Page 59 of Leading Conviction
“A.k.a., let’s end this motherfucking thing,” Phoenix whooped.
CHAPTERTWENTY-ONE
“Psst.”
Hawk’s brow furrowed at the faint sound. Something in the back of his mind told him to wake up, but sleep lulled his instincts and lured him back in. The team had stayed up for hours putting clues together. Hawk only went to bed when Hannah did so he could ensure she was safe for the night.
But a tap on his thigh had him springing into action, landing in a ready stance, his hand on his holster—
Only to see a wide-eyed Hannah staring at him with her hands up.
“Shit, Hannah.” His hand leapt from his holster and his heart rate skyrocketed and plummeted in a split second, making him light-headed. He leaned shoulder first against the wall and pressed his other hand against his chest to keep his heart from bursting out. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.”
“What’re you doing out here?” she whispered, pointing to the ground where he’d been sleeping the past two nights. Her blonde hair was freshly plaited to the side, and she was dressed in a long blue T-shirt and thin sleep shorts that showed off her thighs.
“Um…” He rubbed the back of his neck to get the crick out, using the angle to downplay the fact he’d been checking her out, and to avoid answering the question. “Uh, you know. Just… sitting.”
“It’s six a.m.” She crossed her arms and pursed her lips with a knowing gaze. “How was yoursleep, Mr. Guard Dog?”
“Ah… so you already knew, huh?” He chuckled.
She shrugged. “Naomi might’ve mentioned your sleeping conditions. But what I want to know iswhy? She said there’s an open bedroom, and I thoughtyousaid this place was safe.”
“Itis.” He stopped massaging his neck and gripped his nape with his hand instead, letting his arm hang in that bent position as he tried to explain. “It’s just… I hadn’t seen you in years and my fear for your safety hasn’t changed. I left you a decade ago because my job was getting you shot at and I found you in the same situation. I guess you could say I have a complex now.” He grinned wryly before tilting his head at her. “And why areyouup?”
“Mierda. Yeah, I can see how that could cause issues in the ol’ psyche.”She winced and shook her head with a sigh. “I woke up to paint. Twilight starts in ten minutes and sunrise is in thirty. Sorry for waking you. I just didn’t want you to freak out if you realized I was gone.”
“Oh, no, I’m glad you did. You’re painting?” His heart leapt at the thought of her painting an Appalachian sunrise again.
“Yup. I’m using the supplies you got me and everything. Mine have dwindled since we were always on the move.” She toed the ground with her bare foot and Hawk couldn’t stop staring at its slender arch until she spoke again, “Do you, um, do you want to come?”
“Come? With you?” He couldn’t hide the excitement in his voice. “You’ll let me watch?”
Her eyes sparkled, and she nodded. “Yeah. Come on. I’ll pour us some tea and you can see me work my magic.”
She wiggled her fingers like jazz hands and headed toward the kitchen. Hawk fell in step behind her, his heart thumping with pleasure at the opportunity to watch her paint again.
“You get the pitcher. I’ll get the cups,” she offered once they got to the kitchen.
As she reached into the cabinet, her shorts rode up, showing off the smooth curve of her ass.
“Hawk… the pitcher?”
His gaze darted up to see the amused expression lifting her lips. The cool air from the refrigerator hit the side of his face, making him realize Hannah had just caught him standing there in the open refrigerator door, staring at her ass.
Busted. Whelp, I’ve got to own it.
“Shit, sorry. I guess I got distracted.” He smirked and she ducked her head with a smile.
“Yeah, yeah, yeah, just get the pitcher, will you?” She giggled as she placed the cups under the ice maker.
He grabbed the pitcher from the refrigerator and as she set out the ice-filled cups side by side, he poured the tea to the brim in each. Once they were filled, he returned the pitcher to the fridge and took a sip of the sugary beverage from his glass. A light moan escaped him as the sugary flavor with just a hint of orange teased his taste buds.
“Mmm, it’s been so long since I’ve had your sweet tea. It’s just as delicious as I remember.”
“Really? You guys had all the ingredients already. This industrial aesthetic gives off a bachelor vibe, so I was surprised to see both black tea and orange blossom tea in your cabinets. Plus, all of you are ripped. I didn’t think you’d own sugar at all. I wasn’t expecting to even find a pitcher, if I’m honest.”
“We stocked up recently,” Hawk answered vaguely, not wanting to give away that those items had been on his latest shopping trip when he’d gone out to get the paints.
