Five
Avianna
I open my eyes to see the sun shining in my face as a smile takes over my face because for the first time in so long I was nightmare-free.
I have a feeling it has to do with the man who held me all night.
After dinner, we made our way upstairs, and Hawk put on a movie, and within the opening credits rolling, I felt my eyes close, and that was it.
Rolling over, I expect to see him lying there, but all I see is an empty spot, making me frown.
I reach over to where he was sleeping, and his spot is cold, meaning he’s been awake for a while.
Stretching, I throw the covers off and shiver from the morning chill as I make my way to the closest.
Grabbing a pair of jeans and a long-sleeved shirt, I make my way into the bathroom and hop into the shower, letting the hot water warm me up.
I spot my body wash, making me smile. When he moved me into his bedroom, he thought of everything.
Seeing my stuff mixed in with his does something to me.
It shows he truly wants me to feel at home here.
I wash up, not wanting to linger, and step out of the shower, grabbing a fluffy towel off the rack.
I lather on my favorite lotion and get dressed.
My stomach feels like it has a million butterflies taking flight with how nervous I am about today.
When you’ve been told so many times how you will never amount to anything in life, it always sits in the back of your mind, always.
I try to shake the feeling of inadequacy and finish getting ready for the day.
I take my time doing my hair and put on some makeup, as I want to make a good impression.
Cleaning up my mess, I open the door, throw my dirty clothes in the hamper, grab my phone, and head downstairs.
I can hear Hawk moving around in the kitchen.
The smell of bacon and pancakes makes my stomach growl.
I walk into the kitchen and stop in the doorway, watching as Hawk places plates on the table.
He must sense my presence as he looks up and a beautiful smile graces his face.
God, even in the morning, he looks hot as hell.
He walks over to me, leans down and places his lips on my forehead. My eyes close as my throat clogs with emotion. “Good morning, darlin, how did you sleep?”
“Better than I have in a long while. It’s the first time I have had no nightmares.”
His face darkens at my confession. “I hate that you’ve had any. You should be nothing but happy, and I will make damn sure that you are from now on.”
“It’s okay, Hawk, that part of my life is over now.” I try to reassure him, but I don’t think he hears me. He seems too lost in his thoughts.
“Not yet, they aren’t, but soon enough your uncle will get what’s coming to him, and then you will finally know peace.” His voice is rough as he grits out through his teeth. I know the thought of my uncle pisses him off.
So, to steer this conversation into lighter territory, I grab his hand and give him a smile. “It smells good in here. What’s for breakfast?”
It takes a moment for his eyes to swing back to me, and when he does, they shine so brightly as if he is well and truly happy that I’m standing in his kitchen.
“I wasn’t sure what you liked, so I may have gone overboard. I made bacon, eggs, and pancakes along with some fruit as well.”
We walk into the dining room to see the table filled with all kinds of things.
I laugh as he helps me to my chair. “This looks amazing, Hawk, thank you. I will pretty much eat anything except seafood. But you didn’t have to go through all this trouble for me.” It warms my heart to see what he’s willing to do for me, and I don’t think I’ve even scratched the surface yet.
He winks at me as he hands me my coffee. “I told you that your mine and I take care of mine. Eat up before it gets cold, then I will drop you off at the garage to meet Hailey.”
Feeling my cheeks heat up, I smile at him. I dig in and the food is amazing, even the pancakes are homemade. I’m not ashamed to say I went in for seconds. As I lean back in my chair, I'm struggling to resist unbuttoning my jeans. I’m so full.
“Did you have enough to eat?”
“Yeah, I don’t think I could eat another bite. That was amazing, Hawk, thank you.”
He reaches over and touches my cheek, making me smile. “Anything for you, darlin. Let me just clean up these dishes, then we can go.”
I go to stand up, grabbing some plates, and he snatches them right out of my hands. “Sit, I’ve got this.” He winks at me and walks into the kitchen.
I smile, not used to all this. Someone waiting on me, making me breakfast, feels nice. I pull out my phone to check my messages and the color drains from my face seeing one from Uncle Jamie.
“When I get my hands on you, Avianna, you are dead. You fucking owe me, bitch.”
My hands shake, and I’m finding it hard to take a full breath. It feels like I’m underwater. I think he means it this time. He’s going to stop at nothing to get his hands on that money. I don’t even realize Hawk walked back into the room until he’s on his knees in front of me.
He lifts my chin and wipes away the tears that are falling. “Breathe for me, darlin. That’s it. In and out, nice and slow. What happened?”
I take a deep breath and let it out, and pass him my phone, not able to speak just yet. I watch as he processes the message and can see the dark look in his eyes as he reads it. Hawk looks murderous. I look down at my lap, my heart hurting, not understanding why my own family would want me dead.
“Your uncle is as good as dead. I will fix this shit, darlin I promise you.” Hawk growls out and I know he means it.
I look up at him to see a pained look in his eyes. “What if he goes after you, Hawk? I don’t want anything to happen to you.”
His smile is feral, which should honestly have me running from here, but oddly it doesn't scare me. “Let him come to me; it will make killing his ass so much easier. Do you want to stay home today? Hailey would understand if you did.”
I shake my head and wipe the last remaining tears. From this point forward, my uncle will no longer run my life. It's time I took back what’s mine, even though the thought scares the hell out of me. “No, I want to go to work. I don’t want what’s happening to ruin my life any longer.”
Hawk lets out a smile. “That’s my girl.”
The air around us feels charged, and everything else fades into the background as he moves closer to me, still on his knees.
I open my knees wider for him to move as close as he can, and he places his hands on my face.
I know at this moment he is going to kiss me.
Hawk doesn’t ask for permission; he just takes, and the first kiss has me melting against him.
He’s not soft and gentle, oh no, not my Hawk.
He shows me he’s in control and I’m right there with him.
I never knew a kiss could make you feel this way.
It's as if I can feel him all over and nowhere at the same time.
His kisses are maddening as I pull him closer to me, not wanting him to stop. He tastes of coffee and chaos.
He slows down the kiss until he pulls back and leans his forehead against mine as my heart races and my breathing gets under control.
“Was that okay, darlin?” He whispers against my lips that still tingle.
“More than okay.” I want all of him, but I don’t voice my thoughts, though I’m sure he can read them on my face.
“Good. Now let’s get you to work. The faster we get this shit done, the faster I can have you home all to myself.” He winks at me as he stands up, taking me with him.
I pull back, needing a minute to breathe as I walk towards the door and slip on a pair of shoes, and put on my jacket.
Today Hawk is wearing jeans that mold to his ass perfectly, a black shirt with his cut overtop of it.
His hair is gelled to the sides as he slides on a pair of sunglasses, making him look even hotter.
We walk outside and Hawk heads towards his bike, making me slightly nervous as I’ve never ridden before.
He holds out a helmet for me, and I take it with shaky hands. I place it on my head and he helps me to strap it on. I stand there watching as he swings his leg over and gets on. Turning his body, he holds out his hand.
“Place your foot here and swing your leg over.”
I do as he says and almost fall with how unsteady my legs are.
I get on with his help, and I run my hands up and down my legs, not knowing what to do with them.
He grabs my hands, pulling me until I’m flush against him.
He turns his head and smirks at me. “Wrap your arms around me, darlin and hold on tightly. Lean with me when I do. Are you ready?”
No, definitely not, but I nod my head anyway.
“Yes.” I blow out a breath as he starts up the bike and takes off out of the compound.
The prospect opens ?the gates, then Hawk speeds up as I hold on tightly.
My eyes are tightly shut as we take off.
After a while, I loosen ?my death grip and open my eyes.
I can see why he loves riding so much; it’s so freeing as the wind whips around us and the town passes us by.
People wave smiling as I wave back, loving this.
Before I know it, we are pulling into the garage where I will meet Hailey.
Hawk pulls into a parking spot and kills the engine. I take off my helmet, shaking out my hair. He helps me off the bike, and my legs almost give out, making me laugh. “How was your first ride?”
I have a big smile on my face. “It was awesome. I can see why you love it so much.”
Hawk dismounts and takes my hand in his as we walk inside. “I’m glad, darlin. We will have to go on a longer ride one day.”
Being on the back of his bike, holding him.
Yes, please sign me up. Hailey walks out of the back room with Blade on her heels.
Her smile is bright. I can only imagine what it must feel like to have a baby growing inside you.
I’ve always wanted to be a mom and hopefully someday I can.
I can see little Hawks running around the house and maybe a little girl who looks just like me.
Hailey pulls me into a hug, surprising me. “I’m so glad to see you, Avianna. Maybe now I can get my overprotective husband to stop hovering.” She pulls back and winks at me, and I know she secretly loves it. You can see the love they both have for each other.
I laugh with her. “I’m just glad I can help.”
She turns to Blade and Hawk with her hands on her hips. “Now out, you two; us girls have things to do.”
She goes over and gives Blade a kiss as Hawk walks back over to me and pulls me into his arms.
“I will be back later, darlin. The prospects know what to do. Call me if you need anything, and when we get home, I have a surprise for you.”
He winks at me, then bends his head and gives me a quick kiss.
I watch as he walks out the door with Blade, then Hailey links her arms through mine.
“Girl, I saw that kiss. Now tell me everything.” She squeals, making me laugh.
I have a feeling we won’t be getting any work done anytime soon, and I’m slightly okay with that.