Page 34 of Feels Like the First Time
“He lives next door, I’m too difficult to escape.”
Kennedy didn’t look convinced. “Is that you talking or Bridget?”
Ali sat up, too. “Bridget hasn’t said one word about it.” Not since the other night.
“Seriously? Nothing?” Kennedy asked, and Ali shook her head. “Well, that’s a relief.”
“Oh no, silence is bad.”Very bad.“Bridget only goes silent when she’s scheming.” And she was definitely up to no good. At least as far as Ali was concerned.
She hadn’t brought up Hawk and Ali’s relationship once over the past week. No questions, comments, or even petty jabs. “She’s been all wedding all the time. Easing me into believing that this is really about spending time together. Waiting until I drop my shield so she can catch me.”
“Or maybe she is just really happy and in love and wants you to be happy, too.”
Ali snorted. “Tell me if you think the same thingafterseeing her in action tonight.” The doorbell rang and Ali stood. “And after you’ve met Jamie.”
Ali walked over a pile of clothes and through her studio, the material of her dress tangling around her legs as she opened the door. And sucked in a breath.
“Hawk, what are you doing here?”
And why did he have to be so damn good looking? And big.
He towered over her, his shoulders blocking the setting sun, his arms, which were tucked behind his back, nearly busting out of the crisp white button-up he wore. It was expensive and custom fitted, she could tell, just like his slacks, which were a dark gray and hugged his thighs and—she imagined—his butt to perfection.
His dark hair was styled in thick waves, his stubble gone, showing off those dimples he used to melt the hearts—and panties—of ladies everywhere. But it was his smile that got her, kick-started her heart. It was warm and a little crooked. And as if there just for her.
If the man was devastating in jeans and a jersey, then he was lethal in a suit. And she was wearing a dress fit for the pastor’s wife.
“I’m picking up my date for the party,” he said in a smooth, deep rumble that rolled down her spine to her toes.
Ali peeked around him at the bar below. The parking lot was filling up, the twinkle lights were flashing inside, and people already lined the counter. She looked up at him. “I live next door. I can walk myself to the party.”
Humor tugged at the corner of his lips, his eyes sparkling with mischief. “I’m your boyfriend, remember? Protocol says I pick you up.”
“Fake boyfriend, so protocol doesn’t count in this situation. So you can leave.”
“Fake boyfriend or not, I’m walking you to that party.” He leaned a shoulder against the door frame, rooting himself in place.
She looked around, and when she found that no one was looking back, confusion puckered her brow. “No one is watching. I think we’re good.”
“Jesus,” he laughed. “What kind of assholes have you been dating?”
Well, that stung.
Ali crossed her arms. “Assholes who know I’m capable of walking myself across a parking lot to a party.”
Still smiling, he said, “There’s a difference between being capable and being pampered.” He pulled a long box out from behind his back. It was black and narrow and tied with a silver bow. “And sunshine, I’m going to pamper you so hard, you won’t even remember how to walk come morning.”
Ali swallowed—hard—unsure how to respond tothat. Her nipples, though, were responding with party blowers and confetti cannons. Then there was the box. Glossy and mysterious and incredibly nerve-wracking.
Men didn’t bring girls like Ali boxes with bows. And they didn’t wear suits with ties and cuff links.
“What’s that?” she asked.
“Pull the tie and find out.” Hawk moved the box back and forth in front of her, tempting her. Challenging her.
She made a big deal about rolling her eyes, in hopes of covering up the rolling over her heart was doing. With the silky ribbon between her fingers, she slowly tugged, watching his expression for a clue as to how to react. “Be warned, if anything jumps out at me, my reflexes are honed to go for the boys.”
“Depends on what reflexes you’re talking about, but it could be fun.” Before she could react, he popped the top off and—
