Page 102 of Filthy Love

“You need a ride? Why aren’t you asking your brother?”

Oh, boy.

“No. I…” Her reflection was as red as her mom’s homemade cherry pie as she stumbled over her words. The face looking back at her mocked for her stupid impulse calling him. This conversation went so much smoother in her head. Why couldn’t men stick to the script! “I mean, do you want to go with me?” Please say yes. Please say yes. “As my date.” She added on.

“Are you shitting me with this?” Now he was angry. Streaks of nerves made her fingers shake. She placed a hand on her fluttering belly. “Don’t you have a date? You’re a kid. I’m a grown man, little girl. Stick to boys your own age, yeah?” And then he hung up. Leaving her heartbroken and shamed.

Back in the room she smiled up at him. “This was how I wanted to dance with you at my prom.” She told him. His reply was a grunt and his hand tightening on her waist. It was the most perfect moment stopped in time dancing with the man of her heart and when the music finally came to a silent waning she was ready to leave.

Before she drew away, Hawk’s hand moved to the base of her back and he dropped his head and pressed their lips together. “I wished I’d been the one to take you to your prom, too.”

Her smile beamed.

He retrieved her phone, handing it over. “Time to go, little bit.”

Hawk held out his hand and she clasped it quickly, looked back, they locked up for the final time.

Colorado bound, and Gia couldn’t wait to get there, her things should be arriving any time now, and then she wanted to hold her niece for at least a month and kiss those chubby cheeks.

Good things came to those who wait, was the saying. As she climbed into the cab, with her hand still held by Hawk she side-eyed him and smiled.

Ten years was a hell of a long time to wait to begin her romantic life.

She hoped to god he was worth it.

******

It was a strange delight finding new things out about Hawk. Gia filed them away like a pop quiz could spring on her at any moment.

Things like; he refused the inflight meal but took two packages of pretzels and hers when she said she didn’t want them.

When the flight attendant brought their drinks, he sent his back because the cap was opened on his water and asked for a fresh one, sealed this time. He also made sure Gia had everything she needed and when her eyes grew heavy he simply shifted his big body to the side and brought her into his chest, arm around her so she could catch a nap. She hadn’t realized he would have to leave his bike behind in Austin when she insisted he fly out with her. Only now she knew Juicy, who was driving her moving truck across country, also had Hawk’s Harley strapped securely in that truck too. For a biker trusting someone else with their wheels was a big deal. She felt special for it.

Arriving in Armado Springs didn’t go quite as she’d wanted it to. As a born romantic at heart, she’d figured her, and Hawk would turn up at Rider’s house, announce they were together, her big brother would look at his best friend and then at his sister and see she was deliriously happy for the first time ever and accept their relationship. The end.

Nope. How it went was; They pulled up in a cab, Hawk helped her out by holding her hand, but then he quickly dumped her cases on the front porch as Zara bound out of the house squealing she grabbed Gia in a hug all the while she noticed Hawk do the manly bro handshake and shoulder bump with Rider who had followed behind his girl.

And before she could extract herself from the octopus hug and return to Hawk’s side, Rider was taking her into his arms, telling her how much she was missed, and he was glad she was home. And right on the tail of that she watched Hawk stride down the walk way. Her heart seized but before she could call out to him, her brother did. “Yo, VP, you’re not comin’ in?” Hawk’s lidded pale eyes stroked over her briefly before returning to Rider. “Nah, bro. I gotta see Lawless. Did he drop her keys off?”

Rider’s brow rode low. “Yeah, yesterday. Gia’s stuff arrived with Juicy earlier.”

She couldn’t look away from Hawk. Was this goodbye? Was he lying to her this whole time, problem handed over to his boss?

No, it wasn’t that. They’d agreed. He cared for her just as much as she did for him.

So, why was her heart banging loudly? Why was dread crashing through her belly making her feel nauseous at the thought he was walking away from her again?

“Zara’s made food enough for an army. Get in here.” Rider ordered.

As if he’d timed it perfectly the sound of bike pipes came up the street. Two bikers climbed off and one tossed keys to Hawk.

They’d brought his bike.

Again, Hawk’s gaze came at Gia. A hot sweep of secrets and want before he masked it. She felt the loss and ached to bound down the steps, throw herself into his arms and check he was still feeling her.

Uncertainty was a bitch, especially since they’d spent the entire flight and then cab right cozied up together. And the moment he dropped her hand when they pulled up outside grief like nothing else set in her chest.

She didn’t know what to do. Did he want her to claim him in front of his president? She hadn’t expected Hawk to flaunt their new … what? Understanding? That fit, she supposed. Until he called them a relationship. But to not acknowledge her at all, now she was confused and unsure.

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