Page 33 of Worth the Risk

I wrap my arms tighter around her, as her answer is good enough for now. “Listen, with summer training coming up, I won’t be in the city, as the training facility isn’t far from here. Will you come back?”

Piper moves to angle her body to look at me. There’s a look that I can only describe as vulnerability on her face. “You want me to come back?”

“Have I done anything to you in the last 48 hours that says differently?”

She licks her lips. “You have been a perfect host. But coming back… I have no clue what we’re doing,” she states.

“Getting to know one another. Not trying to run away from this chemistry between us Enjoying the view. The list goes on,” I assure her.

The corner of her mouth tugs into a soft smile. Clearly, she likes my answer.

“Can we talk about the topic you kind of brushed under the rug?” she asks.

“Which is?” I take another sip of my coffee then set it to the side table.

“April.”

I tip my nose up in recognition then sigh. “You know, I always tell my son that it’s only complicated if you make it complicated. As I said, she’s a big girl, but I think you’re closer with my niece than I am with her. I love the kid, and I’m happy she asked me to walk her down the aisle, but I don’t see her as much as I used to. I would like to think she would find the coincidence of our meeting charming.”

Piper subtly shakes her head. “That’s not April. Besides, I’m not sure what we would even tell her because I have no idea what we’re doing, but not telling her seems like a lie too. There is no win, but I know she will be mortified when she learns you’re the mystery guy, considering what I told her. I just don’t want to take away from her moment of happiness with her engagement. Actually, I just don’t want to lose a friend, and this could be a one-way ticket to that.”

I lean back on the chair and take Piper with me. “Okay.” I hear defeat in my tone.

“Okay?”

“You said it yourself that you’re not sure what we’re doing.” There is a tinge of annoyance in my tone and not because of Piper, but at myself, because I don’t have a clear answer either, other than I’m completely infatuated.

“This may implode one day, Hudson, but I don’t want that to happen right now,” she adds.

I blow out a breath. “Imaybesee your point. By the way, my son kind of knows.”

Piper immediately comes up to sitting and presses her hand against my chest. “What?!”

I laugh at her facial expression. “Drew isn’t April. We have an unusual relationship, we talk about things, and when you decided to call me, he was there, so I explained.”

“Which details?” She seems concerned.

“Who you are. But don’t worry, he’ll only tell his wife.”

“You’re crazy, Hudson.” Now she seems entertained.

I take the mug of coffee from her hand so we have nothing blocking our ability to touch. “Listen, you’re right, and we’ll keep our secret… for now.” I slide my fingers through her hair until I’m holding her head firmly in place. “As much as I love the idea of this place being our hideaway from the world, eventually, if this thing between us is something more, then it will come out.”

And I hope she can handle that because I see something unrecognizable in her eyes.

“Tell me you’ll come back next week?” I feel almost desperation inside of me. I need more of her.

She nuzzles her cheek against my wrist. “I think… I can make that happen.”

“Can and want are two different things,” I inform her.

The corner of her mouth curves. “I maybe shouldn’t, but I can’t seem to say no… I want it to happen.”

That was the answer I needed, and I cover her lips with my own in a demanding kiss.

“I have a week then to decide what I’m going to do with you next time,” I confirm just as I slide my hand up under the fabric of her shirt.

11

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