flattened her hand against his chest. “So you’re saying there’s a chance.”
He grinned at the Dumb and Dumber reference. “I’m only here a week. If I get the job done next time, then we’ll talk when I get back.”
She shook her head. “You don’t sound like you’re going to make it back.”
He sighed. “Can’t talk about it, but it’s dangerous, and I signed on.”
A chill ticked through her. “You don’t have to do everything alone.”
“This, I do. We have a week, Dawn. Take it or don’t.” His voice remained level, but fire, pure and green, lit his unique eyes. Even so, his caress down her arm was gentle and held a sweet promise.
Her stomach quivered. “I’ll take the week. Just between us, though. We keep all of this between us.”
He stilled. “I’m not lying to Colton.”
“Not lying, just not sharing.” She shook her head. “This is special between us this week. If you come back, if I wait for you, which I’m not saying I will, and we decide to start up again? Then we’ll talk about going public. For now, I want something just for us.” He had to understand that after growing up in Mineral Lake.
His gaze dropped to her lips. “All right. We’ll explore this, and see where we are, but I don’t like lying to my best friend. ”
At his acquiescence, something eased in Dawn. “Works for me.” Leaning forward, she pressed her lips against his. “Now, I think I owe you an orgasm.”
“Not keeping score here…but if I were, you’d owe me two.” He grinned.
Fair enough. Nobody ever said Dawn Freeze didn’t pay her debts.