“Tocket Tip.”
“One chocolate chip cookie comin’ up,” he said, and carried her toward the kitchen.
Austin grabbed my hand and tugged me away from the group, pulling me into the alcove I’d been in with Lily just minutes before. Pushing me against the wall, he covered my mouth with his and kissed me like his life depended on it. I kissed him back, but didn’t let myself lose focus.
“Hey, what was that all about?” I asked after I broke the connection.
“Hawk can be an asshole.”
“Okay. But he wasn’t being one just then, honey.”
“He was.” Austin took a deep breath. “In his own way.”
“There’s obviously a story there.”
He nodded. “Later.”
“Are we going to hide here for a while?”
Austin chuckled. “I’d rather take you upstairs.”
“Me too, honey... but it’s not gonna happen tonight.”
“Dani, Dani,” Lily squealed as she rushed into the alcove, chocolate covering her face.
“Someone has a shadow,” Austin grumbled.
I grinned and knelt in front of Lily. “How was your cookie?”
“I got you one.”
“You did?”
She nodded and slipped her hand into her pocket, pulling out the crushed remnants of a cookie and holding out her palm. “Oops.”
I laughed. “It’s okay, baby. Let’s get you cleaned up and find your dad, okay?”
“Glue, babe,” Austin said as I stood.
I rose up on my tiptoes and kissed him quickly. “Glue, honey.”
Walking Lily to the kitchen, I lifted her onto the counter next to the sink and turned on the water. The room was empty, so I found soap and paper towels in a cabinet above the sink. At least whoever stocked the kitchen had the forethought to keep things like this out of reach of little hands.
“Let’s wash those hands.” I helped her with the water and then wiped down her face, before setting her on the ground again. Her jeans would need to wait for the washing machine, but for now, she was good to go.
“You could have found me,” a deep voice said.
I started a bit and turned to find Hawk lurking near me while I dried my hands. Lily had skipped off somewhere else, obviously perfectly comfortable in her own skin.
“She found me,” I said, and smiled. “I didn’t mind.”
He crossed his arms. “She likes you. She doesn’t typically like women. Used to men, ’suppose.”
“You’re raising a really sweet little girl.”
“Seriously. What’s your story, Dani?” he asked. “How’d you meet Booker?”
“I got lost and broke down outside the wrecking place. Aust—ah, Booker, came to my rescue.”
