Page 24 of Teased By My Roommate

LILA

The ride to work Thursday morning was awkward and miserable. Maybe Hawk and I got too close too soon. Now it felt like a wedge had been driven between us.

I was grateful that he was giving me some space, because if he was too sweet to me I would have cried so hard I couldn't breathe.

I wanted to reach for him. Needed him to comfort me. But I felt torn. He had real feelings for me, but if we could never be a real couple, I had to end it immediately, for his sake as much as mine.

When we got to my office, Hawk helped me down from the truck, then suddenly wrapped his arms around me, drawing me close into his chest.

"Relax," he said. There was an odd urgency to his voice as he held me silently. Taking a few deep breaths, I tried to let his strength wash over me. After a few moments, he released me.

"It's gone now, but you said something about a bright green sports car, right?"

Dammit. Why did my office have to be on such a busy street?

"I'm sending you lunch again, and I'll pick you up at five-thirty," he said. "Don't worry. I have a plan. This is all going to be fixed tonight."

I wanted to believe him. But it seemed impossible.

All day at work I used every break to look up rental prices in other cities. I wasn't going to be able to travel very far on what little money I had. Even as I was planning to run away again, my heart felt like it was being crushed by the weight of this decision.

I loved Hawk. I knew that through and through. I couldn't take a chance of being pulled back into my mother's clutches.

Hawk wanted to do the right thing and protect me, but he couldn't be with me at all times. There was no doubt in my mind that if my brother found me, he would grab me and throw me in his car. The trunk, if necessary. He would do anything to keep my parents happy and get the huge inheritance he was promised.

If I managed to stay hidden for a few more years, maybe I could meet up with Hawk again someday, and we could disappear together.

Just before five-thirty, I heard a motorcycle pull up in front of the office. Hawk came in and handed me a helmet. "Nobody will recognize you with this on. And no Astor would be caught dead on a motorbike, right?"

Laughing, he helped me strap on the helmet, then we went out to the bike. It felt so good to wrap my arms tightly around him as he carefully drove us home.

We were about halfway there when he stopped at a red light, then a flash of green appeared in my peripheral vision. Sliding my eyes sideways, I managed to catch a glimpse of Gerald behind the wheel.

Hawk's huge hand landed on my knee, then stroked my outer thigh. It was definitely meant to calm me, but to outside eyes, it looked like a possessive biker guy fondling his woman.

Gerald barely glanced at us, peeling away when the light turned green as if he were racing.

Hawk continued driving slowly for a block, then turned away from our usual route, taking a winding way back to our apartment. As soon as we got upstairs, he took my hand and led me to the couch.

"Please thank Lars for the motorbike," I said.

"No problem. He's going to use the truck tonight to do a big grocery run. Win win."

A knock at the door made me nearly jump out of my skin.

"Delivery," Hawk said, patting my knee as he went to the door. He returned with a large flat box, and a bag.

"Normally I would never sneak into your room," he said. "But I did while you were in the shower this morning, to get your dress and shoe sizes."

I was barely irritated, just curious. "What for?" I asked.

"You're coming with me tonight to that engagement party," he said.

A shudder ran down my spine. "Hawk, I can't go anywhere public. Especially not right now."

"Baby, I have a plan. You're going to have to trust me."

"I want to. I really do. But I can't take that chance."

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