Banger's Ride: Insurgents Motorcycle Club (Insurgents MC Romance Book 5) (60 page)

Hawk’s eyes bored into her and she smiled weakly, nodding to him. He didn’t react, his blue eyes darkening as he continued staring.
Why does he always play these badass games? Why doesn’t he come over here and say something, or if he doesn’t want to talk to me, then fine. Why in the hell is he just standing back there staring at me? And why is he here?

“What’s up, darling?” Luke whispered in her ear as his arm wrapped around her shoulder. “What are you looking at?”

As Luke pulled her to him, Cara thought she could hear Hawk’s feral growl as she saw his eyes turn to steel. Flustered, she moved away from Luke. “It’s nothing. I was looking for a friend of mine.” She turned around again and Hawk was gone. Had he been there? Did she imagine it? The whole thing was too weird.

During dinner, Annabel Logan, the chairwoman of the charity event, clinked her wine glass while she stood at the podium on a makeshift stage. It took many clinks to get the crowd quieted before she began her speech by thanking all the sponsors and people who made the event possible. Cara tuned her out while she scanned the room. No sign of Hawk. Was he stalking her or trying to scare her? Maybe she’d imagined him. Was she going crazy?

Her thoughts were cut off when she heard his name over the microphone in Annabel’s hand. “…a warm welcome to Hawk Benally.”

Cara’s head whipped forward as she watched Hawk’s imposing figure fill the stage. The microphone looked small in his large hand, and throughout the room, women gasped and gawked at the tall, muscular man at the podium. His physique commanded attention and respect, with his leather cut—the diamond 1% patch prominent—a gray shirt, blue jeans, and his leather biker boots. His hair, pulled in a ponytail, glistened under the bright stage lights while his blue eyes shone, his biceps flexing whenever he moved. Hawk was gorgeous.

A twinge throbbed between Cara’s legs; she so wanted him right then. How she wished Hawk’s arm, instead of Luke’s, was around her. The room grew smaller as she saw him right then and there, of all places. The room spun around her, her body thrilling at the sight of him. She needed him like an addict needed a fix.

As his eyes fixed on Cara, Hawk addressed the crowd. Several eyes turned toward her, and she blushed and squirmed in her chair.

“Isn’t he the asshole who accosted me in the parking lot?” Luke whispered.

“Yeah, he was a client of mine.”

“What in the fuck is he doing here? And why does he keep looking at you?”

“Not sure why he’s here. He’s probably glad to see a familiar face.”

“He doesn’t look like the type who would be intimidated by a crowd, or
anything.
He’s that outlaw biker, right? This is the reason you should give up working with your lowlife clients and come to your dad’s firm.”

“Don’t start with that ‘work in my dad’s law firm’ spiel again. And stop talking in my ear. I’m trying to hear what he’s saying.”

“Are you going to tell me—” Luke boomed.

“Shh,” the people at and around their table said.

Leaning close to her ear, Luke whispered, “I can’t believe you’re interested in this
outlaw
. What’s your problem, anyway?”

“I’m not
interested
in him. I’m just curious as to why he’s here at the podium,” Cara said, her eyes bright and fixed on Hawk’s.

“You know, your cousin Eric thinks this asshole is bad news, too. He said this biker’s club may be involved with the killings that have been going on for the last year.”

“I don’t give a damn what Eric or you think of Hawk. His club is
not
involved with the killings. I don’t want to talk about this. I’m trying to listen,” she said.

“How could you even look at him like you are with me next to you? He’s a lowlife, and I’m a successful attorney and a great catch. What the fuck is your problem?” he hissed.

Ignoring him, Cara watched Hawk as he gripped the podium.
I know what those hands can do to my body.
Her skin prickled as she remembered their lovemaking—dull, throbbing spasms pulsed deep in her core while she replayed Hawk’s tongue and fingers stroking every part of her. Shifting in her chair, her need for him at that moment was great. If only Luke knew what she was thinking. She smiled wickedly.

“I’m glad to be here tonight, and it’s because of this great charity that I’m able to address all of you. I am a product of Boys Hope. I found myself on the streets when I was thirteen years old, eating out of trashcans, sleeping in doorways, fighting off the creeps who prey on young, homeless kids. Before that, I bounced from relative to relative, and then to some foster homes. I’d had enough, so I took off. If it hadn’t been for Maddie Rendon, who actually gave a shit about me, I’d have wasted away on the streets. I’d be in prison instead of in front of all of you.

“Boys Hope gave me a safe place. It set me straight, got me back in school, and eventually living with a friend of mine and his family. Maddie Rendon stood by me during my journey from homelessness to home. She was the best.

“This is a good charity, so support it. My MC helps by doing charity runs. Our next run is scheduled two weeks from this Saturday. Come out to Cooper’s Peak to give your support.” As Hawk paused and looked at all the faces in the room, he cleared his throat. “Seriously, I’d have been fucked but for this organization.” He turned toward Annabel, handing her the microphone.

A huge round of applause filled the ballroom, and people were getting on their feet. Cara sat speechless in her chair. She had no idea Hawk would ever open a part of him to a room full of strangers, but he did it for Boys Hope.
He
does
have a soft spot, just like I suspected.
Hearing him share the hardship of his childhood brought tears to her eyes. Her heart broke when she thought of the thirteen-year-old Hawk sleeping on the streets at night, scrounging to find something to eat, trying to survive when he should have been in school and playing sports. No wonder he was so damn hard. No wonder he didn’t trust anyone.

Hawk left the stage and people, mostly women, reached out to him, trying to hug him or shake his hand. It was like they needed to touch him, feel his muscled arms, and have a piece of him.

Out of the corner of her eye, Cara saw Hawk walking over to her table. Not wanting to engage in conversation with him, she pretended to be absorbed in the table’s discussion as she sipped her wine.

“You were marvelous,” one of the patrons gushed.

“Your story was so inspiring,” another woman squealed while checking out his crotch.

Nodding at them, Hawk gave a tight smile. Gripping Cara’s arm, he leaned down, his hot breath scorching her ear as he whispered, “We gotta talk.”

Gulping the rest of her wine, she stood up, pushing her chair back. “Excuse me, I’ll be right back.”

“Where are you going?” Luke asked. “I’m coming with you.”

Hawk threw him a menacing look and Luke sat back down, watching Hawk take his date through the crowd.

Hawk dragged Cara through the throng of people, and she barely kept up with him in her high heels. He didn’t stop until they entered a small room down the hall from the ballroom.

“What is your prob—”

Hawk silenced her as he sucked her lips, licked her teeth, and swirled his tongue inside her welcoming mouth. Drawing her close to him until she melded into his strong chest, his cock grew hard against her. “Fuck, you smell good,” he rasped as her vanilla and baby powder scent wrapped around him.

As Cara circled her arms around his neck and tangled her fingers in his ebony hair, he groaned and ground against her. Feathery brushstrokes from his fingers made her quiver as he moved his mouth down to her neck, kissing it while he licked the sensitive skin below her ear. Cara squirmed and clenched her thighs together, her panties’ dampness cold against her heated sex as a spasm went to her core.
Crap, I’m going to come right here with him kissing me.
Her brain told her how ridiculous that was but her body betrayed her, gagging her common sense.

I can’t believe I’m ready to screw him with my parents and Luke right next door. Have I lost my mind?

The door opened, a waiter turned on the lights, and Cara thought she was going to die. She pushed Hawk back and straightened her dress as Hawk’s eyes raked boldly over her body. “I like the dress, babe. You look hot. Are your panties all lacy and shit?” he asked, licking his lips.

The waiter stood in the doorway, watching them until Hawk turned to him and growled, “Get the fuck outta here if you want to work another day.”

The young man turned around and ran out. Hawk threw his head back and laughed.

“Do you enjoy intimidating people?” Cara snapped.

“Do you enjoy my tongue fucking your pussy?”

“Is everything about sex with you?”

Looking perplexed, he answered, “Yeah.”

“Oh, you’re impossible. I have to get back.” Cara tried to pass by him, but he pinned her against the wall.

“Why are you with the dumbfuck in the suit?”

“You mean Luke? He’s my escort.”

“He’s the same ass-wipe who almost shit his pants in the restaurant parking lot. Is he your boyfriend?” he growled.

Stammering, she replied, “I… uh… I don’t know.”

“It’s a yes or no question, babe.” His voice was harsh, impatient.

“No, it’s not. It’s complicated. I mean, we go out. I guess he’s my sometimes-boyfriend.”

“What the fuck is that? Have you given your pussy to him?”

“That isn’t any of your business. Why would you ask me something like that?”

“Cause I need to know. I can’t stand the thought of that fucking suit putting his weak dick in you.”

“You’re such an asshole.”

“No argument there. Again, did you fuck him?”

“I have to go. Let me pass.”

“Not until you tell me if you fucked that pansy-ass suit.”

“No, okay. Satisfied?”

Hawk leaned in and nuzzled his face in her neck as he licked her earlobe and breathed into her ear. “Good. Don’t even think of fucking him.”

He was so arrogant. Cara should have been outraged at his nerve, but she wasn’t. She found his possessiveness, his warm breath, and his hardness against her very seductive. Had she lost all sense? She was even using the word
fuck
more. Hawk was bad news, and she had to get him out of her life fast before she lost herself.

“How can you even be with that weak-ass after being with me?”

“You’re pretty full of yourself, aren’t you?”

“You bet. You know no man has ever fucked you like I did. You keep hangin’ out with pansy-asses who don’t have a clue what it means to be a man. How can you go out with him after our fuckin’?”

“Why haven’t you called me? You think being a man is about shoving your dick into a woman? I got news for you—it isn’t.”

“You loved every second of my cock in your wet pussy. Your moans and screams told me I was doing something right. Don’t act like you get fucked like that every day, babe.”

“You don’t get it, do you? Yeah, it was good. I told you that. We lusted after each other, you scratched my itch and I scratched yours, but that doesn’t make you Man of the Year.”

“What do you want from me, baby? I fucked you and you pushed me away. If you think I’m the type of guy who runs after a woman, you’re dead wrong.”

“I don’t know why I even bother with you.” Her eyes flashed.

“I do—you want me in your life. I’m cool with that. You’re the one pushing me away. You think you’re too good for me.”

“Maybe I am. I mean, you don’t fit into my world. And you know I’m right,” she muttered. She regretted her words the moment she said them, watching his eyes flare with anger and his hands curl into fists. “Look, you and I had a business relationship. We got way too personal. I’m to blame, too. You stay out of my life, and I’ll stay out of yours.”

“That’s fine by me. Like I told you, you were one of the better fucks I’ve had. Bitches come and go. I have a few sluts waiting for me at the clubhouse just dying to get my cock in their pussies.”

“Do you really feel this way?” Cara whispered, searching his face.

Stone-faced, his voice dripped ice. “Damn straight.”

She winced at his words. “I guess that’s it, then.”

“Guess so.”

She walked toward the door, and he shouted, “Remember, no fucking the suit, got it? If you want him to keep walking upright, don’t fuck the wimp-ass.”

Confused, she looked back at him. “Why do you care? Are you threatening me? Are you
really
doing that?”

“Nah, not threatening, just saying.”

Exasperated, Cara yelled, “Get out of my life!”

Storming out, she ran to the ladies room, her head down and tears rolling down her cheeks.
He’s such an asshole. How did I ever let him touch me? Fuck him!
In the mirror, she touched her swollen lips with her fingertips, noticing Hawk’s cologne still lingered on her skin. Wiping herself with a damp cloth, Cara washed off his scent and fixed her face before going back to her table.

*     *     *

“Did that lowlife
do anything to you?” Luke asked.

“No, we just talked, that’s all,” Cara said.

They sat in Luke’s car outside Cara’s house. She was tired, and her head hurt from the evening’s events.