Hidden Treasure (19 page)

She should have kept them closed because the smoldering fire burning in Hawk’s eyes was enough to make her feel faint. He didn’t move, didn’t pull her closer, but didn’t push her away. He just looked at her as if she were the main course for dinner. Yeah, she’d have to avoid this man at all costs! Because she found herself wanting desperately to close the minuscule gap between the two of them, and that just wasn’t in her plans.

The list. She just had to think of her list. Her life was mapped out—school, check, career check, ten years of hard work, not checked. Nowhere on that map was the gorgeous man now holding her in his arms.

“Well, Natalie, I always do enjoy it when a beautiful woman falls right into my arms,” he said, his eyes bright, his lips set in a smoldering, confident grin.

Womanizer! That’s what this man was. He figured he was cute enough that he could say a few words and she’d simply invite him in. Yes, she knew of men like this, had heard other girls at school practically drooling as they spoke of the hot frat boys more than willing to take them home for the night. Natalie hadn’t fallen under a man’s spell before, and she certainly wasn’t going to do it while she was frozen, grumpy, and more than irritated to be caught in such a vulnerable position.

“I’m grateful that you didn’t let me hit the ground, but you can wipe the look off your face, and release me.” Her voice stern, her eyes anything but receptive, she was satisfied when his expression changed, and he showed a hint of perplexity.

But he quickly regained his composure. “Hmm, not the usual reaction I get when I have a beautiful woman in my arms.”

“I’m not a usual woman. This is bordering on assault now,” she said with no smile to be seen.

Just as quickly as he’d caught her, he let her go, nearly making Natalie tumble backward again. Barely catching herself, she grabbed the ice-covered rail and climbed the couple of steps just as the cab driver set her bags by the front door.

Thanking the man, she paid him, then turned back to Hawk, who held her house key in his hand. Why? She’d never spoken to this man before. She’d dealt only with Bethel, who’d arranged the house and car. Why would Mr. Tall, Dark and Handsome be holding her key?

“As I said, Hawk Winchester,” he said smoothly. “Local fire chief, and… your landlord.”

Crap.

Putting away her anxiety, she held out her hand, hoping like hell he just drop the key into it without any further physical contact. Of course, that wasn’t going to happen. He gripped her fingers and wrapped them around the key, his eyes once again smoldering as he captured her gaze. “I’ll be seeing you again real soon,” he said, and then turned away, leaving her shivering by the front door.

She watched him leave, his stride smooth, his movements confident. Before he reached the sidewalk, she shook her head and turned back to her door, her fingers shaking so hard it took a few tries before she was able to unlock it. Natalie had a feeling her time in Montana wasn’t going to be quite as easy-peasy as she’d thought it would be.

End of Excerpt