Page 122 of The Sweetest Cruelty: Hudson
“Not sure, it was after midnight,” he said with a stretch. Cocking his head, he then added. “You look like an angel when you sleep.”
“Really?” I sure hoped that was the case, and he hadn’t seen me catching flies or drooling into my pillow. What if I’d snored?
Hudson flexed his broad shoulders with an animal-like grace. “Yeah. It’s a good job that I don’t hit on unconscious females.” Sexual energy pulsated between us.
I then turned to face him with my back to the lockers. My heart was beating wildly in my chest. Hudson’s lips touched the corner of my mouth, and he slid his nose across my cheek towards my ear, whispering. “I should get a medal for walking away last night.”
“A medal?” I squeaked.
I felt him smile against my hair. “Yeah. But that will be the last time.”
My breath left my mouth in choppy pants. “The last time for what?”
“Walking away.” My nipples tightened in my bra as Hudson nibbled my earlobe before adding. “Next time, you’re mine, Molly Miller.”
“Is that a threat?” I husked.
His voice dropped to a rough growl. “That’s a promise, English. Not touching you last night was almost the hardest thing ever.”
I was intrigued. “The hardest being?”
Hudson’s eyes widened a fraction before he replied. “Talking about my past.”
Satisfaction for being the one he had spoken to rushed through me. “I know. And I’m glad you did, Hudson.”
He drew back to stare down into my eyes.
“So am I. Come on, let’s get you to class.”
As he walked me down the hallway towards AP English, he said. “I woke up this morning feeling more positive than I have in ages. I’m still not out of the woods yet, but I’m getting there, and I have you to thank for that. That’s why I want to get my father’s stuff, so I can draw a line under it all and move the hell on.”
As we got to the door, he turned to face me and handed me my bag. “Maybe you can move on with me?” he suggested with a warm smile, pushing a lock of hair back behind my ear with his fingertips.
“What does that mean, Hudson?” Was he asking me out?
“Come in and take a seat, please, Miss Miller,” Professor MacDonald interrupted from inside the classroom.
His teeth flashed in a gleam of white. “You’ll see. I’ll see you after school, English.”
He then pecked my cheek, turned, and walked away.
As I entered the classroom as the first to arrive, I started to brainstorm on what to tell my father about my whereabouts after school.
The classroom started to fill up as I got my books out. I was just about to put my phone away when a text came in.
Heard you need an alibi for after school?
Yes please?I messaged.
Phoenix said something about a road trip. I’m coming too, so I’ve been told.I felt a thrum of joy that Harper would be there too. Going on a road trip with Hudson wasn’t so bad, but Hudson and all his brothers alone did make me feel a little anxious. We still didn’t know each other that well.
Great. What’s the story then?I asked.
Lang’s Bowlarama after school.
Got it. Laters XOXO.
“Cell phones off the table, please.” Prof Mac bellowed before breaking the news that we were having a test.
