Breaking Free by Teresa Reasor Read Free Book Online

going to have to pace yourself.”
    She recognized the truth in what he said, but resented he was the one to say it. “I can take care of myself. I’ve been doing it for a while now.”
    “Then you know what you need to do, so do it.”
    She stiffened at his tone. “Look, I’m not one of the men you can call onto the carpet and dress down.”
    His gray gaze raked down her slender form. “That’s something I’m not likely to forget.”
    Her heartbeat accelerated. She experienced the stomach quivering sensation of riding a roller coaster car to the top of a tall-tall peak.
    “Brett would be telling you to take care of yourself, wouldn’t he?”
    “Yes,” she agreed. The word came out soft and breathy around the airless feeling beneath her ribs.
    “If he were here, he’d be warning you about his fellow teammates. Flirting is fine, but should you start to date one of them, it’s going to cause some hard feelings between them.”
    “They’re only kidding around, Hawk. None of them are really interested in me. They’re just competing for attention. They’d be behaving like that with any single female of datable age within a five mile radius.”
    “I disagree. I’m not going to have the three of them going at each other’s throats over a woman.”
    The heart dropping sensation felt worse than any roller coaster plunge down a steep track. Pain whipped through her. That he had viewed her banter with Flash as something more than just light-hearted teasing was unimaginable.
    “Well--I’ve never been viewed as a femme fatale before, or a manipulative tease.” Her throat tightened with tears. “You’re right about one thing though. I’ve had enough for one day. I’m going to bed.” She shoved past him.
    “Zoe--wait a minute---”
    She jerked her arm from his grasp, and pushed open the kitchen door.
    Flash, Doc, and Bowie working to set the place to rights, gave the large kitchen the feeling of being crowded.
    She pulled up short, and tried to gather her composure. The screen door closed as Hawk entered the room behind her.
    “Guys, I really appreciate all your help getting the bed set up and everything.”
    “No problem, Zoe,” Bowie spoke for the group.
    “I hope you’ll understand if I excuse myself and go on to bed.”
    “No problem,” Doc said. His green gaze traveled from her to Hawk, then back again, speculation in his expression.
    Suddenly, the full weight of exhaustion pressed down upon her shoulders and she drew a tremulous breath.
    “If you or your mom need anything, Zo, don’t hesitate to call,” Flash said, his features set in a frown.
    She nodded and offered them all a hasty thanks, and a goodnight. As she closed the bedroom door behind her, she wished she were anywhere on earth, but in Hawk Yazzie’s house.

CHAPTER 4
     
     
    “Son of a---” Hawk swore the words several times beneath his breath as he removed the cover from the hot tub one handed and braced his weight on a crutch with the other.
    “Need some help?” Clara asked from the kitchen doorway.
    He turned to offer her an apologetic smile. “Sorry. I was just venting a little frustration.”
    “I’ve heard the tone and the words before, Hawk,” she said. A smile laced with understanding curved her lips. She stepped over the threshold and helped him slide the lightweight vinyl cover behind the lounge.
    “I keep the tub covered when it’s not in use in case one of the team comes over with the kids.”
    “Good idea. Children are drawn to water like ducks to a pond. They’d be in it fully clothed in a heartbeat.”
    “Yeah.” He flipped the switches engaging the heater and the pump. “It only takes a little while to heat.” He lowered himself to the lounge and set aside the crutch. “Think Zoe would want to soak for a few minutes, if she’s still awake?”
    She laughed and shook her head at him.
    “Sorry, I didn’t think how that would sound. I just noticed she was in pain last night when she went to her room.