Page 24 of Filthy Love

“That’s about it.”

“I debunk this theory. Next.” She voiced. Carrying on eating.

Hawk shut his eyes, hypnotized from her licking her lips. The hell? “This isn’t a debate, Gia. I shouldn’t have touched you.”

“I kissed you. Get over it. Next.” She smiled closed lipped around a mouthful of food and fuck him in the face if she didn’t look gorgeous doing it.

She invaded his chest just with her presence. Reaching in and grasping his fucking heart until he couldn’t breathe.

“Not interested in games, Gia.”I want everything.

“IF I were playing games, wouldn’t you be intrigued enough to know the rules? I mean, a VP needs to always be on his top A-game, isn’t that right? What’s the harm in spending time together?” She teased with a little smile touching her pink lips, lips he wanted to suck and bite on for days.

Her plate empty, she pushed it away to cradle the cup of coffee.

He was in her face a second later, snarling with his teeth bared, fingers gripped her chin, tipping it up making damn sure she was looking at him. Not trying to hurt her, in fact he held her like she was pure crystal.

She went on smiling like she’d won some contest already in just getting him to touch her.

“You’re playing a dangerous game if that’s the case, little bit. Being Rider’s sister won’t save you if I decide to play.”

He heard a purr coming out of her throat. “Playwith me, Hawk.”

She didn’t even have the grace to fear him when he looped fingers around her throat. If anything, her pulse slowed to a lazy roll. Hypnotic, he concentrated on that motion, the rhythmic thump to regulate his breathing.

“Never. I don’t play with little girls. And not ones who are too stupid to realize the danger they’re in.”

“Liar,” she shrugged, pushing his hand away, stepping aside. “Your loss. I’ll see you around, Hawk. Or maybe not, since that’s what you want. Thanks for the lunch.”

He sighed hard enough to feel it expand his chest. Instantly hating himself for putting that disappointed expression on her face.

Didn’t she know if circumstances were different he’d play any game she wanted. He’d start at her feet and work his way up and worship every inch of her body until she was floating.

But Hawk was who he was and what he wasn’t was good enough for her.

“Why do you keep taking every fucking angry word I say? Are you that dense?”

Though she flinched she masked a second later. “I grew up with Ajax Marinos, I’m used to prickly men who lash out first rather than discuss what they’re actually feeling.”

Jesus fuck. Now he felt ten levels lower than a bag of shit for that.

He wanted to bring her in and hold her tightly and say he was sorry over and over. Sorry for not being the kind of man who would chase her to the end of the earth, to plead just to be allowed to love her.

“Goddamn it, Gia,” he sighed, rubbing both hands on his face before he threw money on the counter and took the steps to leave. She was behind him. He paused at the door. He turned, caught her eye. “I don’t mean the shit I say,” he spoke low for her ears only, shoulders hunched beneath his leather coat. “You should stay away from me. We can’t be whatever it is you want from me. Not friends, not more. I’m not capable of it.”

“As you said, I’m stupid. I’ll see you later, Hawk.” She slipped by him. Just like that the little bit of a thing left him standing there with his dick aching and his mouth gaped open.

He was used to self-loathing, he wore that shit like a meat sack strapped to his back.

But putting hurt in her voice. Now he really fucking hated himself.

He still didn’t know if he could fix it without fucking with his own mind at the same time. A constantly battle between wanting to drag her near and push her away. The rest of the day was spent much the same way. He worked out. He followed one of Rex’s boys, bored out of his mind. Thinking about Gia.

When the call came into the club. Krusher sidled up to him. Hawk side-eyed the old man. Not in the mood for his gossiping tonight. He wanted to get drunk until he was in a coma.

“Put the glass down, son.” He whispered. “You got somewhere to be.”

“No, I don’t, old man.”

---