Total pages in book: 49
Estimated words: 46967 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 235(@200wpm)___ 188(@250wpm)___ 157(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 46967 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 235(@200wpm)___ 188(@250wpm)___ 157(@300wpm)
The possessive look he gives me is a little overwhelming. There’s a part of me that wants to run inside and put some distance between us. But the other part of me, the one I’m fighting hard against, wants to run into his arms and let my guard down. And even though I have a gut feeling I can trust Hudson, I’m still not ready. “Good night, Huddy. Thank you again for the ride.”
He nods. “You’re welcome. Anytime.”
I walk in the door and look at him shyly before closing myself inside. I lean against the door and listen to his boots stomp across the porch.
It’s only now when I’m alone that the past comes to mind. I wish I could be free to do what I want, but I can’t. There’s too much to think about. I’m running from my past, and there’s no way I want to get Hudson messed up in all of it. An overwhelming sadness comes over me because I know that no matter how I feel, I need to keep my distance from Hudson Blaze.
Chapter 7
Hudson
I lean against the front of my truck, waiting for Ellie to come out of her apartment. I’m trying to act like I’m unaffected by it all, but I’m not sure I’m pulling it off. The fact is, I’ve never felt this possessive of a woman ever. And I’ve known her less than a day.
Unable to sit still, I go to her door and knock ten minutes before she said she’d be ready.
She opens the door. “Good morning, Huddy.” Her cheeks heat, and she turns around.
Her voice drops when she says my name, and I want to ask her to say it again.
“Hey, honey.”
Her head swings around to look at me, and she stumbles. I reach out to grab her before she hits the ground. With one arm looped around her waist, I pull her to me.
Last night and yesterday, she was nervous around me; today, the hitch in her breath is something else.
My voice is gruff when I ask her, “You okay?”
She nods but doesn’t pull out of my arms. “Yeah, thanks. Sorry you have to keep saving me.”
I lean my head against hers and whisper into her ear, “I actually enjoy it. Don’t apologize.”
Her whole body trembles, and it’s a good thing she pulls from my grasp because I’m afraid she’ll feel the reaction I have to being this close to her.
She puts her hands to her cheeks and smiles as she goes to slide her feet into her shoes. “I’m about ready. Just need to grab my purse.”
She starts to ramble. “You have to ignore the place. I was very fortunate to find something that was already furnished, but it’s not really my style. As soon as I’m able to, I’m going to fix it up a little… make it more homey.”
I don’t even look around the room. I don’t want to take my eyes off her. “Homey?”
She nods. “Yeah, you know, the kind of place that when you walk in, you feel like you’re home. It brings a sense of belonging, and I don’t know, it just feels right.”
The way she’s talking about it makes me wish I could experience it. I haven’t felt like that since I was little.
“You like to decorate?”
She nods and puts her purse over her shoulder. “Yeah, I love to, actually.” She shrugs as if it’s not a big deal. “Oh well, someday.”
I move to the side and let her walk through the door. I make sure it’s locked and pull it closed before following her outside. I have to jog to catch up and open the door for her. Her cheeks are still red.
She doesn’t say much on the way to the office. “Do you want to stop at the Sugar bakery for a coffee and a donut?”
She shrugs. “I’m good, but if you want one, you should stop.”
I pass by the turnoff for downtown and head toward the distillery offices. I’m finding it hard to concentrate with her lavender scent filling the cab of my truck.
When we get there, she looks around, and I try to hold it in, but when I help her out of the truck and she’s looking around again, I have to say something. “You embarrassed to be seen with me or something?”
Her mouth falls open. She’s standing next to her open door, staring up at me. “What? No! Why would you say that?”
“Because you look as if you’re trying to make sure no one sees you getting out of my truck.”
She shakes her head. “No, that’s not it at all. The truth is, I am running from something, Huddy. I’ve had to look over my shoulder, and I guess it’s a habit now. Trust me, there’s no way I would be embarrassed to be seen with you.”