Hawk's Haven by Kat Attalla Read Free Book Online Page B

laughable.
    "Every man's fantasy is to be treated with respect and equality regardless of where he came from. A half-breed might be good for a fling but not exactly the kind of man you'd invite to the country club for dinner with the family, I'd bet.”  He placed his thumb under her chin and tilted her head back. "And for the record, Gillian. I came out without my shirt because I saw Shadow running toward you and thought you might be afraid."
    "Well, I guess you told me, huh?  Did it occur to you that I might be teasing you?” She jerked her head to the side to free herself from his hold. "I better get going before I do something else that offends you, as that seems to be the only thing I do lately."
    "Would you like to go somewhere this evening?" he blurted out.
    Her eyes rounded into two gleaming spheres, and he could easily understand her surprise. He’d just insulted her and asked her out in less than two minutes. She looked over her shoulder and then back to him. "Were you asking me?"
    "I wasn't asking the dog."
    "Go where?"
    "Dinner?"
    She shook her head. "No. I already owe you money."
    "Forget about that."
    "I can't," she whispered with a trace of regret.
    "You can't forget about the money or you can't go out with me."
    "Maybe both. Think about it, Hawk. If we went out I might be inclined to stare at your chest. You'd get all defensive and we'd have a big scene in a public restaurant. Next thing you know it's all over the society pages. Imagine the headlines. 'Fallen Society Princess Tosses Escargot at Legal Beau, Shells and All.'  No, I think it's better for your reputation that we maintain the status quo."
    Hawk coughed to cover a laugh. She could be amusing when she tried. If he hadn't been so ready to expect the worst from her, he would have realized she was teasing him. "We could compromise. Pack a picnic and take a hike up the mountain. That way, if you feel inclined to toss dinner over my head, no photographer will be there to witness this fall from the pedestal."
    "Haven't you heard? I didn't fall from the pedestal. I dove off, head first."
    Hawk met and held her gaze. "Why?"
    "Because I got lonely up there by myself."
    He wanted to demand an explanation for her radical personality change that wasn't shrouded in mystery. Like a jigsaw puzzle missing the all-important center piece, he couldn't help but wonder what he was missing about Gillian, and why she seemed so determined to keep it from him.
    She started skipping down the road to the house with the playful mutt following behind, living up to his name.
    "Gillian?"
    "What?" she called out, but kept up her pace.
    "About this evening?"
    She turned back and narrowly avoided a collision with Shadow. "What time?"
    "Seven?"
    She bit her bottom lip as if she was giving the matter serious thought. "You better make it seven - thirty."
    "Why?"
    "Just so I could be contrary.” She whirled back around and the full skirt of her dress flowed in a billowing cloud around her legs. The soft cotton fabric clung to the curves of her body.
    As graceful as a fawn, she raced Shadow back to the house. His eyes remained riveted to the sexy sway of her hips. He let out a low whistle of admiration. She sure knew how to make an exit. He waited until she entered the front door before retrieving his shirt from the hood of his car.
    Just so I could be contrary.
    He got the feeling that she’d stated the ground rules for the basis of any relationship they might have. Was she fighting him or herself? He wondered why it mattered, but the answer was as clear as the mountain water.
    Under normal circumstances she wouldn't be spending the evening with him. He wanted it to be something more than a way to pass a few boring weeks before she returned to her old life, and he didn't have a prayer in that respect.
     
    * * * *
     
    If punctuality were an art form, Hawk would be a Michelangelo. At precisely seven-thirty he arrived on the door step. His sharp knock reminded her that she’d