Page 20 of Hawk and the Cougar

She shot him a withering look.

“I’m not a child, Liz.”

Her stomach did a flip. That voice didn’t belong to a child. Neither did the determination anddesire in his eyes.

“I’m not an asshole either,” he added.

“Can you blame me for wanting to protect Emma?” she asked.

“I can blame you for using her as an excuse.”

“An excuse?” She frowned. “You’re out of your mind.”

“You said that last night. Yet, here you are.” Before she could reply he added, “Just because I haven’t been involved with a student’s mother, doesn’t mean I haven’t been tested, andin the toughest way a man can be tested.”

Liz frowned in confusion.

“Marriage.”

She blinked. “You’re married?”

“Was,” he said. “I told you I’m not an asshole. We’re divorced.”

“Divorced? What woman would divorce you?” The words were out of her mouth before she realized it.

“I divorced her.” Hawk grinned. “But I like the way you think.”

Liz wasn’t sure whether to feel wariness or just plain curiosity. Curiosity won out. “Why did you divorce her?”

“Let’s just say I took fidelity more seriously than she did.”

This time, Liz couldn’t stop her mouth from falling open. “I don’t believe you.”

He lifted a brow. “Are you saying women are incapable of being unfaithful, or is it that men are incapable of being faithful?”

What woman in her right mind would look at another man with him around? How could she possibly have the energy? The glimpse Liz had gotten of his character said he was a good man, and his lovemaking…. What had been wrong with his wife?

Liz gave him a soft smile. “I’m saying I’m sorry. Divorce is a terrible thing.”

He shrugged. “Sometimes it beats the alternative.”

The words were lighthearted, but Liz didn’t miss the hint of pain.

“What about you?” he asked.

“Me?”

“Emma’s father?”

Liz grimaced inwardly. Turnabout was fair play.

“He left when she was three,” she said.

Hawk frowned. “That’s it?”

“That’s it. He decided a wife and a child weren’t what he wanted.”

Disbelief crossed Hawk’s expression, then he snorted in disgust. “He discovered that a little too late. I’m sorry, Liz.”