Because she was quickly becoming too important for him to lose.
Chapter Seven
Lucky couldn’t believe she’d been so bold as to reach out and put her hand on Hawk’s muscled thigh. Good god, he felt like steel beneath her hand. He didn’t seem to mind her touch and she loved the warmth spreading from him up her arm. She imagined being a lot closer to him, wondering what it would feel like to have his hand on her thigh. Higher.
Butterflies and awareness fluttered through her.
He was just so…manly. Big. Imposing. But gentle with her. Patient.
And fierce about keeping her safe.
I’m falling so hard.
Actually, she’d fallen a long time ago.
Hawk stared at the rearview mirror. “Who’s that coming up the road?”
She turned and spotted the silver sedan with the butterfly sticker in the corner of the windshield on the driver’s side. She’d given the sticker to Desiree as part of her birthday present fiveyears ago when Desiree’s dad gifted her the car. “That’s Desiree.” She put her hand to her forehead, blocking out the sun from her eyes. “I wonder what she’s doing here.” She checked her watch. “School’s out—she should be taking Krystal home.”
Hawk slipped his hand around her neck, his fingers tangling in her hair. “Let’s see what she wants.” He let her loose, then climbed out of the car.
She did the same and met him at the back of his Range Rover.
“Are you sure there’s nothing else you want from the house?” He took her hand and laced their fingers together.
She turned into his chest, his arm went around her, his big hand resting on her hip.
He hadn’t stopped touching her since the fire exploded in the house.
“I’ve got everything I need.”
His gaze intensified on her. “Is that right?”
She caught the double meaning of what she’d said and answered truthfully. “Yes. Amazingly. I still feel like pinching myself to make sure this is real.”
He bent and lightly brushed his lips against hers. “Real enough?”
“Yes.” The word came out breathy. Was that her?
Just looking at his handsome face made her catch her breath. He was so…sexy. And rugged. But soft with her.
He brushed his fingers along her cheek. “You look tired.”
She leaned into his touch, amazed that with him, she wanted to be caressed. Craved it even. “I am.”
“I’ll take you home, tuck you into bed. You need to rest so you can heal.”
“I’d like that. After a shower.”
A glint lit his eyes. “I can help you with that.” The heat in his eyes scorched her.
Desiree had already parked her car behind Lucky’s, climbed out, took Krystal out of her car seat, and made it to them without Lucky even looking her way. Desiree grabbed her by the hips and pulled her around to face her.
Hawk’s surprise and anger matched her own. “Hey. Be careful. She’s hurt.”
Lucky pressed her hand over her chest to ease the sting the sudden jarring caused. Not to mention the twist her knee took, making it throb in time to her heart.
Desiree rubbed her hand up and down Lucky’s good arm. “Sorry. I came as soon as I heard.” She pulled Lucky into a hug. “Are you okay? Did someone seriously rig your place to go up in flames?” She released Lucky and turned to the house. “Is it really bad? You can come stay with me until they rebuild whatever burned.”
