Page 10 of Heat Force
Estelle leaned closer, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “Hawk hasn’t stopped singing your praises since he got here.”
Lexi blinked at her. “Really?”
“Oh, yes,” Estelle said with a wink, “You’ve got an admirer there, honey.”
Lexi rolled her eyes but followed her onto the deck. Hawk turned as she approached, his gaze flicking over her, slow anddeliberate, before he met her eyes. The corner of his mouth tugged upward, and damn if her pulse didn’t kick up a notch.
“Lexi,” Robert said, breaking the moment. “Glad you could make it. Is Patrick joining us?”
“No, he’s looking after the infants,” she flashed Dan, who was also gawking at her, a quick smile. “Did you guys have a good day?”
He beamed. “The best! You look amazing, by the way. Love that dress.”
She flushed. “Thanks.”
He proceeded to tell her all about their excursion until Hawk stepped forward. “Can I get you a drink?”
She glanced up at him. “Sure. A beer would be great.”
He leaned across Dan to grab a bottle from the ice bucket. After opening it, he handed it to her, his fingers brushing hers. Electricity shot through her body, firing her blood. Dan, effectively cut off and having lost his train of thought, turned to talk to Rex, leaving her with Hawk.
“That is a beautiful dress,” he murmured, so only she could hear. “You look like a forest nymph.”
Was that a compliment? She wasn’t sure.
“Um, thanks.”
“How about that tour of the clinic tomorrow?” Hawk asked. His closeness was making her overheat.
“Of course,” She took a step back, out of his magnetic field. What was it about this guy that had her all hot and bothered. She didn’t even like him. “Nine work for you?”
“Perfect.” His smile lingered, and she had to force herself to look away.
“I heard about your little adventure this afternoon,” Jasper said, joining them. The air immediately cooled. “I’m glad it went according to plan. Hawk hasn’t stopped talking about it.”
Really? Lexi shot a glance at Hawk, who she could have sworn colored slightly. He puffed out his chest. “It was beneficial seeing the type of work that goes on here, that’s all.”
At least she wasn’t the only one hot under the collar.
“I’m glad you didn’t encounter any hostiles,” Jasper said.
“Only an angry gorilla.” Lexi met Hawk’s eye.
His mouth quirked.
“How bad is the political situation?” Jasper asked, unwilling to let the subject go.
Grimacing, Lexi looked at Robert for help. That was a landmine of a question, and she wasn’t about to step on it. As an American who’d been here less than a year, she didn’t know where to begin.
“It’s… unpredictable,” Robert said carefully. “There are multiple rebel groups operating in the area, and violence flares up every so often. Sometimes it spills over into the sanctuary, which puts the animals at risk.”
“And your own lives?” Hawk’s gaze locked on Robert, narrowing slightly.
Robert hesitated, then shrugged. “Our work here is important, even the rebels know that. They don’t usually target us directly.” His eyes flicked away.
“Usually?” Jasper’s voice cracked on the word.
“Can’t the army do anything to stop them?” Hawk asked, reading between the lines.