I probably should just leave it alone, but opportunity to delve deeper into Savage with his best friend and business partner is something I can’t pass up. “Did you go to school with Savage?”
His eyes flicker to mine and his smile returns. “We met in first grade. My mom died giving birth to me, and my dad was always so focused on work. I was basically raised by nannies and babysitters. Savage’s mom found out my situation and kind of adopted me into the Hawke clan. We only lived two blocks away, so I ended up spending almost every day and night there.”
While I don’t know much about Savage’s family, being adopted into the Hawke clan sounds like it would pretty amazing.
“What was she like?” I know he knows I mean Star without me saying her name. He returns his stare to the photo and the corners of his mouth turn up in a sad smile.
“Star was quiet, reserved, brilliant…kind of a perfect angel.”
“Is Skye a lot like Star?”
He bursts out laughing, tossing his head back and wiping at his eyes. “Fuck no. They couldn’t be more different. Don’t get me wrong, Skye is brilliant, too, but their personalities couldn’t have been more opposite. Even if they tried to trick someone by switching places, they always gave themselves away the second they opened their mouths.”
“So, Skye is what? A troublemaker?”
He scoffs and drains his glass. “Troublemaker is an understatement.” His hand tightens around the now-empty glass, his knuckles turning white as a muscle along his tense jaw flutters.
“What about the other two? Stone and Storm?”
He shakes his head and grins at me. “Boy, aren’t we inquisitive?”
I feel my face flush and grab my drink, draining the glass to cover my embarrassment at being busted. “You have something else you want to talk about?”
He leans and sets his empty glass on the desk before reclining in the chair. “I’d rather hear about what’s going on with you and Savage.” His smirk returns and he watches me squirm.
Shit.
“Well, that certainly isn’t happening, so, why don’t you tell me about them instead?”
He grins. “Fair enough. Storm is kind of the responsible one in the family. She married Ben Matthews several years ago, and they have a little girl, Angelina. She’s an architect and he owns a construction company. She actually designed this building and Ben’s company built it.”
I look around the room, taking in the tray ceiling, crown molding, and built-in shelves. “It is a beautiful building.”
For a pussy palace.
“I know.”
“What about Stone?”
He huffs out a laugh. “Well, he is a shining example of youngest child syndrome. Savage’s father died when Stone was pretty young, and his mom really babied him. She let him get away with a lot that never would have flown with the big guy around. He’s a bit of a loose cannon, but, in the last couple years, he has more or less straightened himself out. I mean, he managed to graduate top five in his law school class.”
A knock at the door has me practically jumping from my chair.
Gabe laughs and stands. “Relax, I’ll get it.”
I glance at the computer screen and don’t see Savage anywhere the camera's cover. It must be him. My stomach flip-flops and my heart practically breaks my ribs as I wait to see him.
Gabe unlocks and opens the door and Savage enters, his eyes immediately searching the room until they find me. I try to stand and wobble as the room spins.
I grab the edge of the desk to steady myself and close my eyes, fighting the churning in my stomach making me feel like I just got off the Tilt-a-Whirl at the State Fair.
Crap. I’m drunk.
I vaguely hear Savage say something to Gabe about drinking and a car, but I’m more worried about not falling over right now.
When the room finally stops spinning, I open my eyes to find Savage in front of me, watching me intently, concern written all over his face. His cheek is slightly puffy, scratched, and starting to discolor. I realize he actually did get hit.
“Oh, my God! Are you okay?” I ask, reaching out to cup his cheek, brushing my fingers gently over the abraded skin.
He captures my hand, pulls it to his mouth, and presses his lips to my fingers. “I’m fine. I’m sorry I had to leave you.” His eyes wander behind me to the desk and I follow his gaze to the almost empty Blanton’s bottle.
Turning back, he quirks his eyebrow at me and grins. “Are you okay?”
I step toward him, wobbling slightly, and nod, my eyelids suddenly feeling very heavy. He grins and tugs on my arm, pulling me down onto his lap. “You look like you’re about to fall over.”
Probably because I am.
Even though I know I should be an adult and stand up and walk out of here on my own two feet, I settle against him, burying my face in his neck and my fingers in his shirt. He presses his lips to my forehead and murmurs another apology for leaving me.
“Let’s get you to bed.”
I’m too tired and too drunk to care about the fact that he doesn’t know where I live.
Instead, I let the warmth and comfort of his embrace lull me into a contentment I haven’t felt in a very long time, if ever.