Page 25 of Hire A Cuddler

I should probably be embarrassed. I know he’s way more experienced than me and that I’m making a big deal over a hug, but this feels good… it feels right. “I’ve never been hugged before.”

“Never?” he asks huskily.

I try to think back, and I can’t remember ever being in someone’s arms… not like this. “If I have, I was too young to remember it.”

His hand comes up and cradles my head against him. “Maybe we can do this more often then because I can already tell this is going to be an addiction for me.”

I sigh and lean into his touch. “Me too,” I whisper.

14

KING

She didn’t say no.That’s what I have to keep reminding myself.

It’s been two days since I last saw Haven. I’ve texted her every morning and every night, not to pressure her but just to connect with her. She’s texted me back, but she’s completely avoided the topic of marriage.

That day in her apartment keeps replaying in my head. How do I feel more from one hug than I’ve ever felt about anything else? I need to convince her to do this with me, but I’m not sure how.

“Spill it, King. Why did you bring us all here?”

My brothers bring me out of my thoughts. I invited them over to the house after we played our monthly tournament of pickleball. Gabriel won yetagain, and as they’ve been talking smack, I’ve been lost in thought trying to figure out what I need to say.

My brothers Dominic and Gabriel are fighting over the last piece of pizza, and I laugh at their antics. When Dom comes up with the last piece, he takes a big bite and says, “Yeah, spill it, King. You got beat tonight, and I didn’t get to enjoy it half as much because I don’t even think you realized you lost.”

I set my plate down and lean back in my chair. “I’m getting married,” I blurt out.

They both start to talk at once.

“Married?”

“Don’t do it.”

“I knew something was up.”

“To who?”

“When do we meet her?”

Thank goodness Holden is playing baseball down south because I really don’t need him here telling the story of how Haven and I met. I try to answer their questions. “Yes, married. Her name is Haven Weston.”

Gabe leans over and fist-bumps me. “When’s the wedding? And when do we get to meet her?”

Shit. Here’s the sticky part. “Well, she hasn’t actually agreed to marry me yet.”

Both their mouths drop open.

I hold my hands up. “I know, I know. Listen, I may as well tell you because Holden’s not going to let me live this shit down.” I go through how I met Haven, and I’m getting glares from the both of them. They don’t like it. We were raised rough, and it brought out an honesty in all of us. We don’t always do the right things, but I know what I did was low. “I fucked up big time. She says she forgives me, but so far, she’s not agreeing to marry me.”

Gabe throws his hands up. “Can you blame her? You lied to her.”

I’m still ashamed of how I handled this. “I know…. But I’m going to make it right.”

Gabe rubs at the scruff of his beard. “So explain it to me. Are you marrying her because you love her… or because you’re trying to make this right?”

Love. Just hearing that word makes me want to sink into myself. What have I got from love? Nothing, and I’m not ready to open my heart to it just yet. “I’m not marrying her because I want to make it right… I’m marrying her because I can’t stop thinking about her… because I want to have a family… a wife… a child.”

Dom is shaking his head. “Well, I don't know many women that are going to get married without love, King.”

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