Chapter 9 Hudson
HUDSON
Imessage Marcus to let him know we got here okay, and he messages back immediately.
You like the place?
The fucker knew there was only one bed, and he didn’t tell me. Not to mention the hot tub. He sent me to the world’s most romantic spot with a beautiful woman and nothing to do.
I respond.
It will do.
I don’t know what it was that made me want to help Willow.
It was impulsive and probably stupid, but I couldn’t let her do it on her own.
Joel can handle things at the center, and Paige is fine without me now that she has Ryan.
I suppose the thrill of a mission was too good to turn down.
Or was it the sarcastic smile and fiery eyes of the woman in danger?
She was going to go off on her own if I didn’t help her, and I admire her spirit.
I reassure myself it'll only be for a night or two and ignore the anticipation crawling through my veins.
My focus should be on getting the heat off Willow, finding her brother, and figuring out how to deal with the Street Kings gang. We need to make them understand that Willow and her brother are no longer in their debt.
But until then, we’re stuck here together.
Marcus told me this place is rented out over the summer. A retreat for two. But at this time of year, the daylight fades early, and a chill has set in. If I’m going to make Willow comfortable, I need to get the fire going.
There’s a small supply of logs in the woodshed that should be enough for tonight. I start a fire in the grate, and it sparks to life, bathing the room in an orange glow.
Willow perches on the couch with her feet tucked up as she worries the ends of her nails. She’s taking all of this in stride, but it can’t be easy.
“Do you want to check your emails?” I bring the laptop over and drop it next to her. “The Wi-Fi is connected.”
She opens it eagerly and navigates to her email. I stoke the fire, pretending not to watch her, but I can’t miss the disappointment that crosses her face.
“No news?”
She closes the laptop. “Nothing.”
Though it’d be good to get some sign from her brother, Marcus is tracking him and trying to find out if the Kings know where he is or if he’s just gone off-grid.
“We’ll find him,” I reassure her. “Marcus is on the trail.”
She gives me a thin smile, and I hate to see her like this.
After taking the seat beside her on the couch, I slide the laptop off her lap. Our fingertips brush, and energy sings between us. Our eyes lock, and we gaze at each other. This close, I notice the different shades of blue in her eyes, like the mountain skies during a storm.
“Thank you,” she says quietly.
I take my hand away. I’m not here to notice her eyes; I’m here to keep her safe. To stop her from doing something stupid and reckless and getting herself into more trouble.
But that’s not all of it. I’m here because there was no other choice. I’m drawn to Willow, like the damn paint is drawn to her fingertips. If I’m honest with myself, I’m here because I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.