Chapter 16
Carter
I only had to wait two days for Hawk to have an opening in his schedule. Which worked out perfectly because I had time to run to Colorado Springs to grocery shop, and I’d have him alone in my house before Marielle and Elisa showed up the next day.
Not wanting to spoil my culinary expertise—I was trying to impress the man after all—I only asked Hawk if there were any foods he wouldn’t or couldn’t eat.
His only response was that he “wasn’t a fan” of seafood.
It knocked the seared scallops and creamy risotto out of the running, but I had plenty of other dishes I could make.
I had the tablet open on the counter, the live feed from the camera facing the driveway pulled up.
I would get alerts when there was motion, but I didn’t want to have to stop and check.
I wanted to be able to run down and greet him as soon as he arrived, and hopefully direct him to park in the garage.
I still didn’t have an agenda for the evening, but Hawk said he was okay with one, so I had hopes he’d stay for a while, if not the night.
Hawk struck me as the type of person to be exactly on time, barring complications outside of his control, so I timed everything perfectly so it would be done at seven.
My suspicions were confirmed when, at three minutes to the hour, I caught sight of his truck coming up the drive.
I garnished the dishes with scallion greens, set them on the table, and ran down the stairs.
Hawk had rolled to a stop, but the opening garage door caught his attention. When I motioned him forward, he put the truck back in gear and drove into the spot next to my Jeep. I stepped out of the way, waiting, and as soon as he turned the car off, I opened his door, offering him a hand.
He quirked his brow at me but took it, letting me help him down even though we both knew it wasn’t necessary. All it took was a gentle tug, and I had him in my arms. When I squeezed tightly, he let out a breath that sounded a hell of a lot like contentment to me, so I kissed his head.
“I didn’t think we’d end up here,” he mumbled, voice somewhat muffled by my chest.
“What was that?” I asked. I had heard him just fine, but I wanted to give him the opportunity to either explain or redirect, whichever would make him more comfortable.
Hawk took a second, then lifted his head. He was just enough shorter than me that his forehead was right at my mouth level, so I kissed him there too and his eyes slid shut.
“I thought I hated you.” His voice was soft. “Part of me did. But the rest of me latched on to that so that I could ignore how fucking hot you were.”
“Good thing we got past that.” I couldn’t resist his lips any longer and lowered my head, giving him time to pull away if he wanted.
Hawk instead pushed up on his toes, and met me in a kiss so hot I was ready to shove him up against his truck and take him right there.
But I had plans, so I reluctantly pulled back, gentling him down with soft kisses until we both were breathing normally again.
I took his hand and gestured with my head.
“Come on. Let’s eat. I’m sure you’re hungry. ”
Hawk squeezed my fingers and nodded. I led him up the stairs and through to the kitchen, then let go of his hand so I could grab drinks.
I had an excellent Pinot Noir that would go great with our meal, but if he wanted a beer or a soft drink, I would make that happen.
I turned to ask him, only to see him standing still at the edge of the kitchen, staring at the table.
“I don’t have dining room furniture,” I said by way of explanation. “At least not yet. So the table in the nook will have to do.”
His gaze remained fixed, but he shook his head. After a second or two, he said, “You really went all out huh?”
It took me a moment to understand his meaning. I’d set the table with cloth napkins and candles and that was what seemed to throw him off. I snorted a chuckle. “This? Oh, baby, this right here is the bare minimum.”
He squinted at me. “Who are you?”
That question didn’t warrant a response. I moved things along, holding up the wine bottle. “Want this? Or something else?”
“Wine’s fine,” he said, tugging on the sleeve of his button up.
I’d been so thrilled to see him I hadn’t even clocked what he was wearing.
He’d dressed up for me. Nice, clean jeans, boots that weren’t scuffed and work-worn, and the green button up that made his eyes pop.
I let my gaze sweep down and up again, slowly and deliberately. Judging by his blush, he noticed.
“You look amazing. Love that color on you,” I made sure to tell him as I grabbed the glasses I’d set on the counter.
“Fern picked it out.” He sounded apologetic or embarrassed. I couldn’t quite figure out what was in his tone.
I gave him a wink. “She chose well. She clearly knows what makes you look good. I love that you dressed up for me.”
Hawk averted his gaze and took a step toward the table. “Smells good. You cooked this?”
“I am a man of many talents,” I said, going with the subject change. I set the glasses on the table and pulled out a chair for him. “Ginger beef in a sweet soy glaze served over a bed of jasmine rice.”
“Smells good,” he repeated softly, sitting. I kissed the top of his head because it was right there.
“Dig in,” I instructed as I poured the wine.
He waited until I was seated before taking his first bite. His caution turned into a half smile as he chewed. I smiled back, pleased that he liked it. He struck me as a “meat and potatoes” kind of guy and I didn’t know how adventurous his palate was. But he clearly liked the taste of my food.
We conversed a little as we ate, mostly enjoying the meal.
I loved watching him enjoy it but tried to hide my amusement every time he realized he was eating quickly and clearly made himself slow down.
I didn’t mind. I was sure he was used to eating fast, both because he always had plenty of work to do and because with a lot of people at a meal, one needed to be quick if they wanted to eat enough.
When Hawk was halfway through his plate, he set his fork down and picked up his wine. He took a tentative sip, then a bigger swallow before he put it down again.
“I talked to Wy and Crew about setting up a trail ride for you. Crew suggested Sunday morning, if that works for you, and then Mom insisted you all could stay for brunch.” Hawk made a face.
“Sunday brunch is a thing in our house, and normally it’s just immediate family.
So I can totally understand if you want to pass on that. ”
His tone made me think he wanted me to turn down the brunch invitation. Except I got the sense that Jenn inviting me was a big deal, and to refuse would be a slap in the face. Still, Hawk was my priority here and if he wanted me to decline, I would.
“Would you rather I didn’t join your family for brunch?” I asked carefully.
Hawk pushed his food around for a couple of seconds, then scooped up another bite. He didn’t answer until after he’d chewed and swallowed. “My family is a lot.”
I slid my foot across the floor until I could hook it around his ankle. “I’m aware.”
“I love them. But they are…there’s so many of them and they’re loud and nosy.” That last bit was said with his trademark half smirk that was almost a smile.
“Sure. I’ve noticed.” I quirked my lips up, and his lips curved into three-quarters of a smile. Closer but not close enough. “I’d love to join you all, if you want me there. And if you don’t, not yet, then I have no compunction about using Marielle and Elisa as an excuse to decline for now.”
I hoped my choice of words show him that, while I was willing to take things slowly and at his pace, I wasn’t going to keep myself separate from his family forever.
I could practically see his mind working as he mulled that over, and then he finally gave me a real smile.
I felt like I won the lottery, the jittery excitement jangling in my stomach.
Maybe it was a good thing Hawk so rarely unleashed that smile. It was lethal in the best ways.
“I see what you did there,” he said, and even though his expression grew serious, the amusement was still in his eyes. “To borrow your phrase, should we address the elephant in the room?”
I wasn’t sure which elephant he was talking about, but whatever he wanted to talk about, I was game. “Sure.”
He nodded. “You don’t want this to be just a one night thing.”
“Nope.”
Hawk waited for a beat or two, maybe waiting to see if I was going to elaborate. But I wanted to know where his head was at, so I didn’t. This was his show.
“And what about the reasons we decided on ‘just friends?’” He asked after a breath.
I shrugged. “It’s still true. I’m far too old for you and we do have a working relationship.
But we’re also grown ass adults who can make informed decisions.
Look, here’s the straight truth; the first time I talked to you, your voice gave me the shivers.
And we definitely pushed at each other. But for me, almost from the start, it was about poking at you to get you to react.
I see the passion there, Hawk. And you're kind and have a huge heart. And you’re sexy as hell.
So fucking hot. So yeah, I want to take you to bed and do all kinds of things to you.
But I also want to sit and talk with you.
Learn how your mind works. See where this could possibly go.
My gut says go for it, and I generally trust my gut. ”
“That was quite the monologue,” he said before snapping his mouth shut. Hawk was quiet for a good minute, staring at me for at least half that time before he picked up his wine and drank it down. I waited, not exactly patient. I had to consciously keep myself from holding my breath.