Page 31 of Heat Force
“Thanks, we only use the basics out here. WIFI is sporadic, since we rely on a portable internet hub. There’s no real cellphone network or electricity. I have to pick my times to go online.”
“I get it,” he said, with a knowing nod. He’d operated in many a developing country while in the SEALs, and he knew the lack of infrastructure was a problem. “Hopefully, this will make your life easier.”
“Oh, it will.” She grinned up at him, and his chest constricted. A moment passed, where she gazed at him, her eyes dancing. Eventually, she said, “Don’t be a stranger, Hawk. It’s good having you around.”
“I won’t.” If only she knew how torturous he found it being around her and not being able to touch her. Still, he was a big boy. If she could handle it, so could he.
“You know, I think jungle life suits you.”
He paused. “What do you mean?”
“You look good. Happier than when you first arrived.”
“I am,” he admitted. “This project—it’s been a wake-up call. For years, I’ve been stuck behind a desk, crunching numbers and managing people. I forgot why I got into this line of work in the first place.”
“To help people?” she said.
“And to build things. There’s something humbling about the jungle—its rawness, its unfiltered beauty. It has a way of stripping away the noise of the outside world and reminding you of what truly matters.”
“I know exactly what you mean,” she whispered.
He hesitated, then said, “I’m starting to see why you stay.”
“I’m sorry you can’t,” she replied, softly. “It would be nice to have you around.”
He gazed at her for a long moment. Did she mean that? Would things be different if he could stay? He knew deep down they would. She wanted permanency, she wanted commitment. Two things he couldn’t give her.
Neither of them moved. “So am I.”
A weight settled between them, something he couldn’t shift. Eventually, her eyes flickered, and she glanced away.
He took a deep breath and said, “Let me know if you run into any issues.”
“Huh?”
“With the laptop.”
She blinked. “Oh, right. Yes, I will. Thanks again.”
He cleared his throat and gave a small nod. “See you later.”
“See you.”
As he stepped outside, Hawk let out a breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding. All he could think about was the way she’d looked at her—like she wanted him to finish what they’d started in her room last week. And God help him if he wasn’t seriously considering it.
CHAPTER 13
Hawk walked into the clinic the next morning around six thirty. He knew Lexi got up early and was in the clinic by before the sun came up. She’d said not to be a stranger, so he’d waited a day before surprising her.
“Hey, I thought I’d say hi before I started work.” Robert had insisted they start early so they didn’t have to work when the sun turned the clearing into a furnace.
She turned, breaking into a hesitant smile. Not quite a dimple, but close. “Hey. You want a coffee? I was about to have one.”
“Yeah, please.”
He set two mugs on the table, and she filled them up from the coffee pot. “Your timing’s perfect.”
He grinned. “That was my plan.”