Jack pulled up to the house, then put the truck in park before turning to stare at him. “Don’t say things like that unless you mean them. I’m not playing.”
Hudson turned and stared right back. “I know better than to bullshit a pickup man.”
Jack watched him for a long minute, then took a long inhale. “Then let’s go look inside together.”
So there. As if he thought for a second that Jack was playing. He jumped out of the truck and took Jack’s hand as they headed up the front steps. “You have a key?”
“I do. It’s not on the open market. Mackey knows the family.” Jack handed him the keys. “The blue one is the front door; the red one is the barn. I love this porch.”
“I love this porch too. We’ll have a great time on this porch. Beers at sunset, breakfast in some Adirondack chairs, making out under the stars…” He winked at Jack, then took at the keys in his hand. “Blue key.”
“Yep. Front door.”
He opened the door into a huge open space that was completely wood. It was logs—one heavy pine log after another. The fireplace hearth had some cracks in the tiles, and everything needed a scrub, but Jack was right, it had good bones.
“Oh, Jack. Look at that fireplace. Man, this wood needs some TLC, but it could be beautiful.”
“Yeah. Yeah, the kitchen is from the eighties, but that’s not necessarily awful…”
He looked the kitchen over, and yes, a lot of work, but maybe it wasn’t a total reno, just updating, well, everything.
“Um…” He leaned close to Jack and whispered. “Eighties kitchen has to go, baby.”
Jack started chuckling, but soon there was a happy, echoing laughter that filled the air. He laughed along, doing a Vanna White impression against the backsplash. “First thing to go? The floral tile!”
“You mean you don’t love it?” Jack gasped and clasped his hands over his chest. “I’m stunned.”
“I’m going to love getting rid of it. Let’s see the upstairs.” He brushed past Jack, giving the cowboy’s butt a squeeze.
“There’s a little powder room down here, and up there are three bedrooms—a primary with an en suite facing the back of the property, then two more and a bathroom this way.”
The two bedrooms were simple, all wood, blank slates, and the bathroom was another reno, because the 1970s called and they wanted their pink toilet and bathtub back.
They were still giggling about the bathroom when Jack pulled him into what would be their bedroom.
Their bedroom.It was hard to believe he’d even thought that.
It was hard to believe the space too. Big and airy, lots of natural light, a balcony with a view, and the biggest ceiling fan he’d ever seen in his whole life.
“The best part about this house is the view here, and the shower in the bathroom.” Jack drew him over, and the mountains were so huge, the land stretching out. There was a line of water flowing through the property, and a huge barn for Jack’s horses. His breath caught in his throat.
“How did you even consider turning this place down, baby?” He leaned against Jack, eyes focused on the land. “That barn is enormous. Is it in good shape?” And had Jack said shower? He did love a good shower.
“It needs some updating and cleaning, but I could have the horses in there in less than a week.” Jack led him to the bathroom, which was totally redone in slate tiles with a walk-in rain bath shower and a built-in towel warmer.
“Ooh. I like this. I love this. We could get up to some trouble in here.” He walked into the shower and turned in a circle, grinning. “You’re totally right. This is the best thing about the house.”
“Yeah, it’s decadent, huh? Better than hotels for sure.” Jack leaned at him, grinning like the Cheshire Cat. “So, you want to explore more? There’s a basement. A pantry. A barn.”
“Eventually.” He stepped up close and dropped his hands to Jack’s belt. “First you’re going to fuck me in this shower.”
“I am? Like right here in a strange house?” Jack’s hands found his ass. Boom.
“It’s not a strange house. It’s about to be our house.” He tugged his cowboy’s shirt out of his jeans. Jack had him going since that stare in the truck. He wasn’t playing then, and he wasn’t playing now.
“Our house. Jesus, darlin’.” There was a hint of wonder in the words, but the kiss was fire, pure, heady passion.
He got it. And he wanted more.