Page 51 of Georgia-Blue & Hudson

We hit the ground running in Florida. The resort is absolutely beautiful and set right on the beach. We barely unpack, or spend any time in the luxurious suite, before I’m already in my bathing suit and ready to walk down to the beach, scoping out the grounds on the way.

The rooms are plush and both have their own ensuite with gold fixtures and a jetted tub in each and balconies facing the beach. The four poster beds with white floaty netting are completely something else.

“You sure you didn’t book us the honeymoon suites?” Hudson comments as we walk down through the lobby. He’s changed into a t-shirt and a pair of long shorts. It’s the first timeI think I’ve seen his bare legs; I’ve never seen him wear shorts before. He should wear them more often, he has great legs. That’s also why I’ve never noticed the tattoo of a bull on the back of his right calf.

I swallow hard at his words and I don’t know why it brings a little bit of heat to my face. I waft off the notion quickly with my hand. “Nothing but the best for us country folk,” I chortle.

He keeps looking at me.

“And I thought it would be a good idea for us to stay where the wedding is being held. There was a chance we’d be stumbling back to our rooms before the drinking ban was placed on us.”

The corner of his mouth pulls up in an almost smile. He's cute when he smiles, I don’t know why he doesn’t show it more. He’s pretty easy to travel with. He loaded all my bags onto the trolley with ease and wouldn’t let me carry anything. Having a guy haulin’ for you on vacation is actually a huge plus I never knew existed.

“You’re not gonna let the drinking thing slide, are you?”

I give him my sweetest smile as we walk down a paved pathway off the open lobby, surrounded by palm trees and fragrant frangipani. “I’m having a cocktail the minute we get back from the beach, and you can’t stop me.”

He gives me a look before he slides his dark shades over his eyes. A look that tells me I’d better toe the line with his stupid rules. The man is acting like I’m a rebellious alcoholic teenager.

I want to have fun this weekend, and something that’s been simmering inside me wants Hudson to find me irresistible. Whether Ronnie actually shows up to the wedding or not.

The thought of Hudson getting all broody and defensive over me is actually a turn on. Not something I am willing to admit to him, but it’s there all the same.

I’m going to have a little too much fun with this, I can feel it in my bones. If he wants to be a jerk and not admit we havechemistry, and that the kiss was something else way beyond anything either of us anticipated, then he can knock himself out for all I care.

I have no intention of sticking to anything he says and I’m sure it’s the same for him.

I just hope to God he meant what he said about laying off the ladies this weekend.

I couldn’t handle it if one of the wedding guests took a shining to him. But since he’s supposed to be my plus one, I don’t think I have too much to worry about.

I’m definitely going to make a show of it, if and when I have to.

I text Liz while we’re walking, admiring the lush tropical grounds and the balminess in the air. It’s a whole other contrast to Stoney Creek.

ME

Hey Liz, me and Huds are here. It’s gorgeous. Let me know if you have time for a quick drink later x

I have to say it’s weird being here with Hudson outside of the distillery or his farm. It’s not like I’ve ever done anything like this before with him or been on vacation, or even a weekend.

“You alright?” he asks me as we walk as if he senses me adjusting to his presence, but I wave that off as stupid because he doesn’t believe in all that stuff.

“I’m fine. Why wouldn’t I be?” I threw on a flowy summer dress over my bathing suit and a pair of Havaianas and a wide-brimmed hat.

“Just my way of asking if you are.”

“Oh. Well, thanks. I’m good.”

“Are you hungry?”

“A little.” We ate on the plane but it wasn’t anything to write home about.

“Let’s get some food on the way back.”

“Sounds good.” I can’t help but like the way he’s checking in on me already, if I’m ok and if I’m hungry. I guess he’s really going to be hamming up his little promise to Gray about looking after me and it looks like it’s started already.

As soon as we get down to the beach, I kick off my flip flops and make my way down to the gorgeous blue water, dipping my feet into the foam while I hold my dress up to save from getting wet. “Ahhh,” I moan when cool of the water touches my toes, refreshing me instantly from the outside in. “Come stick your feet in, Huds. It feels amazing.”

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