“Jess–“
“I know. It’s okay.”
“Level?”
“Just a six, or…” She paused, her eyes refusing to meet his.
“Or?”
“A seven.”
“Well, I think that means a walk is off the table. Let’s get you back to the apartment.”
“No!”
“No?”
“No. Let’s keep walking. It’ll pass…” Jessie forced herself to take a steadying breath. “I already feel better. And I was excited to show you this. Iamso excited.”
Hawk raised an eyebrow, challenging her. But Jessie wanted to show him her great-grandparents’ place. The place she always imagined raising her family in one day.
“You know I don’t believe you, right?”
“Yeah,” she smiled. “But that’s okay. I didn’t touch my dinner, so there’ll be nothing to throw up if I’m lying.”
Hawk groaned, reaching into his back pocket. “Nope. That’s no good.” He held out his hand, her favorite protein bar appearing on his palm.
“Where did you get this from?” Jessie asked as she unwrapped the bar. It was a little warm, but that was okay. She bit into it, the salty peanut butter flavor immediately settling her stomach.
“I have a few in the truck. And some at my desk. A bunch squirreled away at the apartment. Just in case.”
Her heart beat thumped wildly in her chest. “That was very sweet of you.”
Hawk’s hands slipped into his pockets. “I just want you to feel good.”
“I do. Especially when I’m with you. You make me feel so safe.” His whole body tensed at her words, and Jessie couldn’t stop herself from reaching out, her free hand landing on his forearm. “I know you’re not a dangerous man, Hawk.”
“Your dad was wrong about what he said about you. There is no room for argument there. What he insinuatedabout Bee and how she came into existence. But what he said about me was true. I am dangerous. And I’m not going to apologize for that. Because I will use every single skill set I have to make sure you and Bee are always safe.”
A shiver worked its way down her spine.
“Does that change how you feel about me?” he asked.
“No.”
“Then why did you tense up?”
She felt her face heat. “You have to know how you sound.”
He kept walking, but his head tipped up as his brows creased. “Nope. Not one clue. Why don’t you tell me, Pretty Girl.”
“It’s just… when you get all growly, and you talk about putting me and the baby first, always keeping us safe like we’re the most precious things in the world to you… it’s very hard to resist.”
“Are you trying to resist me?” When had they stopped walking again? Jessie looked across the field at their destination, still a little over halfway to go. And she felt him get closer. His hand pressed firmly along the ridge of her hip.
“I think I was,” she admitted.
“And now that our secret is out? Now that your family knows? Are you still trying to resist me, Jess?” His breath warmed her neck.
