Camp Hardwood by Alexa Riley

Chapter Eight

Hawk

It’s early the next morning when I meet with Ford and his wife. I don’t feel comfortable calling another man’s wife Honey, so I just stick to Mrs. Cyprus. Turns out the ranger Moose has already done some digging into my past but also found out that I was working in cooperation with the feds.

“Are you going to take Piper from us?” Honey asks with round, pleading eyes.

“No.” I let out a sigh as I think about her in bed. She was sleeping like the dead when I left her and I want to make sure I’m back before she wakes up. “She’s made a home here and she’s asked me not to take her away.”

“Oh thank God.” She puts a hand over her chest and smiles brightly at her husband.

“So what happens next?” Moose asks from nearby, and I shrug.

“You know I got out and this is as good as a place to hide as any.” I turn to Ford and make eye contact. “To raise a family.”

He’s thoughtful for a moment before he steps forward and holds out his hand. “If Moose says you’re to be trusted then I won’t argue with him. I’m sorry we all got off on the wrong foot, but Camp Hardwood is open to you and Piper for as long as you want.”

I reach out and grip his hand firmly as I nod to him. “I appreciate that.”

“Welcome home,” Mrs. Cyprus says and beams from ear to ear.

“I’d like to speak to you about arranging a wedding as soon as possible.” And to my surprise she lets out a squeal of excitement and jumps up in the air. Her husband grabs her and settles her against him, but he can’t contain her joy.

She clears her throat and pretends to get herself under control. “Of course, just let us know what we can do to help.”

After I walk out of the office, I make my way back to Piper. To the woman I love. The sun is just beginning to come up and I hurry, not wanting her to wake up without me.

As soon as I take a step onto the cabin porch, I hear her call out for me and my heart leaps in my throat. I rush inside, calling her name, and I see her bare chested and sitting up in bed. Her pink nipples are pebbled under the thin sheet and I involuntarily lick my lips.

“Oh thank God. I thought you left again.” She lets out a ragged breath as she puts her hand on her chest.

“Muñeca,” I say as I go to the bed and sit beside her. I hold her close to me and realize leaving her that night has left its mark. “I was talking with Ford and telling him that we’ve decided to stay. Moose explained everything to him about me working with the government and getting away from my past.” I take her face in both my hands as she looks up at me. “I told you I’m never leaving you again, and if this is where you want to raise our son, then so be it.” I kiss her softly and then touch my forehead to hers. “That night in the hotel, I didn’t leave you because I didn’t want you.” I look into her eyes as I reach into my pocket and pull out a blue velvet box. “I left to have this made for you.”

Her eyes widen and she gasps as I open it up to reveal the ring. It’s a ruby surrounded with diamonds in the shape of flowers. It sparkles in the first light of the morning sun and she looks up at me with tears in her eyes.

“You deserve a one-of-a-kind ring, so I ran out and had the jeweler make it right then. I didn’t think in that time you’d run out on me and I’d spend months looking for you.” I shake my head as I let out a laugh. “I should have known you would have jumped to conclusions.”

“I just thought—I mean, I don’t know.” She shrugs as she looks away from me. “I assumed you had other women to keep you occupied.”

I take her chin in my hands and force her to look at me “Never, my muñeca.” I shake my head and open my heart. “Not since before the day I came to work for your father have I touched another woman. I pledged my loyalty to protect you and at first I didn’t want the distraction of a woman to cloud my judgment. But I began to fall in love.” I take the ring out of the box and slide it onto her finger. “Then when you became a woman, I wanted to claim what was mine.”

“I’ve always been yours, Hawk.” Tears stream down her cheeks and I kiss them away as I pull her close.

Without thought I push her down on the bed and climb on top of her. The only thing I can think of right now is sealing this with love.

“Open for me,” I demand as I take my cock out and move between her legs.

She moans as I slide the head through her wet folds before sinking my entire length home. She clenches around me as her sweet honey coats my cock and I thrust desperately into her. It’s uneven and rushed but I need her too badly to slow down.

Her nails dig into my arms and I go faster. She closes her eyes in pleasure. I grit my teeth, trying to hold off until she can get off, but I’m so close I don’t know if I can make it.

To my utter shock and pleasure I watch as her hand goes between us where we’re joined and she begins to rub her pussy.

“Fuck,” I groan while my cock swells and throbs. I can feel spurts of cum dripping from me as her small hand speeds up over the top of her clit.

She’s just as eager as I am and the sight of her horny and seeking her pleasure is too goddamn much.

I thrust as deep as I can go and watch her little fingers scissor over her clit as my cum fills her pussy. With a catch of her breath followed by a shout, she finds her release on my cock. She’s so fucking beautiful, lying under me and writhing in pleasure.

I reach down and place my large palm over her belly and cup it protectively. As she comes down from her high she looks up at me and smiles with heavy-lidded eyes.

“You’ve made me into a good and decent man.” I lean down and kiss her sweetly as I begin to slowly move inside of her again. “Thank you, muñeca. You’ve washed my soul clean.”

“You were always good and decent, Hawk. But love has opened you up to see it in others.”

“That’s because of you.” I rub my nose against hers before I kiss her again. “I love you.”

“Forever,” she agrees as we begin our happily ever after.