Part of what he said was true, though. Many of Brett’s letters home held news of Hawk and the other men in his SEAL team. He spoke of them as though they were brothers--especially Hawk.
“I’ve spoken with your mother about it and she’s agreed, but only under the condition that you agree as well.”
Her attention swung back to her mother. The financial strain of staying at a motel had been worrying her. But what about the strain of living under the same roof as Hawk? With this sorry ma’am it’s classified crap hanging between them and the attraction she fought to suppress-.
Hawk would probably be embarrassed if he knew. She didn’t want to dwell on the humiliation she’d face if he discovered it. She’d been through that before.
“No, you can’t.” More at ease in a professional capacity than a personal one, the tension in her neck and shoulders eased. “If you push too hard before you have a chance to heal, you’ll be back to square one.”
“Then it’s good I’ll have you there to offer me advice. What do you say, Zoe?”
How was she supposed to hide her attraction for him, when he seemed determined to draw her out?
“And though your mother has met me before, I’m a stranger to you.”
She hated the cowardice that had her jumping on any excuse to avoid getting closer to him. “Yes, you are.”
A smile laced with charm quirked one side of his mouth upward. “Uncle Sam trusts me. Don’t you think you could trust me too?”
He chuckled, the sound deep and masculine. “I couldn’t resist. My motives aren’t entirely altruistic. I’ll be at PT once a day. I can adjust my schedule to coincide with the times you and your mother visit with Brett at the hospital. I can’t drive and I know you’ve rented a car. We could ride in together and you could share my car and turn the rental back in. It’ll save me from taking a bus or taxi or calling one of the men for a ride.”
She took his empty cup, careful not to touch him. “More?”