Chapter 18
Chapter Eighteen
ADDY
R uby stands at the white gate, Reed behind her. She is practically buzzing. Fairy lights, fire torches, and party decorations are strung around the homestead yard. I kill the engine and jump out, carefully lifting the cake box from the back seat and making my way to the gate.
“Ruby, this is beautiful.”
It really is—it’s like a wonderland. All themed in the aspects Louisa told us about the night we stayed for dinner. Every old oak and willow has twinkly lights wound up the trunk and around the branches, illuminating the old trees. I wonder which one of the brothers was sent up the trees for that task. Knowing Rubes, probably all three of them.
Hudson stands by the grill with a guy that has to be Lawson. They’re so similar. Okay, four of them into the trees, then. The same brown hair, broad shoulders—even their stance matches. The only difference is the clothes. No Wranglers on this one. Levi’s and a button-down charcoal shirt, sleeves rolled up to his elbows. He laughs at something Hudson says, sipping a beer.
Hudson.
My stomach flips.
Reed is grinning from ear to ear, his blue eyes full of excitement. He rests his chin on Ruby’s head, slouching so his arms dangle at her sides like a total goof. If I’m not careful, my spot as her best friend might be up for assessment with this new contender. He shifts his head to her side and whispers something to her. She slaps the side of his head, like you would a sibling. He winces, chuckling, and rubs his head, glancing sideways at her with narrowed eyes before opening the gate for me.
“Keep your comments to yourself, Reedsy.” She scoffs.
Reedsy . Okay, that’s new. In my hands is the birthday cake. One enormous yellow cake box. And if I drop this, I might crawl in a hole and wish for death. And when Reed takes it from my hands, I sag with relief. The breeze is cooler than a few days ago when I was out here. The pale blue boho dress I chose for the party tangles around my legs. The cinched waist and sweetheart neckline mold to my curves well, and it has pockets, but now I am regretting not bringing a cardigan. Or a jacket.
My phone buzzes, and I slip it out of my pocket, glancing at the message. Adam. Again. He got a burner phone just to piss me off? I lock the screen, ignoring him, and slide the phone back into my pocket. I wish he would give up.
I push through the gate and wander around the yard, taking in the decorations, before making my way to the kitchen to find Louisa. I have a small gift for her. A bracelet with a ship’s wheel and a few other nautical charms, her four boys’ names on a charm each, and behind the wheel charm is Harry’s.
I hope she gets a chance to wear it. This family is so close. And it’s something so precious. Something I wish for myself one day. The kitchen is buzzing with women, most of whom I don’t recognize, preparing dishes, chatting, and pouring wine. Louisa stands by the kitchen table with Ruby.
“Addy! Come here, sweetheart,” she calls out.
I close the space and fold her in a tight hug before handing her the small ribbon-adorned box. “Happy birthday, Louisa.”
“Oh, honey, you shouldn’t have!”
I beam at her. “I really, really wanted to.”
Shaking her head as emotion fills her eyes, she gently removes the bow and lifts the lid. When she takes out the bracelet and turns it over, a sob chokes her, and she slaps a hand over her mouth. Hudson and Lawson peer through the door, checking on the noise, beers still in their hands.
Louisa’s silver-lined eyes find mine. “Addy, I don’t know what to say...”
I try to respond but the words are lodged in my throat. Hudson walks over, studying the bracelet. Ruby beams at him and glances to me.
“Nice work, Howard.”
I scoff a laugh. “Thanks, Huddy.”
Louisa’s eyes widen as she glances between Hudson and me. She clears her throat. “Her name is Addy, Hudson Andrew Rawlins.”
He walks away, taking a sip of his beer before looking over his shoulder. “I know, Ma.” The cheekiness that lights up his face has Ruby and Louisa gaping.
“Where does a girl need to go to find some wine around here?” I ask, hoping both women will snap their mouths closed and forget that look he gave us.
“I can set you up, Adds. Follow me,” Ruby says, taking my arm.
I am dragged into the heart of the kitchen, to where the wine fridge is packed full. She opens the door and grabs a sparkling white before uncorking it and grabbing two glasses. The girl appears to know her way around this kitchen better than I do. But I guess she has been here all day setting up, organizing, etc. Reed appears by her side like he has been doing for the past week, and she glances up at him. “You need another beer, Reedsy?”
“Nope. Addy, Lawson wants to meet you.”
“Oh, sure. I was getting there, I promise, but I wanted to see your ma first.”
Reed glances to where a gathering has now blossomed around Louisa. She is holding up the bracelet. I guess she likes it.
“I’ll be out in a sec,” I tell him.
He pats the counter, glancing at Ruby’s back as she sorts through the cupboard, trying to find what, I don’t know. He turns and walks back to his brothers. I haven’t seen Mack yet, or Harry, come to think of it...
Curious.
I sip the wine. Cold and refreshing. I press a hand to Ruby’s arm. “See you out there, hey.”
“I’ll be out in a bit; hors d’oeuvres start soon.”
I wander to the patio door. Hudson is flipping steaks on the grill. Reed has turned toward the yard, chatting to some more people who are only now arriving. Hudson is wearing a navy button-down shirt, sleeves rolled up to his elbows like his brothers. His hair is neat and his face freshly shaved. God, he is gorgeous. He looks up and drops the tongs on the side of the grill.
“Lawson, this is Dr. Howard. Our new vet.”
My mouth gapes a little, and a gigantic smile cracks over his face. “Laws, this is Addy.”
I choke out a laugh. Lawson holds out a hand, formal, dry. Still not sure if this is part of the joke, I raise a hand and slip it into his. He tugs me into a hug. “Hey, Addy.”
When he releases me, I am all warmth, and Hudson’s eyes are lit with so much adoration that my throat closes over.
“Thanks for putting a smile on the cranky asshole’s face.”
“Whose, Harry’s?”
Lawson howls a laugh, throwing his head back. “I like this one, Huddo. She’s a keeper.”
Hudson smiles and gives me a wink before Lawson grabs my hand and drags me away to meet more people. I turn back. Hudson is watching us. A steak flares behind him, and he curses under his breath and turns back. I am swallowed by family and friends and introduced as Hudson’s friend to anyone who will listen. No mention of being the vet. Of being a short-term member of the community. Not some city girl who will go back to where she came from when her time is up.
When we run out of people to talk to and my stomach rumbles, Lawson grabs a platter and ushers me to a bench seat. We sit quietly for a moment as people mingle, laugh, and chat, and the sun disappears completely. Hudson has left the grill and gone inside.
“Which part of the Big Apple are you in?” Lawson asks.
“Northern outskirts, actually.”
“I’m Long Island. It’s another world entirely.”
“Isn’t it.”
“You been there?”
“Yeah, my old boss has a house out there. Montauk.”
“Oh yeah, the beach.”
“It’s fine. But I think your parents have the better spot.”
“It sure is pretty out here.”
“Do you miss it? All the mountains, open spaces, and slower-paced life?”
“Is this your way of asking me if you’re gonna miss the city lights, constant smog, and rat race?”
“What, no—I mean . . . ”
“Relax, Addy, it’s all good. Whatever you decide will be fine by this family. My father may come off as a harsh man, but he always does what’s best for his family.”
I frown. I’m confused.
“Huddo told me what Harry said about you guys...”
“What?”
Lawson’s face slackens. “Fuck. Shit, I’m sorry. I thought that dipshit would have told you.”
“Told me what, Lawson?”
“It’s not my place to say if Huddo hasn’t told you, Addy.”
What isn’t he telling me? I don’t understand what Harry has to do with what happens between Hudson and me. Lawson runs a hand through that perfect hair, messing it up. He looks as stressed out as I feel. The phone in my pocket vibrates.
“Adds, I think your creep of a boss is here.” - Ruby.
Shit.
Could this get any worse? Breathe, just breathe. It’s fine. Whatever is going on between Hudson and his father, I am sure he will tell me when the time is right.
I take three calming breaths and stand. “I should go help Ruby out.”
“Sorry, Addy.”
God, all these boys are so different, but all such sweethearts. Reed the joker, Mack the everyman, Hudson the grumpy protector, and Lawson the brains. Louisa and Harry did good.
Ruby meets me halfway across the yard. She tilts her head to the side, and I track my gaze to where she nods. Justin stands with Harry. They are talking. Justin is dressed up like a cowboy—pale blue Wranglers, a darker blue shirt, and a white hat. It’s ridiculous. Everything about him gives me the icks.
Hudson walks out of the house, looking around the crowd. And when his eyes land on mine I give him a little wave and smile. Reed is fussing with the speakers and a stereo. There’s a squawk and crackle and slow country music starts up.
“Oh, that’s my cue. Sorry, Adds. Stick with Hudson, babes.”
“It’s fine. I can handle Justin.”
She kisses my cheek, and Hudson comes to stand by my side. He leans down and his hand lands on the small of my back. “Hey, Addy.”
He smells divine. All masculine and crisp. His aftershave is addictive.
“Hey, Huddy,” I rasp.
“Your boss invited himself.”
“That’s not the real Justin. That”—I wave a palm toward my boss—“is some cowboy Ken doll.”
Hudson pulls me a little closer. Harry glances in our direction and Hudson’s hold fades, his hand slipping. Hudson’s face is pulled between staring at his father and something pained. When Harry looks back to Cowboy Ken, Hudson pulls me along by the hand and into the house.
We wander into his room, and he shuts the door. His hands are on my face a heartbeat later, his mouth over mine. I don’t even hesitate. I couldn’t even if I wanted to. This thing between us has a life of its own. Like the two of us are only along for the ride. The insane chemistry pulls and pushes before smashing us together. I grip his shirt, walking my fingers up to his collar, letting them wander over his throat and into his hair. He groans.
“We should be at the party, Huddy.”
“We will, in a bit. I have missed you, beautiful.”
Well, when he puts it like that . . .
I slam my mouth to his. He picks me up, dropping me on his waist. I push and pull my fingers through his hair, thoroughly messing it up. He deepens the kiss, and I open for him. His tongue meets mine. I whimper. He spins and locks the door before walking to the bed and sitting on the end. I settle over his lap, and his mouth finds my neck.
“God above, Huddy. Look at you.”
He chuckles against my neck, and heat floods to my core. His hands cup each breast before he tugs the dress and bra down and they spill into his hands. I arch my back, and he claims what I offer up, teeth snatching up a nipple. I stifle the moan that rushes up my throat. His cock is rock hard underneath me. I wiggle and he groans. “You want me to ruin this pretty dress, sweet girl?”
I’m almost breathless.
Fire has consumed every inch of me. Desperation is taking over my mind, traveling through my body.
When his hand traces the inside of my thigh, my breathing shatters. He slips my panties to one side and sinks a finger inside me, rubbing his thumb over my throbbing clit. I grip his face with both hands, kissing him hard. He opens for me and my heart almost cracks. Now hungry and insatiable, I taste him.
Tracing a thumb over my nipple, he breaks from the kiss. “Addy, come for me. I wanna see that beautiful face of yours turn desperate. It’s my favorite fucking thing.” His voice is gravel.
And I desperately need to give him what he wants. Whatever he wants. He drops his mouth to my breast, flicking his tongue over the hard peak before sucking it. He releases it with a pop. I cry out. He smiles and gently puts a hand over my mouth. I grab it and suck his fingers, closing my eyes.
“Jesus, Addy,” he rasps.
“Huddy, I’m going to?—”
“Good girl. Let me watch you.”
He intensifies the movements of his fingers, sweeping his thumb over my clit. He kisses my neck, and when I release the first whimper as I constrict around his fingers, his heated gaze finds mine. Whimpers turn to moans and his hand readjusts over my mouth.
God, all I want to do is eat him.
Starting with his long, strong fingers and making my way to the head of his gorgeous hard cock. Oh god. I ride out the waves of one of the most intense orgasms I’ve ever had. When I settle and my breathing slows, he adjusts the top of my dress. He kisses my nose, planting one on my lips before he withdraws his hand from my panties. I gasp and he smiles. I shuffle off his lap and sink to my knees, very much wanting to repay the favor. He sucks his fingers clean before offering his other hand to me.
“Come on, Ma will be waiting for us to start the food.”
“Are you going out to the party with that?” I nod to the enormous bulge in his jeans. “I can take care of that.”
“I know you can, Addy. But I got what I wanted.” He tugs me to my feet and traces a hand over my cheek. “Come on, let’s wash up and get back out there.”
We walk down the hallway to the bathroom. Hudson washes his hands and fixes his messy hair. I stare at him in the mirror. At the two of us. And when I find his blue eyes, my gut flips, my heart aches, and tears burn. He dots a kiss to my head and walks out. My chest caves as I realize I am completely and irrevocably in love with Hudson Rawlins.
Eyes falling shut, I grip the edge of the sink and fight back the tears that swell. In a few short months, I will have to leave him and all this behind. I give myself exactly five minutes to have a pity party before I pull my big-girl pants on and go back to the actual party. Tonight is about Louisa.
Happiness, Addy. Radiate goddamn happiness.
For Louisa’s sake.
Absentmindedly, I make my way back to the yard for the meal. Everyone is mulling around the long tables, finding seats. I find Ruby and Reed and they point me to the other end of the table where Hudson stands waiting, a chair pulled out. Harry’s stern focus tracks me as I walk to where Hudson stands.
“Sit with me, Howard.”
I smile at him and drop into the seat, rising slightly as he lifts it and edges it toward the table. Mack is opposite me at the table. “Where have you been?” I ask.
He pulls an innocent face and tilts his head to Louisa, who sits by Harry a few seats down. Secret, right. My lips are sealed. I purse my lips and pretend to lock a key and throw it away over my shoulder. Now I am intrigued.
Mack smiles. “You got it, Addy. Just wait.”