restraining order. It’s time to move on, Drew. It’s time to grow up.”
She thought he might argue or try to make his case again. Instead, he left, letting the front door slam behind him. She looked at Hawk.
“Raoul called,” she said.
“Yeah. He had a feeling you would make him leave and he didn’t want you alone with the guy. That’s really your ex?”
She nodded. “Not my proudest moment.”
“I don’t want him showing up like this.”
She smiled. “I like it when you get all macho.”
He didn’t smile back. “I’m serious, Nicole. You can’t have this guy wandering around your house. He’s a weasel and I don’t think he’d do anything, but he shouldn’t have a key.”
“I know. I’ll get the locks changed as soon as I can get someone out here.”
He looked at his watch and swore. “I have to go have breakfast with one of my players and his parents. They’re already hearing from recruiters and I’m going to talk to them about how to handle things.”
He grabbed her, pulled her close and kissed her hard. She leaned into him, enjoying the feel of his lips on hers. The tingles started immediately.
When he released her, she said, “Thanks for coming to my rescue.”
“Anytime. Nobody messes with my girl.”
The words didn’t mean anything, she told herself. They had a deal, nothing more. But that didn’t stop her heart from fluttering a little and her imagination from asking what it would be like if it was real.
“IT’S HAWK,” Maggie said Monday morning as she handed over the phone. “He has a very nice voice.”
Nicole stepped away from the loaves of bread she’d been putting on racks to cool. “Yes, he does.”
“And a great butt.”
“One of his best features.”
“Any chance I’ll see him naked?”
Nicole laughed. “I don’t think so.”
“Bummer.”
Nicole took the phone. “Hello?”
“I heard that,” Hawk said, sounding a little rattled. “All of it.”
“You have a fan.”
“She’s old enough to be my mother.”
“So she has a lot of experience. You should enjoy her appreciation. It’s flattering.”
“It’s uncomfortable.”
“Is the big, bad football player afraid of a little old lady?”
“Maybe.”
“So if I ever need you punished, I should send Maggie after you?”
“Can we change the subject?” he asked.
Nicole grinned. “Sure. Pick a topic.”
“Did you call a locksmith?”
He was checking up on her. It was kind of sweet. “Yes, I did. He’ll be at my place at nine-thirty tomorrow morning.”
“Not until then?”
“I think Drew is sufficiently intimidated to stay away for another twenty-four hours.”
“Probably.”
“Is that why you called?” she asked. “To make sure I’d called a locksmith?”
“Yeah.”
“Worried about me?”
“A little.”
“You’re sweet.”
“Don’t tell anyone. I have a reputation for being tough.”
“Your secret is safe with me. Bye.”
“Bye.”
He hung up.
Nicole set down the phone and felt the fluttering start again. The sensation told her that she would have to be careful around Hawk. What had started out as a simple deal might be getting just a little more complicated.
NICOLE ARRIVED HOME to find seven very tall teenage boys sitting on her front step. Raoul wasn’t with them-he would be at football practice until close to five. So who were they?
She parked in the garage, then walked around to the front. “Can I help you?”
The boys scrambled to their feet. “Yes, ma’am. Nicole. I’m Billy. Coach Hawkins asked us to stop by after school. Look around and make sure everything was all right.”
Three of them held basketballs. Based on their height and the fact that they weren’t on the football team, despite an impressive amount of muscle, she could guess their sport of choice.
“He’s not the basketball coach,” she said.
“Yes, ma’am. But we like him and we were happy to help him out.”
“By coming here?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
The ma’am thing was starting to get on her nerves. She couldn’t believe Hawk had done this-arranged protection.
“What exactly are you supposed to do?” she asked, trying to decide if this was funny or annoying.
“Wait for you, check out the house, stay here until Raoul gets home.”
“But you don’t know me.”
Billy frowned. “I’m not sure why that matters.”
She had a bad feeling they weren’t going away until their mission had been fulfilled. It would probably be easier to simply accept their presence than fight it.
“Okay,” she said and opened the front door. “Check away. I’m guessing you’re all hungry, so I’ll be in the kitchen, putting out food.”
Billy grinned. “Thanks. We appreciate that.”
Five minutes later, they’d swept the house and were clustered together in the family room. Each of the boys had introduced himself, but the names were a blur. Nicole put out chips, sodas and cookies, then retreated to her study and called the high school. A few minutes later, Hawk picked up the phone.
“I’m in the middle of practice,” he told her.
“Then why are you taking my call?”
“I thought I might have to talk you down.”
“Because I could be annoyed by your high-handed assumption that I need protection from the man I used to be married to? You sent me basketball players.”
“They’re bigger than baseball players. Drew’s the type of guy to be afraid of size.”
Possibly, but not the point. “You had no right to do this.”
“He broke into your house.”
“He used a key. I’m getting the locks changed.”
“Not until tomorrow. The guys will stay until Raoul gets home. Can you be patient until then?”
“I don’t know if I should hug you or hit you over the head.”
“Why don’t you tie me up and have your way with me?”
That made her smile. “You’re pissing me off, Hawk. This wasn’t part of the deal.”
“It is now. I didn’t like that guy showing up when he was pretty sure you’d be asleep. He wanted the advantage. That’s not allowed.”
“I don’t need a man to protect me.”
“I need to know you’re safe.”
Because that’s the kind of guy he was. Because he would take care of anyone in need. She knew that. He didn’t mean anything else by what he’d said. She would have to remember that.
