LITMIR.BIZ

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there, so close to Kate that she could smell his cologne and the pure masculine scent of him, and the tang of wine on his breath, teasing her lips. It played havoc with her nervous system.

      “No?” He smiled.

      She smiled, surrendering to his smile. “It’s a silly thing, I guess,” she said, sighing. “I didn’t want to go in there, because that is one of Jeff’s favorites.” She shrugged. “I prefer not to run into him.”

      The instant she finished speaking, as if she had conjured him up, Jeff’s practiced, cultured voice sent shivers of revulsion through her.

      “Well, Kate. Beautiful as ever,” he said, his voice and smile much too smooth. “Imagine seeing you here. I thought you didn’t like the casinos.” He acted as though Hawk wasn’t there.

      “You thought a lot of things, Jeff,” she returned, her voice as cool as she could make it. “Most of them wrong…no, all of them wrong.”

      Jeff’s pale blue eyes went cold; his smooth voice grew a jagged edge. “Not all of them.” A leer twisted his lips as he ran a quick look over her. “I wasn’t wrong about your response in the bed…”

      “If you’ll excuse me,” Hawk interjected in a menacing drawl, sliding one arm around Kate’s waist. “The car’s here, Kate.”

      Relief washed through her, but only for a moment. Jeff caught her by the arm, keeping her from moving away with Hawk. She stiffened, angry and embarrassed.

      Jeff glared up at Hawk. And up was the word, as Hawk had a good six inches on the man. “Who the hell do you think you are?” he demanded.

      “I don’t think who I am,” Hawk said. “I know who I am. And I don’t want to know you.” His drawl vanished, a soft warning taking its place. “Now, little man, take your hand off my lady.”

      “Little man! Your…your lady…” Jeff sputtered in anger. “You dare—”

      Hawk sighed. “I. Dare. Anything.” He enunciated very softly. “Now, back it up, buster, before I’m tempted to get real nasty.”

      To Kate’s near amazement, Jeff took a step back, looking not at all like a cock of the walk, which was how he regularly portrayed himself. She watched him stare narrow-eyed at them as Hawk helped her into the car. But he blinked and took another step back as Hawk turned to stare back at him.

      Although Kate couldn’t see Hawk’s face, she thought his expression must have looked meaner than hell, for turning on his heel, Jeff quickly strode back into the casino.

      Turning her head, Kate watched, expecting to see a man ready to explode with anger, as Hawk came around the car and slid behind the wheel. To her utter surprise, she saw the brightness of inner laughter in his eyes and a grin on his rugged face. Amusement danced in his voice.

      “I bluff at poker, too.”

      It started as a chuckle from Kate and developed into full laughter. “You’re something else,” she said, her laughter subsiding.

      “Oh, lady, you don’t know the half of it.” Hawk slid his glance from the wheel after starting the car to toss a smile at her.

      The tension of the previous minutes drained from Kate’s body, leaving her relaxed and comfortable. For the first time since throwing Jeff, cursing and arguing, out of her apartment, and her life, she felt at ease in the company of a man.

      Kate couldn’t quite decide if that was good or not. She knew too well that being at ease with a man was not the same as trusting one. At this point in time, she wasn’t sure she would ever again be able to trust a man, any man. It was sad, really, that one nasty male…She gave a mental shake. Forget him, she thought. He wasn’t worth the effort it cost her to dwell on him. Resting her head back, she allowed her thoughts to drift.

      They drove for several minutes, Kate content and mellow, before Hawk broke the mood.

      “Er…Kate, are we going to drive around aimlessly for the rest of the night, or are you going to tell me where you live?”

      Kate knew the mood was too good to last. “I parked my car at Vic’s,” she said, straightening from her near lounging position.

      “Um,” he murmured, making a turn at the next intersection. “We’re a little past his restaurant.”

      Kate gave him a startled look before glancing around at the area. She frowned when she didn’t recognize where they were. “How little?”

      A smile twitched the corners of his mouth. “Oh, only a couple miles or so,” he said. “You looked so comfortable, I hated to mention it. Fact is, I wasn’t certain you were awake.”

      She felt her cheeks grow warm and was glad for the dark interior of the car. “I wasn’t sleeping but I was drifting a bit. It must be the wine.”

      “All two glasses of it,” Hawk drawled. Then he sobered. “Were you thinking about that clown who was giving you a hard time?”

      “His name is Jeff,” she said, tossing off the name as if it didn’t matter, and it truly didn’t.

      “He grabbed your arm.” His voice had changed. It was now close to a growl, almost scary. “And if he tries something like that again, touches you again when you’re with me, his name will be sh—er—mud.”

      She had to chuckle at his quick word switch. “I do know the word, Hawk.”

      “I know. Everybody does.” He shrugged. “My father is a stickler for speaking politely in front of or to a lady. I feel the same way he does.”

      “That’s nice.” Kate said as he drove into the restaurant parking lot. He came to a stop next to her car in the otherwise empty lot.

      Unfastening the seat belt, she turned to face him, offering her hand for him to shake. “Thank you, Hawk, for a lovely evening.”

      Although he took her hand, he shook his head. “I’m following you home, Kate.”

      “But…”

      That was as far as he allowed her to get. “It’s late, so I’ll follow you and make sure you’re safely inside.” His voice was firm; he would brook no argument.

      Shaking her head, she sighed and didn’t argue. She got out of his car and into her own. True to his word, Hawk stayed on her tail, nearly tapping her bumper, until she pulled into the parking area of her apartment complex.

      Once again he parked next to her. He got out of his car as Kate stepped from hers.

      “I’ll see you to the door,” he told her.

      “Really, Hawk, it’s not necessary,” she protested. She might as well have saved her breath. Without replying, he strolled beside her to the entranceway.

      “Thanks again, Hawk,” she said once more offering her hand to him.

      “You’re welcome.” He took her hand and used it to gently draw her close to him. “Will I see you again?”

      “Yes,” was all Kate was capable of saying due to her suddenly dry throat.

      “Tomorrow evening?”

      She swallowed, hesitated before repeating, “Yes.”

      “Good.” A mixture of relief and satisfaction colored his voice. “I’ll pick you up here at seven-thirty, okay? We’ll do something fun.”

      She nodded, her heart skipping when he raised his hand to cradle her face, his thumb slowly stroking her cheek. “That creep was right about one thing, Kate,” he murmured, gently lifting her chin with the heel of his hand. “You are one very beautiful woman.”

      Now Kate’s heart wasn’t skipping; it was thundering.

      “Hawk…I…”

      “Shh,” he murmured, lowering his head to hers.

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