Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 94997 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 475(@200wpm)___ 380(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94997 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 475(@200wpm)___ 380(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
Now, we wait patiently for Ford and Hawke to return from Boston. He told me last night that he shouldn’t share anything with me, but because it might be tied to what happened to me, he’ll tell me. I don’t like the idea of knowing there’s been such a massive push of this drug reaching the streets I live on, but it’s not surprising, either.
I know Hawke sees himself as a killer, but to me, trying to hunt down a drug ring sounds like something a hero would do. I’ll never get it twisted; I know he’s not a hero, but sometimes it takes the bad to deal with a greater evil. He made it very clear that ordinarily they wouldn’t deal with things like this outside the city, and they only get involved if it directly impacts Eli’s power.
The news switches to another breaking story, and I take a sip of my water as I spot Hawke strutting in, Ford closely behind him. He walks straight up to me, throwing his arms around my shoulders, and pulls me in to press a kiss at the top of my head.
Ford rolls his eyes as he scoots in beside Billie and kisses her on the lips.
“So, you two are officially a thing now?” Billie asks, raising her eyebrows.
“Yes! See, you get it,” Hawke says as he smacks Ford on the shoulder.
“Do not get him started on the ‘thing’ part again, please,” Ford grumbles, looking at the menu, his gaze immediately falling to the desserts. Billie smirks as she casually pulls out a lollipop and passes it to him.
“What are you guys talking about?” I ask, confused. From the way they walked in, I’m assuming it went well today, but I’m not sure if I’m allowed to talk about these things in front of Ford.
“We’re a thing, and it seems some people have issues with that,” Hawke explains, and Ford shakes his head.
“No one has an issue with you two being together. If anything, it’s not even surprising. It’s more you using the word ‘thing’ to describe it. Just stop saying it,” Ford tries to tell him.
“We could be a thing, but we’re brothers, and I’m sure it’s illegal in many states,” Hawke jokes.
“You’re disgusting and have screws loose, you know that, right?” Ford quips back. I tap Hawke’s arm around my shoulder, and before I can say anything, he picks me up and takes my seat before he places me on his lap.
“Better.” He sighs. I should’ve expected this from him. The moment I give him an inch, he’ll run a mile with it. But I’m certainly not someone against PDA. In fact, I like it.
I’ve never really been in a relationship, so I’m not sure exactly what emotions to feel, and I’m not used to people staring at me with someone who is so publicly affectionate. Hawke really doesn’t care who sees what he does.
I feel his lips just below my ear as he kisses me and, at the same time, holds a conversation with Ford about a new tattoo idea. He only has a few open spaces to insert a tattoo, so I’m curious where he’ll choose, but I don’t comment because it’s his body, and he can do whatever he wants with it. Whatever he’s been doing with it so far has been fucking magnificent.
From the first moment I kissed him to now, it’s like it’s come full circle. We shared our first kiss as teens. I don’t know if he remembers, but I do because it was my first. I dared him to do it, and he smacked it right on me when I was fifteen. It wasn’t until I was twenty-one that we slept together for the first time. And that situation was a little dare mixed with curiosity.
Maybe that’s one of the reasons I kept going on dates and sleeping with strangers. I was missing something I knew was already there with Hawke, but I didn’t understand it. Not that he gave me any indication that he wanted something more than what we had. Yes, he’s always been playful, but he’s playful with everyone, especially women. And I can’t say that his affection for other women turned me off because I was much the same with him. I thought I’d feel insecure because of that, but I’m not. If anything, Hawke makes me feel confident in where we stand together, and although our being together is new, I know I can ask him anything. And if we get into an argument? Well, I’ll just take my top off, knowing the moment I do, I’ll win.
I smirk at the thought, but then I tune back into the conversation as everyone finishes their meal. Hawke ordered burgers and fries and polished them off within two minutes.
Billie and Ford get ready to leave, but before they take off, Billie leans in and kisses my cheek as she whispers, “I like this for you.”