Page 27 of Waiting for Forever
“I told you,” Beck said. “I had an issue with work.” Which reminded him thatHudsonwas that issue. “The mayor and I play golf together. I had a verbal agreement with him about that job, so I wouldn’t get too comfortable with the idea that project is yours.”
Hudson crossed his arms. “I’m pretty sure the contract I signed this afternoon is more binding than your verbal agreement with a golf buddy.” Beck clearly ran his business with a “good old boys” mentality, schmoozing key players rather than putting in the work on bids.
Beck’s jaw clenched so tightly, Hudson was surprised the man wasn’t breaking teeth. He could also tell from his expression that Beck knew the deal was done.
And he didn’t handle losing well.
“We’ll see about that,” Beck said, because honestly, what elsecouldhe say? He turned to Paige, oozing charm and contrition in equal parts. “I’m sorry about tonight, Paige. Why don’t we go somewhere quieter for a cup of coffee? Let me make things up to you.”
Dear God, this man was as transparent as glass. Beck might have lost the courthouse deal, but he hadn’t given up hope on landing the Sparks Barbeque job.
Paige had obviously come to the same conclusion. “Nope. Three strikes, you’re out.”
Beck’s cheeks grew ruddy. “What’s that mean?”
“It means this is our third official shitty date. I don’t want to go out with you again. Lose my number.”
“But your dad— I mean, I…” The man was flustered, scrambling to save lost ground.
Paige didn’t give him the chance. She turned to Hudson instead. “Give me a ride home?”
Hudson grinned. “Always.”
Paige pulled a twenty out of her pocket and slapped it in Beck’s hand. “For the beer.” Then she slipped her hand in Hudson’s and the two of them walked out of Cruisers together.
The drive home was made in silence, as they listened to a country music station. Paige had looked tense when she’d walked into the bar with Beck, but now she was the picture of relaxed, softly humming along to the song, a smile on her lips.
When they pulled into her driveway, Hudson turned to her, intent on kissing her good night.
He pulled up short when her hand landed on his shoulder, holding him back.
Hudson sighed, bracing himself for the letdown.
It never came.
Instead, Paige smiled. “Come inside.”
Chapter Six
Paige led Hudson inside her house, though they didn’t make it any farther than the front door when he closed it behind him, flipped the lock, then pushed her against it.
Their gazes clashed and held. Just for a moment.
Paige had never felt such a powerful connection to another person as she did Hudson. Every bad memory of the boy he’d been vanished the second he lowered his head and kissed her.
Hudson pressed into her, and with the door at her back and him in front of her, Paige was enveloped by him in the most beautiful way.
She didn’t consider herself weak, and she’d never viewed herself as the type of person who needed someone to be happy or feel complete or anything like that. And while that still held true, she realized she’d also neverwantedsomeone either.
Not like she wanted him.
Hudson pushed her lips open, his tongue finding hers, tasting the faint hint of the beers they’d both had at the bar.
She wrapped her arms around his strong shoulders as his traveled to her waist. He pulled her blouse free from her jeans, his fingers grazing the bare skin beneath. Their lips parted and they shared a brief, sweet smile before his mouth decided to doa little exploring. He placed soft, warm kisses on her cheek, then the side of her neck, around her ear.
She tilted her head, closing her eyes, letting herself get lost in the pleasure.
Paige gripped his shoulders, then let her own hands slide lower. Like him, she wanted more.
