Page 13 of Worth the Risk

I walk a few strides in her direction, very well determined.

“Hudson, what in the wor—”

I grab her arm and spin her around until her ass rests against the edge of the sink vanity. Her eyes slowly skim up my body until our gaze is locked which only builds the connection between us. I slowly let her arm go, but only because I already know her body and feel like she’s comfortable enough to stay. Then I notice the hint of a smile on her lips, and I’m even more certain that this was the right move.

“Was your plan to hide away in here?” I grin.

She scoffs and looks away, only to return her line of sight to me with a warm smile breaking out on her lips. “If only that could work. But no, I just needed a few minutes to escape and come to grips with the fact that you’re April’s uncle and you are standing right in front of me.”

“How did that go for you?”

Piper smirks at me and folds her arms up over her chest, almost as if she’s settling in for a long conversation. “Admittedly… I may have searched your name on the internet for a good five minutes.”

I tip my head to the side, and I step closer. “Honesty, I would be concerned if you didn’t.”

She taps her matching peach-colored nails on her crossed arms. “So, Hudson Arrows.” She states my name in a tone that I recognize from her as thick with heat.

One step closer.

I’m already drowning in her presence.

“That would be me, Piper Dapper.” I return the tone.

Piper’s eyes survey me in curiosity to what I might do, and truthfully, all I want to do is run my hands all over her and play with that little bow tied under her breasts.

For a moment we both stand there, almost daring each other to make a move, until her lips part open again to speak. “We have ourselves a predicament.”

A sound of doubt escapes me. “Depends on if you grabbed that martini or not?”

She scoffs a laugh, but sadly breaks away from our little bubble and walks to the middle of the room. “Made it a double, to be honest. I can’t seem to wrap my head around this, except that April really can’t know, especially not now, as it’s her moment to shine.”

I purse my lips before cutting to the chase. “Listen, we don’t have time. My bribe with the lady outside only got us five minutes, and I think I’ve already used two to drink in the sight of you.”

“So, what will you do with the other three minutes?” I see the smile she is trying to control.

“Convince you to see me again, away from here.” I get to the point of the only thing that makes sense.

She smirks amusingly. “What makes you think I haven’t started seeing someone else since our night?” I give her wide knowing eyes, and her smirk falters. “There hasn’t been anyone.”

My lips twitch from pride that I was her last. “Likewise. Now, about getting away from here…”

Piper’s palm flies up to stop me. “The last thing we need is April seeing us leave together.”

My hands go into my pockets as the corner of my lips curve up into a grin. “Love that you’re thinking of what we could do tonight, but I meant something else.”

Her eyes narrow, and her attention perks up. “You barely know me, Hudson.”

“Debatable, as I know some aspects of you very well, but I want to talk to you some more.”

Her throat cracks a sound, but no words come out. I take this as my opportunity to lead, and I take a few steps closer to touch the sides of her arms. Our touch ignites a feeling inside of me that I’ve rarely felt in my life. An inconsolable need to possess something, an infatuation that feels like it’s leading me down a winding path.

“My son is getting married next week—”

“Son? The internet didn’t tell me that.”

I admire the view of my fingertips gliding along her bare arms as I say, “That’s because I only found out about him last year, and I’m doing my damnedest to keep him out of the press.”

“But you’re telling me.”

---