Page 23 of Hawk and the Cougar

But it did. It made more sense than anything else they’d done so far.

****

Panic rose like a tsunami in Liz’s belly.

Get a grip, she mentally ordered. But the command didn’t stop the tremble that rocketed through her body.

Hawk pulled her close, and she allowed herself to relax against his solid body. The steady beat of his heart lulled her rampant pulse into a manageable rhythm as he stroked her hair. Tears threatened, but she bit down on her lip. The last thing he needed was a hysterical female. And she had no intention of giving Vance Reid the satisfaction of reducing her to a blubbering mass.

Liz wrapped her arms around Hawk and released a slow breath. A stirring against her abdomen confused her for a second before she realized the growing bulge would be a full-blown erection in seconds.

She straightened and looked up at him. “How can you possibly want to.…”

He gave a half laugh. “It’s not difficult with you, sweetheart, but we’ll save it for later.” One hand slid around her neck while the other held her tight. He pressed a chaste kiss against her forehead, then pulled back. “I’ll make this up to you when we get home.”

Her stomach flipped, and she could only nod.

Hawk released her. “It’s fifteen miles back to Highway 87, too far to walk on this old road at night.” He glanced east. “Even with a full moon on the way.” His gaze came back around and locked with hers. “You game for a night under the stars?”

Her heart did a double take, but to her surprise she read only concern in his eyes. That made her legs gel even more. A night under the stars with a Native American warrior who intended to protect her? Who was going to save her from him?

“What time will your students return tomorrow?” she asked.

“Katie will be here by nine a.m.”

“That’s not too bad,” Liz said. “Emma will be worried sick, but there’s nothing I can do about it. I’m sure Katie will have a phone.” She gave him a recriminating look.

He shrugged. “This’ll teach me.”

“What time is it?” she asked.

He glanced at his digital watch. “Seven-thirty.”

“Maybe we’ll get lucky, and Katie will be early.”

He nodded, but she couldn’t help feeling she’d be a lot luckier if Katie were late.

“Where did you leave the cooler?” he asked. “We’ve got plenty of food and water left.”

“The other side of the car,” she replied in a voice that, thankfully, didn’t crack. Liz fetched the cooler, then crossed to the truck, where Hawk was retrieving a sleeping bag and blue jean jacket from behind the seat.

“You really come prepared,” she said.

“The desert gets down in the forties this time of year. Without a coat and water, a person can be in trouble before you know it.” He looked over his shoulder at her. “We’ll be all right.”

The knot in her stomach tightened when he pulled a rifle from behind the seat. Hawk shut the door and faced her.

“Were you expecting trouble?” she asked.

“I always keep a rifle on a dig. There’s not much danger with a big group like today, but I spend a lot of time on digs alone. Mountain lions can be aggressive.” He extended his hand in invitation. “The Toyota will be more comfortable than my truck. We can put the backseat down.”

She entwined her fingers in his, and he led her toward the Land Cruiser. The casual clasp of his fingers, warm and sure, sent a frisson of awareness through her. Had it been so long that any touch from a man was so noticeable? She had to get a grip. It would be easy to get carried away with a middle-aged fantasy that ended up making a fool of her—and getting her and Emma hurt. Hawk had made it clear he wanted her, but he was grown up enough to put aside his sexual advances. They had to get through this night and get safely home tomorrow.

Five minutes later, Hawk had the seat down and the sleeping bag spread out across the Toyota bed. He motioned Liz in, and she ignored the idea that he was watching her rear end as she crawled inside.

“Why leave us here like this?” she asked as he closed the door behind him.

He scooted back to where she sat. “Another warning.”