Sweet Spot

There it was—just like with Maggie. Pity. Nicole hated being pitied.

“You’re sweet to worry,” she said, trying not to clench her teeth. “But I’m great. Better than great. Another time.”

“You need to get out.”

“With a guy, right? You’d stop worrying about me if I showed up with a fabulous guy, wouldn’t you?”

Claire laughed. “Actually, I would.”

That made Nicole smile. “So you don’t actually care about how I feel. This is all about you.”

“Well, maybe. But you’re a part of it.”

“And I appreciate that. Look, I’m fine. I swear. I’ve gotta run. Talk to you later.”

She hung up and grabbed her purse. As she opened the front door and stepped out, the phone was already ringing again. She ignored it, even as she wished she had somewhere to go.

HAWK STACKED the DVDs he’d made of the raw footage from the game. He’d already been over the material and knew the points he wanted to emphasize. Normally he would use the few minutes he had before the guys started arriving to make notes, but on this Sunday, he kept checking his watch and wondering when Nicole was going to show.

He knew he was acting like a kid around her. And even when he wasn’t around her. He couldn’t seem to stop thinking about her. Okay—thinking was a stretch. Fantasizing would be better. He kept picturing her naked and begging. In his fantasy he was always happy to oblige. It was just the kind of man he was.

He didn’t know why she got to him, but he was enjoying the ride. She was funny and sarcastic. She challenged him. She had attitude. He liked attitude in a woman.

He heard footsteps in the hallway outside the meeting room. Light footsteps that didn’t belong to any of his players. His gut clenched in anticipation. Sure enough, Nicole entered the room.

“I have about six boxes of desserts in my car,” she said. “Want to help me carry them?”

“Sure,” he said, wondering if there was time to kiss her before his students started arriving. He moved toward her, stopping when he saw something dark and painful flicker in her eyes. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.”

“I don’t believe you,” he told her. “Something happened.”

Now that he studied her, he could see it in the slight slump of her shoulders and the paleness of her skin. “Someone hurt you.”

“I’m fine,” she told him, then shrugged. “It’s nothing.”

“I was married for twelve years. ‘Nothing’ in this context is female code for ‘you’re going to have to keep asking to prove you’re seriously interested.’ What’s wrong?”

“I’m fine.”

“I’m not letting this go.” He wouldn’t until he knew who or what had upset her.

She sighed. “I’m…I’m having a little trouble with my ex.”

What kind of trouble? “You’re divorced?”

“I’m in the process. The papers have been filed and the terms agreed to. I’m waiting out the time.”

“You still miss him?” Hawk asked, not wanting to know the answer. What if she said yes?

“Not even a little. He came by yesterday. He wants me back. His way of convincing me is to be insulting and mean.”

Hawk bristled. “Did he hurt you.”

She managed a smile. “Not really.”

“I can beat him up for you.”

Her smile widened. “I’m sure you’d do so with amazing efficiency, but no.”

He really wanted to. “I don’t mind. I’m always looking for new ways to stay in shape.”

“It wouldn’t be much of a workout for you.”

“You think?”

“I’m sure of it. You’re nice to offer, though. Thanks.”

There was more. He could read it in her eyes. The problem with an ex was that person knew the best way to hurt. He or she knew the weak spots, the soft underbelly. Apparently her ex wasn’t afraid to attack there.

He touched her cheek. “He’s wrong.”

“About what?”

“Whatever he said.”

“You don’t know that.”

“Yeah, I do.”

Hawk’s expression was kind, his touch comforting and just a little sexy. He was exactly what she needed, Nicole thought.

His gaze dropped from her eyes to her mouth. Her body reacted with tingles and little sighs, and the man wasn’t even kissing her. How did he do that?

Before she could find out, there was the sound of several teenagers in the hallway. She stepped back.

“Reinforcements,” he said lightly. “I’ll get them to bring in the boxes.”

Which meant it could be done in a single trip, leaving her no excuse to stay and, for some reason, she wanted to stay.

“I have your change.” She dug in her jeans pocket and pulled out the money.

“Keep that for next time,” he said. “I’ll be ordering in a week.”

“Okay.”

“You’re going to stay for the meeting, aren’t you?”