Page 39 of Outlaw

I had already convinced myself that he was going to call off the wedding and I’d realized that he deserved someone who loved him. However, he was not listening to me, and if I stayed in here any longer, I feared Linc would come looking for me. Stevie was going to get hungry, and Linc also had a plane waiting on us. What harm would it do to leave here with things like they were? Hudson knew the truth for the most part—at least what I could tell him—and when this situation became too hard, he couldbreak it off. A long-distance relationship with me living in Linc’s house was a long shot.

I waved at my fellow coworkers and told them hello as they called out to me. Hudson held my hand in his as we went outside the building. My heart was racing, but there was no need. Hudson was my fiancé after all. Linc knew that. Just like he knew I wanted to marry Hudson. He didn’t care.

“There.” I nodded toward the Bentley.

Hudson squinted against the bright sun. “The limo?” he asked.

“Yes.”

He shifted his eyes to me. “Does he always travel by limo?” There was a mocking tone and expression that came with that question.

“No. He normally drives a truck. He just didn’t want Stevie to be uncomfortable on the long drive,” I explained.

“It’s six hours. Not fifteen.”

I shrugged. “I know, but…” What was I supposed to say to that?

He was right, of course, but Linc was going to spoil his daughter, and I couldn’t seem to stop it.

Hudson slid a finger under my chin and tilted my head back, as if he were taller than he was and it was necessary. “It doesn’t matter. He can do what he wants for Stevie. I’m just worried about me and you. That’s all I care about.”

He leaned down and pressed his lips to mine. Typically, I could enjoy his kisses, but the way he had once again blown off Stevie, as if she and I weren’t a package deal, bothered me. When he straightened, a smug smile touched his lips, as if he’d won something. Had that been for Linc to see?

“Come on,” he said and began walking toward the Bentley.

The driver-slash-bodyguard stepped out of the car and went to stand in front of the back door with his arms crossed over his chest.

“What’s with the Secret Service?” Hudson asked sarcastically.

He had noticed the driver wasn’t your typical chauffeur, but then it was hard not to with his towering frame and build.

“Like I told you, he is powerful,” I whispered.

“Looks pretentious to me. Besides, how dangerous can he be if he needs his own bodyguard? I’d think he could defend himself.”

I sighed. “The security is for Stevie. Not him. He’d likely take down anyone before the giant could. That’s just backup.”

Hudson snorted and looked amused. “Whatever. Call me tonight when you can. We will talk more about things.”

I hadn’t been calling him because lying to him about where I was and what I was doing felt wrong. Hearing his voice would have only made it worse. But he knew now, and talking to him might be what got me through this. At least until I adjusted to this change.

“Okay. I’m going to give it a week, then start looking for a job. So, if you get a call from a dental practice about me, make that referral a good one.” I added the last part teasingly.

I’d worried about that before, but it seemed Hudson loved me more than I’d realized.

“That won’t be hard to do. But could you stick with an old man or a female dentist? I’m already having to accept your living under another man’s roof. If you are working for a male dentist, all I will be able to think about is the hard-on he’s going to have while working for you.”

I jerked my eyes off the car and looked up at him, then let out a startled laugh. Hudson never said things like that to me. “What?”

His eyes met mine. “You heard me, Branwen. Don’t act like you didn’t know I had been salivating over you since day one.”

I mean…I had known he was attracted to me, but he’d never said it like that before.

Just before we reached the door, the driver opened it, then stood in front of Hudson, blocking him from getting closer,while he held out a hand for me to proceed. This was awkward. I should have thought of this. Of course Linc wouldn’t want him near the vehicle. Hudson backed up looking startled.

“I, uh…well, this is as far as you go,” I explained, wincing.

He raised his eyebrows. “Seriously? Stevie is going to be my stepdaughter. She doesn’t need protecting from me.”

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