Seven
Hawk
I watch as Avianna finishes her dinner, savoring each bite.
I can’t take my eyes off her; everything she does fascinates me.
When we walked inside the house, I could see the shock written on her face at what I did, but that’s nothing compared to what’s upstairs waiting for her.
What I told her is correct. She deserves it and more, and I plan to give it to her.
She finishes the last bite and sits back in her chair. “Did you have enough to eat?”
She nods her head with that beautiful smile on her face. “Yes, that was amazing, Hawk. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome, darlin. I picked up some sweets from Madison’s bakery for dessert if you want them. I can’t bake for shit, so that was the safest option.”
She throws her head back and laughs, and I watch like a lovesick puppy. I'm so enamored with her. “Maybe later. I don’t think I can put anything else in my stomach.”
“Okay, it’s on the counter when you want some. So how did the training go today at the garage?” I take a pull from my beer as I watch Avianna sit back. I don’t think I’ve ever seen her look this relaxed before, and that makes me fucking happy that she can be around me.
“It went good I should have everything down, but Hailey said I can call her if I run into any problems. It all seems pretty straightforward. I am excited about the movie night we are having. It’s been a long time since I’ve had any real friends.
I want to make them all something for bringing me into the group. Since they are all pregnant, I want to make some pamper baskets with things they might need, something just for them to make them feel good.”
See a fucking angel. I lift her hand and kiss the back of it, unable to keep my hands off her.
“That’s an amazing idea, darlin. After work tomorrow, I can take you to the mall to get what you need.”
The smile she graces me with is all I need.
But you better believe I’m taking a damn army with me.
I won't let anything happen to her, not on my watch.
She gets up and throws her arms around me, squeezing me tightly. “Thank you so much, Hawk.”
“Anything for you. Let me clean this up, and then we can see your other surprise.” I can’t wait for her to see what I did. I know she thinks she doesn’t deserve it, but she will soon realize I would do anything to see her smile.
She pulls back and starts to gather the dishes. “Since you cooked, let me help clean up.”
I grab the plate from her hand and make my way into the kitchen before she can even move. “Nope, I’ve got this.” I can hear her huff at me, making me laugh. She will soon learn that I take care of her always.
I rinse the dishes and place them in the dishwasher.
Everything else was done earlier, so I wipe down the counter and turn down the light.
Walking back into the dining room, I grab Avianna’s hand, pulling her up.
She smiles at me as we walk up the stairs.
Having her in my house still feels like a dream.
We walk towards our bedroom and stop, and she looks at me with a curious expression on her face.
“Alright, darlin why don’t you go in first.”
She turns her head and looks at me with a small smile. “Nothing is going to jump out at me, right?” She laughs nervously.
I shake my head and laugh. I lean down and kiss her forehead, breathing in her scent that smells like vanilla, which makes me sigh. “If they did, I would shoot them for you, so quit stalling and open the door for your surprise.”
I chuckle under my breath at her shocked expression at what I said, but it’s the truth. Turning to face the door, she opens it and steps inside, my smile overtaking my face at her gasp, knowing I did something right.
I ignore Hawk’s threat about shooting someone for scaring me and open the door.
I let out a gasp, my hands flying to my mouth.
I walk closer because in the corner of Hawk’s bedroom he has set up one of those viral oversized round chairs everyone is raving about with a fuzzy throw blanket on the back.
I actually have the same one on my wishlist on Pinterest.
Beside it is a table with a brand-new e-reader along with a gift card to buy books.
I can’t help it. I let the tears fall. This is the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me.
I still can’t understand what I did to deserve someone like Hawk, but I’ll cling to him with everything I have, terrified of ever losing what we’ve found.
Every day by his side feels like a quiet miracle, like the broken pieces of my heart are finally finding their way back together, slowly, gently, because of him.
I feel hands on my shoulders and I turn around fast and slam into Hawk, letting him hold me. “Hawk, I don't even know what to say. Thank you doesn’t seem like enough.” I lift my head and smile at Hawk to see him already watching me with a tender look in his eyes.
He lifts his hand and gently wipes my tears. “You deserve it and more, darlin. This is just the beginning, Avianna. Speaking of, I have one more surprise for you.”
I pull out of his arms and look at him as if he’s crazy. “Hawk.” He’s done so much already.
He puts his finger over my lips, making me narrow my eyes at him. He laughs at my expression. “Not a word, darlin. It makes me happy to do this for you.”
Before I can say anything else, he drags me towards his walk-in closet and doesn’t wait for me as he throws the doors open and stands back.
It takes me a moment to realize he has filled the second side of the closet with clothes.
I walk inside and look at everything, and all of them are in my size.
Jeans, leggings, shirts, everything I could need and more, including what I already own, which isn’t much, mind you. There are even some dresses.
Turning around, I can see Hawk leaning against the doorframe, looking relaxed.
As if buying someone a brand-new wardrobe were an everyday occurrence.
In my world, that just doesn’t happen. I don’t know how many times I went without because I just couldn’t afford it.
“You bought me a wardrobe?” I whisper the words, finding it hard to speak with the lump in my throat.
I don’t even know when he had time to do all this.
I wasn't at the garage for all that long.
“I did. You needed new shit, darlin and whatever you don’t have, we can get more tomorrow at the mall.”
I split the distance between us and wrap my arms around him. “Thank you, Hawk, for everything. I don’t know how I will ever repay you for all this.”
“No need to thank me, darlin. As my ole lady, it’s my job to take care of you, to make sure you have everything you need in life. And one day soon, if I have my way, you will wear my ring on your finger so every fucker knows you’re mine. And when you're ready, will carry our babies.
I want to see you round with my baby, a little girl who has her mother’s beautiful smile.”
My heart beats erratically with what Hawk says. It means he sees this as forever, which is something I long for. To have a family of my own again. “I don’t even know what to say.” I mumble into his chest.
I can feel his lips on top of my head. “No need to say anything; we have all the time in the world. Now, why don’t you look around properly. I know you are eyeing the chair and the Kindle.”
I laugh because he’s not wrong. I’m dying to curl up in that chair and just relax. “You caught me.” I pull out of his arms and look up at him to see him so relaxed, the most I’ve ever seen him. “Thank you again, Hawk, for everything.”
He leans down and presses his lips to mine, making me sigh. “You’re welcome, darlin. Now go relax, and I will be up soon. Call me if you need me.” He kisses me one more time and walks out the door, taking my heart with him.
I walk over towards the chair and take a seat.
Well, more like climb up it as it’s much bigger than I am.
God, this thing is so comfortable I could just take a nap in it.
I grab the Kindle and pull it to my chest, feeling so overwhelmed with everything that’s happened, not just today but the last few days.
It’s been a lot. I pick up the gift card on the table and almost have a heart attack at how much is on it.
There are $200 in gift cards here. I swear this man is just plain crazy.
I really don’t know what I’ve done in life to deserve this treatment, but I will find a way to pay him back.
After I load up the gift cards and add my account to it, I download the first book on my Tbr pile, throw the blanket over my legs, and get lost in my book.
As the day's events wear on me, I lose track of time and my eyes begin to close.
I place the Kindle down on the table and maybe I can just take a quick nap before Hawk comes back upstairs.
I close my eyes once again with a smile on my face.
Yeah, just a twenty-minute nap should be fine.