Chapter 19

NINETEEN

I 'm just about to step into the shower when I hear Devin's voice, low and authoritative, coming from the bedroom. Curiosity piqued, I wrap a towel around my waist and move silently towards the door.

"Max, I need you to pull all the details on Hawk's immediate family," Devin says, her tone crisp and professional. "Kazanov mentioned someone in the Rivers family is backing him. I'm going to check on the family finances, see who has the need to remove Hawk to take over."

I lean against the doorframe, watching her. She's pacing, still gloriously naked from our earlier activities, her hair a wild tangle around her shoulders. Even like this – or perhaps especially like this – she exudes power and control.

"Yes, boss," a male voice responds from the phone. "I'll have the information to you within the hour."

"Good. Keep me updated on any changes," Devin says before ending the call.

She turns, finally noticing me. For a moment, I see a flicker of uncertainty in her eyes, quickly replaced by resolve. She knows I've heard everything, and she's waiting for my reaction.

I don't give her one. Instead, I simply raise an eyebrow, waiting.

Devin takes a deep breath. "Max is my assistant," she says, her voice steady. "I'm part of the Hacker Alliance."

In three long strides, I'm across the room. I pin her against the wall, my hand at her throat. It's not a tight grip – I'd never hurt her – but it's enough to assert my dominance. "I know that already," I say, my voice low and dangerous. "Is there anything else you'd like to share?"

I can see the conflict in her eyes, the struggle between her instinct for secrecy and her desire to let me in. Finally, she makes her decision.

"I'm Sphinx," she says, her voice barely above a whisper.

For a moment, I'm frozen. Well, that answers who has been helping the company and why. Then, I feel a smile tugging my lips. Before I know it, I'm chuckling, pulling her into my arms and kissing her deeply.

Devin pulls back, confusion written across her face. "What's so funny?"

I lead her to the sofa, settling her on my lap. "When you told Kazanov you were the only one who could reach Sphinx, I was worried there was another man I'd have to kill," I admit.

She rolls her eyes, but I can see the hint of a smile. "You know I'm not involved with anyone else," she says. "There was no need for those thoughts."

"You're mine, Devin," I growl, tightening my grip on her waist. "The thought of anyone else touching you, knowing you like I do... it drives me insane."

Her eyes darken with desire, and she leans in to nip at my jaw. "Likewise," she murmurs. "I don't share what's mine, Hawk. And you are very much mine ."

The possessiveness in her voice sends a thrill through me. I capture her lips in a fierce kiss, pouring all my hunger, my need, my obsession into it.

"Tell me more," I urge gently, running my fingers through her hair.

Devin takes a deep breath. "I created the Hacker Alliance when I was twelve," she says, her voice soft. "I wanted to make friends, but with my... social awkwardness, it was hard. That was the only way to meet people like me."

I nod, encouraging her to continue.

"Of course, I had abilities that none of my members had," she says, a hint of pride in her voice. "It allowed me to be the best in the world. But..." she hesitates, her fingers tracing patterns on my chest. "I always felt alone in my family. Even though everyone showed me love, they still treated me like a little freak. Nobody else was a genius, nobody else could use code like I did, or deal with numbers, or had an eidetic memory."

I tighten my arms around her, offering silent support.

"When it came to all that, I felt completely comfortable," Devin continues. "But dealing with people was hard. Having Olivia always felt like a blessing, but even with her, I still held back. I wasn't sure how she would react to the emotional disconnect I have with most people."

I consider her words carefully before responding. "Olivia became your friend in second grade," I remind her gently. "She's always loved you for being yourself, not for anything else. You should feel comfortable opening up to her, but only if you want."

Devin looks up at me, her eyes shining with unshed tears. "How do you know that?" she asks.

I smile, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "I make it my business to know everything about the people I care about," I say. "And you, Devin West, are the only person I truly care about. The only one who matters."

She inhales sharply at my admission. "Hawk..."

I press a finger to her lips. "Let me finish," I say softly. "You're not alone anymore, Devin. You don't have to hide who you are, not from me. I see you – all of you – and I want every part."

Devin's eyes search mine, and whatever she finds there seems to satisfy her. She nods, then settles more comfortably against my chest. "Your turn," she says. "Tell me about your family."

I sigh, resting my chin on top of her head. "It's not a happy story," I warn her.

"I'm not here for happy stories," she retorts. "I'm here for you."

Her words warm something deep inside me. I take a deep breath and begin.

"I took control of Rivers Financial right out of college," I say. "My mother had died a few years earlier, and my father... he couldn't cope. He spiraled, lost himself in drinking and bad investments. The company was my mother's creation, her legacy. I couldn't let it fall apart."

Devin's hand finds mine, squeezing gently. "That must have been hard," she murmurs.

I nod. "It was. My uncle – my father's brother – tried to fight me for control. Said I was too young, too inexperienced. But the board sided with me. They knew my mother had been grooming me for this since I was a child."

"Your uncle," Devin says thoughtfully. "Could he be behind this?"

"It's possible," I admit. "He's never forgiven me for ‘stealing' what he saw as his. But he's not the only possibility."

Devin shifts, looking up at me. "Your father?"

I meet her gaze, seeing the sharp intelligence there. "Yes," I say. "He's been pressuring me for years to sell the company, to give him more money for his... habits. I've always refused."

"And now he might be working with Kazanov to force your hand," Devin finishes.

I nod grimly. "It's a possibility we can't ignore."

Devin's eyes harden with determination. "We'll find out who's behind this, Hawk. I promise you that. And when we do..."

"We'll destroy them," I finish, a cold smile on my face. "Together."

She matches my smile with one of her own, equally dangerous. "Together," she agrees.

I pull her in for another kiss, fierce and possessive. When we break apart, I rest my forehead against hers. "You know," I say softly, "I never thought I'd find someone who could match me. Someone who could understand the darkness inside me, the need for control, for power."

Devin's hand comes up to cup my cheek. "I understand it because I feel it too," she says. "You're not alone either, Hawk. You haven't been for six years."

"Neither have you."

"We should get to work," Devin says after a moment, though she makes no move to leave my lap. "We have a mastermind to find."

I nod, but I can't resist stealing one more kiss. "Five more minutes," I murmur against her lips.

She laughs softly, the sound sending shivers down my spine. "Five minutes," she agrees. "And then we take down whoever wants to hurt my man."

Fuck, I love hearing her call me that.

I watch Hawk as he comes closer. My body's already reacting to him. He steps closer, his hand cupping my cheek, his thumb dragging over my lower lip. I open my mouth to protest time again, but he silences me with a kiss.

It's deep and consuming, his tongue invading my mouth, his teeth clashing against mine. It's a kiss that's like a fight, just like everything else with us. It's brutal and intense, and it leaves me dizzy and trembling.

He pulls away, his eyes locked onto mine, a wicked grin spreading across his face. He drops to his knees, his hands gripping my pants, yanking them down and off, exposing me to him completely. He lifts my legs, draping them over his shoulders, his face inches from my pussy.

I grip his head, my fingers tangling in his hair, my body tense with anticipation and nerves. He looks up at me, his eyes dark and intense.

"This is my pussy, Devin," he growls, his voice thick with lust. "Mine to touch. Mine to taste. Mine to fuck." He leans in, inhaling deeply, his eyes fluttering closed as he takes in my scent. I bite back a squeal.

"Hawk," I whisper, my voice trembling with need. "Please. I don't know how long I can wait."

He snaps his eyes open, his gaze sharp and intense. "If I want to eat this pussy, Devin, I fucking will," he growls, his voice leaving no room for argument. "And you're going to let me. And you'll sit there and be a good girl. Because you're mine. Every inch of you. Every part of you. Mine."

He's right. I am his. Completely and utterly. And as he leans in, his tongue licking a slow, deliberate line up my slit, I know I'm lost. To him. To this. To the pleasure only he can give me.

Hawk's tongue parts my folds, licking and exploring every inch of me with an expertise that leaves me gasping. He's slow and deliberate, his tongue circling my clit, applying just the right amount of pressure to make my hips buck against him. I grip his hair tighter, my body trembling as he devours me, his mouth and tongue working in a rhythm that has me seeing stars.

"Fuck, you taste good," he growls, his voice vibrating against my sensitive flesh, sending shivers down my spine. "I could eat you all day."

He slides a finger inside me, his tongue still lapping at my clit, his eyes locked onto mine. I moan, my body clenching around his finger, my breath coming in short gasps. He smirks, his finger moving in and out of me, his tongue keeping a steady rhythm against my clit.

"You're so tight, Devin," he murmurs, his voice thick with lust. "So wet. So fucking perfect. I can't wait to feel your pussy come all over my face."

He slides another finger inside me, his tongue flicking against my clit faster now, his fingers curling inside me, hitting that spot that makes my body sing. My orgasm builds, my body tenses, my breath hitches. He senses it too, his fingers moving faster, his tongue lapping at me with a fervor that has me crying out.

"That's it, sweetheart," he growls, his voice thick with need. "Come for me. Let me taste that sweet cum. Let me feel that pussy come all over my face."

His words push me over the edge, and I come with a cry, my body convulsing, my pussy clenching around his fingers, my cum gushing out of me, coating his face. He groans, his tongue slurping at me, his fingers still moving inside me, drawing out every last drop of my orgasm.

"Fuck, that's good," he murmurs, his voice thick with satisfaction. "Fucking soaking my face. You're such a good girl."

He continues to lick and finger me, his movements slowing, his touch gentle now, drawing out every last shiver of pleasure. I'm a trembling mess, my body limp, my breath coming in ragged gasps. He pulls his fingers out of me, his tongue giving one last lick to my clit before he looks up at me, his face glistening with my cum.

"Look at you, all flushed and satisfied," he murmurs, his voice soft but firm. "That's how you should always look, Devin. Like you've just been thoroughly fucked, claimed, and owned. By me."

He stands, his hands gripping my hips, pulling me up with him. He kisses me, his lips and tongue coated in my essence, the taste of me mixed with the taste of him. It's dirty and wrong, but it turns me on even more.

Fuck, what is wrong with me? I shouldn't want more of him, but I've known for a long time that I can't get enough of Hawk.

I don't know if I ever will.