Free Jumping In by Cardeno C. Page A

hit it off.” Hawk smiled at Sally. “I’m glad it’s working out.”
    Hawk walked over to him and Clint realized he’d stood up in anticipation, but anticipation of what? Did he think Hawk was going to kiss him in the middle of the station, with Sally looking on, the sheriff in his glass-walled office, and other police officers wandering around? Disappointment flooded Clint and he kicked himself for once again putting himself in a position where he had to hide.
    “Hey,” Hawk said quietly as he approached. “You okay?”
    Swallowing hard, Clint dipped his head as a silent yes even though he wasn’t sure if that was an honest answer. He gripped the side of his desk to keep himself from reaching out to Hawk, the desire instinctive after their passionate weekend.
    “You sure?” Hawk kept walking until he was only a breath’s distance from Clint, much closer than a colleague or even a friend would stand.
    In a flash of clarity, Clint realized that even though he had used Ewan’s refusal to come out as an excuse to stop seeing him, he wasn’t certain what he would have done if Ewan had agreed to be public about their relationship. When Clint had put his military career behind him and moved to a new state for a fresh start, he’d told himself he was done living on anyone else’s terms except his own. He wouldn’t hide, wouldn’t pretend; he’d just be himself and let the chips fall where they may.
    But then he’d been too busy getting settled into his new job and new town to make friends or date or do anything other than be a cop. And when he’d finally had time to devote to a social life, he’d chosen a guy who was so deep in the closet there wasn’t a snowball’s chance in hell of getting him out. That hadn’t been an accident, Clint realized, it had been a shield. Much like the shield he had thrown up every time Hawk had made himself vulnerable by confessing his feelings and sharing his desires for a future by Clint’s side.
    “I’m sure,” Clint said as he cupped his palm around Hawk’s neck in a move that spoke of a lover’s familiarity.
    The smile Hawk gave him in response lit up the room.
    “Good,” Hawk said.
    Although Clint had accused Hawk of being insane and firmly insisted that nobody uprooted his life to be with a guy he didn’t know and declared his love to someone before the first date, those things clearly made Hawk happy. More than that, they made Clint happy. And he’d never been truly happy in his safe, sane life.
    “You know, I was thinking today.” Clint licked his lips. “I need to find a new place to live.”
    His eyes sparkling, Hawk held onto Clint’s hip. “Yeah?”
    “Uh-huh.” Clint nodded. “Most of my clothes are already at your place and my dogs like it there, so I should probably go ahead and pack the last of my boxes and move in.”
    “Definitely.” Hawk’s expression was a mixture of amusement and fondness. “It’s the only practical thing to do.”
    “Right.” Clint swallowed down his nerves, gazed into Hawk’s adoring blue eyes, and plunged ahead, knowing he’d have company on the emotional jump he was about to take and the lifetime journey that would follow. “Plus, I’m in love with you.”
    Hawk beamed. “I love you too, baby.” He leaned his forehead against Clint’s. “We’re going to have a great life together.”
    If Clint knew one thing about Hawk Black, it was that when he set his mind to something, he made sure it happened.
    “I have no doubt.” Clint threaded his fingers with Hawk’s. “Let’s go home.”
     
    THE END

About the Author
    Cardeno C. –CC to friends – is a hopeless romantic who wants to add a lot of happiness and a few "awwws" into a reader's day. Writing is a nice break from real life as a corporate type and volunteer work with gay rights organizations. Cardeno's stories range from sweet to intense, contemporary to paranormal, long to short, but they always include strong relationships and walks into the