****
“I’m fine, Mom,” Zoe said as she cradled the phone between her shoulder and ear. She tugged at the knot in her shoestring. I made love with Hawk and it was more than I ever expected. That was probably more information than her mother would ever want to know. She dropped the shoe on the floor and sat down on the couch.
“And Brett?”
“They’re trying another medication tomorrow or actually adding another medication to the one he’s on. His heart rate is remaining steady and his blood pressure. He’s turned over on his own once, so I’m hopeful he’s close to waking up.” Please God!
“And Hawk?”
“He’s fine, Mom. He’s taking me parasailing tomorrow.”
“Don’t you have to do that on the water?”
“Yes. I’ll have to wear a bathing suit.”
Her mother’s silence stretched across the distance. “How do you feel about that, Zoe?”
She chose her words carefully. She wasn’t ashamed of having a relationship with Hawk. But she didn’t want her mother to think he had waited for her to leave to move in on her daughter either. That wasn’t the way it was at all.
“I’m a little--nervous about him seeing my leg. I don’t want him to pity me or go all super protective.”
Clara chuckled. “He’s taking his job to look out for you seriously, huh?”
She turned to look at Hawk as he entered the living room. “Yes, he is.” God, she sounded sappy.
His white t-shirt stretched across his chest, delineating the contour of the muscles there. He paused at a table just inside the front door and picked up his wallet and change. Khaki shorts hugged his taut waist and sculpted buttocks in just the right way. Looking over his shoulder at her as he stuffed his wallet in his back pocket, he caught her watching him. His pale gray eyes focused on her with a look that left her tingling and breathless.
“He’s been staying at the hospital with me.” Just in case something bad or good happens. She swallowed against the sudden tightening of her throat. “And we’ve been doing some remodeling here at the house. We’ve almost finished the rec room walls. Some of the team came over and helped us hang the sheetrock.”
“Zoe--” Her mother’s tone stopped her breathless rush of words.
She placed a hand against her midriff where her heart had fallen. Her mother knew. She had never been able to hide anything from her. Something in her tone had made it all clear as glass. She swallowed. “Yes.”
“Be careful, honey.”
All the concern and unconditional love expressed in those three words had her eyes stinging. “I’m--I will, Mom.”
“I’d like to speak to Hawk.” Clara’s tone changed just as quickly to protective mom mode. Zoe had heard it before.
Tempted to tell her he wasn’t available, she stalled instead. “How are Sharon and Katie Beth? How are both of them doing with the new baby?”
“Sharon’s doing well after the surgery. She’s been a little weepy but she’s doing well and Katie Beth’s in little momma mode right now. How long that will last, none of us knows. She doesn’t like diaper time at all.”
Zoe laughed. “And Ali-Marie?”
“Growing like a weed and eating well. She gets up twice a night, so right now none of us are getting much sleep, but that will change soon enough. She’s a beautiful baby. She looks a lot like you did. Now quit stalling and hand the phone to Hawk.”
Zoe bit back an oath and motioned to Hawk. Biting her lip she handed him the receiver, then watched his expression. His yes and no answers gave her no clue as to what her mother was saying, nor did his expression. He hung up and his lips quirked upward.
“What did she say?”
“She just wanted to be certain I was going to look out for you on the water.”
“She knows.”
“If she does, she didn’t say anything to me.” He tugged her close and brushed her lips with his own. He smelled of soap, toothpaste, and a woodsy scented cologne mixed with his own clean scent.
His hair was still damp from his shower as she smoothed the dark strands with her fingertips.
“Besides, you said last night you weren’t going to let your family interfere with our being together.”
“I’m not.”
“Then what are you all worked up about?”
What was she worked up about? Was she worried her mother would be disappointed in her for sleeping with Hawk? Or was she more worried about her saying something to him about it? The latter, definitely.
“My family is way too protective of me. I don’t want them giving you a hard time if or when they find out we’re sleeping together. I’m not really worried about anything they might say to me.”
“I’m a big boy, Zoe. You don’t have to run interference for me.” His hand caressed the rounded curve of her buttocks.
She tiptoed to better mold her small frame against him.
“But it sure feels good when you’re covering me,” He murmured against her ear, his warm breath making her shiver. He dipped his head to kiss her again and for a moment she forgot everything but the pleasure he gave her each time he kissed her.
“I have to meet Derrick in fifteen minutes. When’s your doctor’s appointment?” he asked, his tone husky, his gray eyes alight with feelings.
“Noon.”
“I’ll be back at eleven to pick you up.”
She nodded and released him.
She studied the door as it closed behind him. With his kiss still burning on her lips and her heart still beating in her ears, she hadn’t had time to think about Derrick Armstrong. If Hawk questioned Strong Man too directly would he blow up and try and hurt Hawk? Zoe rushed to the door and pulled it open.
CHAPTER 15