Be With Me(60)

“Later,” he said in a husky voice. “If Sawyer hasn’t carried you off to parts unknown by then.” There was knowing amusement in his voice, but also an easy acceptance that warmed her. God, they might real y be okay in al this.

“Love you,” she whispered, thril ed at how it sounded coming past her lips.

“Love you, Reggie darling. Have fun with Hutch. I’l be working. Stick your head in when you get back so I’l know you’re here.”

She smiled and got off the couch to walk over to Hutch. He reached for her hand when she got close.

He laced their fingers together and pulled her toward the front door.

Not one to take on any of the large mal s in the Houston area, Regina instead opted for the nearest Super Wal-Mart and bought a couple of pairs of jeans, a few shirts, underwear and socks, and she snagged a pair of flip-flops. Because while she could at least reach down to lace her shoes now, it was stil damn uncomfortable.

When she suggested they pick up steaks for Cam to gril as they’d original y planned, Hutch look at her, appal ed. She raised her hands, palms up. “What?”

“You’re such a barbarian,” he muttered. “You and Sawyer, I swear.”

“What?” she demanded again.

“You do not buy steaks from Wal-Mart. If it’s not against the law, it should be. If you want steaks, we’l run by City Market on our way home.”

“That’s at least forty-five minutes out of the way.” He shrugged. “So? You not feeling adventurous today?”

Her eyes narrowed. “Was that a dare?” He grinned innocently. “Would I dare you to do anything? I could pick up some good wine and the fixings for cheesecake. I make a mean one.” Her mouth watered. “You had me at sugar.” He pulled his wal et out to pay for her clothes, but she frowned and put her hand out to stop him. He sighed heavily but moved out of her way so she could give the cashier her bank card.

“Any chance you’d make some fudge?” she asked hopeful y as they climbed into Cam’s SUV.

The corners of his eyes crinkled with amusement.

“I could be talked into it.”

“Yum,” she said enthusiastical y. “Overcook it a little so it’s hard like I like it.”

He stared baleful y at her. “I’ve got something hard for you, little wench.”

She burst out laughing. “Hutch!” Then she glanced over at him mischievously. “Make me chocolate, and I’l do something about that something hard of yours.” For a moment she worried she’d gone a little overboard with the seductive tramp talk. It didn’t sound like her. Oh, not that she was pure sweetness and light. In fact, before a year ago, she could be just as crude as the guys when they horsed around.

She grimaced. That was the problem. There were a lot of things she used to do when she hadn’t been worried about what they thought of her. With a sigh, she turned and looked out the window before he could respond.

They navigated 610 and exited to go to the large gourmet grocery store that was a favorite of Hutch’s.

She went in with him and watched him analyze every piece of beef behind the glass case before final y choosing four large ribeyes.

While

the

butcher

wrapped

them,

Hutch

meandered down the display, perusing the other selections. Regina reached up for the package just as Hutch returned.

“Let’s go over to the seafood. Thought I’d get some shrimp to do one night.”

“Beer-battered with hush puppies?” she asked.

“Of course. According to Sawyer, beer is its own food group,” he said dryly. “Wel , that and ketchup.” That was true, and although Hutch tolerated Sawyer’s affinity for beer (and Reggie’s), he never once drank alcohol himself. The wine he was holding he got for the rest of them, but he never consumed it either.

It had something to do with his father. That much she knew, and nothing more. Hutch never talked about his life prior to his arrival at Birdie’s.

“You spoil me,” she final y said.

He grinned. “I try. I’m not suave like Cam, not as intel igent and refined, and I’m not the great hulking muscle-bound beef-cake that Sawyer is, so my plan is to seduce you with food.”

She laughed. “Knowing what you do about me, then, should tel you that you’l get a lot further than the other two.”

He winked at her. “I know. Your stomach is the door to your soul.”

They checked out and walked back to the truck.

“How are you holding up?” he asked as he slid into the driver’s seat.

“I’m good,” she said as she buckled her seat belt.

“Don’t worry.” She held up her wrist and bent and rotated it for him. “See? Almost completely wel . Just a little stiff and twingy.”

“Your bruises are almost gone,” he said quietly.

Her hand went to her throat reflexively. “Real y al that I stil feel is the cut on my head. I should be able to go back to work soon.” Or maybe not if her department didn’t have any luck with their investigation. That thought depressed her.

Hutch scowled as he drove out of the parking lot. “I wish you weren’t going back at al ,” he muttered.

She stared at his profile in surprise. “Why would you say something like that?”