Page 140 of Marry Me, Maybe?
“Came out? He’s gay?”
“As gay as they come. Now look who’s standing in Murphy’s pulpit. Lord, that’s gonna make for some Sunday chatter.”
My stomach turned, same as it had when Spencer first stepped out of that shiny truck. I didn’t know what history lay there, but I knew one thing for certain: the rumor mill just found its next victims.
34
MATTY
The bar door swung shut behind us, muffling the roar of the game and the clatter of glasses. Outside, the night was cool, the temperature falling from the earlier drizzle. Streetlamps glowed against the damp asphalt, and the neon sign over Dusty’s bled red and blue across the puddles like paint.
Hudson swiped the back of his hand across his mouth, still grinning from something the bartender had said. “You okay? You’ve seemed distracted since you got back from Denver. You barely touched your wings. ”
“I didn’t need to.” I bumped his elbow. “You ate mine and yours.”
Color climbed up his neck, but his grin didn’t falter. He looked both guilty and proud, the way only Hudson could. “Couldn’t let them go to waste. Not with what Dusty charges. You didn’t even blink at the receipt.” He leaned closer, lowering his voice. “Sorry in advance. Might not be up for bottoming tonight.”
I snorted, catching him by the elbow before he tripped over a crack in the pavement. He’d had one too many beers,not enough to ruin the night, but enough that I’d practically herded him out before he crossed the line into sloppy. My plans couldn’t afford sloppy.
Three days ago, I’d come back from Denver with the ring tucked in my pocket, heavy as a secret. Since then, it’d nearly burned a hole through my jeans, begging to be pulled out and offered. But I wanted more than a half-assed proposal.
I’d been practical when I asked him before to marry me. No wonder he’d asked me to think it over. I might have given him the impression I only wanted to marry him to protect him and Ivy, but that wasn’t the case.
I wanted the moment to mean something, to carry the weight of what we’d been through. That was why I’d waited. Why I’d chosen tonight.
Hudson Granger was the one.
He’d been the one four years ago.
Years down the road, he would still be the one.
I didn’t want to have to wait another year or two to marry him. Not the way Heather had tricked him. I would give him a proper marriage with both names signed and a stamp of approval from the state.
Hudson Granger Magnuson.
Formally mine.
It would be easier to adopt Ivy that way. Hopefully, he didn’t ask me to think that over too when I brought up the topic.
When we reached the truck, Hudson pinned me against the side. “Thanks for taking me out tonight,” he whispered, then slammed his mouth hot and hungry on mine. I kissed him back just as hard, fingers tangled in his hair. His hands slid down between us, cupping my cock and groping me, even though we were in a half-lit parking lot.
Bristlecone Springs was more tolerant and queer-friendly than most small towns in the west, but still…
“Thought you weren’t in the mood for sex.” I nipped his bottom lip. “So why are you trying to start something you can’t finish?”
“Hmm, now where would you get that idea?” He kissed my cheekbone, trailing his lips across to my neck. “There’s still a lot to do without my bottoming. I can fuck your mouth while you play with my nipples.”
The sound he made in his throat was pure sin, half growl, half promise, vibrating against my skin. My knees damn near buckled, and I gripped his shirt to steady myself.
“Christ, Hud,” I muttered, heat pooling low in my stomach. “You’re gonna get us arrested for lewd conduct.”
He chuckled against my neck, teeth grazing. A shiver ran through me. “Then drive, cowboy. Before I give the town more gossip by blowing you right here.”
I shoved him lightly toward the passenger door, though my pulse was racing from his words. “Get in. As much as I’d like that, we have Ivy to think of now.”
“Damn, why are you already such a good father? I’ve had three years at it, and half the time I’m convinced I don’t know what the hell I’m doing. One day, Ivy will be old enough to call me out on my bullshit.” He opened the door and got in. “Come on, then. I want to make the most of the night.”
I slid into place next to him in the driver’s seat and pushed the Start button. The truck purred to life, and the headlights cut across the parking lot. Hudson stretched out next to me, a hand on my thigh, dangerously close to my erection.
