That was certainly a new one for her.
Instead of endless days working and wishing, now she dreamed of a life with a man who truly knew her in a way no one else did. They could be a family, not like the one she’d lost, but the one she craved.
Did he want children?
He’d be an amazing father.
She wanted to be a mother. She would love her child with everything she had. They would never fear her or think she was mean. Not the way her father had been cruel. She’d build her children up instead of tearing down their self-esteem, turning their love to hate.
She knew she wouldn’t be perfect, but she’d try. She’d dole out hugs and kisses and praise with smiles and gratitude to be a part of a family who cared about each other and raised each other up, instead of tearing them down.
The doorbell rang just as she noticed a text from Hawk, making her heart race.
Who would come over when Hawk was at work?
It took some effort to get herself off the couch. Once she’d settled in, her body simply wanted to rest. Her sore muscles protested being asked to carry her to the door.
Maybe she’d try out the soaker tub in Hawk’s amazing bathroom once her stitches came out.
She checked through the peephole and frowned.
“Open up, or I’ll huff and puff and bang on the door until you…Let. Me. In.” Those words were punctuated by more knocks.
Lucky punched in the alarm code and opened the door. Standing in the opening, staring at Desiree, she wondered why she was so reluctant to let her in Hawk’s house, or near her.
The instinct confused her and made her wary.
Is it because I don’t want anything to burst the bubble of contentment I’ve felt since arriving here? Do I fear Desiree somehow belittling or sabotaging what Hawk and I are just starting to build together?
I’m being ridiculous.
Desiree was her best friend. She wanted Lucky to be happy.
“Aren’t you going to invite me in?”
She didn’t answer verbally, just opened the door wider, her gut tightening with apprehension.
Desiree stepped into the open living room and kitchen area, turning as she took in the cozy but spacious space. “Damn, girl, you hit the jackpot. This place is amazing.”
Lucky closed the door and wrapped her free arm around her waist, her other arm was strapped in the brace that kept her shoulder from moving too much. “Hawk has incredible taste.” The room was somehow elegant but comfortable with the light gray sectional anchored by a beautiful and plush sky blue rug. Brushed nickel glass-topped end tables and a coffee table filled out the space. The end tables had beautiful lamps, their bases had stacked four inch balls of blue glass with pristine white shades on top. Family photos in silver frames lined the gorgeous redwood fireplace mantel. The TV hung over a dark wood cabinet across from the sofa. Two glass and black metal lanterns sat on either side with a tall, fat candle in each. In between was a lovely green plant that matched the one sitting in the middle of the coffee table. She didn’t know plants that well, but she loved their variegated leaves of green and almost white.
A terrarium filled with different kinds of moss sat on the dining room table.
The drapes on the huge windows and sliding glass door to the back deck matched the blue glass on the lamps.
The kitchen bar was in the same blue with white quartz countertops. The cabinets along the back wall were dark wood that matched the bar stools.
The place was perfect. Lovely. Not too masculine and dark, but a balance. A few colorful throw pillows, maybe a blanket, some fresh flowers would give it a feminine touch.
Then again, the lavender blanket she’d brought from home complimented his couch and other décor rather well.
“You like it here,” Desiree announced, bringing her out of her fresh look at Hawk’s place as she tried to see it as not just Hawk’s place but theirs.
“It was very nice of Hawk to let me stay while I recover. He’s been really sweet about taking care of me.”
Desiree’s eyes lit up. “Oh, I bet he has.” She glanced at the paused TV screen. “Speaking of Marked Men, does Hawk have tattoos? I’ve never seen any on him, but I bet you got an up close and full naked view of him by now.”
A blush swept up her neck and face. “Just the one across the inside of his bicep that says,If you want it, go after it Gunns blazing.” And a lot of scars and yummy sculpted muscles.
