Sutton's Choice (Hudson Boys Book 1)

by C. A. Harms

  “There you go,” when he says those words, I bring my attention back to them just in time to see her eyes flutter open. “Hey, beautiful,” the emotions that can be seen in Bennett’s eyes tug at something deep inside of me. I feel tears begin to pool in my eyes once more. “I’m sorry,” suddenly he is burying his head to her shoulder, and her fingers comb through his hair. His body shakes, and I know without a doubt in my mind that Bennett O’Shay is in love with my best friend, and until now, he’s been too damn stubborn to accept it.

  Chapter Fifty-Three

  Brantley

  * * *

  I stand inside my completely framed up and covered home. Sheetrock is up in every room, and most seams have been wiped and sanded.

  Every completed task brings me one step closer to moving in, and the closer it gets, the more anxious I become.

  The guys and I have put in overtime, working late nights and weekends to get as far as we have. The girls have spent all their spare time with Lexi since she left the hospital. Afraid to leave her alone, even though she insists she is okay. Charges were filed against Derrick, and after Lexi’s dad dug up plenty of dirt on Montgomery’s district attorney, he wasn’t keen to tuck his son’s charges under the rug. Dirty bastard chose to keep his indiscretions hidden, and his son is now serving time for what he did to Lexi.

  I don’t know what’s going on with Bennett and Lexi, but I also haven’t asked. I think they need time to heal for different reasons. Ben blames himself because had he not pushed her away, she never would have been with Derrick in his eyes.

  It’s one fucked up merry-go-round that I wish more than anything my brother would jump off.

  “Hey, stranger,” turning around, Sutton greets me as she moves in further and offers me her crippling smile.

  Without saying a word, I move in her direction and grab her face in my hands. Pulling her close, I press my lips to hers. We’ve gone from seeing each other daily and waking up in her bed or mine to seeing each other a couple of times a week. I’m jonesing for my girl but feel selfish if I complain.

  Lexi needs her; I know this.

  “Can you please remove your tongue from Tink’s throat?” I jerk away and see my brother enter behind her. He smiles, smacks the brim of my hat, and moves around us.

  “When are we gonna paint this dump?” He turns in a circle, and I glance down at Sutton to find her grinning brightly. “You decide on hardwood, carpet, or tile?” Bennett adds, still taking in the entire open space around us.

  I arch my brow waiting for Sutton to answer, and suddenly the smile leaves her lips. “What?”

  “What do you want?”

  “Me?”

  “I told you when the inside was ready for detail, I’d need your help,” she looks slightly terrified.

  “But, what,” she stutters, and I find it adorable. “It’s just, um.”

  “Oh hell, Tink,” Bennett interjects, and both Sutton and I look back at him. “You two are gonna live here together. Eventually, you’re gonna get married and have a shit ton of babies that will run around and call me Uncle Ben. So, get with it, woman, and tell this man if you want carpet or hardwood.”

  I’m a little shocked by his words, and from the wide-eyed look on Sutton’s face, she is too.

  “What? Like we all haven’t seen that shit coming from the start.”

  He steps closer and kisses Sutton’s cheek, and without pause, I growl. He is unfazed by my reaction. “If I can’t have you in my arms, having you as a sister-in-law will do.”

  I shove him away from my girl, and he laughs. “Chill Grizzly, I’m playing.” Bennett walks away, trudging through the rest of the house, and leaves Sutton and me alone.

  “Brant,” Sutton whispers my name as she looks up at me with an unsure look that makes my heart feel as though it tightens and stops beating. “I shouldn’t be making these decisions. This house is yours.”

  “Are you saying that you won’t someday live with me?” My stomach is in knots as I stare at her and wait for what can be a crushing moment or a joyful one.

  “I can’t leave Lexi.”

  “Ever?” She shifts around nervously. “Babe, I’m not asking for tomorrow or even next month. I’m asking for someday.”

  “What if a week in, you decide that you can’t live with me?” She worries her lip, and that’s when I realize what’s going on. She’s concerned that one day I’ll wake up and not need her anymore.

  “That won’t happen, Sutton, because I already know that I can’t live without you; I don’t ever want to.”

  She looks down and takes in a slow deep breath before looking back up at me. “Hardwood would be easier to clean up if our many babies spill things and track dirt up the floors.”

  “Many, many babies,” I say, resting my forehead to hers.

  “Many, many?”

  “Oh yes,” I assure her and enjoy the way she relaxes in my arms. “Six,” I tell her, and she tries to pull back, only I hold her tighter.

  “You’re crazy,” her words are high-pitched, and I can almost imagine her mind racing. “Maybe two or three at most.”

  Widening my stance, I get eye level with her and move in for a kiss. “Four,” I whisper before kissing her again, “Or six.”

  When she attempts to argue, I kiss her once more until all thoughts of arguing with me are lost. I’ll give her time, allow her to be where she feels she needs to be, but one day I’ll have her here with me.

  Right where she belongs.

  In our home, in my arms, in our bed.

  Chapter Fifty-Four

  Sutton

  * * *

  “Are you sure he’s coming?” I kept my back facing my mother and couldn’t help rolling my eyes. It’s the third time she’s gone to the front window and looked out in search of Brantley. Granted, it’s still more than thirty minutes before the time I told him to be here.

  “Yes, mom,” I can hear her feet beating the floor as she paces. The woman strives for preciseness and perfection. She’s more nervous than me, and I’m the one that can’t get the million and one things my father will probably embarrass me, out of my head. There are so many possibilities, and each one gives me a churning belly. I smell a disaster coming on.

  This dinner was not my idea either.

  No, my overbearing father called Brantley himself. After he called his uncle at O’Shay Construction and refused to give up until he provided Brant’s number, there was no, would you like to come to dinner in the conversation. It was more of, dinner is at 6 p.m. sharp, be there not a second later.

  Again, I envision the worst kind of interaction, and food is the last thing on my mind. One bad cop, one sweet cop, would be my parents during this shindig. Some tests for Brantley; which I have no fear of him not passing. It’s the matter of having to go through it all and prove that he is worthy.

  Being the only child to John West and a girl, he is fierce, always has been, and I know he always will be. God, I love him, but I’m a nervous wreck at the moment.

  I am just about to tell her to stop worrying when I hear the sound of tires crunching against the gravel drive, and my stomach feels as though it bottoms out.

  “Oh, he’s here,” and my mom is off. Her feet beating the floor, and she hurries through the dining room, and the side door bangs against the frame when she lets it go.

  Leaning up onto the counter, I peek out the window overlooking the driveway and watch as Brantley climbs out of his truck and his booted feet hit the ground. Right then, heat rises in my cheeks when I take him in completely. Goosebumps cover my arms and legs; the man wears jeans better than any other man I’ve ever seen. A dark-gray Henley stretches over his fit upper body and hugs his muscular arms.

  When I see him hold out an arrangement of flowers and flash my mother a smile, the nervousness I felt melts away.

  “Buttering Momma up with flowers,” spinning around quickly, I find my father standing in the doorway, using the support of his crutches. “That was a good choice
.”

  I eye him, trying my best to weigh his mood. My father can be a hard man to read. Unfortunately, he is also a hard man to impress, and my father is even more complicated when it comes to me.

  “How many hoops is he gonna have to jump through during this dinner?”

  “No hoops,” he smirks, and I laugh. “Give me some credit, girl.”

  I’m again interrupted when the sound of heavy boots echoes from the hallway behind my father. My dad moves, clearing the view for me to take Brantley in from head to toe. The goosebumps return with a vengeance.

  How can one man be so incredibly sexy?

  “Sir,” he steps up to my father’s side and holds out a bottle of dark liquid. “I heard it’s your favorite.”

  “GlenDronach Single Malt,” my father nods, and I don’t have to see his face to know without a doubt that he is impressed. “My favorite indeed,” he takes the bottle, and my mother steps up to take it from him. “Thank you, son.”

  A tightness fills my chest.

  “What do you say we crack open the bottle and have ourselves a taste?”

  “Already on it, dear,” my mother announces as she places the bottle on the countertop and reaches up to grab two glasses. That is when Brantley finally looks over, and our gazes connect. He winks, and I brace myself on the counter.

  My knees grow weak.

  “Hey, sweetheart,” he moves toward me, “you look beautiful.” Then, leaning in, he presses a kiss on my cheek.

  I’m wearing a flowing dress, nothing special but one of my favorite-colored dresses for sure, a rose color, with a cuffed belt. My hair swept up, leaving my neck exposed, and until this moment, I’d never thought it was anything special. But Brant always makes me feel like I’m the most precious person in the room or his world.

  “I’d like to apologize for any craziness you may witness tonight.”

  “It’s okay,” he leans away just as my mother steps forward, holding the two glasses, and gives one out Brant. “I’d go through anything to prove myself when it comes to you.” He flashes a knee-buckling grin and steps back.

  “Let’s move into the other room and let the ladies finish up dinner.”

  Brant takes my father’s glass and holds it up. “I’m right behind ya, sir,” and with that, they both exit the room.

  My heart is thumping in my chest, my palms sweating with nervous energy. My father and Brant are now alone. At this time, my father could be saying just about anything, probably terrifying the man that I’ve fallen deeply in love with.

  I smile at the thought.

  Because deep down, I think I know that no matter what, Brant isn’t going anywhere. He adores me; I have no doubt. He never hides it; he’s the perfect man.

  He’s my man.

  Chapter Fifty-Five

  Brantley

  * * *

  I can tell throughout the entire meal that Sutton is unnerved. Her father fired off all the questions, asking me about my plans and my intentions with his daughter.

  I think I floored every one of them when I replied that when I saw my future, I saw Sutton and our children and hours and hours of laughter.

  Her mother wiped at her tears; her father held my stare for far too long before offering me a nod, and Sutton, well, she closed her eyes and took in a slow, calming breath.

  I meant what I said I’d go through anything to prove how much I love her. Including being drilled by her father and sweet innocent-looking mother, who I’ve found is just as fierce as her father. They are a dynamic duo who adore their daughter. It’s refreshing because Sutton isn’t only their world; she is also mine.

  “That wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be.” She steps up to my side, and I waste no time pulling her in closer. “Though they did torture you a bit.”

  “Baby, that was nothing.” Though not touching her was rough. “You gonna invite me to stay at your place? Or am I tossing you over my shoulder and taking you back to mine.”

  I kiss the corner of her mouth.

  “Your place,” she whispers, “but you don’t have to toss me over your shoulder. I’m more than willing to go without any struggle. I’m a more than willing participant.”

  Cupping her jaw, I bring her to me, covering her mouth with mine. She tastes of the strawberry pie we had for dessert and Sutton. “All I have is an air mattress in the middle of an unfinished house.”

  “That sounds perfect,” she whimpers.

  She’s right. I can’t think of any place I’d rather be or anyone else I’d rather be doing it with.

  Fisting her hair, she whimpers as I hold her mouth to mine. I’m exploring her, tasting her, my mind swarming with so much need it’s impossible to think of anything more. Sutton is so deep within me that I almost feel like she is a part of me. Implanted in my soul, running through my veins, I adore every, single, thing about her.

  I’ve never been so deeply in love with anyone in my life. Never had I imagined needing one person as much as I need Sutton.

  Walking backward toward the kitchen, I release my hold on her hair and wrap my arms around her waist, lifting her to set her firmly on the countertop. Instantly she parts her legs, and I position my body there.

  Combing my fingers through her hair, I stare up at her and find her watching me too. For a few silent seconds, we watch one another, so much passing between us.

  “I want to live here with you,” her words come out of nowhere. Tears are filling her eyes, and she smiles at me. “I want all the things you want, all the dreams you have. I’m just terrified right now of leaving Lex,” I lean in and kiss her lips, cupping her face in my hands.

  “I know, baby,” I whisper against her lips, “I know.”

  Her lips tremble. “I don’t want you to think that I don’t want a life with you.”

  “Hey,” I lean back enough that I can once again see her face entirely. “I understand,” and I do. After what Lexi has gone through, I know she needs her girls. “We have a lifetime, sweetheart.” A lifetime to build memories, and that’s what I want, but for this woman, I’ll wait.

  “You do know this place has four bedrooms, right?”

  Her brows furrow as she watches me, only I say nothing and allow her to analyze my words. I see the very moment it all makes sense.

  “I couldn’t ask that,” she bites her lip. “I mean,” she pauses once more.

  “You’re not asking me,” I’ve thought of it on several occasions. It’s not the plan I had when I envisioned starting a life with Sutton, but I’d do anything for her. Including offering Lexi, a safe place to call home, even if for a short time. I know without a doubt that she’s a strong woman; she’ll recover.

  “What did I do to deserve you?” Then, leaning in, she rests her forehead to mine and places her hands on my shoulders.

  “You threw sass at that gas station clerk, and from that very moment, I was hooked,” she laughs, and I grin. “I felt more in that instant for an unnamed woman than I have ever felt before in my life. I thought about you every single second after that.”

  Sutton’s eyes fill with tears.

  “Then when I looked up and saw you walking across that bar toward me, Jesus babe, you knocked the wind right out of me. My knees grew weak, my world rocked.”

  She looks down, and I allow her to wipe at her now falling tears.

  “I love you,” she whispers and lifts her gaze to meet mine once more, “so much.”

  “And I love you,” pressing my lips to hers; I hover in that space for a few seconds. “Now, can I take my girl to bed?”

  Nodding with a smile, I grip her hips, sliding her forward, and her legs hook around my waist. Carrying her to the air mattress in the middle of our living room, I lower her and then cover her body with my own.

  She turns slightly, opening up to me more when my lips make contact with the base of her neck. Moving lower, I lift her shirt and kiss her stomach, loving the whimper that falls from her lips when I do. The arch of her back when I drag my tongue over h
er sensitive skin ensures that she needs this as much as I do.

  “More,” the word falls from her lips in a needy whisper that releases something inside of me that I can’t control. An incredible force that makes me want to possess this woman, mind, body, and soul.

  Sutton is my everything. She’s, my world.

  Chapter Fifty-Six

  Sutton

  * * *

  "This place is incredible," Jillian steps up to Sophie's side as they both scan over the expansive open floor plan of Brantley’s, now finished home. They're right; it is incredible. So many details, so many unique additions that I still can't believe he thought of adding.

  The kitchen alone is a baker's dream, which is why Jilly is in such awe. I imagine dancing cakes and pies in her mind as she whistles while baking something sweet and mouthwatering. It has sprawling countertop space, a double baking oven, and a five-burner overtop range.

  Like I said, a perfect kitchen for cooking and baking.

  "How could you not want to live here?"

  I shift to my left just as Lexi bumps her shoulder into mine.

  "I uh," I attempt to hold in my surprise at her statement. I never once said I didn't want to live here. "Um, I," again I have no words.

  "The walls of our apartment are thin, babe," she dares me to deny what she's so obviously heard. "He's built a dream home with you in mind, and you want to stay in a dingy, tiny ass apartment because you think I can't be alone."

  I swallow past the lump that has formed in my throat, or so it feels.

  "I've already talked to Adley. She's taking your room."

  "No, you can move here—,"

  "Yeah, no thanks," she interrupts me with a smile. "I love you both, but there is no way I'm moving in here."

  "Lex," my pulse is racing.