“Look at me, muñeca.”
I do as he demands. I always do when he has his hands on me. I can’t help myself. My body is his to control and we both know it. The only reason I was able to leave that day in the hotel was because he was gone. The reminder of that makes anger flare inside of me again.
“You left,” I remind him. “I woke up and you were just gone. I waited as long as I could.” He closes his eyes and for the first time in my life I see pain flash across his face.
“I had to go. I was coming back but you surprised me that night. You forced my hand to move faster than I planned.” He opens his eyes to look at me. “My hands are dirty, muñeca. You know this.”
“But we can leave that behind.” I know Hawk’s life has always been dark. He was born into that world and I was born into it too. But I was protected from it and I didn't have to get my hands dirty to survive. I only had to play by the rules.
“That was always the plan.” He leans down to brush his mouth against mine. “I’ve been planning our way out for years. Everything was almost ready to go but then—”
“Then I got tired of waiting?” I let out a small laugh.
“You were eighteen for one day. I should have known what you’d do.”
I fight a smile. When I really want something I go for it, and Hawk is what I’ve always wanted. When it was he and I alone, I never hid my attraction from him. He knew I wanted him. He was better at playing it cool, so it seemed. That day in the hotel, though, all that dropped away. I got what I’d been asking for. I got to see all of Hawk and how badly he wanted me. That’s why I was so shocked to see him gone the next morning. I couldn't believe it after the night we’d shared.
“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.”