Free Hawksfell Manor 04: Derek's Dare by Josie Dennis

autumn day.

    * * * *

    Derek took long, deep breaths as he tried to recover. He wanted Diana. That was clear to him and anyone within earshot. She wanted him, too.
    “What are you going to do about her?” Evan asked.
    Derek turned to him, watching as he stepped out of the shadows near the staircase.
    “What the hell can I do?” he asked. “The girl wants to get fucked, for God’s sake. She wants to escape Holbrook Hall and thinks this is the way to accomplish that. She doesn’t care about the consequences.”
    “She wants you, Derek.” Evan held up a hand to still any objections Derek thought to make. “She might have been flirting with me, but she wants you.”
    He leaned against the motor Evan had been working on. “Well, that’s a bloody shame.”
    Evan shook his head. “I never took you for a cruel man. Then again, I suppose I don’t really know you.”
    Derek met his gaze evenly. “You know me, Evan. We’ve been together. We’ve talked about anything and everything. Hell, we’ve fucked a woman together, too.”
    “I suppose.” He polished the already-shiny bonnet of the motor. “What are you going to do about her?”
    “What should I do?”
    Evan shrugged. “I’d take her.”
    “Then please do.”
    Evan’s mouth dropped open as he faced him. “I meant, I’d take her if I were you.”
    “That doesn’t matter. She wants a ride, and apparently she’s quite taken with you. Fuck her.”
    “You don’t want me to fuck her. You don’t want anyone else to have her.”
    “That’s not…entirely true.”
    “You care about her, Derek. I think you could love her if you thought your blasted Hawk heart was capable of it.”
    Derek found a smile. “And you have the audacity to say you don’t really know me.”
    Evan returned the expression. “I admit she’s the prettiest girl I’ve ever seen. There’s a quality about her, too. A vulnerability and a bravado. I find the combination enchanting.”
    “And she has a stellar pair of tits and the sweetest pussy you’ll ever taste.”
    Evan flushed. “She must, if you’re this torn up about her.”
    “I’m serious, Evan. You don’t have to fuck her, but indulge her. Show her there’s more than martyrdom in her future.”
    “You really believe marriage to you would destroy her?”
    “Marriage? Hawks don’t marry, evidence here at the manor aside. But giving her heart to a Hawk would destroy her. It killed my mother.”
    “You’re not your father.”
    “How the hell do I know that? I never knew the bastard.”
    “Then what about the earl? His brother? His cousin, for Christ’s sake? You say to put the evidence aside, but how can you deny the fact that some Hawks have been able to find happiness?”
    Derek blew out a breath. “If you’re going to be rational about this, I can’t argue with you.”
    Evan came close and stroked his hand over Derek’s cheek. “You care about Diana. You don’t want her to get hurt.”
    “I know you. You would never hurt her.” He was certain of this. From what he knew about Evan, from their time together, he knew the man was tender and passionate. He’d be good for Diana, for the time being. “Just indulge her. If she pursues you…” He shrugged.
    “Let her catch me?”
    Derek clapped him on the shoulder. “Exactly.”

Chapter 9

    Evan smelled Diana first, that intoxicating orange blossom scent that had lingered in the garage after she’d stormed off yesterday.
    “Evan?”
    Her voice was tentative. The sound of his name coming from her was like a caress. It was late afternoon and his work was over for the day. He should tell her he was off to the village and certain escape. He should leave her to Derek. He glimpsed her in the soft autumn light, her raven hair limned blue and her blue eyes dark. She really was quite lovely.
    “Miss Holbrook, you shouldn’t be here.”
    She shook her head. “Diana, please. I thought we grew closer yesterday.”
    “As you say.”
    “How do you know