Page 10 of Forbidden Billionaire Next Door

The weather? While he isn't looking at me, my eyes run over his body. Not for the first time. His arm muscles are perfectly carved, relaxed, and outstretched pushing the stroller. I find myself wondering what they would look like if he had them wrapped around my waist while he pulls me onto his lap --- oh my goodness. Nope, no. Absolutely not having sex thoughts about a man while his kid is right there!

I clear my throat and roll my eyes at myself. Trying to erase those images. Friends, Gianna, make friends with your enemy.

Honestly, though, he doesn't seem to be anything like Daniel. So, does that make him my enemy? Daniel is wild. He loves to party. He loves to be the center of attention and will never, ever be caught dead living in the suburbs. Hudson is happy to live quietly here in a house with his little boy, just being a dad and working.

"Do you do anything fun, Hudson?" The silence gets weird, so I try talking again.

He looks offended. "Of course, I do!" I have yet to see him doing anything fun. He looks so serious even now on a stroll.

But he says no more than that. So, I push a little "Like?"

"My fun might not be your version of fun, Gianna. Although, you don't seem to be the type who goes out clubbing?" I have fun. How did he turn that on me?

"Oh, heavens no! I have had my fair share of nights out but these days I've learned that what really brings me joy is reading, good wine, and a few close friends --- over the fake charade of strangers you find in the party scene."

He grins "and midnight swims?" He did not!

I raise one eyebrow towards him. "Perhaps we do have a stalker out here after all."

Is he blushing? He looks so uncomfortable, and Hudson's eyes are looking everywhere but at me.

"You should try it sometime Hudson; let your hair down a little." The expression doesn't quite fit, and he runs his large hand through his close-cropped brown hair, chuckling deeply. The sound vibrates through me, and I find myself laughing with him.

"I don't let my hair down where people can observe and judge. My life doesn't allow for that, unfortunately." Must be shit having to keep your whole life picture perfect.

I shrug, "Well maybe it is time to stop worrying so much about what other people think?"

He shakes his head. "Look how well that lifestyle worked out for my brother." True, it has been a rather public scandal.

A hint of sadness touches his voice when he mentions Daniel and I can't help but feel that there is so much more to this man than I might have originally assumed on that first day I yelled at him in the driveway. Walking down these quiet streets with Hudson I cannot deny that he is absolutely nothing like Daniel. Oh, he is gorgeous, but not in the playboy kind of way. He is much more refined, mature, dignified, and distinguished. I laugh at my own thought.

No, they are not the same. Not in any way. In fact, compared to Daniel I guess the right word to describe Hudson would be boring.

How in the world do these two men have the same genetics.

"Let's stop here, Taylor loves this park. Do you want a coffee?" He gestures towards the little coffee stand at the entrance of the park.

"Oh. Sure, I'd love one."

With cappuccinos in hand, we stroll over to a bench next to the very fancy estate playground and Taylor is all but backflipping to get out of the stroller. "Ok little guy, give me a second." He squirms like a little worm.

"Please hold this. I need to release the beast." Hudson takes a quick sip of coffee before gesturing for me to take it from him. I laugh and murmur.

"I'd love to see you release your beast." The words are out of my mouth before I can filter them, and Hudson practically chokes on his coffee. Shit. I said it louder than I thought.

"Be careful what you wish for, little girl."

He raises an eyebrow at me, and that sexy corner smile is on his lips again. I shift in my seat, wondering what the hell I am doing, flirting with this man?

With Taylor out of his stroller and bolting towards the sandpit, a small plastic dinosaur in his grip, Hudson sits down next to me. His leg against mine even though there is plenty of space on the bench to not be that close.

He doesn't seem to notice, or he is playing casual, but I can feel the electricity between the fabric of our clothes, and I wonder what it would be like to be running my hands over his muscular thighs.

Closing my eyes, I sip my coffee. Filter your thoughts, Gianna! This is not the plan you had in mind when you set out to make friends with Hudson Drake.

We sit watching Taylor play. He is such an energetic and happy kid. I find myself smiling and enjoying the comfortable silence of being here next to Hudson. But at the same time, this intense electricity between us keeps interrupting my thoughts. I wonder if I am the only one who feels it?

CHAPTER6

---