Page 86 of Cryptic Curse

DANIELA

What if I told you I could make you come without touching you?

Hawk’s words float in my brain.

He’s kidding, right?He can’t do that.

I’m not sure I’ve ever had an orgasm.

I’ve masturbated, and I’ve enjoyed it.

But that all-encompassing feeling of rapture I’ve heard so much about?I’m not sure it happened.

“Is that a challenge?”I ask, swallowing hard, my heart pounding against my ribcage.

Hawk leans back on the couch, his gaze locked on mine.There’s a spark in his eyes that wasn’t there before.A challenge, yes.But also something deeper, more complicated.

His lips curl into a grin.“Maybe.”

I exhale slowly, processing his words, trying to wrap my head around what he’s proposing.“How would that even work?”

“Trust me,” he says simply.

My heart skips a beat.

Trust.Have I truly ever trusted anyone?

It’s a simple word with serious implications.

I want to trust Hawk.

“Okay,” I whisper.

His eyes widen slightly as if he hadn’t expected me to agree.But he quickly regains composure.

“All right.”Hawk clears his throat.He takes a deep breath and closes his eyes for a moment.“Okay.Lie down on the couch.”

I blink at him, but I do as he says.He kneels next to me, his gaze never leaving mine as he tucks a loose strand of hair behind my ear.

“Close your eyes,” he murmurs.

I obey again, shutting out the light and focusing solely on the sound of his voice and the warmth radiating from his body.

“Now,” he continues, his voice barely above a whisper, “imagine yourself somewhere peaceful, somewhere safe.Picture it in your mind.”

I nod, picturing a small sandy beach.The waves are calm, rolling gently onto the pristine shore.“A beach,” I say softly.

“Good,” he says.“Now picture yourself there.The wind is blowing through your hair, the sun is warm on your skin.”

I imagine it—the heat of the sun, the slight chill of the wind.It feels real, so real I swear I can smell the salty sea air.

He stays quiet for a moment, letting me settle into the imagery.Then his voice comes again, low and soothing.

“Are you alone on this beach?”he asks.

I think about it and then shake my head.He doesn’t need to ask who’s with me.He already knows.

“No.”