Misted (Team Zero #5) by Rina Kent

There’s nothing, absolutely nothing, more beautiful than Hawk running half-naked on the beach. He must’ve taken a swim because strands of his damp hair stick to his forehead. The wet black shorts cling to his strong thighs while his cut chest and tattoos glisten with droplets of water.

My nipples pucker against the T-shirt and it’s not because of the air. It’s becoming crazy and ridiculous how much my body is aware of him. How I unknowingly turn in his direction whenever he’s in sight.

He picks up the pace and throws punches in the air while running. My gaze zeroes on the strength of his punches and I attempt throwing my own, but with less intensity and more tremors.

Left. Right.

Left. Left. Right.

Left. Right.

Left. Left. Left.

Right is my dominant hand so when I hit left, he hits right. He’s definitely lying low on his dominant hand which doesn’t make sense unless his injury is much worse than I predicted.

My chest constricts at the thought that Hawk won’t be able to protect himself. He’s always been a rock, but what if he’s crumbling now?

I want to keep watching and analysing his punches, but I’m just too tired. My lids flutter closed as I count Left. Right. In my head.

I must’ve fallen asleep because when I wake up, my head is on the swing and a sheet covers me. It smells of the ocean and Hawk and I inhale it deep into my lungs.

“Did you drink the pills?” A gruff voice calls from my left.

I sit up in the swing, causing it to creak. Hawk stands by the foot, already changed into jeans and a black T-shirt.

No wet chest. Bummer.

“Hmm, yes,” I mumble and release a breath when the dizziness doesn’t assault my head.

Silence stretches for a full minute before he asks. “Do you want to go to town with me?”

I nod frantically and stagger to my feet. I sway and Hawk clutches my elbow, steadying me. An amused glint shines in his blue eyes. “First rule. Don’t faint on me.”

Is he… flirting?

I’m too stunned to even react.

Half an hour later, I’ve changed into the dress I came here in and tied my hair into a ponytail. I haven’t gone out make-up free in ages, but for some reason, I don’t feel the need to add those extra layers to my face. Not that I have any of my products here, anyway.

Hawk waits for me in a black Jeep in front of the house. Apparently, Crow has prepared it for Hawk upon our arrival. I didn’t see it until now, so Hawk did a good job in hiding it.

Once I slide in beside him, Hawk measures me up and down as if disapproving of my clothing choice. I’m already missing his scent on me so I can’t help but to agree.

“Don’t even think about running away.” He starts the engine and throws me a meaningful look. “This time, the tracker is in a place you can’t cut.”

It’s not like I can walk straight, let alone run in my state, but I can’t help wondering where the hell he placed the tracker this time.

My thoughts scatter when the car hits the road. Despite the bumpy ride, strong, fresh air fills my nostrils. I close my eyes and tilt my head back as my hair flies behind me.

A scream and laughter bubble inside me. I let the air seep into me and I smile, feeling unprecedented freedom straight to my bones. Something similar to a moan mixes with a smile and tears past my lips.

The clearing of a throat pulls me back from my reverie.

I open my eyes and my smile drops at the intensity in Hawk’s face. He’s gripping the steering wheel so hard, I’m scared it’ll snap.

“Stop doing that,” he speaks in a low, husky voice.

“What?”

He keeps his eyes on the road. “You’re distracting.”

I bite my lower lip. “I just never went on a convertible car ride before. I always wanted to do this.”

He appears thoughtful for a bit. “Why didn’t you?”

I lift a shoulder. “I didn’t have time.”

Lie. The real reason is that I wanted to do all of these little things with him so when he was plucked from my life, I lost the will to do anything.

We arrive in the small town centre after twenty minutes’ drive. There’s a carnival-like activity with villagers singing and dancing to folklore music.

I stop to watch them, feeling a giddiness I haven’t felt in a long time. Hawk wraps an arm around my waist and pulls me closer to his side. I don’t know whether it’s to stop me from running or because he noticed me swaying on my feet. Either way, I melt into the hard curve of his body and bask into his warmth.

For a moment in time, we’re like normal couple mingling with the tourists and hugging each other as if we can’t keep our hands to ourselves.

We do some shopping. I buy a few things and change into a soft yellow strapless summer dress and flat sandals. I even buy the matching big hat and white-framed sunglasses. When I come out, the hungry look on Hawk’s face brings a deep feminine side in me. I want to be so beautiful, he won’t be able to see any other woman but me.

I don’t miss how the shop girls giggle in French and bat their eyelashes at him. I might have made their jobs harder by trying every dress and re-arranging whatever my hands fell on.

He pays for all my purchases with his international, untraceable credit card. In one of the shops, I feel strong enough to walk and even jog for small distances. It’s my perfect opportunity to make that phone call.