Page 65 of Feels Like the First Time
“What makes you think I was watching hockey?” he said, and Ali felt her heart stop. He let that go for a moment, giving her sternum time to do one final thump against her chest, then added, “What do the hearts on your panties say?”
Stunned that he could see that much detail, she looked down at the red and pink hearts and grinned. “‘Eat me.’”
He chuckled, soft and low and so sexy, her body shuddered.
“What are you drinking?”
“Scotch.” She held up the glass for him to inspect it.
“Nearly empty. You know, friends don’t let friends drink alone. I should come over.”
“We’re not friends, we’re sexy friends, remember? There’s a difference. And you can’t come over, you have a bar to run.”
“I have a few minutes.”
“You never take a few minutes.” She took a stealth sniff of her shirt and grimaced. “Plus, I need to shower first.”
A groan of pure agony and disappointment came muffled through the phone. Then Hawk paused, both eyebrows lifting in a move so sexy, Ali licked her lips. “I can wash your back.” She tapped her watch. “Right.” Deep exhale, followed by, “Wait? Is that the Scotch you hide above the fridge? Holy shit, you finished your piece.”
“Just a few minutes ago.”
His voice softened. “How did it turn out?”
“Inspired,” she said and knew it was the truth. Once she got focused, the piece almost built itself. The process had been intense and consuming, and even though her limbs were mush, she wanted to keep going.
Kind of like sex with Hawk, she thought deliciously.
“You’re an inspiring woman,” he said, with pride so thick, Ali felt her eyes burn. “I can’t wait to see it.”
She wanted him to see it. Wanted to show him this new side of her art, the side of her that she’d kept hidden until now.
Until Hawk.
“I deliver it tomorrow morning,” she told him, knowing he’d be dead asleep when the delivery truck arrived.
“Well, then I guess that means a sleepover at your place,” he said. “You provide the bed and I’ll bring the pj’s. I have an old jersey that would look great with your legs.”
She pulled her knees to her chest and hugged them. “Are you sure?”
“Like I said, the watching is fun, but I am more of a touchy-feely kind of guy,” he said lowly. “Leave a key under the mat and I’ll head over after I close up the bar.”
She heard him disconnect, and then with a wink, Hawk walked back to the bathroom—the towel nowhere in sight.
***
Ali had just fallen asleep when her cell buzzed. Her first thought was Hawk calling to say he’d closed up early and was on his way over. Her body throbbed at the thought, but as she looked at her cell, she knew it wasn’t him.
“Hey,” she said into the phone, trying to clear the sleep from her throat.
“Hi, honey, it’s Loraine,” the older woman said.
“Oh, did the snorkel gear I ordered for Bridget come in?” It wasn’t the most romantic wedding gift, but she knew her sister would have fun—once she got over getting her hair wet.
“I’m afraid I’m not at the post office. I’m at the hospital with your dad.”
Ali bolted up, wide awake, her feet already diving into the nearest pair of shoes. “Is it another heart attack?”
“They won’t tell me. But I know he overdid it a little at dance class and his sugar levels were low, so I called an ambulance.”
Ali told her pulse to slow down, told herself that he was okay, that it wasn’t another heart attack. But all she could remember was finding him on his boat. Facedown on the deck, head bleeding, and unresponsive. She’d thought he was dead, that she’d lost him.
And she made herself a promise that day that she’d never let him get to that point again. Even if it meant putting her life on hold for a while, until he got back on his feet. But he wasn’t there yet, and now she was getting a call.
Terror clogged her throat. “What hospital?”
“Destiny Bay Memorial. They’re moving him to Urgent Care.”
Ali scribbled it on a notepad next to the bed, then grabbed her sweatshirt and keys. “Thank you so much for taking care of him and for calling me. I will be there in ten minutes.”
