Guilt nailed her that Hudson had brought his life and schedule to a halt to babysit her.“You didn’t have to take Best on the road trip, or did someone else have to pick up the slack for you?”
“The trip got postponed to tomorrow,” he said, joining her at the kitchen table.He had on low-slung jeans and no shirt.She couldn’t argue against the view except for how much it made her pulse climb and her cheeks flush.
What could she say?The man was hot.The fact that he was grounded was a surprise.People who were this gorgeous usually knew it and acted accordingly, which made them so much less attractive.Hudson, on the other hand, didn’t seem to notice or care.He must not spend much time in front of a mirror.
“What?”he asked, cutting into her thoughts.
The question made her blush that much more.She shook her head.“Nothing.”
“You were thinking about something that put a smile on your face,” he said.“I’d be interested to know what caused it.”
“Why?”There was no way she was going to answer his question and embarrass herself.What would that sound like coming out of her mouth anyway?I was just thinking about how insanely hot you are.Cassie could feel more heat creeping up her neck toward her cheeks.Hell no, she wasn’t admitting to that.
“I haven’t seen you smile much.”He shrugged.“I like the way your face lights up.”
Well, damn if that didn’t make it even more difficult to hide her growing attraction.The man was as beautiful as he was interesting.
Panic struck at the thought she needed to come up with some kind of answer.She picked up the cup in front of her and took a glorious sip.“I was just thinking about how amazing this coffee is and how much I appreciate being able to sleep on a soft bed last night.I probably need another shower since I’ve been asleep for two days.”
He offered a small smile that caused butterflies to release in her stomach.“Your clothes are washed and dried.”
“Thank you.”She didn’t want to think about him handling her bra and panties.Shoving that thought deep into the back of her mind, she took another sip.Thank God for coffee.Her brain was starting to work again, and her stomach had stopped gurgling and growling.It was settled for the time being, and a piece of her wished she could cocoon at Hudson’s place for the rest of her life.
But that wouldn’t solve anything.She couldn’t hide in the shadows forever.Could she?The fake ID had kept her identity secret so far.Could she step into this new life, this new person, and leave the past behind?
This little trip to Fantasy Island had more potholes than even roads.For one, Hudson had a life that didn’t include her.The man was being nice by helping her.She figured it was coded into his DNA to give a hand up to someone in need.From the time she’d spent with him so far, he was honorable and believed in keeping his word.Rare qualities in a person these days, if you asked her.
“I’ve taken up too much of your time already,” she said.“Now that my clothes are clean, I should get dressed and get out of your hair.”
“You haven’t had my specialty yet.”He motioned toward the stir-fry.“Stay the night.”
She blinked.His request caught her off guard.She’d assumed he would be excited at the prospect of being rid of her.Again, she chalked it up to chivalry, and not that he could reciprocate the attraction that was unlike anything she’d experienced.Or ever would.
Where the hell had that come from?
Cassie had been doing a good job of taking care of herself.She should at this point.She’d been doing it for longer than she could remember.
Being around Hudson made her want to lean into his strength, take her hand off the wheel for a while, and let someone else drive.
You’re tired, Cass.Maybe not physically now but mentally.That’s the only reason you’re looking to someone else for shelter, answers.
Was it true?
She sighed.“You should get back to your life, and I’m the one holding you up.”
“The breakfrom family business has been nice,” Hudson said, doing his level best to reassure Cassie.He didn’t want to pressure her, but he wanted her to know that she wasn’t an inconvenience.“That’s the benefit of having a bunch of siblings to run the ranch, though we’re still trying to figure out how Beau fits into the picture.”
“Beau?”
“Our half-brother,” he said.
“The one your siblings have been lukewarm to?”
“The one.”Hudson was still trying to figure Beau out despite the fact that he’d recently proven himself.His half-sibling had gotten himself involved in a bad business deal that had brought a helluva lot of stress to the family.Beau was trying.Hudson had to give the guy credit.The man was doing his best to fit in, which couldn’t be easy given the suspicious nature of Sturgess folks.They couldn’t help it.Beaumont had left his mark.
“And you gave the benefit of the doubt to,” she said.
“Right.”