Page 41 of Cryptic Curse (Bellamy Brothers #7)

HAWK

F uck.

I’ve had plenty of women in my life, but damn…

That was one tight little pussy. And Daniela’s body… So beautiful with curves in the right places, lean in others. Perfection.

I want to take care of her. Maybe forever.

But I’m not a moron. I know I’m just full of oxytocin from my orgasm. Still, though…this was different.

Different in an amazing way.

I kiss her forehead. “Stay here.” I rise and go to the bathroom, run a soft cloth under warm water, and return to the bedroom. I’m about to lie back down on the bed when my doorbell rings.

Daniela’s ears perk up. “Who could be at your door at this hour?”

I shrug. “Probably a delivery.”

“Are you expecting anything?”

I shrug. “Mom sends me cute little gifts now and then. Cookies from a local bakery, stuff like that.” Usually because she’s feeling guilty about something she’s said, but I leave that part out.

“But it’s going to have to wait.” I sit down on the bed, run the cloth up her left leg. “Let me take care of you.”

“You already did,” she says.

“Shh…” I spread her lovely legs and slide the warm cloth between them.

She sighs. “Oh, that’s nice.”

“Hasn’t anyone taken care of you before?”

“Are you kidding? Of course not.”

Again, I want to pummel all the men who used her, and her father even more so for allowing it. Good thing he’s six feet under, or I’d be on a plane to Bogotá and he’d be toast by morning.

Her pussy is pink and pretty, and I can’t help myself. I slide my tongue between her folds.

Her gasp is music to my ears as I taste her, sweet and purely Daniela. Her legs quiver under my touch as she grips the sheets beneath us, moaning my name in a shaky whisper.

“Hawk,” she breathes out, her voice filled with pleasure.

“Shh,” I soothe her, my hands coming up to grip her hips, holding her in place against the assault of my tongue. “Just feel.”

And she does. She lets out a long sigh, tilting her hips for more. The sight of her spread out before me, writhing in pleasure under my touch, is enough to make me hard again.

But not now. Now is about Daniela—about showing her that this can be good, that it can be about mutual pleasure, can be a physical expression of love…

She reaches down to weave her fingers through my hair. The touch is electrifying—possessive and gentle all at once.

“Hawk,” she whispers again after a few minutes, her breath hitching. “Please…”

“Anything,” I tell her, looking up to meet her gaze.

There’s a plea in her eyes that sends a thrill coursing through me.

“Stay with me,” she breathes out, and it hits me harder than any physical touch ever could.

“I’m not going anywhere,” I promise her, sealing my vow with a kiss to her inner thigh.

With those words, Daniela seems to relax, surrendering herself to the pleasure. Her body trembles under my touch as I bring her to the edge, over and over again until she’s shaking uncontrollably.

Satisfied that I’ve given her all the care she needs for now, I crawl back up beside her on the bed. She rolls into my arms without a word, snuggling against my chest like it’s where she belongs.

We lie in silence for a while, our bodies slick with sweat but comfortable in each other’s presence.

Soon her breathing becomes shallow, and a soft and perfect snore escapes her.

I kiss her forehead. “Sleep, sweetheart. I’m here. I’ll protect you.”

* * *

Seventeen Years Earlier…

My father saw me hugging Ted.

I’m in for it. He’ll think it’s weak. Never mind that I’m the best shot of all my siblings, that I’m on track to being taller than Falcon, or that I’m a fucking champion bronc buster in the making.

He’ll think something is wrong with me being affectionate to a grown man.

The thing is, Ted is like a big brother to me. He’s never been inappropriate. He’s been helpful, a good role model.

But that’s not how Dad will see it.

I steel myself for the confrontation, but it never comes. Instead, he passes me with a small nod before disappearing into his office. Confused, I turn back to Ted, who shrugs and gives me a reassuring pat on the back. Then he heads toward Dad’s office.

I go outside, where I find Robin working with her pony, Ziggy. Of all of us, Robin is the best with the animals. She talks all the time about going to vet school and staying on the ranch to care for the livestock.

I pet Ziggy’s soft mane.

“Have you seen Falcon?” I ask.

“He and Leif and a few others went into town for something,” she says.

Right. They went into town to look for girls, of course.

I’m starting to notice girls. Leif has a couple sisters, Scarlett and Laney.

They’re both pretty. But the one I really like is a townie named Laura Wright.

She’s blond and gorgeous and has eyes even bluer than mine.

She’s a year older than I am, though, and last I heard, she had eyes only for my big brother.

That’s how it will always be.

Hawk Bellamy, as an individual, doesn’t exist. Only Falcon’s brother exists.

“Hey, snap out of it!”

Robin’s voice startles me, and I turn to find her giving me a strange look.

“You’ve been staring into space for a solid minute.”

“Sorry,” I mumble, scratching the back of my head. “Just thinking about…stuff.”

Robin snorts. “Stuff, huh? Like Laura Wright?”

My cheeks heat up and I look away. “What? No!”

Robin gives me one of those knowing looks that makes me uncomfortable. She’s always been too perceptive for her own good. That’s why she’s so good with the animals. She knows what they’re feeling without them having to say it. Because they can’t say anything, of course.

I shove my hands into my pockets and head back into the house. Who can I talk to about Laura Wright? About the feelings that are coiled up inside me as my body begins these changes that are slowly making me crazy?

Certainly not my mother.

Not my brother. He won’t give me the time of day.

That leaves only…

My father.

My father, who I don’t even like much, but he always says we can come to him with anything.

Right.

Ted.

I can talk to Ted. He’ll understand. Maybe he’ll be able to help.

But he’s with my dad in his office.

Neither of them are available to me right now.

I let out a sigh.

Maybe Ted and my dad are done with their business. I head toward his office on the west wing of our house and get ready to knock when I hear something odd.

It’s muffled at first. Just a soft, broken sound that slips through the crack beneath the door, like the room itself is trying to hold it in.

But I hear it. I feel it. The way it catches, like something stuck in the throat—raw, unsteady. A choked sob.

It’s not loud. Not dramatic. It’s the kind of sound someone makes when they’re trying not to cry, when they’re losing the fight but still trying to keep it quiet.

It hits something deep in me. Makes the air go still. Because there’s something about that sound that’s more honest than screaming.

And I can’t unhear it.

I open the door?—

“Dad! No!”

My father stands behind his desk, a pistol in his hand.

Fuck. I’m not armed. I’m way too young to have a concealed carry, and I don’t carry my piece around at home anyway.

But more alarming is who it’s pointing at.

Ted Tucker.

From the look in his eyes, I know my father is not bluffing. He’s deadly serious.

Ted’s hands are raised in surrender, his body rigid as he watches my father with wide eyes. The office air is thick with tension.

“Dad, what the hell are you doing?” I demand, my voice hoarse with shock and fear.

My father barely glances my way. His gaze is locked onto Ted, his face stony and unreadable. “Stay out of this, Hawk.”

“But Dad?—”

“I said stay out of it!” His voice booms through the office, making me wince. “Get out, Hawk. Now.”

Ted stands frozen, his eyes flickering between my father and me.

The choking sobs. They were coming from Ted.

But his jaw goes rigid now. He glances at me, and something happens in his eyes. He finds his strength. “Do as your father says, Hawk. Leave. Now.”

“Dad, put the gun down!” I run over to him.

But my father is a solid wall of muscle and anger as he keeps the gun trained on Ted.

“Hawk,” he grits out. “Get out . This is between me and him.”

Ted nods again. “Listen to your father. Please.” His voice is no longer choked. It radiates strength.

I gulp.

“Ted, why is he doing this?”

“I don’t know. Just go.”

“Shut the fuck up, you degenerate.” Dad takes a slow step toward Ted. “I know what you’re after.”

“You’re wrong.” Ted’s voice is low, and it cracks softly. “I would never do anything to hurt your family.”

“Dad, please…”

“Get out, Hawk!”

Then the click as my father cocks the gun.

Without thinking, I push myself in front of Ted, putting myself between him and the gun. My heart pounds against my ribs as I stare down my father, but I refuse to let fear show on my face.

But it’s too late.

And darkness falls.