AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Because right now, he was feeling an ungodly urge to conquer and possess her.
Eight
He had his hands all over her.
At least that’s how it felt to Pia.
Between teaching her how to use the equipment and instructing her on how to place her feet on the climbing wall, it felt as if Hawk had covered her body even more thoroughly this morning at the gym than he might have in bed.
Downing a flavored-water drink, her heart thumping with spent energy, and sweat soaking her sports bra and biker shorts, she eyed Hawk and tried not to think of jumping him.
She was petite and a featherweight, so she doubted that even if she launched herself at him, he’d do more than stagger a step—if that.
He looked all primal male standing in the middle of the cavernous gym in his own sweat-dampened shirt and shorts, his lean, muscular frame exposed to her avid gaze. It was a sign of how physically fit he was, however, that he’d only perspired a little.
Still, she could smell the sweat—and, yes, she could swear, even the male hormones on him—and her body reacted in response. She willed her nipples not to become more pronounced. With any luck, he’d think it was all due to a blast of cool air hitting her damp skin, anyway.
Finishing off a swallow of water, Hawk eyed her speculatively as he capped his bottle. “You’re the first woman who has indulged my rock-climbing hobby. You’re the only one who, astonishingly, agreed to come along for the ride.”
“So I was hoodwinked by you?” she teased, though inside she felt a thrill at his admission.
“You did well,” he said, sidestepping the question. “You made it to the top of the wall and down.” His eyes gleamed with respect and admiration. “More than once, in fact. Congratulations.”
“Thank you.”
She didn’t know why it should matter that she’d proven herself at one of Hawk’s pastimes—aside from fishing and horseback riding—but it did.
Even though it was a Sunday morning, several other patrons moved around them in the open gym.
Pia realized that she was tagging along on one of Hawk’s regular workouts, except it hadn’t been the typical gym that they’d gone to when he’d picked her up at her apartment in his car this morning. She did not have a wedding to attend to this weekend, so she’d easily been able to rise early herself.
She capped her drink bottle. She realized that she’d slaked her thirst—for water, anyway.
“Have you ever encountered one of your namesakes on any of your rock-climbing adventures?” she asked to make conversation.
She tried to distract herself from what he looked like in his clingy gym clothes.
He looked amused. “Have I met a hawk?” He shook his head. “Only once. I don’t think the bird was impressed.”
She wet her lips. “Did you become known as Hawk upon assuming the title?”
He nodded. “My father was known as Hawkshire, in the customary way of addressing peers by their titles rather than their given names. It felt right to distinguish myself in some way when I assumed the title. But in the end, I didn’t have a say in the matter. Easterbridge and Melton began calling me Hawk, and it caught on.”
She contemplated him. “It suits you.”
He rubbed the bridge of his nose, looking further amused. “You mean this?”
“How did you break your nose?” she asked, glad that he didn’t look insulted.
“Ah…” He smiled, but then hesitated. “At the risk of highlighting my former raffish ways, I’ll admit to getting into a barroom brawl during my university days.”
“Through no fault of your own, of course.”
“Naturally,” he deadpanned, dimpling. “And all participants have been barred from speaking further about the matter.”
“I’ll bet Easterbridge or Melton would know.”
Hawk laughed. “You’re at liberty to attempt to unearth the information.”
