big, but certainly not mean. I have one. His name’s Boyo, and he’s a pussycat.” He hesitated before clarifying. “Of course, he can get ferocious if I’m in any way threatened. The breed is very protective of his people.”
Kate had to laugh. “His people?”
“Oh, yeah.” He laughed with her. “Boyo believes I belong to him.”
They grew quiet when their meal was served, enjoying the sumptuous dinner Vic had prepared for them.
“Dessert? Coffee?” Hawk asked when they had both finished eating.
Kate shook her head. “No thank you. I’m too full for even coffee.”
“Good.” Hawk drew a quick breath. “It’s nice here, but…” He took another breath. “I have tickets for a show on the strip. Would you like to go?”
Kate was quiet a moment, stilled by a little flicker inside, a combination of anxiety and expectation. As she had before, she drew a quick breath and made a quick decision. “Yes, thank you. I would.”
Hawk shot a look at his watch, pushed back his chair and circled around the table to slide Kate’s chair back for her to rise.
“We’d better leave. It’s after nine and the show starts at ten.” Hawk waved for their server. He said, “Check, please,” when the server hurried over.
“No check,” the server said. “Vic said this meal is on the house.”
“Tom, you tell Vic I said he’s a sweetie,” Kate said, smiling as the young man’s cheeks flushed.
After quick goodbyes to Bella, they exited the restaurant.
Chapter Three
Taking Kate’s elbow, Hawk steered her to the first parking space in the parking lot. Noting the makeshift Reserved sign tied to the light pole in one corner of the lot, Kate raised an eyebrow and looked up at him.
Hawk grinned at her. “It’s good to be the king,” he declared quoting from an old Mel Brooks movie.
The car he guided her to was midsize. After she was seated, Kate watched, a slight smile on her lips, as he crammed his long body into the seat behind the wheel. Settled in, he slanted a look at her.
“This king needs a bigger carriage.”
“You do appear a bit cramped in that seat.”
He rolled his eyes dramatically. “You have no idea.” He heaved a put-upon sigh. “At home I drive a big-boy truck, with a large seat and lots of legroom.”
“This car is easier to fit into a parking space,” she said.
“Granted, but…” He smiled at her, smugly, as he started the engine. “I don’t have to park it. I’m going valet.” He paused an instant before adding in a gotcha tone, “So there.”
Kate lost it. Her laughter poured out of her with genuine amusement. She couldn’t recall the last time she had laughed so hard, with such ease. It was even better that Hawk was laughing right along with her.
As promised, he drove them to the valet parking at one of the casino hotels. The show, by a comedian Kate had never heard of before, was in one of the smaller entertainment rooms. The room was already full when they were escorted to their table just ahead of the burst of applause as the comedian strolled onto the stage.
The man wasn’t merely funny; he was hilarious., .and he worked clean. He didn’t tell jokes. He told life, everyday things that just about every person in the room could relate to and appreciate.
The few times Kate shifted a quick glance at Hawk during the show, she found him laughing, too. One time he winked at her.
A simple wink, and yet it made Kate feel warm all over. Silly woman, she chided herself.
Now, the show over, Kate moved to get up. Hawk stopped her with a shake of his head. “Want to go into the casino, play awhile before we leave?” he asked.
Kate hesitated. Then, remembering this was one of Jeff’s favorite gambling sites, she shook her head. “Not tonight. I hurt from laughing,” she said, smiling at him to soften her refusal. “He was very funny.”
“Yes, he was,” Hawk agreed, leading her outside. He handed over his parking ticket to the valet before adding, “And you’re a lousy liar.”
Kate opened her mouth, but before she could utter a protest, he said, “No insult intended.”
“What would you call that remark?” Kate didn’t attempt to conceal her annoyance.
The valet area was crowded with people waiting for their vehicles. Hawk moved closer to her. “Kate,” he said, his voice low, private, “I’m not unconscious. I saw the flicker in your eyes when you uttered that lame excuse. For some reason of your own, you don’t want to go near that casino.” He raised one dark brow. “Care to tell me why?”
He stood there, so close to Kate that she could smell his cologne and the pure masculine scent of him, and the tang of wine on his breath, teasing her lips. It played havoc with her nervous system.
“No?” He smiled.
She smiled, surrendering to his smile. “It’s a silly thing, I guess,” she said, sighing. “I didn’t want to go in there, because that is one of Jeff’s favorites.” She shrugged. “I prefer not to run into him.”
The instant she finished speaking, as if she had conjured him up, Jeff’s practiced, cultured voice sent shivers of revulsion through her.
“Well, Kate. Beautiful as ever,” he said, his voice and smile much too smooth. “Imagine seeing you here. I thought you didn’t like the casinos.” He acted as though Hawk wasn’t there.
“You thought a lot of things, Jeff,” she returned, her voice as cool as she could make it. “Most of them wrong…no, all of them wrong.”
Jeff’s pale blue eyes went cold; his smooth voice grew a jagged edge. “Not all of them.” A leer twisted his lips as he ran a quick look over her. “I wasn’t wrong about your response in the bed…”
“If you’ll excuse me,” Hawk interjected in a menacing drawl, sliding one arm around Kate’s waist. “The car’s here, Kate.”
Relief washed through her, but only for a moment. Jeff caught her by the arm, keeping her from moving away with Hawk. She stiffened, angry and embarrassed.
Jeff glared up at Hawk. And up was the word, as Hawk had a good six inches on the man. “Who the hell do you think you are?” he demanded.
“I don’t think who I am,” Hawk said. “I know who I am. And I don’t want to know you.” His drawl vanished, a soft warning taking its place. “Now, little man, take your hand off my lady.”
“Little man! Your…your lady…” Jeff sputtered in anger. “You dare—”
Hawk sighed. “I. Dare. Anything.” He enunciated very softly.
