Chapter 17
The next evening, Hudson gripped a large suitcase in each hand, the pink looking almost comical given his gruff looks and muscled body. Briefly, Layton’s mind flashed back to his big hand on her pink panties that night they slept together. It was a random thought, and Layton blushed, glad he couldn’t see her face as he walked in front of her. She’d replayed that entire night a million times in her mind, not that she’d ever admit that to him.
Hudson’s gaze swung back to her. “What?” she asked. He obviously couldn’t have known what was on her mind, but she was embarrassed to even be having those thoughts.
They were…friends. More than friends, but definitely, absolutely not together.
Pregnancy was making her hormones surge, and that’s all that this was. She was fine. She could live with Hudson for a week or two and not want to jump his bones. He was an attractive man, and her body was responding accordingly. She was thankful that Caroline would be staying here, too. That thought alone was like a splash of cold water on her overheated body. They certainly wouldn’t be having wild, crazy sex all over Hudson’s home with a four-year-old around.
Hudson looked at her quizzically. “I was just making sure you didn’t try to carry anything in. I’ll handle it.”
“Yes, sir,” she joked, and Hudson’s eyes flared. He’d clearly enjoyed being in control that night on the beach. Not that they’d be having a repeat of it now. She cleared her throat. “Caroline was thrilled that Em and Aaron took her out to dinner tonight. Knowing my sister, she’ll load her up on ice cream afterward.”
Hudson shook his head. “She’s a cute kid. How could anyone resist?”
Layton stopped beside him on the front porch of his small home, her purse swinging from where it hung on her shoulder. She’d worn a sundress, which wasn’t exactly going to deter Hudson from checking her out. Not that she minded. Layton found she enjoyed his eyes on her a little too much.
Hudson towered above her, and he shifted the suitcases to give her more space at his side. “It kind of feels like we’ve done this before,” he quipped, his voice low and husky.
“Yeah. I was just thinking the same thing.”
“Never thought you’d be my moving partner-in-crime, princess. Should I offer our services to some of the guys from base next time they need to move?”
“Only if you do all the heavy lifting.”
He chuckled. “You don’t seem to mind watching me,” he teased. “I noticed that day we moved Emersyn in that you were checking me out.”
“That’s what got us into trouble in the first place,” she said lightly, gesturing toward her stomach. “We’ll have to be good this time around.”
“Dunno. You can’t get pregnant again. Maybe we should give it a go,” he teased, those dark eyes sparkling with mischief.
“Hudson.”
“Just so you know, I’d never turn you down. I can, however, be a gentleman and keep my hands to myself if that’s what you prefer.”
“It’s safer that way,” she said, her voice wavering.
Hudson’s gaze softened. “You’re safe with me. Maybe you don’t believe that yet, but I’m hoping you’ll give me a shot. We are, after all, having a baby together.” He slid the key into the lock, turning the knob. “I’ll give you a spare key. Unless you want lockbox access,” he joked.
“Very funny. I’m actually starting at my new office tomorrow.”
“I know. Aaron mentioned it to me earlier. I’m impressed you moved to Hawaii and are already off and running.”
She shrugged, walking into his home as he gestured for her to go first. “It’s not like I had a choice, right? Someone’s gotta pay the bills, and Caroline’s a bit young to work.” Hudson frowned, and she shot him another exasperated look. “I’m joking! I love my job in real estate. Usually, homeowners are so excited to buy a new home, and I get to be there for that.”
“Usually?” he asked, setting both suitcases down.
“Well, sometimes when I’m the selling agent, the person is sad to be moving. They might have a lot of memories there or else be leaving because they need to downsize. Moving by choice is different than being forced to leave.”
Hudson was silent, and a feeling of alarm washed over her. “Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to bring up how you had to move a lot. It’s just, I deal with all sorts of people and—”
“It’s fine.”
“It’s not,” she said, and Hudson’s eyes grew warm. He looked concerned that she was upset and rambling on.
“Hey.” He moved closer to her, getting into her personal space and brushing back a strand of her hair. “People move all the time. Plenty of military families PCS every couple of years without having a choice in the matter. I get it.”
“You won’t have to PCS though, right?”
“Why? Would you miss me?” She grew flustered, and Hudson suddenly caught her in his arms, those big hands landing on her hips. Her body warmed, loving the feel of his hands on her. “I’m just teasing you, princess. It’s unlikely they’d ship me somewhere else. Deploy? Yes. But move? Nah. Now, I won’t be a SEAL forever, so that could change things. I wouldn’t just abandon my kid though. Or you,” he added, playfully touching one finger to the tip of her nose.
“Hudson.”
He smiled as he released her. That such a big guy could be so playful sometimes caught her off guard. He had a gruff looking demeanor, but Layton knew he also had a heart of gold. Most people probably wouldn’t see that, because Layton didn’t think he let a lot of people in. Somehow, they got one another, different as though they may be. “Bedrooms are down the hall,” Hudson said. “Living room. Kitchen. Little patio out back. The house is small but private. I got tired of apartment life.”
“Can’t say I blame you.” She looked around. It was a typical bachelor pad, but with large windows so you could see the palm trees and landscaping outside. It suited him somehow. It just felt…cozy. Safe.
“What time are they bringing Caroline by?”
“In another hour or so. I figured it was best to settle in and…talk.”
He sucked in a breath. “Yeah. Probably so. You basically just landed, but we’ve got a lot going on. Do we need to buy baby stuff? Make doctor appointments? I should figure out benefits and everything with work.”
“Um, wow.” She blinked, feeling overwhelmed.
“Shit. Come sit down,” he said, taking her hand and guiding her into his kitchen. “I stocked up on saltines and ginger ale for you.”
Layton sank down into a chair as Hudson got her some food. The entire scene felt so damn domestic. “What do your teammates think of my temporarily moving in here?”
Hudson shrugged. “They weren’t too surprised. I mean—we are having a kid together.”
“When did you tell them I was pregnant?”
“Well, I’m ashamed to say that Aaron told the guys. I was—well, it took me a bit to get used to the idea. Hey. Why the tears?” he asked, coming to crouch beside her.
“I don’t like feeling like I was your dirty little secret—like you didn’t want to acknowledge that we’d slept together.”
“Princess,” he said, shushing her. “I would shout from the rooftops that I’d been with you. You’re fucking amazing. Perfect,” he assured her. “I’m not really the kind of guy to kiss and tell, so they were surprised we’d even been together that way.”
She nodded, swiping away a tear. “Emersyn, too,” she admitted. “She had no idea anything between us had happened.”
Hudson looked at the clock on the stove and then back at her. “Why don’t we go over a few things now while it’s quiet. Caroline’s a cute kid, but I’m guessing we can’t discuss everything in front of her. Does she know about the baby?”
“Yes, but she doesn’t totally understand. It’ll seem more real when I’m further along.”
Hudson’s gaze ran over her, taking in the swell of her breasts. The dress flowed over her belly, but there was no bump yet. His eyes grew hot as he looked at her. “What?” she asked, flushing.
“You’re beautiful,” he said. He caught her hand in his, his thumb lightly caressing her skin. Hudson cleared his throat and stood, trying to get his mind on the task at hand. “How about we go over that stuff now.”