Page 59 of Baking With A Rockstar

Consequences be damned.

If tonight could have a theme song, it would be “Don’t waste your life, you never know how long you have.”

Maybe I needed to relive my past to get that reminder.

I pull back slightly, planning on telling him exactly what I want from him when he beats me to it.

He brushes his thumb across my cheek, his touch soft as a feather. “I want so much from you that it’s hard to put into words, but I’m not sure you’re ready to hear it yet. Tonight, I just want to hold you. No pressure. You hear me?”

Speechless.

I’m utterly speechless.

My brain seems to have stopped working, and all I manage to do is nod.

He gives me his breathtakingly beautiful smile. “Perfect.”

Without another word, and after picking up my things from where we dropped them at the foot of the bed, he walks me to my side of the bed. He pulls the covers back for me and watches me slip in before going over to the other side.Hisside.

A moment later, the lights are off, and the mattress dips next to me. My heart flutters wildly in its cage like a huge charm of hummingbirds as I try to steady my breath.

“You okay over there?” I hear the smile in his voice, but if I’d have to guess, there’s a slight edge of nervousness in it too.

“Uh-huh.” Another squeak from me, and I’m grateful he can’t see my red face.

He chuckles again, making me feel a little more at ease. “What are you waiting for then? Come over here.”

We move at the same time, scooting together in less than two seconds. I’m still on my side, and just as I’m about to turn around to face him, he puts his arm around my middle and pulls me close to him. He holds me so tightly I feel his chest move against my back every time he takes a breath.

It’s heavenly.

It’s perfect.

It’s exactly what I need.

Where my nerves were going crazy a minute ago, a new calmness has settled in—some form of rightness that makes me close my eyes in pure content, snuggling closer into the most perfect cocoon of blanket and Hudson.

I barely hear Hudson’s whispered, “Good night,” and a soft touch to my neck as I drift off to sleep.

Chapter Twenty-Four

We easily fallinto our normal everyday rhythm the next day. Except this time, it’s filled with little touches and lots of kisses whenever possible.

After talking about it, we’ve decided to keep us on the down low for now, especially when we’re out and about. There’s no reason to draw any unnecessary attention to us while the crazy media circus is still going on.

We want the paparazzi gone, not more of them to come.

After a busy morning at the bakery and a quick grocery run, we’re back home for an afternoon with my favorite group of crazy ladies.

Hannah comes up behind me, clasping both of my shoulders. She laughs quietly into my ear, automatically making me chuckle too. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t think they’d be that bad. I’m gonna get them out of your hair now, I promise. Thanks so much for being so patient, you’re an angel. At least they all had a blast baking with you. Not sure I can say the same about poor Hudson, but he was a champion too.”

Blowing a strand of hair out of my face, I turn around to look at her. “No worries at all. I had a fun day. You know I love your friends, it’s always very entertaining when they’re here.”

“It definitely never gets boring, that’s for sure.” With a big smile on her face, she turns around to face the others. “Okay, girls, gather your things, we need to head out. Our reservation at the restaurant is in half an hour, and we don’t want to miss it.” She claps her hands. “Chop-chop.”

Laughing at Hannah’s authoritarian method, I watch her as she reins in her squad—her six senior friends she’s in a quilt club with—all of them gathering up their purses, jackets, and miscellaneous accessories.

After I walk over to them, Hudson and I give everyone a quick hug and three kisses on the cheeks—something the women insist on, especially with Hudson. “Bye, ladies. It was so good to see you. Have a fun dinner.”

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