“I want more. I want to give you more. If you’ll let me. It’s been a long time since I was serious about anyone, so I’m a bit rusty.”
“Me, too.”
“Then we’re in it together.”
A knock interrupted them. “Can I come in now?” Lincoln called through the door.
Hawk rolled his eyes. “You good?”
“Yeah. I am because you’re here.”
“I didn’t want the first time I did this to be here, but I can’t help myself.” He leaned in and brushed a soft kiss against her lips.
The zing of electricity shot through her, making her want more.
But Hawk backed off with just that teaser of what was to come with a genuine smile on his lips. “I knew it.”
“What?”
“That you could quickly become an addiction.” He squeezed her hand, then shouted over his shoulder, “Come in.”
“Finally,” Lincoln grumbled, his gaze shooting right to her. “You good?”
“I am. Thanks. And I’m sorry for attacking you.”
Lincoln held the cardboard coffee holder toward Hawk so he could take his cup. “No worries. I get it.” His gaze briefly landed on Hawk before it came back to hers. “You didn’t see me. But damn girl, you left a few bruises. I have no doubt you could hold your own if you needed to.”
“Or if I wasn’t drugged?”
Hawk sat on the edge of her bed. “Which means the person who did this knew they had to incapacitate you to get you out of that bar without a fight.”
“So they could rape me? Or was it something else?” She kept her eyes fixed on the blue square pattern of her hospital gown.
Hawk put his hand over hers. “Which one of those things resonates with you? What do you feel inside you that happened?”
“It’s all just jumbled flashes. But are they real? Or just my imagination conjuring my worst fears?”
“I can’t answer that. What feels the most real to you?” Hawk’s patience helped her to settle and think more clearly.
“It feels very personal, like someone I know really wants me to suffer. And maybe die.” The weight of those nearly three days out in the woods prickled under her skin with all the fear and helplessness she’d endured over all those seconds, minutes, hours, and days.
A chill raced over her skin.
“We’ll figure this out. Until then, you’re coming to stay with me.”
She gaped at Hawk. “What? No. You don’t have to do that.”
“How are you going to take care of yourself with one arm?”
“I’ll manage.” It would be hard, but she’d had to do everything for herself a long time now.
But wouldn’t it be nice to have someone take care of me for once?
He shook his head. “Not happening. Besides, this is really about your safety. I won’t be able to sleep, think, or do anything without being constantly worried that someone could take you again. I can’t do it. So put me out of my misery and agree to stay with me, because one way or another, I’ll convince you, even if I have to kidnap you myself.”
“So what you’re saying is I have no choice.”
“Now you’re catching on.” He grinned.
