by Melody Anne
“I know this is against etiquette but why in the world do you live in such a tiny place? You can afford to live anywhere you want,” she finally said. There was too much silence between them, and the sexual tension was killing her.
He laughed. “I’m not home a lot and I’ve never really thought about moving. I’ve been in this house since my mother passed away and we discovered we had this entire family we didn’t know about. I guess I haven’t been motivated to move.” He paused and gave her a look she couldn’t interpret. “Things might be changing though. I wouldn’t mind building a place on the new land.”
Her eyes narrowed. “I thought you weren’t doing anything there for now,” she pointed out.
“I have confidence you’ll come around to my point of view,” he told her.
“Dang, you have about the cockiest grin I’ve ever seen. And I’ve dealt with a lot of dirtbag slumlords, so I know cockiness,” she told him. She wanted to be irritated by him, wanted to find faults in him, but she couldn’t.
“I have confidence in myself and in my abilities. I don’t think there’s anything at all wrong with that,” he said.
They finished the salad as the oven timer went off and Daisy took a few seconds to take in some much needed breaths while she pulled her dish from the oven.
“It looks and smells delicious,” he told her. “I’ll set the table.”
He walked around the corner out of her view, and she leaned against the counter and tried telling herself she was okay. She was a grown adult and there was nothing wrong with how she was feeling. Just because they didn’t have a chance at an eternity together didn’t mean they couldn’t have a bit of fun in the meantime.
When she brought out the dish, she saw a candle burning and really nice dinnerware waiting. His kitchen was terrible. How did he have nice plates? He laughed again and she had a feeling her question was written all over her face.
“I told my sister-in-law you were making me dinner and she sent me home with a few things. She said it wouldn’t help much but at least we could eat off of something nice,” Hudson said with a shrug.
“Your sister-in-law’s a smart woman,” Daisy told him.
He went back to the kitchen and grabbed the salad and a new bottle of wine, then joined her at the table.
“I believe in your cause for saving the school, but I honestly can’t figure out why you’re so dead set against me building on property that hasn’t been used in many years,” he said after they were both dished up.
“Because it’s wrong,” she said.
“Explain why it’s wrong,” he insisted.
She opened her mouth to give an answer and found she didn’t have one. He was right, she’d been fully against him building another wealthy resort, but she’d also seen his plans, and they weren’t for something exclusively for the wealthy. An average family could easily afford to go there. But still . . .
“I’m waiting,” he said with that same smile that made her want to throttle him — at least a little.
“There are resorts, restaurants, and playgrounds all over the world for people who like to travel and have the money to do it. What’s so wrong with preserving a great piece of land in a large metropolitan area for those who don’t have money?”
“Do you have something against working? Or against capitalism?” he pushed back.
“Yes . . . and no,” she said after a short pause. “I believe in work ethic. I just don’t think that only those with the mental and physical ability to make more than minimum wage should always be the people rewarded.”
“What do you mean?” he asked.
“If you don’t go to college or trade school, or into a family business, then the chances of making good money are slim to none. Why does education or talent have to be the only way to get out of poverty?”
“I don’t think those are the only ways,” he told her. She opened her mouth to speak, but he held up a hand. “My brothers and I grew up very poor. Yes, each of us have special talents, but we don’t have those because we’re lucky. We have those because, from the time we were young, we were taught that the only way to succeed in life was by working hard. So we figured out what we liked to do and set goals. I’m no more talented than the next builder out there, I’m just hungrier than a lot of other people, and I worked and worked to become great at my craft.”
“I guess if you didn’t care about the work you’d just quit. You have more than enough money now to last a lifetime,” she said, confused. She’d been so set in her ways that she couldn’t understand how her viewpoint was changing.
“I think you’re correct that some people have more drive than others. But why should I have to sacrifice what I’m earning because someone else would rather play video games than work for a paycheck? I’m not talking about the elderly and disabled; I’m talking about capable people. There are a lot of resources out there to help. I believe there needs to be more, and that’s something I’m willing to have a discussion on, if you can admit that there are also those out there who want everything handed to them with minimal effort from them.”
“I hate when people use that argument. I’m sure there are those who want something for nothing, but I believe that’s far more the exception than the rule,” she said.
“I think the harder we work, the more pride we take in all aspects of our lives.”
“But work shouldn’t be our entire life,” she pointed out.
He laughed hard at those words and she glared at him. He didn’t seem at all offended by her stare. Instead, he reached forward and took a second helping of her dinner, oddly pleasing her that he liked it.
“I love that you’re the one saying this, considering how many hours you put into your goals, your dreams, and your career path. Plus, your bestie blew your cover telling us she couldn’t remember the last time she’d seen you on a date.”
“Yeah, payback for her blabbering mouth will be swift,” Daisy said.
“I’m sure you’re right,” he told her. “I have a list of paybacks for my brothers who are my best friends. But my point is that when we love our work it’s not something we dread. Maybe instead of focusing on those who want handouts we should focus on those who want more resources to find their dreams. Not everyone knows what those dreams are until they stumble onto them.”
She smiled, liking this train of thought. “I agree with more resources. There’s so much we could do for the community and for people who don’t know where to start.”
“Bingo,” he said. “And it’s also okay for me to build my dream property,” he added.
She again opened her mouth to speak but no words came out. Was he right? Was it wrong of her to try to stop his dreams? Her grandfather wanted him to have the land, he wanted Daisy to move on with her life, but was that what she wanted? She wasn’t sure anymore. She couldn’t remember feeling this conflicted.
“Maybe,” she finally said. The smile he gave her made her answer so worth it. She wasn’t conceding, but she was giving a few inches.
“Dinner was delicious. I appreciate you doing this,” he said.
Her gut clenched because his tone had changed. Suddenly she wasn’t thinking about eating or building. She wasn’t thinking about anything other than this man kissing her . . . and much more.
Her thoughts must’ve been written all over her face because he stood and moved the two steps to her before reaching down and pulling her from her chair, his arms wrapping around her back.
“Yes,” she whispered as he gazed at her. She had no doubt she was saying yes to a kiss and more. By the excited look in his eyes, he knew what she was saying as well.
“Are you sure?” he asked before leaning in and gently brushing his lips against hers, not with the passion she wanted but with a gentle probing.
“I’m more than sure,” she said. And as she spoke the words, she knew they were true. She wouldn’t regret this. She’d only have regrets if she walked away without knowing how it felt to lie naked in his arms.
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He looked deep in her eyes for several more heartbeats, making her think he was giving her a chance to change her mind. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, he leaned in, and as his mouth connected with hers, fireworks exploded inside her.
His lips parted hers, and their tongues danced together before she was lifted off her feet. Their mouths never parted as he walked down the small hallway to his bedroom. He didn’t set her down until it was on his surprisingly large bed.
She’d wanted his touch all evening, but she was glad it hadn’t happened until now. This moment was so much better because of the anticipation. Her body was on fire, and she didn’t have an ounce of anxiety about what they were going to do again.
She reached beneath his shirt, tracing the hot skin of his back, causing him to moan against her mouth. He broke away from her and a whimper escaped as she leaned toward him, not wanting any space between them.
But he reached for her shirt and pulled it over her head before expertly undoing her bra and tossing it aside. She fell backward on the bed as he lay down with her, his eyes sparking as he gazed down. His hand trailed up her stomach and she moaned. He cupped her full breast and squeezed, his palm brushing across her nipple.
“Perfect. You are absolutely perfect,” he sighed before he kissed his way down her neck and over the mound of her breast. He squeezed one side while his lips fastened onto the other and he sucked her tight nipple into his hot mouth before flicking his tongue over the sensitive bud.
She reached down and pulled his hair, holding him to her as her body squirmed beneath him. He ravished her breast before moving to the other side and giving it the same attention. Her needy body was near orgasm in seconds.
Hudson moved lower, his lips scorching a trail down her stomach while his hands found her zipper before pulling down her pants. She couldn’t think, couldn’t breathe, couldn’t form words as his tongue ravaged her skin.
Her only warning before a jolt of pleasure rocked through her was his hot breath rushing over her sensitive core. His lips fastened onto her while his tongue swept across her pulsing clit.
It only took a few swipes before a guttural cry rose from her in shock and elation as tremors rocked her entire body. But he didn’t stop. He grasped her hips as she tried to pull away and he continued sucking and licking her overly sensitive area. She tried to pull at him but she was no match for his determination.
Wonder of wonders, a new pressure built and toppled over as another mind-boggling orgasm ripped through her, this time leaving her coated with a sheen of sweat as tremors overtook her. He swept his tongue gently across her throbbing heat before moving back. When he came to her again, he was naked and beautiful.
She could barely open her eyes to look into his before his mouth gently covered hers.
“I need a moment,” he said, his voice raw and filled with desire.
New longing filled her at the hunger in his voice. She’d never wanted a man like she wanted Hudson, never needed a touch more than she needed air or food. No man had ever turned her on like he had. She’d never exploded like this, never needed a man to sink inside her — until this man.
“More,” she whispered, her voice raw.
Flames appeared in his eyes as he kissed her harder and pressed against her. She spread her legs, desperately longing for the moment he was deep inside.
“Hold on,” he said, the low growl shooting straight to her core.
He leaned away as he reached into his nightstand and grabbed a foil packet. He tore it open and put it on remarkably fast, and hovered over her again, this time the weight of his hips fully on her while he supported his upper body with his arms.
“Yes,” she said again, feeling the tip of him at her entrance.
He leaned down and kissed her, his tongue slipping inside her mouth while he thrust forward, burying his large girth deep inside with one hard surge. Her fingers tightened in his hair as she gasped against his mouth.
He was so big it took her breath away. He certainly wasn’t an easy man to get used to. He groaned as he lay against her, their heated breaths mingling as their hearts raced together.
“Damn!” he groaned. “You’re so tight, I’m not going to last.” His words trailed off in a guttural cry as she wiggled against him.
As she moved, it spurred him on to do the same. He began with small thrusts in and out of her, but soon picked up depth and speed. It didn’t take long to send her over the edge again — and this time she didn’t try to hold anything back as a cry of joy ripped from her, mixing with his own as she felt him pumping into her.
He collapsed against her spent body before groaning, then shifting, pulling her with him. She cuddled into his chest and closed her eyes as she listened to the sound of his heart beating against her ear.
For just this moment she was going to enjoy being vulnerable and sated. She wouldn’t have regrets later. She was simply going to lie against this beautiful man and appreciate that she’d experienced something utterly spectacular.
She fell asleep . . .
When she woke up a few hours later, Hudson was on his back, his arm around her, a slight smile on his lips as he slept. They’d never turned off the light from the hallway and she could clearly see his features. He was absolutely beautiful.
She was in the exact same place she’d been when she’d woken up in that hotel room nearly two months earlier. She knew he was going to be furious if she snuck from his place again — but she didn’t know what else to do. She didn’t think she was prepared for a morning after. That seemed so much more intimate than the act of sex.
She gazed at him for a while before forcing herself to crawl from his arms. She nearly caved and went straight back to him when he frowned and grumbled in his sleep. But she wasn’t going to stay the night.
She quickly gathered what clothes she could find — her panties were nowhere to be found — got dressed, and sadly left his home. She had a lot to think about, but for now she didn’t want to do any thinking at all. She just wanted to relive this night over and over again.
Maybe it would happen again. Maybe it wouldn’t. Either way, she’d have zero regrets. She’d been exactly where she’d wanted to be at the exact time she’d needed to be there. She’d figure out what came next in the full light of day — not in the middle of the night.
She left him in body, but she certainly didn’t in heart or mind.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Hudson leaned against his truck with a smile on his lips. He’d started the day laughing and hadn’t quit whistling all day. Yep, it was a good day. He’d woken up with the sheets cold beside him — and that didn’t worry him one little bit.
Daisy had stayed. She’d had a wonderful time, and she was his. She might be scared, she might’ve run off in the middle of the night again, but unlike the last time, he now knew where she was, and he knew she wanted to be with him. The fight wasn’t with him, it was with herself. This was moving in the right direction.
He watched as a group gathered at the school, volunteers handing out flyers, a band on the lawn playing music, and a booth with drinks and snacks to draw in passersbys. And right in the middle of it all, front and center, was Daisy, encouraging people to go to city hall and speak up for their community. He’d been standing there for a solid ten minutes without her noticing him, just waiting.
Finally his moment came. She looked up, her smile froze, and her eyes locked with his. He winked at her, and that seemed to shake her from her surprise. He pushed off from his truck and moved toward her, determination in his step, fire in his eyes.
She seemed to realize he was going to say whatever he wanted to say, so she excused herself from the people she’d been speaking with and met him in the middle of the street, a flush in her cheeks as she looked first at him and then behind her, as if she was worried about being overheard.
“Good morning, Daisy,” he said as he held out a brand-new Yeti cup filled with coffee.
“What are you doing here?�
�� she asked, eyeing the cup but refusing to take it.
“Since you snuck out again, I brought morning coffee and bagels to you. It’s customary to share a meal after the kind of workout we had together last night,” he told her, not even attempting to quiet his voice.
Her cheeks flushed brighter as she once again looked behind her. There were a few people staring in their direction, but he was sure none of them had heard their exchange.
“Come with me,” she hissed.
“I’m not moving until you accept your coffee,” he told her. She was stubborn — well, he could be too when there was something he truly wanted.
“Fine,” she said, practically wrenching the cup from his hand. “How long have you been here?” She automatically lifted the cup and took a sip.
“About ten minutes,” he answered as he followed her. She skirted around people and moved toward the side of the schoolhouse.
“How is this coffee still hot?” She took another sip, but more carefully this time.
“This is my favorite cup. It will keep things hot or cold for hours,” he told her.
“Wow. I didn’t know this kind of thing existed,” she said, taking another drink. “Thank you for the coffee.” The last part seemed to be added a bit reluctantly.
“I like doing things for you — I like it a lot,” he said, meaning it. Never before had he wanted to buy gifts for a woman or go out of his way just to make sure her day started off right. He could no longer say he was falling for this woman; he’d already fallen and he had no desire to pick himself up again.
“Now you have to remember to bring the cup when we go places so we can drive for hours and still have a refreshing drink,” he said.
“You’re giving me the cup?” she asked, seeming pleased. She stopped when they reached the back of the school with no one around. He didn’t mind that one little bit.
“Usually when a gift is given to you, you keep it,” he told her. And then he couldn’t wait any longer. He pulled her against him, and before she could say a word, he kissed her good morning. He’d wanted to do that since he’d woken with the taste of her still on his lips. Several seconds later he released her. They were both panting when she took a step back.
