He seemed like he had everything going for him, and Felicity had let her envy get the best of her. And she hated that, but she was glad things were working out, that she could really get to know who Hawk was.

  She was glad that it was obvious her feelings for him weren’t one-sided.

  Maybe tonight she’d really see how he felt.

  Maybe tonight he’d tell her that he cared about her just as much as she did about him.

  Hawk glanced over at Felicity, who sat in the passenger side seat of his car. He was not normally a nervous person, but when it came to her, she brought that out of him tenfold.

  He’d wanted her before they’d even really talked, before he’d known anything about her. And although he didn’t know much about her personal life, what he did know was that he’d fallen for this woman so fast and hard that it made his head spin.

  What had happened last night had opened his eyes up to a lot of things.

  Felicity was shy, reserved. She was sensitive and sweet. But underneath all of those layers, she was uninhibited and free. He’d seen that, felt it when they’d been close, as he’d touched her and she’d touched him.

  When she’d ridden him and found her release.

  And God, that had been the most incredible thing he’d ever witnessed.

  He wanted to get to know her better, wanted to know what she loved and what she hated, how she drank her coffee, or if she preferred tea.

  Hawk wanted to know if she slept with socks on, or if she preferred to go barefoot.

  Damn, he wanted to know every little detail about her. This wasn’t just a fleeting romance for him. It never had been and never was planned that way. He’d fallen for Felicity the moment he saw her, and he didn’t have to even speak to her to become head over heels.

  She was everything he wanted and more, and even the fact that she’d felt this animosity toward him, this competition, the truth of the matter was that turned him on even more.

  That spark of emotion, that jealousy, made her even more attractive. She had layers and he wanted to peel them all back and learn about every single one.

  And tonight he’d do that.

  Tonight, he’d learn who Felicity Roberts really was.

  11

  “You picked a pizzeria for our date?” Felicity asked, surprised and somewhat charmed by his choice.

  Hawk sat in the driver’s seat and released a breath. He was nervous, that was clear and the fact she could see that made her smile. For as long as she’d known him, he’d always struck her as confident, self-assured, and this side of him was completely different from what she actually knew.

  “You like pizza, right?”

  She stared at the sign and it was hard for her to not smile. “I love pizza,” she said. It wasn’t exactly a hard choice to make.

  “I should have asked first.”

  “Who doesn’t like pizza? Everyone who is anyone should enjoy it.” She released her seatbelt and climbed out of the car. She was nervous as well. This was all new for her and, well, she liked Hawk. Not just because he blew her mind in the bedroom, but also because he was … amazing.

  He did some amazing things with his body, and it made her crave more of him. It should make her time with him easier, only now, she was really struggling to not think of doing more stuff to him.

  Hawk held his hand out and she smiled as she took it. There were moments he did things that made her think of him as being incredibly sweet, like this with holding her hand. They walked into the pizzeria, which was full of people.

  One of them dressed in a waiter’s uniform came over, slapping Hawk on the back.

  “It’s about time you got your ugly ass down here. See what this place is like. Man, it is amazing.”

  Hawk burst out laughing.

  “Felicity, this is Ethan. He’s a buddy of mine from culinary school.”

  “You want to culinary school?” she asked.

  Ethan chuckled. “We did, but Hawk here couldn’t handle all the finer things in life. He’s a down to earth, steak and potatoes kind of guy.” He winked at her. “So this is the Felicity?”

  “The Felicity?” she asked surprised, looking toward Hawk.

  She happened to notice the red of his cheeks, and it was so sweet.

  “Ah, okay, so maybe I spoke before I was supposed to. This is my bad. I can’t seem to keep secrets to myself. Moving on, let’s get you to a seat.” He stepped out of their way, pointing in a direction. “I’m sorry, man.”

  Hawk didn’t say anything but she felt a thrill knowing he talked about her to one of his friends. That had to be a good thing, right?

  They found a booth near the window that seemed to be away from all the activity.

  “Order whatever you want.” Ethan left them alone and she picked up the menu.

  “So, you talk about me?” she asked.

  “I may have mentioned you a couple of times. Not enough for Ethan to say something like that.”

  She smiled down at her menu. “Well, what kind of things did you say?” She chanced a look at him, and found him staring intently across the table at her.

  “You really want to know?”

  “I do.”

  “Okay.” He put the menu down. “I talked about how irritated you got with me, and how you always seemed to head in the opposite direction whenever I was near.” This wasn’t the kind of thing she wanted to hear. “I also told him how I thought you were an incredible baker and how I love your eyes when they sparkled. I love your laugh and how when you’re concentrating you bite your lip. You always like to make sure everything is uniform and correct. You’ve always loved baking and your passion is your shop. You also love dogs and feel you can’t have one because you’re working all the time.”

  “How did you know that?”

  “I know a lot of things.” He winked at her.

  “I … I’m shocked that you know so much.”

  “I know a lot but what I’d love to know is what you want on your pizza.”

  “Are you going to hate me if I say I love pineapple?” she asked.

  “I like pineapple as well.”

  “I’ll have the meat feast pizza with everything,” she said, handing him back the menu.

  “Wow, my kind of woman.”

  She watched Hawk as he waved to Ethan and gave their order. Her mouth was salivating but she didn’t know if it was from the food or from the fact Hawk that had just done something for her.

  Once they were alone again, he reached across the table, taking her hands. He was so much bigger than her. This didn’t feel awkward either but so right.

  “I’ve been wanting to take you out on a date for so long.”

  “This is our second date, Hawk. I loved our first one.”

  “I didn’t scare you off? Even though you ran from me?”

  “Of course not. I just got nervous and I didn’t have a clue what to do or what you expected from me. I shouldn’t have left. I won’t leave again, I promise.” She tried not to wince. It made her sound like she expected more sex.

  “I’ve got no problem with you never leaving. However, I want to get to know more of you. I want to get to know the real you.”

  “You do?”

  “Yes.”

  “Why?”

  “I don’t think it has failed to escape your notice that I like you, Felicity.”

  “I can see that.”

  “So, before I give you my body again, I want to see what makes you tick.”

  “You do know guys are supposed to hate it when girls start to get clingy.”

  “You think I’m getting all clingy?” he asked. “You want me to be a prick and just want to have sex with you?”

  “You’re a lot different than how I imagined you’d be.”

  “I’m going to take that as a compliment.”

  12

  Dinner had been incredible after his nerves had calmed the fuck down. Now here they sat, the massive screen in front of them something the town did on a monthly basis. This was a drive-in movie without the cars. Scattered all around were families and couples sitting atop blankets, snacks and drinks being passed around, the atmosphere … safe. He wanted to make this comfortable for her, so he’d picked the pizzeria and then this low-key movie afterward.

  And thankfully she seemed really happy about his choices.

  He turned and looked at her, seeing the small smile on her face. That pleased him.

  Hawk wanted to make the date enjoyable for her, to show her that this wasn’t just about sex for him. He cared about her, a lot, and he wanted this to be the first of many times they spent together.

  Because the truth was, her not in his life was not something he was going to live with.

  “What’s your favorite color?”

  She turned and looked at him and grinned, this little dimple in her cheek popping out.

  “Green,” she said back instantly and shifted her body so she was facing him, her arm stretched out beside her to prop her upper body up. She looked relaxed and comfortable, beautiful.

  “Your favorite food?”

  She thought about that one for second and then said, “Fried chicken, mashed potatoes with country gravy, and green beans and ham.”

  “Damn, a girl after my own heart,” he said and chuckled. “I knew you were perfect.” She blushed. “Favorite dessert?”

  “Strawberry cheesecake with extra strawberries,” she said instantly.

  They did this back-and-forth for the next twenty minutes, and nothing else mattered except getting to know each other.

  The exterior lights that hung around the grassy yard shut off, only leaving the big screen illuminated. Although he wanted to continue firing off questions and listening to her answers, the sound of her voice pleasing him, he knew they had plenty of time for that later. He’d make sure they did.

  He moved next to her, wanting to wrap his arm around her waist, bring her even closer to him, but he refrained. Hawk could keep his hands to himself. At least that’s what he told himself. But the truth was it was hard when she was so close. All he wanted to do was bask in her warmth.

  But she surprised him by reaching out and slipping her fingers between his, holding his hand and having his heart race. Truth of the matter was, Hawk had never felt this way before. He’d never even imagined he could feel this way ... loving a woman so quickly. And falling head over heels for her almost instantly.

  It was something that would probably be in a movie, or a romance book. It wasn’t something he’d thought would happen in real life. But here he was, looking at the woman he wanted to spend the rest of his life with, picturing them on their wedding day, seeing her belly grow big as she carried their child.

  Yeah, he wanted it all with Felicity.

  He wanted the white picket fence and the two-point-five kids. He wanted a dog and cat and to be able to provide for her. But he wouldn’t say any of that to her, at least not right now. No doubt that would scare the shit out of her.

  And so he sat there and held her hand as they watched the movie, his focus on Felicity the whole time. The scent of her washing over him, the feel of her skin against his, the sensation of her body heat seeping into him.

  It was a sensory overload that had him wanting her even more.

  He turned his head and looked at her, a little strand of hair moving along her cheek as the wind picked up. He lifted his free hand and brushed it away, letting his fingers linger on her skin, reveling at how smooth and soft she was.

  She looked to him then, her mouth parting slightly, her pupils dilating. His touch had affected her instantly, that was clear. The caveman part of him roared out in pleasure over that.

  He leaned in and kissed her on the cheek softly. Hawk hadn’t meant for it to be anything more than that, but when she turned her head so their lips brushed along each other’s sexually, his body lit up. All around them were people, the movie blaring in front of them, the glow from it washing everything in shards of color. But in this moment, he only saw Felicity.

  Hawk added some pressure to her mouth and she moaned, but he pulled back and took in a sharp inhale of air.

  “What’s wrong?” she whispered.

  He ran a hand over the back of his head.

  “You don’t want me?”

  He groaned. “Fuck,” he said low enough so only she heard. “I want you too fucking badly. That’s the problem.” Her saw her brows furrow in confusion. “There’s too many people here for me to do what I really want.” Her eyes widened for a second as realization set in.

  Felicity licked her lips and leaned forward just an inch. “Then let’s resume this at my place.”

  A moan was ripped from him. “You sure that’s what you want?”

  She nodded right away. “Definitely.”

  He had her off the ground and gathered their shit before she could even utter another word. She laughed the whole time he all but dragged her back to his vehicle.

  What could Hawk say? When it came to Felicity he was feral.

  13

  Arriving at her place, Felicity turned on the light, taking his jacket. She only had a small apartment, a tiny sitting room with the walls filled with as many cookbooks as she could find. She often spent a great deal of time at the library reading through them, trying to grasp everything her heart desired.

  Her kitchen was small, just two counters, a sink, stove, and a couple of cupboards. Living alone she didn’t need much room, which is why she didn’t even bother with a table.

  “Your place is really nice,” he said.

  “Thanks. It’s really small, though.”

  “Most apartments are small. Even mine’s small. This, I can see you by the window, drinking your morning coffee, watching the street and people go by.”

  “It sounds kind of poetic.”

  “It is.”

  She looked so nervous. “You think about me a lot?” she asked.

  He turned toward her and there was an intensity in his gaze that took her aback. He stared right at her, watching her. Tonight had been pretty perfect.

  In fact, she couldn’t remember a time it hadn’t been this perfect.

  “More than I should admit. I wonder what you’re thinking, what makes you tick.”

  “You do?”

  “Yeah.” He took a step toward her. He looked so sure and confident. Gone was the nervous man at the start of their date. She rather liked both of them.

  When he stood right in front of her, she had no choice but to tilt her head back to watch him. He reached out, tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear, and the smallest touch made her ache in the most amazing way.

  She didn’t know what it was about Hawk, but her body was drawn to him. Like a moth to a flame, there was no one else she wanted but him. She kept her hands at her sides, waiting.

  He cupped her cheek and she pressed her face against his palm.

  “You are so beautiful.”

  His touch thrilled her and as his hand slowly stroked down her neck, going to her shirt, she felt a tightening in her body. Her pussy pulsed with arousal, and she nibbled her lip to contain the moan that desperately wanted to escape.

  Within a matter of seconds he had her shirt off and her bra out of the way. He slowly stroked a finger down her chest, touching her tits. His thumb brushed across a hardened peak, and she closed her eyes, basking in his sweet touch.

  Reaching out, she pressed a hand to his chest, feeling how muscular and strong he was. Sliding her fingers down, she rubbed over his jeans, feeling the hard ridge of his cock.

  He let out a groan and she loved how he looked at her. The lust shining in his eyes was so addictive.

  “You drive me fucking wild, you know that?”

  “I don’t do anything.”

  “You do something to me and it makes me want you so fucking much.” Suddenly, he cupped her face, pulling her close, and his lips were on hers.

  This wasn’t a gentle, sweet, romantic kiss.

  This was hunger, and she was already addicted to his touch. She gripped his arms as he held her, ravishing her lips, nipping at her, and she basked in it, not wanting him to stop for even a second.

  “Where’s your bedroom?”

  She pointed in the direction before letting out a squeal as Hawk picked her up and carried her into her bedroom. He let her down, quickly removing the rest of her clothes while she tried to keep up in getting rid of his.

  Her hands were shaking, not from nerves but from the pulse of arousal. She wanted him inside her.

  Once they were both naked, she tried to touch him, but Hawk threw her to the bed, spreading out her legs and moving between them. His large hands cupped her hips, and the sheer strength of him kept her in place. She didn’t mind not moving. He could be in charge all he wanted to be. She was more than happy to be under his spell.

  He touched the lips of her pussy, opening them before sliding his tongue between the wet folds. She stared down at him, moaning as he took her clit between his teeth, sawing it, creating a small bite of pain at the same time as immense pleasure.

  “Yes, please, yes.” She screamed for more.

  He seemed to know what she wanted even before she did.

  He slid down from her clit, tilting her hips, and she cried out as he plundered his tongue inside her pussy, fucking her.

  Before she could complain, he was licking and sucking at her clit.

  Her release was so close but she was having to wait for him to stop teasing. He’d draw her to the edge, only to keep her waiting, and change it up so she never found her climax. She was so wet, her cream sliding between her crack, soaking her anus. She should be mortified by how wet she was, but she wasn’t.

  Hawk was fucking dynamite, and as he refocused back on her clit, she wouldn’t change this for the world.

  It wasn’t about the sex, though, even though his mouth on her pussy was amazing. She had loved spending time with him tonight. There was a lot more to Hawk than just being a chef or the hot guy across the road in the café.