Page 182 of Filthy Love

“Your car broke down. Why didn’t I hear about it?”

“You were busy. I didn’t even know what you were doing.”

“No matter how big or small, you call me. I would have come.”

“But—”

“No, you’re in the wrong, sweetheart. I’m your man. You got something wrong, you come to me to fix it for you. You got no argument here. You don’t go to Capone or one of my brothers before I even know something is up. Something this important when it concerns you, you put me first, Gia. That’s how it goes.”

There wasn’t a hint of hardness in his tone, just concern and little bit of sexy chastising. He rested their foreheads together and Gia inhaled his fragrance. He smelled of fire and all man.

God. He was so right. And this from the man who insisted he didn’t know how to be the kind of man she needed.

He was exactly that man. The man who took care of her, provided and protected her at all costs, against even danger to himself. Even as he’d kept himself aloof this week, he was still taking care of her.

Hawk was that man and she’d screwed up. She hadn’t wanted to bother him by asking him to come for her.

Frustration boiled out of her with every breath. Her chin trembled.

He made her feel like a princess; his every action was all about her and she’d taken that task of providing away from him.

His love turned her indestructible, and in turn she’d taken it for granted that he didn’t need to know everything all the time.

Even when he’d asked for it.

I’ve been out in the cold for ten years, Gia. You can’t shut me out.

Crap. She’d messed up.

“I’m sorry, Hawk. I didn’t think it through.”

“I understand, but, Gia. I don’t want someone doing my job. Being there for you when it should be me, with anything. Even if you think it’ll piss me off. Tell me anyway and we’ll deal with it.”

Her lip fell into a full-on tremble now and two tears rolled down her cheeks, head dropped to his chest.

“Little bit, please don’t cry. I can’t take it when you cry.”

“I’m not crying to manipulate you,” she cried harder.

“I don’t care if you are, just stop fucking crying.” Fingers through her hair, he lifted her tear-soaked face and she hiccupped before getting herself under control. “You are endlessly fucking beautiful, even leaking all over me.”

His hips shunted forward, and she felt how beautiful he found her.

A big bulge was very happy to see her.

Gia inhaled.

She rose up. He bent down and just as their mouths were finally going to meet, a thump on the door made her nearly jump out of her skin.

“For fucks sake.” Hawk cursed, keeping Gia under his arm she cuddled in close as he wrenched open the door with a snarled. “What?”

Slider’s amused eyes swiped between them. “Hey, VP. The Prez needs you in church ten minutes ago.”

“Gonna kill your fucking brother,” he grumbled against the crown of her head.

Hornily and with her own groan, she agreed.

CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR

---