Read Online Sweet Spot by Susan Mallery - Free Book Online Page B

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?”
    “I, ah, sure.” Because the alternative was going home and avoiding her friends who all currently felt sorry for her.
    Hawk sent several of the guys out to get the desserts she’d brought. Raoul returned with them and called out a greeting. She moved over to help with the setup.
    “Am I freaking you out by being here?” she asked. “Is it too much like your boss being around in your personal life?”
    He smiled. “No one says freaking anymore.”
    “Sure they do.”
    “Because you’re so hip?”
    “No one says hip. I know that much.”
    The teenager laughed. “It’s fine if you stay.”
    “Good. Maybe I can give you a few pointers.”
    “Maybe. Coach says women are a mysterious island and a smart man always knows the limits of his abilities.”
    It was an interesting mixed metaphor. She didn’t doubt that Hawk had more experience than the average guy and that Raoul would be smart to listen to him.
    In a matter of minutes, everyone was settled on folding chairs. Nicole found herself sitting next to Hawk,