Page 136 of Wrecked
Her mom told her that people were good. That kindness prevailed. That sharing meant caring. But that had been fleeting because her mom had ghosted, proving that notallpeople were goodorkind.
Then, her dad taught her to keep her chin up, to be on her guard, and to trust no one. He told her that evil existed, then handed her an opportunity to help rid the world of it, but that came with a cost.
Every death sucked the life out of her soul.
As her sobbing subsided, and she was able to catch her breath, she knew that Hawk was a balance of both worlds. He knew the evil, but he believed in the good.
She wiped her eyes, regarded his soaked face. She knew how she felt, had known for a while. She was falling in love with him and she was absolutely, flat-out terrified.
“I’m sorry I acted like a bitch and a brat at the club,” she said running her fingers through his silky, wet hair. “I’m sorry I friend-zoned you right before our mission. I blame myself for telling you Tommy was capable of completing that mission.”
He peered down at her, wiped the water droplets from her face. “You don’t have to apologize. Did the cry help?”
She sighed. “I don’t know.” She was pressed so tightly against him, but she wanted more.
“We’ll get through this,” he said, his warm breath on her cheeks.
“How do you know that?”
“Because we’ll do it together.” He kissed her forehead, then vanished around the wall of the shower. Her heart plummeted. He was doing the right thing, but she didn’t want right. She wanted raw and wild and intense. But she couldn’t tell him one thing, then flip-flop. He wasn’t a yo-yo. He was her friend and, now, her protector and guardian. Day and night.
All night. Every night.
Despite feeling drained, she washed her hair and soaped up, then rinsed away the suds. Before turning off the water, she said, “Are you still in here?”
“Yeah, babe.” He walked around the shower wall, this time wearing a black bathrobe. “Whatcha need?”
That was a loaded question. She was standing there naked.
“Can you check my chin for paint?”
This time, he didn’t enter the shower, but regarded her from a safe distance. “You’re good.”
She turned off the water, made her way out. He held out a towel, then wrapped her in it. Then, he retrieved another for her hair.
“Bend over,” he instructed.
After doing that, she said, “Whoa, that hurts.”
“Taking a hit to the chest with Kevlar will save your life, but it won’t stop the pain.” He gently collected her wet hair in the towel and twisted the cotton fabric.
When she stood, she just stared at him. Like his generous massage, he was taking care of her in such a tender, loving way.
“Want something for the pain?” he asked.
“I’m gonna gut it out.”
“My bad-ass Addison.” He kissed her forehead. “Do you like my bathroom better than yours?” After disrobing, he walked into the shower.
Mygod, he’s an Adonis.
A naked Hawk was a very, very sexy Hawk. She wanted to behave, but a stunningly beautiful man stood inches away. Her gaze dropped to his chest, eight-pack, his semi, those muscular thighs and sizable feet.
“Stop eye-fucking me,” he said. “What’s wrong withyourbathroom?”
She jumped her gaze back to his eyes. “No soap, shampoo.”
“It’s in the closet.” He pumped the wall dispenser, rubbed shampoo on his head.
