Page 27 of The Wedding Fake
Hudson leaned forward until our heads touched. “We tied,” he said, his voice too low to be overheard now that the love versus passion argument had commenced within the family.
“No. We lost,” I replied. Even as close as we were, I could see his eyebrow tick up skeptically.
“We tied. Love and passion are not the same thing.”
I chuckled. “Of course they’re not, but Nora will argue until everyone gives in. Welcome to Davis family game night.”
He laughed dryly, then whispered, “I hate Davis family game night.”
A family barbecue had never felt so long before, and I cursed myself for not getting a hotel room. When I made these plans, Hudson North was nothing more than the pompous ass who left his packages in the vestibule too long. Was he hot? Of course, but he was totally off limits.
I bit down on my lip. How had so much changed so quickly? My eyes shifted to glance at the pompous ass in question. He was laughing at a joke Tess had made—I hadn’t been paying good enough attention to catch the joke. His eyes fell on me and his laugh faded into a smile that spread heat through my belly despite the late summer’s evening chill. It was a fun parlor trick, being able to turn me on the way he did, but it wasn’t what kept drawing me to him. It turned out Hudson North, the pompous ass who couldn’t even be bothered to get his mail in a timely fashion, was thoughtful and charming and possessed a dry humor I found myself liking more than I should.
“You want to take a walk?” I asked quietly, telling myself I needed a break from the family, when really all I wanted was a moment alone with Hud.
He stood. “Sure. Let’s.” He intertwined our fingers and I led us around the house to the sidewalk.
For a while we walked in silence, holding hands, moving at a snail’s pace through the neighborhood I’d grown up in, not rushing to get back. “You were amazing in that game,” he said finally.
“Me?” I asked, looking up at him. “You got the questions right, I just tried to pick easy answers.”
“We’re they true?”
I shrugged. “True enough. I like making a change at work. You already knew I love statistics, but that’s more a collection than a hobby. I probably would’ve said reading if I thought you’d get it. I like shoes, want two kids, and value honesty.”
“And your biggest fear?”
My lips twisted wryly. “Is actually heights,” I admitted.
“Score one for Grant.”
“Small spaces are a close second,” I added quickly.
“Are you just bullshitting me?” he asked, pulling us to a stop and smiling down at me.
“Did you hear the part about honesty, Hudson North?”
He ran two fingers down my jaw, so lightly it tickled. “Can I kiss you?” he asked.
I laughed. “You’ve kissed me a dozen times already, and you didn’t ask before any of those.”
“Do you want to go on a date with me, Claire? A date of the real variety, I mean? I can order vegan potato tacos and we can eat them in your apartment.”
“I make better potato tacos than you’ll find at any restaurant,” I said.
“Oh,” he replied, looking disappointed, and I grimaced, not meaning to ruin his romantic gesture.
“But yes to the kiss, and yes to the date. I can cook,” I offered quickly. His expression brightened, and he threaded his fingers into my hair, titling my chin up and slanting his lips over mine.
Hudson was a uniquely slow kisser, and he seemed to savor me like an unusual flavor he wanted more of. I imagined he’d be an equally tender lover, and the thought made me clench my thighs and tug him closer. We were standing in front of a house only six or seven down from home, so I couldn’t very well demand he continue with a slow exploration down my neck, but I wanted to. I wanted Hudson.
He showed far more restraint than I might’ve, breaking the kiss with a groan, then adjusting his pants before reaching for my hand again and lacing our fingers back together. I shifted to point us away from home, not ready to go back yet. This was nice, and maybe later tonight could be amazing.
We made our way around the block and back to the house slowly, enjoying finally being able to be alone together, but as Mom and Dad’s house came into view again, I saw a new car. I squinted, trying to see better at a distance. “Who’s in the driveway?” I asked, even though Hudson would have no way of knowing. My steps quickened, eyes still squinted, until the car became clear. “Emily’s here!” I exclaimed. “I thought she couldn’t come up until Wednesday.” I grinned up at Hudson, giving him a tug forward, eager for him to meet Em. “Come on and meet the sister who knows me best.” I raised my brow at Hud seriously. “She’s also the one most likely to sniff out anything fake.”
Hudson frowned, but said nothing. We curved around the back of the house, but I still didn’t see Emily. “Where’s Em?” I asked, when we were close enough for Mom and Tess to hear. “I saw her car.”
Mom waved behind me absently, and I couldn’t help but glance over my shoulder, as if she may be lurking back there. “She just went inside to put down her stuff. She’ll be out in a minute.”