Risking it All (A Hawk Brothers Romance) Read online

  Risking it All

  A Hawk Brothers Romance

  Cami Checketts

  Contents

  Free Book

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Epilogue

  About the Author

  The Determined Groom

  The Stealth Warrior

  Her Billionaire Boss Fake Fiance

  Also by Cami Checketts

  Free Book

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  Chapter One

  Avalyn Shaman exited her room at the beautiful Cancun resort and took the stairs six flights down. She couldn’t wait to float in one of the infinity pools overlooking the beach. This five-star resort had so many pools she’d lost track. She’d arrived a day early for Creed Hawk and Kiera Richins’s wedding. The three of them had been friends since childhood.

  She adored the entire Hawk family, with the exception of the youngest brother, Bridger. He was a cocky extreme athlete who thought the women of the world were created to decorate his muscular arms. Bridger was two years younger than her and lived to torment her—teasing her whenever he saw her, lodging himself in her brain the rest of the time. It aggravated her to no end that she had dreams about him on a regular basis, and even during the day she couldn’t get his handsome face out of her mind.

  No, thank you, brain. Please choose again.

  She exited the elevator and walked along the covered path toward the closest section of pools. A large man stepped in her path. Avalyn skidded to a halt to avoid running into him, then made the mistake of looking past the muscular body to the man’s face. Tanned skin, dark hair, deep brown eyes, the perfectly trimmed facial hair, and a permanent smirk on those intriguing lips. Bridger Hawk. Her heart rate picked up without her permission.

  His dark eyes lit up, sparkling at her. “Ava Baby!” He wrapped his lean arms around her and lifted her off the ground, squeezing her tight against his bare chest in one of his famous bear hugs. She’d had her share of these hugs since childhood, but she could never stop her body from reacting. Her body was trembling and warm all over. She was an accomplished, self-made woman. Why did she have to react like a teenager every time she saw this beautiful man?

  “Bridger,” she sort of moaned out. No! Oh, no. She couldn’t reveal how much he affected her; he’d laugh himself to sleep at night. He was a world-renowned extreme athlete who took nothing seriously, and she was a world-renowned philanthropist, author, and speaker. They had nothing in common, and she needed to stay far away from him.

  He set her on her feet but kept her tight in his embrace. Avalyn’s hands went to his chest to steady herself. Big mistake. The smooth skin and hard muscle there made her stomach fill with heat and desire that she had to squelch … and quick. She’d allowed him to kiss her once in high school. The beautiful connection had messed with her mind for years, especially since he’d kissed Kelly Turner the next day at lunch in front of the entire school and broken Avalyn’s heart. She couldn’t go back to those immature and stupid longings. She was way past all of that, way past Bridger Hawk. She just needed her heart to catch up with her brain.

  He stared down at her with that trademark smirk on his lips. “Ava. I hoped you’d be here.”

  “Why?” What was wrong with her? Why was she reduced to these one-word answers? She needed to demand he release her, and she needed to take her hands off his chest pronto. She felt like she was in a cloud with him staring at her like she was his prize for winning the international surf competition.

  Bridger simply smiled, bowed his head, and claimed her lips with his. Avalyn’s body shoved her logical mind to the side as those perfect lips she’d had dream after dream about worked their brain-deceiving magic on her. She stood on tiptoes and pressed herself tighter against him, her hands sliding up his chest and around his neck. She wanted him closer, she wanted him to never stop kissing her, she wanted him …

  No! This was Bridger Hawk. Heartbreaker extraordinaire. The world expert on claiming hearts and then shattering them.

  Avalyn yanked herself away from him. Bridger unfortunately didn’t release his grip on her waist, and instead of his trademark smirk, he was pulling in quick breaths and staring at her like his mind was as cloudy as hers was.

  “Avalyn,” he murmured, his gaze full of wonder and desire. Then he pulled her in again, and heaven help her, she didn’t put up an ounce of resistance. Truth be known, she urged him closer. His mouth was full and warm and his muscular frame surrounded her. She couldn’t escape, and she didn’t want to. The kiss took on a life of its own, and Avalyn had no choice but to surrender to the desire she’d always had to be in Bridger’s arms, to kiss him, to know she was the only woman in the world for him.

  No! She wasn’t the one for him. She was one of thousands of women he kissed while thousands more waited for their chance to have the superstar give them one glance, smile, or touch.

  She wrenched her mouth free and slapped him hard across the jaw.

  Bridger’s eyes widened and he finally released her. They were both breathing heavily as they stood in the shaded walkway and stared at each other.

  “Hi, Ava Baby,” he murmured as if they’d just run into each other. His eyes slid over her floral one-piece swimsuit that was underneath her lacy cover-up. “You look … amazing.”

  “What are you doing?” she demanded, folding her arms across her chest. He acted like she hadn’t even slapped him. Like they hadn’t even kissed. Dang him! Didn’t those kisses mean anything to him? She knew they didn’t, and the pain deepened. “You don’t just kiss someone hello like that.”

  “I’ve been dreaming of doing that for years.” His smirk reappeared briefly, and then his eyes went soft and warm as they studied hers. “I just had no idea it would feel like that. Just like in high school … only …” His voice trailed off.

  “Only what?” Be strong. He’s a player. He’s not your type. He’ll break your heart all over again. Oh, have mercy. Why does he have to look at me like that?

  Bridger took a step closer, his large form overshadowing her. She glanced up to meet his gaze so she wouldn’t focus on his beautifully formed chest. “Your kiss is like heaven,” he murmured. He reached up and cupped her cheek with his palm, leaning down like he was going to kiss her again.

  Avalyn’s heart was thumping so high and fast she could hardly breathe, let alone speak. She had to be strong, though, or she would regret it forever. Bridger Hawk was not the man for her, no way, no how. “Do you want me to slap you again?”

  The smolder in his dark eyes made her knees gooey. “For sure, if it means I can kiss you first.”

  Avalyn planted her hands on his firm chest and pushed hard. “Stop with your games, Bridger. I’m not a teenager anymore, and I’m not your hoochie of the week.”

  Bridger straightened and released her face. His brow furrowed. “So you do remember kissing me before you left for college?”

  Aval
yn’s face heated up again. That kiss had been almost as good as the ones he’d just given her, but the mature man in front of her was much more irresistible than the teenage tease had been. Her eyes narrowed and she planted her hands on her hips. “So why was this kiss like heaven and the other one wasn’t?”

  Bridger grinned like he’d just won the X Games. “They were both like heaven. It’s just been so many years I’d forgotten how heavenly you are, love. Can you help me remember again?” He moved in for more. The nerve of this man!

  Avalyn backed away until she ran into the building. “No.” Still, between him saying her kiss was like heaven and her easily remembering how his kiss had lit her up from the inside out, she wanted to throw herself into his arms again. What was wrong with her? She was a strong, driven woman. The men she dated were hardworking, well-known philanthropists like her who took life seriously and lived to help others. Bridger was a playboy who cared about nothing but his next thrill.

  “No?” He arched an eyebrow as he tracked her movements like a panther. When he had her cornered against the wall, he planted his hands on either side of her head and leaned closer and closer. His breath brushed her cheek, and Avalyn quivered. Maybe just one more kiss, and then she’d tell him off and stay far away from him.

  She glanced up at those well-formed lips and found herself arching up to meet him. “No!” she yelled, pushing at his bulging chest muscles yet again. “I am done kissing you, Bridger Hawk.”

  He blew out a breath and smiled. “Ah, well. You can’t blame a guy for trying.”

  “That’s what you think!” She ducked under his arm and then pivoted to face him.

  He slowly straightened and smirked at her again. His beautiful body was on fine display in nothing but a gray swimsuit. She supposed he had to be in good shape to excel at so many different sports like he did. Not that she watched his YouTube channel fanatically or something. She watched a video here and there, but once a week was all she allowed herself. Okay, that was a lie. It was one a day, and she only allowed herself five minutes of viewing Bridger time, like savoring a piece of Ghirardelli chocolate after a hard day.

  She held up a hand and shook her finger at him, which only made him smile even bigger.” Now you listen here,” she said. “You stay away from me the next two days. You don’t kiss me, smile at me, or corner me in hallways.”

  Bridger arched his eyebrows. “So no more kissing and slapping? I can’t even smile?” He tried for a serious expression, but it just didn’t suit him.

  “Stop playing stupid, Bridger. We both know how smart you are. Just because you squander yourself with women who only want you for your body and your fame doesn’t mean you’re an idiot.”

  His face only tightened for a beat; then he grinned and sidled closer to her. “Somewhere in that irritated speech, I think there was a compliment. You like my body and you think I’m brilliant?”

  Avalyn pulled in a shaky breath. She had to get far away from this man and never, ever be alone with him. “Listen closely, Bridger Hawk. I’ve been nice to you because of my respect for your parents and brothers. I did not come here to see you, and I will never allow you to kiss me again.”

  His eyes grew serious, but his words were teasing as always. “You sure? You seemed to enjoy the kisses as much as I did. You know how I like to ‘play stupid,’ but I could’ve sworn you kissed me back, threw your arms around my neck, felt up my chest.” He flexed his chest, making his pec muscles dance.

  Avalyn’s jaw dropped. He was out of control.

  He tilted his head and gave her a significant look. “Was I daydreaming all of that?”

  “Yes! Just because you’re the stuff that every woman’s daydreams are made of does not mean I like you or want you around, got it?” Shoot, she kept slipping words in there that would make him think she did like him.

  He nodded, folding his arms across his chest, which made his biceps bulge. She was too strong to fall into petty physical attraction and womanly desires for Bridger Hawk. He had plenty of women chasing him at all times. He did not need her. She did not need him.

  “You only want me for the conquest,” she said.

  His eyebrows rose again, but he didn’t even attempt to dispute that.

  “I am not your plaything, Bridger. I know we go way back, but all you’ve done your entire life is tick me off.” And make me want to kiss you. The kisses had been so mind-blowing that she still couldn’t screw her head on straight.

  “I’m sorry, Ava Baby. I’ve never wanted to tick you off.”

  “Stop calling me Ava Baby,” she ground out. “And you’ll stay away from me if you know what’s good for you.”

  She should tell him off some more, but she had to get away. If he gave her one more smirky smile, she was going to kiss it off his lips and then have to slap him again and realize that she had no self-control where this man was concerned. He was much more appetizing than Ghirardelli chocolate. She’d give up chocolate for life to keep kissing Bridger. No! Be strong.

  Avalyn stormed past him, her dreams of relaxing at the pool and the beach completely shot.

  “I rarely do what’s good for me,” Bridger said to her back.

  Avalyn whirled around and glared at him. “Well, maybe you should start.”

  Bridger grinned. “You’re the only thing that’s good for me that I want, Ava Baby.”

  Avalyn gritted her teeth. He was wrong. She wouldn’t be good for him. “You’d only want me until the next hot thing came along.”

  Bridger slowly crossed the distance between them, his eyes focused on hers. Avalyn couldn’t drag herself away. Saints in heaven, she needed help!

  He came so close she could smell his yummy, musky cologne and had to tilt her head back to meet his gaze instead of planting her face in his much-too-appetizing chest. He stopped and thankfully didn’t touch her, or who knew how she’d resist kissing him. “If you’d be mine, I’d never notice another woman as long as I lived.”

  Avalyn’s eyes widened. Bridger’s mouth was set and his eyes were dark and determined. Was he being serious? If he was, it was the first and only time in his life. She studied him for too long. She needed to end this and make sure he stayed far away. “I’m a woman, not a possession,” she shot at him.

  Bridger’s lips curved up in a smile. “Believe me, I know you’re a woman.” His gaze traveled over her face like a tender caress. It was almost as intoxicating as him touching her. “The most perfect woman in the world.”

  Just like that, Avalyn was panting for air again. What was he doing to her? Be strong, be strong, he talks like this to every woman. He gives every woman his smoldering looks and perfect kisses. As soon as Bridger got what he wanted from her, he’d move on so quick her heart would shatter and never recover.

  “I will never be yours,” she managed to push out. Her voice was trembling and the words weren’t said nearly strong enough, but he finally got the message.

  His dark eyes turned cool, and he easily slid back into that smirk that she loved and hated. “Never say never,” he said.

  “You can’t have me,” she said quickly, defensively.

  Bridger’s eyes slowly roved over her face, coming to rest on her lips for so long she was gasping for air again. If he kissed her, she didn’t know how she’d resist, no matter how brave her words were.

  “What’s a challenge, and where do I find it?” he asked. It was his trademark line that he said quite often before performing some insane stunt that few athletes in the world could live through.

  Avalyn gasped. He thought she was a challenge that he’d easily win. He thought he could obtain her. He was wrong. She whirled from him and stormed toward the nearest pool. Dropping her cover-up on a chair and sliding out of her flip-flops, she dove in, praying the cool water would cool the heat in her face—actually, the heat in her entire body.

  She swam under the water, relishing its coolness rushing past her. When she finally had to surface for a breath, she popped up and gasped in the humid
air. She only had today to enjoy a quick vacation before Creed and Kiera’s sunrise wedding tomorrow morning on Christmas Eve. Then she’d fly home to spend Christmas Eve night and Christmas Day with her family and then back to work trying to bring healthy living conditions to the children of the world. Bridger Hawk could not ruin her one chance to rest and relax.

  She blinked chlorine water out of her eyes and glanced across the pool. Bridger was standing at the edge, staring at her with a longing that made her stomach heat up again and the breath rush from her body. When he caught her gaze, he tilted his chin up and gave her another smirk before striding away.

  He hadn’t made it two steps before some girl in a bikini was squealing, “You’re Bridger Hawk!” and asking him for a selfie. Bridger welcomed her with an open arm and a cocky grin. His eyes strayed to Avalyn, and his grin got even bigger when he realized she was watching them.

  Ugh! Avalyn pushed back under the water. Somehow she had to stay far away from that man until she could fly away from here. It was either that or admit to him that she’d loved him her entire life.

  Chapter Two

  Bridger stood next to his three brothers as they waited for Creed’s bride, Kiera, to start her march up the aisle. He was happy for his brother, who was finally marrying the love of his life. After everything he’d faced as a SEAL, Creed deserved some peace and happiness.

  Bridger let his gaze stray to Avalyn Shaman. Sadly, the love of his own life loathed him. She met his gaze, and something raw and unguarded flashed in her deep brown eyes before she pressed her lips firmly together and looked away from him.