Page 39 of Rayne

"I don't plan on bringing her into this. I prefer to keep my attention on one woman at a time."

"I'm not yours," I hiss at him through clenched teeth.

Hawk's hand moves so quickly that I don't have time to react. It comes down on top of mine, holding me to the bar. "Stay. Have another drink."

I tug my hand but he keeps it firmly pressed on the bar. "I need to get home."

"You're not very good at lying. Your reruns can wait," he says, motioning to the bartender. "Two more, please."

I finally manage to get my hand free, rubbing it. "Fine. One quick drink. Are you lonely or something? Jett ditched you for someone more interesting?"

Hawk laughs, running his hand through his hair. "Jett's on a date. He has a life. Do you know what that is?"

My stomach clenches, a small ping of jealousy hitting me unexpectedly. Hawk scans my face, smirking.

"I have a life," I shoot back.

"Don't be jealous," he answers, ignoring my comment. "Jett's been thinking about you too this week."

I throw him a look of disgust. "I'm not jealous. If anything, I pity the poor woman he's with."

Hawk raises an eyebrow. "Who said it was a woman?"

I stare at him, puzzled. "He's on a date with a man?"

"Business meeting," he says casually, hiding a laugh. "But good to see how you really feel," he adds, winking at me.

My jaw clenches tightly, and I turn away, giving him the cold shoulder. "You're insufferable."

"True," he says. "But it's just one of my many charming features."

"No one finds it charming," I scoff, grabbing my new drink.

Hawk thanks the bartender, handing over some money. "Want to bet on that?"

"Like how you bet on my life?" I mutter angrily. "What are you going to do? Hold a gun to someone's head and make them kiss you?"

"I could," he shrugs. "But I don't need to." His eyes scan the bar patrons, before he finds who he's looking for. He nods towards a woman in the back, sitting by herself. "She looks like she needs some company."

Against my better judgment, I swing around to look. I don't recognize her, but still, I don't want her to be subjected to this psychopath.

"Leave her alone. And no, that's not jealousy."

Hawk laughs to himself, not budging from his stool. "And what about that guy along the wall? He keeps staring at you."

Peering over my shoulder, I spot Nick, sipping a beer with some friends. He locks eyes with me briefly before turning his attention away. I have to hold back my laugh because if Hawk thinks that Nick is checking me out, he's very very wrong. But we won't tell him that.

I don't like Nick, but I put up with him for the sake of work. But Hawk? That's a whole other story.

Picking up my drink, I slide off the stool. "That's a great idea, Hawk. I might go join him," I say coolly.

Hawk doesn't react immediately. He just picks up his drink, taking a sip, appearing unfazed. "I wouldn't do that if I were you," he replies casually, but there's a small threat lingering in his words.

"Try and stop me," I whisper under my breath, walking away as I cross the bar to a surprised Nick.

I sit down much to the surprise of Nick. I don't become flirty or over the top, just ask him about a case—something that will engage him to talk.

Hawk watches us for a few seconds before my cell vibrates in my purse. Excusing myself from Nick, I pull it out, glancing at the text message.

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