“So, I take it you do believe in marriage? You hope to get married one day, have kids, all of that?” Hawk asked.

 

So, he was changing the subject already. She took in a breath. “Sure. I think it’d be nice. If it doesn’t happen, though, it doesn’t. I have my career and a niece I can spoil. I won’t be devastated if I never get married, but it’s something I’d like to do one day.”

 

“You’re not the type to just sleep with someone for the fun of it?”

 

She laughed. “I’d say not, but that’s more likely due to the fact that the few lovers I’ve had weren’t exactly fun.”

 

“What does that mean?”

 

“It was just rather… underwhelming.”

 

He stared at her for a long while. What in the world could he be thinking? She couldn’t help thinking that if she slept with him, it would be far from underwhelming.

 

“That’s really a shame,” he said.

 

“I guess I don’t know any differently.”

 

“That makes it even worse. All those fools, not knowing what to do. You deserve better than that.”

 

Alexa felt her cheeks go hot. He said things like that, but then every time it seemed like he would kiss her he had pulled back. He turned away or walked away, and it left her thinking maybe she’d imagined it. Maybe he wasn’t interested in her like that, after all, and she was both thankful for his hesitancy and disappointed by it. Was there some reason he wasn’t making a move?

 

She’d decided days ago to stop trying not to feel anything for him. Hawk had turned out to be nothing like what she’d expected from watching the interview recording or from what she knew of his life. Someone with such a criminal record who stole cars, even legally, for a living and who was a member of an MC gang. But when she saw him with Damian, he was all warmth and caring.

 

She was sure he had a mean streak. Who didn’t? She’d seen some of that in the interview recording. He’d looked tired and sick of answering questions. He was also mourning and had gotten a little short and a little mad. She hadn’t known him enough to know that wasn’t his usual self. But now that she thought about it, and when she re-watched the video, it was clear that he was in distress at the time.

 

Even if her feelings toward him were growing warmer, her feelings about her investigation were not. She was increasingly frustrated with the lack of information she was able to find. His house was clean. She’s searched through everything multiple times now and still found nothing useful. Her investigation was growing as cold as the original case had. If she didn’t find out something new soon, she might have to face the facts. She might have to give up. And that would feel like she’d failed them both.

 

Getting to know Hawk and Damian had made her desire for the truth that much stronger, especially if Hawk was actually innocent. These were Hugh’s family members and they needed to know the truth. To find out who killed their brother and father and see him put to justice. It wasn’t fair to them to go on with some lame excuse for a resolution. Did Hawk even believe the gang story?

 

“I need to ask you something,” she said. This could be risky, but being careful wasn’t getting her anywhere.

 

“Okay.”

 

“You said your brother was killed. Who killed him?”

 

He sat back in his chair and took in a long breath. “I don’t know. The cops say it was a gang shooting.”

 

“Do you believe it?”

 

“Hugh was involved in a lot of bad things, but no gangs. Kinda seemed like an excuse to me, to be honest. I’m sure they did what they could, but I don’t think it was enough. I think they gave up.”

 

She wanted to tell him right then that she had done everything she could. And no, it wasn’t enough, but they wouldn’t let her do more. She wanted to plead with him to give her information so she could get a lead. Something, anything. But telling him any of that would reveal too much. And this was not the time for that.

 

“But you don’t have any idea who it might have been?” she asked.

 

“If I did, he’d be dead already.” Hawk set his jaw, but looked away.

 

She could see the anger in him. Proof maybe that he hadn’t done it, that he wasn’t involved. She hoped it was proof at least. She wanted it to be. “Did he have enemies?”

 

“What are you, a cop?” He said it sharply, but seemed to realize who he was talking to and softened his face. “I’m sorry, I just don’t like talking about it or thinking about it. I’m sure it was drug related. His girlfriend died of an overdose and he was all wrapped up in that world. But if I had any idea who it might be, I would have taken matters in to my own hands long ago.”

 

“I don’t want to upset you. I guess it’s just the PI in me coming out. I ask questions. Sometimes too many, but it’s my nature to have an investigative mindset.”

 

“Yeah? Maybe I should hire you to look into it then. Do the job the cops didn’t bother doing,” he joked.

 

She kept her face straight and didn’t react.

 

“Have you always been like this?” he asked. “Inquisitive? What made you want to be a PI of all things?”

 

This could get tricky. If he had any idea she’d been a cop, there was no way he’d continue to trust her. He’d be pissed that she had lied or hadn’t been forthcoming about her past. The truthful answer, obviously, was that she was doing this because she couldn’t stand how her boss on the force had forced her to abandon the case. And she’d gone into detective work because she always wanted to be Nancy Drew and never quite grew out of it. That was probably the best answer she could give.

 

“I read a lot when I was a kid,” she said. “Mystery books. They peaked my interest and that interest grew. When it came time to pick a major for college, it seemed like the most interesting thing to me. So, I went with it, and now here I am.”

 

“So, you read mysteries, went to college and slept with a few idiot guys, and now you do this. That’s your whole life.”

 

“I wouldn’t say that. I mean, I’ve had hobbies and friends and done other things. If you want to simplify it, though, go ahead.”

 

“Never got into any trouble with the law?”

 

She shook her head. “Not even a detention at school.”

 

He raised his eyebrows. “So, it’s like that.”

 

“It is. Good to the bone.”

 

“And pretty much my polar opposite.” He laughed. “I’m all bad.”

 

“No. You’re really not. You can try that tough guy act, but I see the real you.”

 

“You think so?”

 

She nodded slowly and looked over at Damian, who had fallen asleep in his high chair, fist covered in carrot paste. “I see you with him. A bad guy wouldn’t be like that. Believe me, I’ve seen my share. There are plenty of negligent parents out there. And you’re not one of them. That makes you good, whether you want to be or not.”

 

“But not quite good enough, perhaps.”

 

She pulled together her eyebrows. “What do you mean?”

 

“For someone like you. You need someone better, someone cleaner cut.”

 

She pulled her lip into her mouth. “I’ve had that. And like I said, it wasn’t anything worth remembering.”

 

His stare became more intense and it made her heart race. The way he looked at her made her feel like the most desired woman on the planet. She wanted to jump across the table right then and kiss him.

 

“And you think being with someone like me, a bad boy, would be worth remembering?”

 

She gave him a crooked smile. “There’s really only one way to find out.”

 

His eyes flared hot, and he was on his feet. She didn’t even have time to stand as he came around the table and put his hand at the back of her head, smashing his lips to hers. She kissed him back hard, rubbing her tongue along his as it moved in and out of her mouth.

 

He pulled her to her feet, still locked to her. With his free arm, he swept the dishes to the side and lifted her so she sat on the table, facing him.

 

“Alexa, I have been wanting you,” he whispered in her ear. “I can’t stand it anymore.”

 

She let out a soft gasp of a moan and kissed along his neck. His mouth was back on hers, moving fervently as the passion increased.

 

He caressed her breasts and ran his hand along her thigh. She tightened her legs around his middle. She could feel how hard he was and it made her hotter. She’d never wanted anyone like she wanted him right now.

 

He pressed his hand down and rubbed between her legs. Then she remembered the baby sleeping not more than four feet away. She glanced at him, but he was fast asleep still.

 

Hawk reached up and pulled her top over her head. In nothing but a bra, he stopped to look over her. “God you’re hot.” He kissed along her neck and down her chest. Then he reached back and unhooked her bra, tossing it to the floor.

 

He cupped her breasts and sucked her nipples. His fingers trailed along her stomach, sending shivers over her skin. She dug her hands into his hair and reached down to pull his shirt up and over his head. Every one of his muscles bulged and shone in the light of the dining room table. She ran her fingers along his smooth back, feeling all the curves of his torso.

 

She moved her hand down to grab him over his jeans. He moaned and hurried to unbutton her pants. He pulled down the zipper of her pants and tugged them off. They hit the floor and he moved to unzip his own jeans.

 

His erection flew out of his boxers. She grabbed him again, feeling the hot smooth skin of his sex. He moaned and let her touch him for a moment, then grabbed her ass and pulled her forward. She was sitting just on the edge of the table, the perfect height for him. He positioned himself over her, dipped in once to cover himself in her wetness and pushed inside her with one deep move.

 

She cried out loudly, and he covered her mouth with his hand. She licked at his fingers and sucked until he removed his hand.

 

The muscles of his tight ass moved under her hand as he pounded in and out of her. With each thrust in deeper, she felt ready to burst. He put one hand at the back of her neck and one on her back, pulling her closer with each move. He slammed into her, bringing her closer still.

 

“Are you close?” he breathed in her ear.

 

She couldn’t admit now that she’d never had an orgasm from sex. “I think so.”

 

“You think so?” He laughed once.

 

He reached his hand down to rub circles over her clit. The sensation of his touch while he pounded inside her pushed her over the edge and she came. Harder and longer than she ever had in her life. She bit her lip and tried to keep quiet, but a few moans escaped her throat.

 

“That’s more like it,” he said. He sped up and after a few more deep thrusts groaned and stopped.

 

They breathed in and out together in tandem. She looked over to see that Damian hadn’t been disturbed at all.

 

“Let’s put this kid to bed,” he said, biting playfully along her neck. “Then I’ll put you to bed.”