“That’s what I said. A lot of people think of the Insurgents as this scary biker club, but they can be quite nice.” Except for Hawk, who is an asshole, but is oh-so-hot.
“I can’t believe you.” Luke was not smiling.
“If I were choosy about my clients, I’d have none.” She laughed.
“Everyone deserves the right to be represented. They know a good attorney when they see one. They’re lucky Cara took their case on,” Cara’s dad said, beaming.
“Oh, of course, I know. They are lucky because Cara is the smartest and best lawyer I know. Every one of her clients should appreciate her. I know I do. I think—”
“Enough already, Luke. We get it—I’m wonderful.” She and her dad exchanged smiles.
As she talked with her parents and the other people at her table, Cara felt someone staring at her. She glanced around and saw nothing out of the ordinary, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that someone was focusing on her. Swiveling around, Cara looked behind her and there he was, standing in the back of the room near the brass and cherry wood doors. Her heart skipped a few beats. What is Hawk doing here? Her mind couldn’t process Hawk being there, of all places.
Hawk’s eyes bored into her and she smiled weakly, nodding to him. He didn’t react, his blue eyes darkening as he continued staring. Why does he always play these badass games? Why doesn’t he come over here and say something, or if he doesn’t want to talk to me, then fine. Why in the hell is he just standing back there staring at me? And why is he here?
“What’s up, darling?” Luke whispered in her ear as his arm wrapped around her shoulder. “What are you looking at?”
As Luke pulled her to him, Cara thought she could hear Hawk’s feral growl as she saw his eyes turn to steel. Flustered, she moved away from Luke. “It’s nothing. I was looking for a friend of mine.” She turned around again and Hawk was gone. Had he been there? Did she imagine it? The whole thing was too weird.
During dinner, Annabel Logan, the chairwoman of the charity event, clinked her wine glass while she stood at the podium on a makeshift stage. It took many clinks to get the crowd quieted before she began her speech by thanking all the sponsors and people who made the event possible. Cara tuned her out while she scanned the room. No sign of Hawk. Was he stalking her or trying to scare her? Maybe she’d imagined him. Was she going crazy?
Her thoughts were cut off when she heard his name over the microphone in Annabel’s hand. “…a warm welcome to Hawk Benally.”
Cara’s head whipped forward as she watched Hawk’s imposing figure fill the stage. The microphone looked small in his large hand, and throughout the room, women gasped and gawked at the tall, muscular man at the podium. His physique commanded attention and respect, with his leather cut—the diamond 1% patch prominent—a gray shirt, blue jeans, and his leather biker boots. His hair, pulled in a ponytail, glistened under the bright stage lights while his blue eyes shone, his biceps flexing whenever he moved. Hawk was gorgeous.
A twinge throbbed between Cara’s legs; she so wanted him right then. How she wished Hawk’s arm, instead of Luke’s, was around her. The room grew smaller as she saw him right then and there, of all places. The room spun around her, her body thrilling at the sight of him. She needed him like an addict needed a fix.
As his eyes fixed on Cara, Hawk addressed the crowd. Several eyes turned toward her, and she blushed and squirmed in her chair.
“Isn’t he the asshole who accosted me in the parking lot?” Luke whispered.
“Yeah, he was a client of mine.”
“What in the fuck is he doing here? And why does he keep looking at you?”
“Not sure why he’s here. He’s probably glad to see a familiar face.”
“He doesn’t look like the type who would be intimidated by a crowd, or anything. He’s that outlaw biker, right? This is the reason you should give up working with your lowlife clients and come to your dad’s firm.”
“Don’t start with that ‘work in my dad’s law firm’ spiel again. And stop talking in my ear. I’m trying to hear what he’s saying.”
“Are you going to tell me—” Luke boomed.
“Shh,” the people at and around their table said.
Leaning close to her ear, Luke whispered, “I can’t believe you’re interested in this outlaw. What’s your problem, anyway?”
“I’m not interested in him. I’m just curious as to why he’s here at the podium,” Cara said, her eyes bright and fixed on Hawk’s.