Page 49 of While We Waited

Hudson has hardly left me alone since he moved me into his chalet. He drives me to work each morning and picks me up at the end of the day, he cooks for me, he lets me watch whatever I want on the television, and—

It’s too much! I’m going to declare my undying love to him if he doesn’t cut it out.

“What did you say?”

“You don’t need to come,” I repeat.

He scowls. “Do we need to have the talk again?”

“What talk?”

“The one where I explain how I’m going to take care of you.”

I long to hear him say those words about me and only me. Not the me who’s carrying his baby. I force those thoughts away. I may be falling in love with Hudson, but he doesn’t feel the same way about me. I’m the baby mamma to him and nothing more.

“Stop it.” He tucks a strand of hair behind my ear and I startle. I didn’t notice him approach while I was off in la-la land dreaming of a place where Hudson loves me for me.

“Stop what?”

He taps my forehead. “Whatever you’re thinking that has your brow wrinkling.”

Curse the smugglers. He’s not supposed to notice when I’m upset. Can’t he be the same as every other man I’ve ever known and pretend to not notice?

“Am I not allowed to think?” I sass since I’m not telling him what I was thinking. No way. No how. I’ll allow the pirates to steal me away first.

“You’re allowed to think whatever you want. But you’re not allowed to be sad about it.”

“I’m not allowed to be sad?”

He grunts. “Stop fighting me to fight me.”

I don’t enjoy how intuitive he is. Hudson is supposed to be the big, bad football player who doesn’t have any feelings and is one step up from a hermit. He’s not supposed to worry if I’m sad and make me fall for him.

“We’re going to be late.”

He snatches his keys. “Let’s go.”

“Don’t you want to change first?”

“And give you the chance to run away? Not happening.”

“I wouldn’t run away.”

He cocks an eyebrow.

“I’d drive away.”

He grunts but he can’t hide from me. I saw the way his lips tipped up. He thinks I’m funny. He just doesn’t want to admit it for some reason.

He places a hand on my lower back and I lock my muscles before I shiver at the feel of his oversized, warm hand on me. Too bad my skin is covered. What I wouldn’t do to feel his hands all over me again.

He leads me to the passenger side of his truck. He opens the door and before I have a chance to climb in, he lifts me and sets me on the seat.

I should probably protest. But I don’t. I love feeling his hands on me in any capacity I can get them. I’m in so much trouble. Living with Hudson for seven months while I grow this baby is going to end in heartbreak.

I place my hand over my stomach. But I’ll have the best consolation prize in the universe. My baby. My family. My future. I can’t wait.

“Where are we going?” Hudson asks once we’re driving away from the resort toward the town of Smuggler’s Rest.

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