Although she wasn’t happy about facing the crowd again, she couldn’t hide in this bedroom all night. So she took a deep breath and moved to the door.
She opened it, and then fell backward with a squeak. Hawk was standing right in front of her, and the smoldering embers leaping from his eyes sent a shiver of anticipation deep into her core.
Heat invaded her system, and she found herself wanting to find out exactly why that was.
chapter 5
Hawk stood in the doorway staring at Natalie and couldn’t move. At least she was now far more decently dressed for the cold Montana weather, but she might as well have been naked by the way he was gaping at her. He didn’t understand the hold this virtual stranger had over him.
This woman was messing with his head and causing him to feel emotions he couldn’t fathom—emotions more suited to a teenager than a grown man. He’d been with his share of females, and there had been nothing to elicit any real feeling at all beyond the simple exchange of physical pleasure. Not that there was anything wrong with that . . .
“You look better.” His curt tone made him shudder, but he couldn’t seem to do anything to stop it. She took a startled step backward, and he felt like a complete tool.
“Um . . . thank you,” she finally murmured, casting her eyes to the floor.
No. That wouldn’t do. He needed to look into her eyes, and he needed for her not to hide from him, though he didn’t know why. So he stepped forward and, placing a gentle finger under her chin, tilted her head up.
“Sorry. That came out wrong. I meant you look warmer,” he said, purposely making his voice softer. “We’ve really gotten off on the wrong foot. I’m not a bad guy. I’m just a bit . . . gruff sometimes.”
Her eyes widened at his words, but she quickly looked past him. Yeah, he wasn’t making the situation any better. He should take his hand away. And he would . . . in just a minute.
“All right,” he told her. “Let’s just scratch everything that’s happened from the moment we laid eyes on each other.” He finally removed his hand and took a step back so he could think properly. “My mother is an incredible cook. Let’s go have some dinner,” he said, offering his arm and waiting, afraid he might spook her if he moved any closer.
“That sounds nice,” she finally said, reluctantly accepting his arm.
As they descended the stairs, Hawk looked out to find every last person staring up at them, some of them with knowing grins on their faces.
“Ah, you look wonderful, Natalie,” Maggie said as she came up to them holding his niece close to her heart. “I hope you have a healthy appetite, because I’ve been cooking for two days straight. Well, okay, to be honest, I’ve been mostly directing this year as I can’t seem to put my granddaughter down.”
Natalie didn’t even get a chance to reply to Maggie because suddenly she was surrounded, everyone attending Thanksgiving dinner wanting to speak with her. That’s how his family and friends were. There was no such thing as strangers; everyone was simply a friend they hadn’t met yet.
When he sat down, Hawk found himself directly across from Natalie. “Where did you move here from?”
“I grew up in Southern California,” she answered after a beat.
“I guess it’s just a bit warmer there,” he said, giving her his most trustworthy smile. He knew he should just back off, but what his brain was telling him and what he was doing were two entirely different things.
“Yeah. It’s not like I’m stupid. It’s just that I wasn’t expecting quite this much . . . cold,” she said with a nervous laugh as she accepted the large bowl of potatoes passed to her and took a small scoop.
“I’ve done a lot of traveling, or I used to, at least. I’ve always enjoyed the beaches in California.” See, he could be friendly, have a normal conversation with this woman. He’d have patted himself on the back if he were able.
“I always thought it would be fun to travel. Maybe someday,” she said with a soft sigh that almost wasn’t noticeable.
“Where would be the first place you’d go?” He could see that she’d rather be left alone, but Hawk didn’t feel like doing that, so he just looked at her and waited as other conversations went on around them.
“I guess Europe. I’d love to go to Venice, but that’s stupid, really.”
“Why would that be stupid? It’s beautiful.”
“Because it’s not practical,” she replied.
“We don’t always do things because they’re practical, Natalie. We have to also live our lives and have some fun.”
“Some people have that privilege.”
The sudden sadness in her eyes made him want to know her story. And Hawk was determined to get that story despite the dangers it posed to his peace of mind.