Page 103 of Summer Love

His lips curved into a smile. "They like your article better."

The tension in my shoulder eased. "Really?"

"Will you come down here? I have something I want to say to you." His voice was low and pleading. I couldn't resist his request.

Without responding, I grabbed a sweatshirt and hurried downstairs. I threw open the door and jumped into his arms. He caught me, my legs wrapping around his waist as he held me tight. "I'm so sorry."

"It's okay."

"It's not though." My eyes filled with tears. "None of this is okay."

He carefully set me down so my feet were on the floor. "I'm sorry for jumping to conclusions, for not listening to you."

"I never lied to you. Maybe I was naive to think that Valerie wouldn't substantially change my story?—"

Hudson shook his head. "That's not your fault. You did everything in good faith, and she betrayed you."

"You believe me?" I searched his expression for any sign of what he was thinking.

He cupped my cheek. "You've never given me a reason not to trust you."

The relief flowed through me, making me lightheaded.

"I shouldn't have doubted you."

I blinked away the tears. "I love you so much."

"I love you."

He kissed me as the rain picked up again, coming down harder, but neither of us minded. When I pulled back, I said, "Valerie fired me because of that picture of us kissing on the beach. We ruined her plan of generating interest in the voting for the hottest bachelor. I took you off the market."

He grinned. "I want everyone to know I'm taken."

"And I told her I didn't want to work for someone who'd do that to me. She could have ruined my reputation in the process."

"I think you cleared that up by posting the real article."

"I hope so."

His brow furrowed. "But what are you going to do about a job?"

"I'll figure something out. But one thing's certain; I want to be here with you and Grams. I'm an island girl."

"You'remyisland girl."

I grinned. "Will you come up to my bedroom?"

"Are you smuggling a boy into your room, Miss Perkins?"

I curled my fingers around his. "Come on. Grams is out to the world at night."

Hudson allowed me to lead the way to my bedroom where I closed and locked the door. "Grams doesn't come up here. She can't do the stairs."

Hudson crowded into my space. "You'll have to be very quiet."

"I can do that."

He cupped the back of my head, tilting my face at the right angle to kiss me. He backed me up until my legs hit the mattress and we were both falling onto the bed. He kissed me until I yearned for more.

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