“Maddie, I’m so sorry, baby,” Hawk said, turning back toward her after Max followed her father out the door, or, more accurately pushed him out of the door. From the look of murder on her brother’s face, she would not be surprised if he had a second round with the General out in the parking lot.

“What are you sorry for?” she asked, meeting his eyes as he walked to her.

“For punching out your father,” he grated, his jaw tight.

“You’re lying,” she said, her lips twitching. “I see that vein near your temple throbbing and that only happens when you’re not telling the truth.”

“You’re right. I’m not sorry one bit,” he replied, his smile suddenly blossoming.

“Better you than me.” The return smile that curled her lips felt odd. “I was thinking of joining in, but it would’ve been a little too cliché.”

A bark of laughter burst from his lips. “A one-legged woman in a butt-kicking contest?”

“You got it,” she replied, her smile spreading to tighten one side of her face and her insides untwisting a notch.

Hawk’s eyes fell to her smile to study it and his disappeared. The heat from his stare dried up the moisture in her mouth. She raised a hand to cover her lips, because she knew he must be staring at the sagging corner, but he brushed her hand away.

“I love to see you smile,” he said, holding her hand to look into her eyes.

Warmth spread up her arm, through her chest and to her face. Maddie basked in it, then with a sigh, sent it back where it belonged.

“Well, I don’t, because I know what it looks like,” she replied, her eyes burning as she dragged them away. “Don’t try to use that smarmy southern charm to try to boost my self-esteem. It’s not going to work, Hawkins.”

“Smarmy charm?” he repeated, hooting as he releasing her hand. “I’ll have you know there is nothing smarmy about my charm, sweetheart. If I turn it on, it’s for real.”

“Well, it’s not working on me. I’m a realist, and the reality is you’re pitying me again. Stop it.” Two hot tears jumped ship over her lower lids and she sucked in a sharp breath to keep more from following.

He grabbed her chin and made her look at him again. “I’m what?!?” he almost shouted, then glanced at the door. “Are you insane too?”

“I wonder that often these days,” she replied, her chin trembling. “And I’d have to be to think you’re looking at me like that for any other reason.”

“The only one pitying you, Maddie Carter, is you. And the pity party is over,” Hawk growled as he stepped to the side, slid his hands under her legs then lifted her into his arms.

“What in the ever-loving hell are you doing, Rhett?!” she squealed, pushing his shoulder. “Put me back in the bed. Now!”

“It’s time for your shower and a lesson, sweet thang. It seems you’ve forgotten some important details about me and I’m about to refresh your memory,” he growled, as he carried her across the room.

Oh, God. The heat in his words, that look in his eyes, sent a tidal wave of need washing through her. It was unexpected but drowned her by the time he stopped to open the door. His fingers dug into her thighs and a tremor rocked her as he gripped her with one strong arm to open the door.

Maybe his charm wasn’t smarmy after all, and she was the one lying to herself when she said it wasn’t working. It was working in a big way as he carried her inside, set her on the toilet then went back to the door. The sound of the lock clicking echoed off the porcelain-tiled walls and inside her head. His look was predatory as he walked back to smile down at her.

Maddie gasped when he leaned in to reach behind her. His heat concentrated the delicious scent of his woodsy cologne and it surrounded her. The hospital gown drooped on her shoulders when he untied the first bow.

She held her breath to keep that scent from intoxicating her and clutched the gown to her chest, as he worked his way down her back until the gown was unfastened. His hands dropped on her shoulders and she shivered as he smoothed them down her arms.

Like Houdini, he made her gown disappear because she looked down and realized she was naked. Goosebumps rose on her flesh, and Maddie thought about covering herself from him, but figured they’d created a baby together, so he must’ve seen it all before. He sat on his haunches in front of the toilet, grinning at her as he dropped it on the floor.

“Voila,” he said, sounding quite proud of himself.

“Give me my gown back and call the nurse in to help me,” Maddie said, crossing her arms over her chest. That’s what usually happened, he carried her in here, then left so the nurse could help her shower.

He shook his head and reached over to pull the rubber boot to cover her stump from the shelf beside the vanity. Maddie wanted to vomit when he grabbed the fastener on the bandage and it unfurled around her leg.

God, could there be any greater humiliation than him seeing how disgusting her wound looked, even though the doctor said it was healing perfectly? There was nothing perfect about that puckered, purplish flap of skin stretched over her leg right below her knee, and never would be.

Like he had the gown, he made the bandage disappear, removed the gauze underneath and stopped to smooth his hand down the side of her thigh to the stump. A tremor rocked him as he suddenly lowered his head toward her knee.

Maddie’s entire body went rigid when his hot breath singed her skin. Mortification surged through her when he nuzzled his face against her knee. She wanted to die when he turned his head and kissed her there several times.

“What are you doing?” she asked, her voice raw.

“I’m kissing your boo boo,” he replied with a wide grin. “I have it on good authority from my mother, God rest her soul, that is the ultimate cure for what hurts.” His head lowered, his lips touched down on her stump again and Maddie shivered. Her eyebrows crashed together when he leaned back on his haunches to study her mouth.

“What now?” she asked, in a hoarse whisper.

“I’m going to kiss you too, because I think the hurt you’re suffering from is more inside than out,” he said as he raised on his knees to cup her face between his palms. “Be warned, that could take several sessions.”

Yeah, that smarmy charm was definitely working, Maddie thought, as her heart melted into a big puddle in the center of her chest. The shit-eating grin on his face as he brought his mouth toward hers told her he knew it too.

He stopped to stroke her cheek with his thumb, before he gently pulled her face closer. His breaths scorched her lips as he made two light passes over her mouth with his and Maddie groaned. His heated lips skimmed over hers once more, sending delicious electric jolts sizzling through her.

Kiss me already, she thought, leaning closer so their lips fused. And boy, did she get her wish. Hawk’s groan vibrated her lips, as his fingers dug into her scalp. He kissed her harder, Maddie’s mouth opened on a sigh and his tongue found hers.

Oh, this man had more than charm going for him, she thought, as he sucked and nipped her lips, driving her need higher and higher. Maddie might not remember she loved him, but her soul did and now she knew why.

Rhett Hawkins was the whole package, inside and out. Irresistible, she thought, her breath hitching as he devoured her mouth. But Maddie would be in big trouble if she bought into this fantasy. She was a different woman now—and he deserved better than her. Maddie dragged her mouth from his and leaned back, breathing hard.

“It’s a miracle! Your mother was right, I’m healed,” she said, forcing her mouth up into a smile, while her insides bled.

“Oh, honey—that was just the preparation for your healing. It’s time for your shower and lesson two,” he said pushing up to stand. Maddie groaned, because that devilish sparkle in his eyes and his flushed face told her exactly what kind of torture he had in store for her there.