Melissa wakes up a few hours later, nestled against Hawk’s chest, his hand cupping her bottom, holding her protectively against him. Melissa has always taken pride in being able to take care of herself. She was the girl who had won every karate competition that she entered. She was independent, strong, and confident, characteristics that she’d honed for years. She had refused to let anyone treat her the way her father had treated her mother. She wouldn’t allow it. So, she’d always be stronger. She’d never need a man, not to make her whole. But everything had changed the night that she’d met Hawk. She’d changed. She could no longer imagine her life without him in it. It wasn’t that she couldn’t live without him; it was just that she didn’t want to have to.

 

“You’re overthinking again.” Hawk’s sleepy voice interrupts her thoughts, and she chuckles lightly, liking how well he knows her. “I can think of a solution to that.”

 

She smiles knowingly, looking up at him as she feels him harden against her thigh. “Oh, what’s that?”

 

“Let me show you.” He takes her by the waist and has her sit on top of him, straddling him. She hovers just above his quivering shaft, making him wait. He raises an eyebrow at her.

 

“Payback’s a bitch.” She shrugs impishly at him and then squeals as he flips her over, settling her underneath him. “No fair!” She looks up at him, only complaining half-heartedly.

 

“I never said that I played fair.” Hawk smiles down at her, entering her in one fell swoop, sending her body into spasms of pleasure.

 

Fair is overrated anyway, she thinks.

 

***

 

“He said, what?” Hawk’s expression turns dark, as Melissa recounts her conversation with Wes from the day before.

 

Melissa shakes her head at him in the mirror as she gets ready. “I was playing a role; he thought he was going to get lucky. After everything that Josh told me, I was trying to keep him away from the bar!”

 

Hawk paces around behind her, moodily. “I still don’t like it.”

 

“You don’t have to like it, babe. You just have to understand that it’s necessary.” Melissa applies a flick of mascara to her long lashes and gives herself a last look in the mirror before she stands and turns around. “What do you think?”

 

Hawk looks her over, crossing the distance between them to settle possessive hands on her. “You look too good for me to let you leave the room.” He leans down, trailing kisses along her neck and making her shiver.

 

Melissa relaxes into his touch for a few seconds, before she rights herself again. “Good answer. But I have a date.”

 

Hawk gives her a warning look. “Not funny, Melissa.”

 

She smiles coquettishly. “You’re going to be there the whole time; we’ve agreed that. You’ll be able to see what’s going on throughout.” She places a calming hand on his arm. “Just promise me one thing.” Hawk raises his eyebrow, throwing a question at her. “Promise me that you won’t jump on him at the slightest thing? If he gets a little close, then I can handle myself.”

 

Hawk smiles wickedly. “Oh, I know you can handle yourself, ‘Mel. Did I ever tell you how hot it was when you took that guy down, by the way?” He pulls her in closer to him again, his voice husky.

 

“You did, but I don’t mind hearing it again.” She smiles as she pulls his head down to meet hers and plants a firm kiss on his beautiful mouth. “So was that your way of making me forget that I’d asked you to make a promise?”

 

Hawk raises an eyebrow at her. “No, it’s my way of saying that if he touches you, then all bets are off. I’ll rip his fucking head off.” Those words from any other man would sound like pointless posturing, but from Hawk there’s no doubt in Melissa’s mind that he means exactly what he says.

 

“Duly noted.” Melissa nods seriously, her eyes wide. “Now, we better get going. Felicia said things are quiet at the bar so far?”

 

Hawk nods. He’s been receiving updates from Josh and Felicia all day. They’ve both been keeping tabs on Wes until she and Hawk could take over.

 

“Well then, let’s get this show on the road.” Melissa smiles bravely, hoping that Hawk can’t see the nerves that she’s trying to hide. She knows how big this is. If Wes witnesses the drug deal, then they’ll have to make an impossible choice—between the well-being of the club and all its members and Wes’s well-being.

 

“Hey, it’s going to be alright.” Hawk holds her chin, his dark gaze locked on her blue eyes. “I’m here, and I’m not going anywhere. Whatever happens, we’ll get through it, together.” And Melissa smiles up at him, because she knows that it’s true.