Chapter 3
Layton slipped down the hallway into the guestroom of her sister’s new apartment, smiling. Em might’ve just moved to sunny Hawaii, but it seemed her sister’s new life was off to a spectacular start. She’d barely just arrived but already had a hunky Navy SEAL rushing over to see her before he deployed on an op.
Ah. If only Layton’s own life was that simple. Imagine jetting off across the Pacific to a new job and new apartment without so much as a care in the world.
Smiling wistfully, she swiped the screen on her phone and scanned through some of the pictures. It was bittersweet to look at them. She loved seeing her daughter’s smiling face, but then she missed her like crazy, the pit in her stomach growing. She was lonely without her daughter. Besides that, dealing with her ex-husband would always be a colossal nightmare, at least until Caroline was eighteen. Layton would never have the freedom to move where she wanted, starting over somewhere new. She couldn’t even decide for herself what was best for her child. Not when she shared joint custody with a tiny dick narcissist.
She snorted.
Things had certainly been lacking in the bedroom with her ex, but she hadn’t exactly had time for new dating ventures either after the divorce. She clicked on her text messages. Briefly, her thumb hovered over Hudson’s name. Surely, he was busy packing right about now. Would he text her to say goodbye?
Her phone buzzed at that moment, and she smiled as Hudson’s name flashed on the screen. It was silly to feel butterflies in her stomach, but she couldn’t deny that he made her feel alive in a way she hadn’t in a long time.
Hudson: Bad news. The guys and I are going wheels up in the morning.
Layton: I heard. What about you promising to let me try out your big, comfy bed? ;)
Hudson: Saturday is officially out of the equation, but my bed is just as comfortable tonight, princess.
Layton: Don’t you have to pack? Get a good night’s sleep?
Hudson: I have time for some cardio… ;)
Hudson: I’d planned to take you to dinner, princess, not make a booty call.
Hudson: But damn if you don’t have a delicious looking booty.
Her cheeks flamed and hands trembled as she texted him back.
Layton: Hudson.
Hudson: I can already see you blushing.
She startled, nearly dropping her phone as it buzzed, and then Hudson’s deep voice was coming over the line. “Hey there. I am sorry about having to cancel this weekend. I assumed you’d hear the news from Emersyn, but I wouldn’t ghost you.”
“Aaron just came over to say goodbye to my sister,” she admitted, glancing at her closed door. “I disappeared into the guest room to give them a little alone time.”
“Doesn’t surprise me at all that he’s there,” Hudson said with a low chuckle. “When we briefed with our CO, he wasn’t happy.”
“I thought I’d get to see you again,” she said softly.
“Me too, princess. Did you eat yet?”
“Hours ago,” she admitted.
“I figured.” He cleared his throat. “I could swing by later to say goodbye in person. I know it’s late, but maybe we could grab a quick drink.”
“Yeah?”
“Absolutely. Your sister’s place actually isn’t too far from me. I rent a home that’s only about ten minutes away. I need to gather up some of my gear so I’m ready to roll out in the morning, but what do you say I come by in an hour?”
“I’d like that.”
“Then I’ll see you soon.”
***
An hour later, Layton was opening the door of her sister’s apartment, suddenly feeling shy. Hudson stood there in cargo pants and a dark tee shirt, freshly showered. He smelled of pine again, clean and woodsy and oh-so-yummy. His gaze was dark as it flickered over her, taking in her floral, strappy sundress and moving down her bare legs. She had no idea where he wanted to grab drinks, but she was ready to throw her cares to the wind and simply live in the moment.
Hudson grinned as he took her hand. “I feel like I’m sneaking out,” Layton said with a giggle as the door closed behind them.
“Why’s that?” he asked, looking amused.
“Emersyn’s already in bed. The change of time zones is throwing us off,” Layton admitted.
“Yeah, I get that. Thankfully, I’ll have some time to crash on the C-17 tomorrow. I’m changing time zones, too,” he quipped.
“I guess you can’t tell me where you’re going.”
“Nope, and it’s not because I don’t trust you,” Hudson assured her, his gaze serious. “It’s classified, but it’s for your safety as well. If our enemies thought that military families or friends knew all the details of our missions, you’d be in jeopardy.”
She shuddered.
“Don’t worry,” he assured her. “We’re highly trained, and you’re safe here. I’d never do anything to put you or your sister at risk. This feels like déjà vu,” Hudson said as they got in the elevator, clearly trying to lighten the mood. “I’m a little bummed you don’t live here. I don’t really have time to date much, but I’d have changed my ways for you.”
She huffed out a laugh. “You’re a sweet talker. What ways are those exactly?”
His eyes danced with amusement, and he flashed her a boyish grin. “Maybe I just know what I like and what I don’t.” They exchanged a look. “I definitely like what I see right now. You look beautiful.”
“Thank you. And I get what you’re saying. Who knows what would’ve happened if I’d been the sister moving to Oahu? Emersyn and Aaron will have to live out that fairytale. I’m up for a quick drink though before you have to deploy, sailor.”
He chuckled, the low and husky sound doing something funny to her insides.
“What would you say if I told you I had a better idea about where we can grab a drink than at a local bar?”
“Don’t say your bed.”
Hudson’s laughter filled the elevator, and he flashed her a knowing look. “Good idea, but no. I grabbed an ice-cold six-pack from my fridge, and it’s sitting in my trunk right now. If you’re more of a wine girl, we can swing by a store real quick and grab a bottle. I thought we can hit up a secluded little beach and watch the waves crash in the moonlight. I’ll get you home before midnight,” he promised with a wink.
“Sounds perfect,” she said. “And I’m more than okay with a beer.”
“Awesome.” He lifted her hand to his mouth and pressed his lips to her skin, his stubble tickling her. She shivered, imagining that roughness on her neck. Between her thighs. “By the way, I texted my team leader Wyatt to let him know I was with you tonight. Since we’re deploying in a matter of hours, I wanted to let him know I might be out of touch with cell reception on the beach.”
“Are you sure you shouldn’t be getting ready or something?” she asked as they got off the elevator. “Aaron came by and disappeared.”
Hudson lifted a shoulder. “This might be my only chance to see you, and I intend to make it count.”