Page 23 of Georgia-Blue & Hudson

My heart races at his words. Has his voice always been this deep? The sound seems to reverberate off that hot Adam’s apple and through two succulent lips, ones I’m suddenly thinking an awful lot about… Thankfully he clears his throat and it breaks my reverie.

“You know I’ve been abstaining my whole life,” I feel the need to add. Yep, I’m a little more tipsy than I realized.

His head abruptly turns. “What?”Now he really does balk and there’s no mistaking it.

Oops.“Never mind.”

“You can’t just say that and then saynever mind.”

“Watch me.” I giggle, giving him a little poke in the ribs for good measure.I’m sure he thinks I’m just messing around with my words. Little does he know, it’s true.

“You make no sense when you’re tipsy.”

“I’m not drunk!” I protest.

“That’s why I said tipsy.”

I huff, folding my arms across my chest again. “Are you really taking a plus one to the wedding?”

He pulls up at my side of the casita next to my little SUV. Knowing I sound a little whiny peppering him with questions, I don’t seem to care. My inhibitions vanish. I want to know and I’m just the right side of merry after all that wine.

“Not a chance,Blue Belle.”

I glance at him with big eyes, rounding with surprise. “Me either,” I say. “I mean, Ineeda plus one. My ex from high school is apparently going to be there. Ronnie Templeton. Urgh.”

“Who?”

“The school jock.”

A frown permeates his handsome face. “Of course. And you were Prom Queen.”

It’s not even a question.

I shrug. “You know, since you’re going and all, maybe you could be my plus one?”

He shuts the engine off and sits there for a moment, completely still. “Baby girl, what the fuck was in your drink tonight?”

I giggle. “Nothing! I barely drank.” I flail a hand his way as if to brush off that notion.

He gives me a look, one that says he doesn't believe me. I poke him again in the ribs as he tries to dodge me in his seat.

“Are you ticklish, Hudson Nash?”

He quirks a brow, shifting to look at me. “No. And why do you keep using both my names?”

I reach over the console and try to tickle his ribs with one hand but he grabs my wrist, holding it in place as his large hand wraps around. “I’m warning you, little girl.”

That’s not much of a warning, not enough to stop me. “Hudson Nash is a big old spoil sport! But I bet I can make you laugh.” I lean over and reach in with my other hand, my fingers brushing his rock hard abs in an attempt to make him laugh. I haven’t seen him truly laugh in forever. I’m glad that I’m too fast for him and cop a feel before he grabs my other wrist. Well, I’m sure he doesn’t just go to the gym to watch old guys shower. All the while, I try to wriggle free.

“You’re playing with fire,” he grunts as we wrestle. He still hangs onto me, moving one wrist over to meet the other and he holds them both in one hand. “What are you gonna do now?”

“Hey! That’s not fair!” I wail in a fit of giggles as I realize my struggle is futile. He’s so much stronger than me. It’s then I stop my wriggling and try to get my arms free.

In fact, we both stop at the same time. He continues to hold my wrists, his massive hand scorching my skin while we just look at each other. The silence between us is deafening.

6

Hudson

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