“We can’t run at home,” was his response.
I smiled at him. “You like it.”
He took a step toward me and stopped.
“Sunny,” he replied.
I looked at the windows then back at Santo. “Yeah, baby, it’s very sunny.”
“We can run and climb,” he continued.
“But you do it careful, right? So your Grandma won’t get worried?” I asked.
“Careful,” he nodded.
I kept smiling. “How old are you?” I asked.
“Five,” Santo answered, taking another step toward me and holding five fingers up in front of my face.
“Three!” Javier yelled, I looked at him to see he was having difficulty controlling his little hand to show me three so I reached out and gently tucked two fingers into his palm.
“Three,” I said softly.
“Three!” Javier agreed, joyfully looking at his hand.
“Can you hold it?” I asked and his gaze turned intent on his hand, his mouth twisted and he nodded.
Slowly, I removed my hand and he held up his three fingers.
Then I touched my fingertips to his soft, still chubby cheek before dropping my hand. “Perfect,” I told him.
His eyes came to me and he clapped again, then he hurtled himself at me. I braced at the last minute so I didn’t go down on my ass, the kid was freaking strong. His arms went around me and he gave me a slobbery, three year old kiss on my neck then yanked my ponytail.
Then as fast as he did it, he let me go and raced away.
Totally Delgado.
Santo raced after him.
I stood and found eyes on me again, all around, no grins this time; Delgado intensity was coming at me from all sides.
Weird.
Hawk’s arm came back to my shoulders and he curled me into his side again. I looked up and only had a second to prepare before his mouth hit mine for a very brief, very hard, very sweet kiss.
When his head lifted, I found my arms had wound themselves around his middle.
I stared into his eyes and couldn’t read them and lost the ability to try when his hand came up, knuckles skimming my cheek and down, it curled around my neck.
I forgot we had an audience when I re-focused and the look he was giving me set something wrong inside me.
“Are you okay?” I whispered.
“No,” he replied.
“Hawk –” I started but I didn’t know what I was going to say.
His hand squeezed my neck. “Totally missed out.”