Page 50 of Sardonic Burn

“Not interested, thank you.”

“Aw, you learned some manners? How unexpected.”

“Get dressed, or I’ll cut your dick off.”

“Never threaten my dick, Noelle. That’s just going too far.”

I hear some shuffling in the room and try to ignore the beating in my ears. My heart rate is getting unstable, and I don’t know what to do or how to act.

“You can look now.”

Hudson appears in front of me, and I take a step back. He cages me between the wall and his arms, grinning widely. He only put on a pair of boxers, his nude body an inch away from mine.

“You look flushed, Noelle,” he mocks. “Do you have a fever?”

“Move,” I grit out.

“I don’t think you want me to move,” he whispers. “Your cheeks are red, and your eyes are glossy. You seem to find this situation quite enjoyable.”

I take a deep breath, put both of my hands on his chest, and push him off me. I ignore the burning sensation that floods my veins as our bare flesh touches and immediately put distance between us.

Hudson allows me to push him, though he continues to grin.

“So, what brings you here today?”

“A few things. Why the hell are you following me around?”

Hudson shrugs and walks out of his bedroom. Like a dog, I follow behind him, staring into his broad shoulders.

“I don’t trust you,” he says and enters the kitchen. He makes two cups of coffee and gives me one. To my surprise, it’s the exact same coffee I drink. “And quite honestly, you seem like the type to stab me in the back. I’m trying to prevent that.”

“Ouch.” I feign hurt. “There’s only so much I can let slide, little De Santis.”

He rolls his eyes. “Will you ever drop the nickname?”

“No.”

“Why?”

“Well, you are little De Santis.”

He smirks. “You saw a moment ago that I’m not little. Not at all.”

I cough, nearly spitting out the drink. My glare doesn't affect him at all, and he continues to drink his coffee and scroll on his phone.

“Anyway, I’ve found out a few things.”

That grabs his attention. The phone gets put away, and his attention is on me. He switches into business mode quickly, and it’s scary just how fast his demeanor changed.

Slowly, I fill him in on everything Lucas was able to discover.

He taps his index finger on the table, eyes locked on mine. He doesn’t interrupt me and nods from time to time. This is the most serious I’ve ever seen him, and a glimmer of hope flashes behind his eyes.

Maybe I’m delusional, or maybe I’m that desperate.

I shoot down the delirious thoughts and focus on finding common ground with Hudson. I’m praying he won’t actually tell me to ask him nicely for help.

“I understand if you don’t want to involve yourself—”

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