Hawk: A Rough Romance Page 3

  “Fuck you!”

  I laughed, shaking my head. Every fiber of my being wanted to drag her over my lap and give her one hell of a hard spanking all over again. Then I’d require her to stand in a corner to think about her caustic mouth and bad attitude. Maybe that would teach her how to ask nicely for what she wanted. Nah. I doubted that would do any good and I was exhausted from the trip as well as the guilt that remained carved into every inch of my mind. “Just go. This isn’t getting us anywhere. I’m not talking and we’re not friends. At least we established something useful out of this.”

  She didn’t budge.

  “I just need to find answers, Hawk,” she finally said. “No, I’m going to demand them. Somebody has to give a shit.”

  There was utter fury in her eyes, the kind that set emotions on fire. I knew that level of rage well. “You ain’t gonna get them from me, at least not tonight. Now, I’m losing my patience. You need to get out of my house or pay the price. Up to you.” I was prepared to let it go when she took two long strides until she was only inches away, her eyes sparking with venom.

  “The price? You mean the way you handled things in the grocery store? That was more like some Neanderthal than a true man. Who do you think you are, cowboy of the year? I don’t get it. You just don’t seem to care that there might be something criminal going on in this town. That makes you a true monster in my opinion. The fire that killed your brother was... suspicious.”

  Another line drawn in the sand. Jesus Christ. The woman had balls. I realized the only way to get her the hell out of my... the house was to offer my opinion.

  And she was going to listen.

  “Look, I read the report regarding the fire. Okay? Everything was pretty clear. It was a tragic accident and nothing more.” I thought about the single page that had been emailed to me after four phone calls from overseas, two of which I’d had to issues threats on after being stalled. I had to admit, the report was bullshit in my opinion, but I wasn’t in the position to challenge the situation. The fact this reporter was digging into whatever had occurred wasn’t likely in her best interest.

  Or mine.

  Certain people in authority positions had a funny way of handling being threatened and I didn’t think the lovely reporter was prepared to find out what that meant. Why was there an intense pool of uncertainty developing in my gut? Christ. I didn’t need this.

  She snorted as she offered a heated gaze, her eyes traveling the entire length of me before settling on my eyes. The fire burning within her was far too enticing, my heart racing and my balls tightening. Why was she goading me so hard?

  “All lies,” she stated as if she knew for certain.

  I folded my arms, remaining unblinking. “Then you tell me what’s going on and maybe, just maybe, I’ll tell you what I know.”

  “That’s not going to happen, buster. No one treats me the way you have. You get nothing from me. Zero.”

  While I appreciated her tenacity and her spunk, the moment she raised her arm to smack me across the face, I’d had enough.

  “That’s it. I’ve had it with your hard push, your ridiculous behavior, and your accusations.” I snagged her wrist, pulling her arm behind her as I dragged her closer. The feel of her body planted snugly against mine wasn’t in my best interest. I craved the woman, her perfume alone more intoxicating than any bottle of tequila on a warm summer’s night.

  “What do you think you’re doing?” she demanded, her tone even haughtier than before. Her lower lip quivered as her eyes darted back and forth.

  My buddies might call my actions impetuous, even stupid, but this little lady was impossible to resist.

  “First, I’m doing this.” I crushed my mouth over hers as she struggled, finally snagging my fingers in her luscious curls.

  She wiggled against me, moaning into the kiss, the friction creating a round of electricity like nobody’s business. The taste of her was sweet and tangy, just like the woman herself. I enjoyed dominating her tongue, yanking her body into a soft arc as I held her.

  Stars floated in my field of vision as I explored her mouth, the essence of her fueling the need to devour every inch of her.

  She pummeled her fists against me then clasped her hands around my shirt, still undulating her hips like the sassy brunette had some kind of control.

  The woman would soon learn differently.

  I broke the moment of passion, still holding her close. “Now, I’m gonna give you a second lesson in cowboy justice. You break the rules, you have to pay the price.”

  Struggling in my arms, the way her hips jetted back and forth across my cock only added fuel to the fire. Damn, this woman turned me on like no other.

  “Over my dead body!” she exclaimed. She reared back, managing to smack me hard across the jaw.

  I couldn’t help but grin as I dragged her closer to the couch, fumbling with her jeans. “We can do this the easy way or the hard way. It’s up to you.”

  “What? You’re insane. I’m not going to stand for this. Forget it, asshole. You’re nothing but a motherfucking jerk.”

  “Motherfucking jerk. That will cost you. Now, I’m going to use my belt. You can lower your jeans and panties all by yourself or I’ll be happy to cut them into shreds for you.”

  Her eyes remained open wide, both darting back and forth across mine. “You’re serious.”

  “Oh, I wouldn’t kid about a thing like this, I assure you.”

  “I will poke your eyes out with a knife if you dare try,” she retorted, rolling her eyes.

  “And if you keep on, things are only going to get much worse.”

  When she dared to jerk out of my grasp, I yanked her over my lap, immediately issuing several brutal smacks.

  “Ouch. Ouch. Ouch!” she yelped, continuing to do everything in her power to fight me.

  “Yup. Around these parts, whippings are supposed to hurt. Or are you one of those city slickers who thought coming to cowboy country was her ticket?”

  “My ticket to what, assholes and chauvinistic pigs?” she yelped, kicking out her legs, the move grinding her sweet pelvis against mine.

  I gritted my teeth, my jaw clenching as the overwhelming need to fuck her wrapped around my senses like venomous snakes. After peppering her bottom several additional times, I pulled her back onto her feet, adoring the warm blush spilling across her cheeks. I could only imagine the color of her ass cheeks.

  She took several deep breaths, her mouth remaining slightly open, her lower lip quivering. “How. Dare. You.”

  I gripped both her arms as she swayed, plastering a smile on my face. “Well, here’s the thing. You still broke the law and I have the upper hand. Now, either you lower your jeans and panties, or I’ll have no choice but to call the sheriff. We can sort it all out in front of him. I’m certain it’ll make for great news at eleven. Entirely your choice as to which you’d prefer.”

  While remaining appalled, her eyes flashing sparks of venom, I could also see resignation working its way into her mind.

  “I don’t have all night, sweetheart. What’s it gonna be?”

  Another ten seconds passed.

  Twenty.

  “Fine,” she spit out. “But rest assured, if you have anything to hide, Mr. Jake Hawk Travers, I will find it and I will be happy to bury you.”

  In those few seconds as her face remained the softest color of pink roses, her mouth twisting in frustration and excitement, I couldn’t get several over the top, ridiculous yet mind-blowing thoughts out of my mind.

  She was a crazy destiny that I’d never thought would happen.

  And I would enjoy every minute of training her.

  After all, she was going to belong to me.

  Chapter Three

  Bryce

  Arrogant asshole.

  Jerkoff extraordinaire.

  All six foot five inch of his rugged body was nothing but dangerous.

  And magnetic.

  And...

  He was a brawny bas
tard...with the sexiest chocolate brown eyes dripping of filthy sex, a mouth that screamed of passionate kisses on a cold winter’s night. Then there were his bulging, sculpted muscles that no military-issued uniform could ever manage to hide.

  I’d never been prone to hungering for the kind of man who took what he wanted, but my body had already betrayed me, leaving me wet and hot all over.

  The moment he’d turned around in the store, I’d shuddered to my very core, trying my best to keep my composure. That wasn’t the makeup of a woman who hadn’t had a date since God knows when, one with strong resolve and the ability to shove aside temptation.

  But he’d been so unexpected in appearance, like a biker on steroids, a man of utter domination. The picture I’d seen of him from years before had been grainy at best, more of a cowboy with a lopsided smile. This man was a hulking mass of sexual appeal, formidable in every way.

  So I’d challenged him. Every good reporter would do that with a difficult interviewee. Right? Maybe I’d gone a wee bit too far, but he was the most arrogant man I’d ever encountered.

  Then he’d spanked me. In front of others! The humiliation would likely continue for weeks to come, the damn cameraman ribbing me constantly. I couldn’t handle the embarrassment.

  Even if the most gorgeous man on the face of the earth had been behind the spanking.

  My God. I was daydreaming when the commanding creep expected me to be disciplined like some bad little girl all over again. Who the hell did he think he was? Did cowboys really do this kind of thing? I sucked in my breath, glaring at him with as much venom as I could muster, although more than a hint of guilt remained. I had no business breaking into his house. No, Drake’s house.

  I had to have been out of my mind to think I could get away with snooping. And I was going to kill the damn intern at the office. I’d been assured that Mr. Travers had checked into a hotel. Oh, I was way out of my league.

  And the jerkoff piece of shit had already forced me over his knee, treating me like an impetuous child. An actual moan popped into my mouth from the memory of how deliciously hard his cock had felt against my legs.

  No. No.

  Even my nipples ached, my pussy wet. I could only imagine how soaked my panties were. How could I be this aroused? I was out of my mind, my behavior on several levels bordering on stupid.

  “I’m waiting,” Hawk huffed, the tone just as sexy and inviting as the moment I’d heard it in the little store.

  I felt nauseous inside, although a portion was from the electricity surging through me. However, I refused to accept that I was attracted to him. From what little I’d read, or even found on him, he was one hard man, his reputation as a tough soldier fueled by recent catastrophic events. He was also considered a hero. Even though he’d turned private contractor, he’d been given a tough assignment. The intel had ended there.

  Shuddering, I turned away, still uncertain why I’d accept his form of punishment.

  Because you don’t want to tangle with the sheriff.

  That was the truth, but it had nothing to do with fear of being tossed in jail.

  I refused to tip my hand to whoever the jerk was out there setting fires. One thing was for certain. I’d ruffled more than a few feathers in my effort to get to the truth. I needed to slow down, perhaps lay back for a few days in order for the arsonist to show himself.

  My hands were shaking, ice cold and rigid as I attempted to unfasten my jeans. Even the act of this was sinful, adding to the already naughty thoughts I’d had about the mysterious man since earlier.

  The scent of him made me woozy, intoxicated by the musk that was all around his roughhewn body. I tried to hold my breath even as I continued to struggle, the sound of the zipper ridiculously explosive in my ears. Every sensation was heightened, every sound like rockets. For all my bravado, I was terrified that I’d made all the wrong choices.

  Almost laughing, I managed to wiggle my fingers along the waistband of my jeans, shifting my hips back and forth. With every inch of the material lowered, I was forced to bite back a whimper, the stinging from the start of his wretched discipline creating goosebumps. The jeans fell to the floor and I almost jumped, darting a look over my shoulder.

  And I was dead on the money. My panties were absolutely soaked.

  There was no mistaking the expression on his face, dominating and electrified from hunger. I could almost get swept up in the moment, falling into some crazy round of wickedness, fucking his brains out. He took a deep whiff and I was pulled into a vacuum of longing, visions crowding out every rational thought.

  Stop acting like a foolish, lovesick woman, my inner voice admonished.

  The nagging voice was right. Hell. No. I had my standards and my work ethic. I wasn’t going to allow anything to get in the way of moving on with my life. While Missoula was beautiful, cowboy country wasn’t in the cards for me. So the big man had pegged me. I was used to big cities with twenty-four-hour access to restaurants and shops. Living here meant giving up all the modern conveniences I’d been used to.

  All for the sake of trying to get ahead, the job offer one that I hadn’t been able to refuse. I was more driven than any other reporter I’d met. I would make it to the networks within two years. Tops.

  Swallowing, I closed my eyes as I convinced myself this was going to turn out all right.

  What if he doesn’t keep his end of the bargain?

  Good damn point.

  “How do I know you aren’t lying to me and that you’re still going to call the sheriff?”

  The question seemed to catch him off guard. I heard of the sound as he moved closer, could almost feel his hot breath.

  “Because I have honor,” he said in such a quiet, reserved way that I was able to feel his angst at even being asked that question.

  I hesitated only briefly before wanting nothing more than to get things over with. I yanked at my panties, disgusted with myself that I’d worn a bright red thong. What had I been thinking?

  As the cool air hit my naked skin, I sucked in my breath, trying to pretend I was anywhere else but here.

  The dentist’s chair.

  The gynecologist.

  Hell, even a harsh admonishment from my boss.

  “Lean over the couch,” Hawk stated as he tugged at his belt. The man had been serious. He was going to use a thick leather strap to punish me? I glared at him, studying the tired lines in his face, the colorful tattoo crawling from his shoulder down his arm. When he lifted his head, raising a single eyebrow, I reluctantly shuffled toward the couch. My God. I was actually forced to shuffle my feet.

  I was some bad little girl.

  Ugh.

  I gripped the edge, trying to calm my nerves before stretching over the back. All I could think about was how ridiculous I must look with my jeans and panties pooled around my feet. He seemed to be taking his sweet time before heading in my direction as he tugged the belt free of the loops. One. At. A. Time.

  By the time he had the strap in his hand, I was panting, my nerves on edge. He was making me wait on purpose, adding to the sickening anticipation. Bastard. No man had ever spanked me and my father certainly had been a civilized man, treating discipline as a method of negotiation. Maybe that’s why my two serious boyfriends had both called me a brat.

  I had the distinct impression that he’d continue to press me about what I knew about his brother. The sad truth was I knew squat. If it hadn’t been for one anonymous phone call, I wouldn’t be here today. However, what the caller had alluded to had driven me to breaking the law in the first place. Maybe I was out of my mind.

  I fisted my hands when I finally heard the hard thudding of his boots as he approached. Somehow, I didn’t think he was going to go easy on me. The way he sucked in his breath made me stiffen, my heart racing.

  The hard snapping of his wrist echoed in my ears first, the whooshing sound only adding icing on the cake. When the strap landed on my bottom, I bit back a whimper, anticipating blinding pain. There was
only a nagging feeling remaining in my stomach, a dull ache surfacing. Pleasantly surprised, I relaxed just a smidgeon.

  Until the second, third, and fourth strike came down in rapid succession. I was forced to suck in my breath, my legs shaking involuntarily. Pain shot down the backs of my legs, the sensations like jabs of hot iron.

  “Oh. Fuck!” I screeched, pounding my fists against the back of the couch.

  “No cursing. You’re the one responsible for this. Take your medicine like a good little girl.”

  Good little girl. Really? He obviously didn’t know me or my brash personality. I took nothing lying down, refusing to give into assholes or those who believed they could get one up on me. I’d worked too long and too hard to develop my reputation, a woman determined to get to the truth.

  “That’s... painful!” I yelped, kicking my feet even though they were ridiculously tethered.

  “Yup.”

  The feel of his callused fingers sweeping over my backside was far too intimate. When he tugged at the shirt, jerking it up and around my waist, I hissed at him. “You’re a jerk.”

  “And that just cost you an additional five more.”

  “No. No!”

  “Would you like to try for ten?”

  “No. Sir.” Why in God’s name I used a word of respect was beyond me. He certainly didn’t deserve it.

  “That’s what I thought,” he chortled. “Stay in position and no more cursing.”

  I clamped my eyes shut as he swung the strap again, so damn accurate in his position that I knew I wouldn’t be able to sit comfortably for at least two days. I tried to control my breathing as he brought the belt down again, this time catching my upper thighs. I could feel my nails digging into the material of the couch, hoping I would rip holes into the damn thing.

  A single moan slipping past my lips, I hung my head, more lightheaded than I was before. “You are mean. Just mean.”

  “You have no idea how true that statement is, Little Red Riding Hood,” Hawk half whispered, once again rolling his fingers across my buttocks, caressing in a gentle fashion. When he slid them along my spine, taking his time, I held my breath.