“Callum Hawk,” she breathed out.
He arched an eyebrow at her and pushed to a seated position, then stood. At least he didn’t move like he was broken. He tucked his helmet under his left arm and offered his right hand to her. “We should probably get out of the street in case any other crazies are awake this early.” He flashed her the trademark smile that had women across America needing blood pressure medication.
Lexi took his gloved hand and let him pull her up. She was glad they were both wearing gloves, because the surge of energy that went through her simply being this close to him wasn’t smart to experience with anybody’s boss, let alone a new employer who didn’t even know who she was. She’d just made Callum Hawk crash his motorcycle. Jiminy Christmas, she was in trouble!
He released her hand, wrapped his arm around her lower back, and guided her out of the street toward his motorcycle as if they were on a summer stroll through Central Park. Her heart raced out of control. Callum Hawk had his hand on her sweaty back and she’d wrecked his motorcycle. This was not good. She was going to get fired before she even set foot in his office. How would she help her family if she got fired?
“Are you damaged?” Her words came out too breathy and too high-pitched, as her throat was closing off. The motorcycle accident was her fault, but when she died of heart failure from his tingly touch, it would be all on him. “Shouldn’t we call 911?”
Callum glanced down at her, his dark eyes filled with concern. “Do you need medical attention?”
“No.” She pushed the word out, shocked that his first worry was for her. “But I just made you crash your bike, skid across the asphalt, and most likely ruin that beautiful Armani suit.”
He chuckled, stopping next to his tipped-over motorcycle. “It’s Brioni.”
Lexi’s eyes widened and she swayed on her feet. Brioni suits were at least quadruple the price of Armani. “Did it get ripped?” she demanded.
Callum grinned down at her. “I don’t care. I only care if you’re all right.” His voice deepened, and she was so smitten by him in this moment she could barely keep on her feet. Callum Hawk—the Callum Hawk—cared if she was all right? She almost squealed but held it in.
“I … I.” Lexi tried to take inventory of her body. She’d have some definite bruises from falling on the ice, but she was still in one piece. “I’m fine. The bike didn’t hit me. Are you sure you’re okay?”
He nodded, his gaze deepening into something serious and solid. “I’m glad you’re unharmed.”
Lexi could only let out a breathy sigh. She felt like she was in the middle of a movie set. Next some bad guys would creep out of the building to their left and Callum would take them down with some superhuman punches and kicks. He was a thoughtful, beautiful billionaire; of course he’d be tough too. Not even a motorcycle crash could affect this guy.
Callum finally pulled himself from studying her. “I guess we’d better see how Harvey fared.”
“Harvey?”
“That’s what my brother Bridger calls my bike—Harvey the Harley.”
She couldn’t help but smile. She knew exactly who his extreme athlete brother Bridger was, not to mention his other brothers—Creed, the Navy SEAL who’d recently come back from the dead, and Emmett, the Titans football player. She was truly in the presence of her favorite Hawk brother, and he was so kind, she was ninety percent sure he wouldn’t fire her if he figured out who she was. Was it destiny that they met like this? Despite the terrifying crash, she thought the angels in heaven were rocking at their job this morning.
Callum bent down and she knew he must have superhuman strength as he righted the heavy motorcycle with one manly heave. In a Brioni suit, no less. She noticed a rip in the leg of the suit and wished the ground would swallow her up whole. This perfect man, her boss, had wrecked to avoid killing her. Now she’d ripped his suit and … Her eyes wandered over the huge motorcycle, studying it in the glow of the streetlights to see if it was dinged or scraped. She couldn’t get out of her mind the sound of metal on asphalt as the bike slid.
Callum put the kickstand down and slowly walked around the bike. His brows drew together in a frown, but when he focused back on Lexi, he gave her a quick smile. “Looks like no harm done. Harvey’s tough.”
“He didn’t get … scarred?”
“Chicks dig scars, right?” Callum grimaced. “Sorry, quoting Bridger again. I’m a little out of sorts.”
“That’s understandable.” Shoot. The bike was scarred. Curse the black ice. Curse them meeting like this. This meeting wasn’t destiny, and the angels hadn’t orchestrated it. Callum was going to think she was nuts when he met her again at Hawk headquarters in a few hours. She’d pile on the makeup and pray he wouldn’t piece together who she was.
“Can I give you a ride home?” he asked.
Lexi shook her head. “Oh, um, no. I can run. I’m out on a run. Need to finish my miles.”
His eyes got much too serious. “You’re smart. If I had a sister, I’d tell her to never let some strange guy take her home either.” Then his smile broke out, and she could hardly catch a breath. “Because then that strange guy would know where she lived, and he’d definitely come find her again and try to talk her into dinner.”
Lexi clutched at her throat, shaken to the core by this interaction, by him. Callum Hawk. Was he for real? “Can … not … breathe,” she gasped out.
Callum’s eyes darkened with concern and he moved in close. His spicy, warm cologne tickled her nostrils, and she was having difficulty breathing for many reasons now. “Should I call for help?” he asked.
“No.” She shook her head and backed away. “I run home now,” she said, then wished she could disappear. She was hoping to be a professional, be taken seriously in the business world, and she was talking like a two-year-old while Callum Hawk stared at her with this mixture of desire, concern, and appreciation that made her hotter than a warm shower. Women across America would give up their eyelashes to have this man look at them like that.
Callum crossed the distance she’d gained in two quick strides. He loomed over her, but she felt no fear, only attraction and embarrassment. This was her boss. Should she tell him that, or should she pray he wouldn’t recognize her when she walked into his high-dollar high-rise building at nine a.m.? She’d definitely look different with her hair and makeup done and wearing her best blouse, skirt, and boots. It was no Brioni or even Armani, but she’d look a lot nicer than the sweaty, disheveled mess she was right now.
“I’d like to make sure you get home safe …” He gave her that irresistible grin. “Maybe get your name and number so I can take you to dinner, make it up to you for almost running you over.”
Lexi stared at him. Make it up to her? She was the one who had been in the middle of the street in a patch of ice at five a.m. If not for his quick action, she’d be dead or in a hospital right now.
“Please.” His voice got all deep and husky and he leaned even closer to her.
Lexi swayed, overwhelmed by the effect of his voice, his lovely cologne, and his even lovelier face.
Callum steadied her with a hand on her elbow. “You’re shaky and unsteady. I need to see you home safe.”
He was right, but not for the reasons he thought. “You’re making me shaky,” she whispered.
His brows drew together. “Why?”
“You’re Callum Hawk.” She could at least admit that she knew that much.
“How do you know me?” One eyebrow arched up as he smiled warmly at her. So. Stinking. Appetizing. She’d give up chocolate for life to have him keep looking at her like this.
“I’m a red-blooded American woman; of course I know you. Honestly, how many times have you been the Most Eligible Bachelor in America?”
“Too many.” He had the class to look embarrassed. “Can I give you a ride home?”
She should say no, but this was the opportunity of a lifetime. She was going to lean against Callum Hawk’s back and wrap her hands around
his abdomen? Yes, please, may I try it again? She nodded.
He smiled. “And you’ll tell me your name?”
Lexi shook her head. No way. If she didn’t want him to know who she was when she showed up at his offices on 5th Avenue later this morning, it was crucial he not know her name.
Callum’s dark eyes swept over her. “Will you tell me soon?”
Lexi had to hide a smile. Yes, he would find out her name soon. “Sure.”
He gave her a triumphant grin. She had a feeling that Callum Hawk always got what he wanted. But surely such a high-profile, successful, powerful, and good-looking man would never ask out no-name Alexia Hall from Snow Valley, Montana. She’d seen pictures of him with actresses, models, impressive businesswomen, and social darlings.
He pulled a helmet from the saddlebags on the back. Why did he have an extra one? Did he have a girlfriend? It was none of her business, but she really, really wanted to know.
His sexy smolder made her knees feel like Play-Doh. He carefully put the helmet on her head and then buckled it under her chin. The skin on her neck sang at his touch. She berated herself for being so silly. He had gloves on, for the sake of Pete.
He put his own helmet on and then straddled the bike, all big and manly. Lexi was certain she’d never seen a more attractive move. Her heart was working harder than when she ran a dozen miles.
He balanced the bike with his feet and said, “Hop on.”
Why had she agreed to this? Running home through slick, dark, possibly dangerous streets was definitely a smarter plan than getting this close to her new boss, especially when she probably stank from her run.
Lexi edged closer. She tried to lift her leg over without touching him, but he’d been right when he’d guessed that she was unsteady. She teetered and would’ve toppled over, but he reached out and steadied her, holding on to her arm. Lexi’s hand went to his shoulder, and she shouldn’t have been shocked that it was muscular in all the right ways.
She quickly swung her leg over and got positioned behind him on the impossibly small seat. When he hit the throttle, would she shoot right off the back?
“Lean into me and hold on to my waist,” Callum said.
With pleasure. She told herself it was for safety, but as she settled in against his back and wrapped her arms around his trim waist, the air whooshed out of her. Her heart raced uncontrollably, and she knew her reasons for holding on to him were much more primitive than safety.
“Good girl,” he said, almost too quiet for her to hear.
Lexi felt good, all right. Much too good, as she wished she didn’t have this helmet on and could lay her head against his shoulder properly. She commanded her brain to stop. This was her boss, for crying out loud, and she wasn’t going to make it through one day at Hawk Enterprises if she didn’t rein this attraction in.
“Where do you live?” he asked.
“Oh, take me to Queensboro Park.”
“You live in the park?” She could hear the smile in his voice.
“No, I’m not homeless.” Not yet, anyway. Would he fire her when he figured out who she was? He seemed like such a nice guy. He hadn’t even gotten upset when his ten-thousand-dollar suit got ripped or his who-knew-how-expensive Harley got scratched. “My apartment’s by the park.”
“Got it.”
He pushed a button, and the motorcycle roared to life. Callum slowly eased on the throttle. He puttered through the streets, still quiet this early in the morning, though there were signs of life: windows lit up here and there, and vehicles rolled by more frequently.
He turned onto the Queensboro Bridge, and Lexi said, “Why are you driving so slow?”
“The way you were shaking, I was afraid you were cold.”
Man, he was thoughtful. It was chilly out, but between the warmth of his back and the fire racing through her, Lexi felt anything but cold. She was shaking because of the adrenaline rush of being close to him. “I thought maybe this was a slow bike.”
Callum’s laughter rang out. “You want to go faster?”
“Sure.” She’d been raised on horses, not motorcycles, but she loved to fly free and fast.
“Hold on.”
Lexi happily obeyed that advice.
Callum turned the throttle, and the bike roared to life. He shifted gears quickly, and they flew over the bridge.
“Yes!” she screamed out.
Callum laughed, and Lexi savored the myriad of feelings: the wind rushing past them, the power of the huge bike underneath them, and the strength of the well-built man she was hanging on to.
All too soon, they arrived at the park and Callum slowed. “Where to from here?” he asked.
“Here is fine.”
He stopped the bike on the side of the road, and she forced herself to loosen her grip on him and slide off. Callum put down the kickstand and swung his leg over, standing too close to her. She couldn’t think straight with him that close. He took his helmet off, and she was struck all over again by how fabulously handsome he was.
Unlatching the helmet with fumbling fingers, she worked it off and handed it to him. He put it back in the saddlebag, then turned to face her. “Now will you tell me your name?” he asked.
Lexi studied his dark eyes. She was tempted. How to tell him he’d know soon enough? “That’s not a good idea.”
He tilted his head and studied her. “For you or for me?”
“You,” she said. “Why do you ride a Harley in the wintertime?” She’d loved the ride, but it was cold in New York this time of year.
He cocked an eyebrow at her. “Makes me feel alive.”
She blinked up at him. “You don’t feel alive otherwise?”
He shrugged. “Too busy to think about it most of the time.”
She stepped back. “I’ll let you get back to your busyness.”
Callum matched her step. “Please. Just your name. I’m afraid I’ll never see you again.”
“Why would you want to?”
“Why wouldn’t I want to?”
“I made you wreck your beautiful motorcycle and rip up your expensive suit. Thank heavens I didn’t damage your perfect face or body, or the women of America might storm my apartment with pitchforks and torches.”
Callum smiled. “See why I want to find you again?”
Lexi drew in a breath. “I think you’ll see me again sooner than you think.”
“What does that mean?”
Lexi shook her head, spun, and headed for the sidewalk. She shouldn’t have done it, but she turned back to look and saw that he was watching her go. He cut a lovely picture under the streetlight next to that massive motorcycle. “Lexi!” she yelled at him, then lifted a hand in farewell.
He lifted his hand also. Lexi forced herself to turn and run up the sidewalk, instead of rushing back and prolonging their time together. It had seemed magical, despite the near-death experience. Callum Hawk was more kind, handsome, and intriguing than she’d expected. Well, she’d known how handsome he was, but online photos and Instagram videos didn’t do him justice.
Running the two blocks to her apartment through the cold morning air, she couldn’t stop smiling, even though her legs felt stiff from the cold. Then she remembered she’d have to face Callum Hawk at nine a.m. and pray he didn’t recognize her. Yet if he didn’t recognize her after what they’d shared this morning, she would definitely have to buy copious amounts of Ben & Jerry’s to cope.
Chapter Two
Callum was always the first one to the office, but today he only beat his assistant by two hours instead of three. He’d answered email correspondence and was going for his second cup of coffee when Shirlene walked in at eight a.m.
She arched an eyebrow at him. “What is going on with you?”
“Excuse me?” He loved acting oblivious with Shirlene.
“You’re … smiling.”
Callum tried to hide his smile, but he couldn’t. That beautiful blonde woman this morning had shaken him up and given him far to
o much to reminisce on. The only thing that stole his smile was the thought that he’d never see her again. She’d claimed he’d see her sooner than he thought. Would she come for him? He prayed she would.
Lexi. Her sparkling blue eyes and innocent smile were something he wouldn’t soon forget. She was angelic and innocent, and he’d never been this intrigued by a woman. His usual interactions with women were either work or dates set up by Isabel, his head of marketing. He didn’t let himself get invested in either.
“Callum? Callum?” Shirlene folded her arms across her chest, glaring up at him from her five-foot-nothing perch. Lexi was tall, maybe only half a foot shorter than his six-three. He liked tall.
“What is going on with you?” Shirlene demanded.
“Nothing. You ready to go over today’s schedule?” He worked fourteen-to-sixteen-hour days and took too much on himself, and he’d never survive without Shirlene. Thankfully her seven-figure salary kept her on his team.
“Who is she?”
Callum shook his head and strode into his office. Shirlene jogged in her two-inch heels to keep up with him. Suddenly, she screamed. He whirled, spilling coffee on his hand. “What?”
“Your pants!”
Callum glanced down. He’d forgotten he’d ripped his pants. His leg hurt, but not enough to limp or anything. It had been more than worth it to have met Lexi. What a relief he hadn’t hit her.
“Callum, you are a mess. Your pants are ripped. You’re … smiling. Do you want to take a day off? I think you need a vacation. Too much work and you’ve imploded.”
With a chuckle, Callum patted her on the head. She was probably in her late thirties, almost ten years older than him, and she was a little mama with three boys of her own. Shirlene was a very dedicated employee and almost as much fun to tease as his own mom. “The only days you don’t get blessed to see my handsome face are Sundays or when I’m traveling.”
Hawk Brothers Romance Collection Page 25
