Hawk turned to go upstairs to see Cara when Banger said, “You’ve got quite a woman.”
“What do you mean?”
“Lola was givin’ her a hard time this morning. She was in Cara’s face, and I thought your woman was gonna wilt, but fuck, she walloped the shit outta the bitch. The slut is still in the kitchen holding an ice pack. Her face is swelled up like a melon. Shocked the hell outta all of us.”
“Cara decked her?”
“Yep. Fuck, I was impressed. She’s got a fire in her.”
“I know.” Hawk smiled.
In the kitchen, Hawk found Lola who held an ice pack on the right side of her face. She averted her gaze as he stood in front of her with blazing eyes. “You ever bother my woman again, I’ll throw your fuckin’ ass outta this club, got it?”
“Yeah,” Lola mumbled.
“You’re damn lucky she isn’t wearing my patch, ’cause your ass would be hitting the asphalt right about now. Don’t you ever fuckin’ disrespect my woman again, bitch.” Hawk stormed out of the kitchen and ran up the stairs.
When he came into his room, Cara sat at the computer.
“Hey, slugger,” he said, winking.
Cara groaned, “You heard? I didn’t mean to hurt her.”
“You got a strong swing, babe. I know,” Hawk reminded her, rubbing the side of his face.
“She was awful. She gave me shit, pushed me, and raised her hand like she was going to hit me.”
“You don’t have to explain, babe. I know the score. You defended yourself. I’m proud of you.”
“I do have to explain, because this isn’t like me. I don’t go around hitting people. I’ve never hit anyone except for her.”
“And me, remember?”
“Yeah, but you deserved it,” she joked.
“Probably, and so did she. Don’t concern yourself over it. She won’t bother you again. I told her to back off or her ass is outta here.”
“You told her that?”
“Of course. Do you think I’m going to let a slut disrespect my woman? Fuck no,” he said, pulling her into him.
Cara wrapped her arms around his waist, and warmth spread over her as she realized Hawk was willing to throw Lola out of the club for her sake.
“What did she say to you?” he asked.
“She said you two have been together, and you were not a one-woman man. She said you’d get tired of me and go back to her and other women. Did you have something with her?”
Hawk tilted her face up toward his and looked into her eyes. “I didn’t have something with her—we fucked, and that was it. I’ve been with a ton of women, but they were there to give me pleasure. I’ve been honest with you about my past. You gotta go beyond this.”
“I’m trying, but it’s hard. I’ve trusted men before, and I’ve been hurt. It seems men promise you what you want to hear, but they don’t deliver in the long run.” She broke away from his stare.
“I’m not other men. I’m not that fuckin’ jerk who broke your heart in law school. I don’t do bullshit. If I wanna fuck other women, I’ll tell you. I don’t believe in doin’ shit behind your back.”
“Do you want to be with other women?”
“I wanna be with you.”
“Am I enough for you? I mean, you’re used to so many types of women with a lot of experience, and I’m scared I won’t be enough.”
“Cara, look at me,” Hawk said, as he lifted her chin up. “I don’t wanna be with any other woman but you. All those other women were for fucking, and you’re more than that. Do you wanna know something? You’re the only woman who has ever spent the night with me. After I fucked, I’d throw the slut’s ass outta my bed unless she was dead-drunk, and then I’d throw her ass out when she woke up. You mean something to me.” He kissed her deeply. “You have to trust me,” he murmured against her lips.
“I want to. I really do.” She kissed him back.
A knock on the door interrupted their intimate moment. Hawk opened it, and Banger motioned for him to come out. Stepping out in the hallway, Hawk closed the door behind him.
“Jax called. Looks like the fuckers aren’t movin’ the women ’til tomorrow. I told him we’re sending ten brothers down early morning, and I need you to go with them,” Banger said.
“Okay. What time do we leave?”
“One thirty.”
Hawk nodded, his jaw tight. He went back into his room.
“What’s going on?” Cara asked.
“Club business. I feel like a steak. Do you want to go out to dinner?”