“Good and leave your dislike for me at the door. We’re going to be spending a lot of quality time together.” He grinned wolfishly.
She glanced away, fidgeting with the edge of her T-shirt. Either she hadn’t gotten any in a long time, she wasn’t used to a man who knew how to stand up to her, or she was a virgin. The last thought made him hard. What would it be like to be the man who took that prize from her? He narrowed his eyes, studying her in the low lighting. What was it about this woman that drew him in?
She tensed her jaw and glanced up at him, recovered from her bout of shyness.
“When are we going around the club?”
“Saturday.”
“That’s like four days away.”
“Yep, so get ready for me, babe.”
“I don’t think you’re any experience anyone can prepare themselves from,” she said.
“Shit, now you’re just flattering me,” he said. She ducked her head, and
he chuckled. “Am I embarrassing you?”
“No.” She lifted her chin. “I’m just not used to a man being so…”
“Real?” he guessed.
“Blunt,” she said.
“That’s because they didn’t know what to do with you,” he said.
“And you do?” She cocked her head to the side.
“Best believe I do, babe. Now, I’m going to finish this beer and head to my room. I’m not saying you need to do the same, but no leaving the cabin. I don’t like the thought of you wandering around here at night by yourself.”
“I’m perfectly safe here,” she protested.
“Hmm. We’ve been holed up here for a while now, and you’re not claimed. No reason to press your luck. Most of the guys here respect things but we got a few rebels who skate the line. You’re under my protection now. You want me to start our partnership off by busting some fool’s head open? ’Cause I got to say, you in my bed is sounding pretty damn good right now.”
She shifted her weight. “No, I don’t want to cause in trouble, and I’m tired anyway.”
“Good. Get into the mindset of listening, Hil. It’ll only make things easier for the both of us.”
“No, it’ll be easier for you,” she said. “No one tells you what to do.”
“Yeah, his name is Tiny, and he runs this M.C.”
“It’s not the same.” She shook her head. “You choose to follow him.”
He grunted. “Not me who put us in the situation, babe.”
“I know.” She walked toward the bar. “Good night, Hawk. I really do appreciate you keeping me safe.”
He gave a small nod and watched as she moved down the hallway. He watched her ass give just the right amount of bounce as she disappeared into her room. His pants grew tighter. Maybe this wouldn’t be the nightmare he’d expected.
Chapter Five
Hawk eyed the woman sitting across from him at the kitchen table cradling a mug of coffee. He had a week to work on her before they went public, and Tiny wanted more than guesses about what she knew.
“Be straight with me. Have you spoken with the victims?” Hawk asked.
Hilary spluttered and blinked owlishly. She cleared her throat and wiped away the droplets of coffee that clung to the corners of her lips. “Hell of a way to start a morning conversation.”