Page 19 of Hot Zone

He nodded. “I thought you said you were headed out.”

“I am. I just didn’t want to leave you sitting out in the backyard in a trance or whatever.”

He shook his head, chuckling. “It’s not a trance.” His brows furrowed, and he got that cute little quirk at the corner of his pursed lips, like he did when he was deep in thought. “Well, I mean, it’s not exactly a trance. I guess, in a way, it kind of is, but not really. Like, if you spoke to me, I would hear you—although it might take a couple of tries. I can get pretty lost in my meditation sometimes.”

“That’s about what I thought. I just wanted to make sure you were completely present. If you’re here by yourself outside, I don’t think there’s any danger, but there’s a reason I put in this new security system, remember?”

“I didn’t even think about that. But you’re right. It’s probably best if I save my outdoor meditation for when you’re home.”

“Exactly. But since you’re back inside, I’m going to get going. If you leave, don’t forget to turn on the alarm.”

He did that silly little salute like he’d done before, and I chuckled before putting my book aside and getting up.

“If you need anything, you’ve got my number.”

“That I do. Like I said, my only agenda for the day is shopping. So unless you want to give me opinions about which color shirt makes these baby blues pop”—he put his hands under his chin, tilted his head to one side, and fluttered his eyelashes at me—“I don’t imagine you’re going to be much help.”

“I can already tell you that purple makes your eyes pop. But I know nothing about fashion, so you’re right, I wouldn’t be much help.”

“You’ve been paying attention to what I wear, Samuel?”

I shrugged. “I have eyes, that’s all, but I really do need to get going.”

I left him there and hurried to my truck. Kicking myself the whole way. Why on earth did I say that? It was true, but he didn’t need to know that I’d noticed that his already outrageously beautiful blue eyes looked even prettier when he wore purple.

I killed a couple of hours at the hardware store, buying supplies for the bathroom remodel and contemplating some new tools, before heading over to Winchester’s Pub to meet Hawk. He was already there when I arrived and waved me over. I took a seat and greeted him.

“Hey, Hawk. How’s it going?”

“Can’t complain. How about you?”

Our server came over just then, and I ordered a beer and told her I’d need a few minutes to look at the menu.

“I’m good,” I said, answering his question. “But I’ll be better when they catch this arsonist. Speaking of which, how are the security installs going at my people’s houses?”

“Good. We’ve got four more installs next week. I think that’s everyone… or at least everyone who took us up on the offer.”

“Good deal. I feel better knowing we’ve got someone looking out for them.”

“Same here.”

Our server, Polly, came over and asked if we were ready to order. I chuckled and handed her the menu. “I don’t know why I even look. I always get the same thing.”

“I wondered if you were feeling adventurous today,” she said with a smile.

“Not today. I’ll have the Philly and onion rings, as always.”

Hawk ordered the same, and she left to turn in our order.

“So, how are things going with you and Reggie?” I asked.

About six months ago, he and the man he’d been seeing had decided to take things to the next level, and Reggie had moved in with him.

He let out a sigh. “Not good.”

“Really? Last time I saw you two, it seemed like things were going along fabulously.”

“Yeah, story of my life. When we first started, he was really into how dominant I am. I think he liked the idea of someone who would tell him what to do so he didn’t have to make any decisions, and he loved the fact that I didn’t care if he worked or not. But after a while, he started finding it, shall we say, confining. He got tired of”—Hawk made air quotes—“being bossed around and treated like a child. I don’t know if it was me or him that was the problem, but it didn’t work out.”

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