Jumping In (8 page)

When he finally regained control of his muscles, Clint twisted his head and looked at Hawk. “Now I’m ready to go.”

Hawk snorted and kissed the back of Clint’s head. “Remember what I said about a high sex drive and a great sense of humor?” He nipped Clint’s ear. “I was right.”

***

If Clint thought he was falling too quickly for Hawk, his dogs were even worse. Fluffy and Speedy immediately settled into Hawk’s warm pueblo, curling up on the rug in front of the fireplace and showing no inclination to continue their recent furniture destruction tendencies. When Monday morning came around, neither dog wanted to go.

“Leave them here,” Hawk said. “You’re coming back for dinner anyway.”

“When did we make dinner plans?”

“I’ve got way more planned for us than dinner,” Hawk said softly.

Even if Hawk hadn’t repeatedly told him as much, Clint would have figured that out when he’d gone to get his toothbrush out of one of the duffle bags Hawk had packed and found his entire closet stuffed inside. The responding glow that had spread through his chest had lasted the entire weekend and showed no indication of waning.

“You saw what they did to my place. Are you sure you want to leave them unattended with all your nice furniture?”

Hawk was dressed for the office in one of his perfectly fitted suits and Clint wanted to tear it off him and go back to bed. Two days of continuous contact had made him crave the man even more. He satisfied himself by straightening Hawk’s already straight collar.

“I’m not worried about the dogs.” Hawk kissed him, took his hand, and led him outside. “They’re smart enough to realize they’re home.”

Clint might have argued, but they both had to get to work. Besides, he suspected Hawk was right.

“You want to drive in together?” Hawk asked. “I’ll probably end up making one of my regular visits to the station around quitting time anyway.”

“Why do you have so many meetings there?” Clint asked. “I’ve always wondered.”

“Meetings?” Hawk laughed and shook his head. “Baby, haven’t you figured out by now that I go there to talk to you?”

“Oh.” Clint blinked in surprise but when he examined his feelings, expecting to be worried, he found only happy warmth. “Sure. And if you need to work late, there’s always plenty to keep me busy.”

Hawthorne had a low crime rate, but two weeks of vacation meant a full desk waiting for Clint. Thankful for the distraction, he dug in, efficiently making his way through the mountain of work and doing his level best not to daydream about Hawk like a lovesick teenager. He had been mostly successful by the time six o’clock rolled around.

“Hi, Hawk,” Sally said.

Clint looked up from his computer and saw Hawk walking into the office. His suit coat was flung over one shoulder, his tie was loose, and his shirtsleeves were rolled up, exposing his thick, corded forearms. Even the man’s arms were sexy.

“How are you, Sally?” Hawk looked at him, his eyes sizzling, and then he leaned against Sally’s desk and focused on her. “Things going all right with Earl?”

Despite having spent five days a week, nine hours a day for two years with Sally, until that moment, Clint had never seen her blush.

“Ya were spot on about him, honey.” Sally put her hand on her chest and sighed. “He’s the cat’s meow.”

“I knew you two would hit it off.” Hawk smiled at Sally. “I’m glad it’s working out.”

Hawk walked over to him and Clint realized he’d stood up in anticipation, but anticipation of what? Did he think Hawk was going to kiss him in the middle of the station, with Sally looking on, the sheriff in his glass-walled office, and other police officers wandering around? Disappointment flooded Clint and he kicked himself for once again putting himself in a position where he had to hide.

“Hey,” Hawk said quietly as he approached. “You okay?”

Swallowing hard, Clint dipped his head as a silent yes even though he wasn’t sure if that was an honest answer. He gripped the side of his desk to keep himself from reaching out to Hawk, the desire instinctive after their passionate weekend.

“You sure?” Hawk kept walking until he was only a breath’s distance from Clint, much closer than a colleague or even a friend would stand.

In a flash of clarity, Clint realized that even though he had used Ewan’s refusal to come out as an excuse to stop seeing him, he wasn’t certain what he would have done if Ewan had agreed to be public about their relationship. When Clint had put his military career behind him and moved to a new state for a fresh start, he’d told himself he was done living on anyone else’s terms except his own. He wouldn’t hide, wouldn’t pretend; he’d just be himself and let the chips fall where they may.

But then he’d been too busy getting settled into his new job and new town to make friends or date or do anything other than be a cop. And when he’d finally had time to devote to a social life, he’d chosen a guy who was so deep in the closet there wasn’t a snowball’s chance in hell of getting him out. That hadn’t been an accident, Clint realized, it had been a shield. Much like the shield he had thrown up every time Hawk had made himself vulnerable by confessing his feelings and sharing his desires for a future by Clint’s side.

“I’m sure,” Clint said as he cupped his palm around Hawk’s neck in a move that spoke of a lover’s familiarity.

The smile Hawk gave him in response lit up the room.

“Good,” Hawk said.

Although Clint had accused Hawk of being insane and firmly insisted that nobody uprooted his life to be with a guy he didn’t know and declared his love to someone before the first date, those things clearly made Hawk happy. More than that, they made Clint happy. And he’d never been truly happy in his safe, sane life.

“You know, I was thinking today.” Clint licked his lips. “I need to find a new place to live.”

His eyes sparkling, Hawk held onto Clint’s hip. “Yeah?”

“Uh-huh.” Clint nodded. “Most of my clothes are already at your place and my dogs like it there, so I should probably go ahead and pack the last of my boxes and move in.”

“Definitely.” Hawk’s expression was a mixture of amusement and fondness. “It’s the only practical thing to do.”

“Right.” Clint swallowed down his nerves, gazed into Hawk’s adoring blue eyes, and plunged ahead, knowing he’d have company on the emotional jump he was about to take and the lifetime journey that would follow. “Plus, I’m in love with you.”

Hawk beamed. “I love you too, baby.” He leaned his forehead against Clint’s. “We’re going to have a great life together.”

If Clint knew one thing about Hawk Black, it was that when he set his mind to something, he made sure it happened.

“I have no doubt.” Clint threaded his fingers with Hawk’s. “Let’s go home.”

THE END

Cardeno C.
–CC to friends – is a hopeless romantic who wants to add a lot of happiness and a few "awwws" into a reader's day. Writing is a nice break from real life as a corporate type and volunteer work with gay rights organizations. Cardeno's stories range from sweet to intense, contemporary to paranormal, long to short, but they always include strong relationships and walks into the happily-ever-after sunset.

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