I think I love you, Hudson? Is that what you want her to say?
My chest squeezes. No one falls in love so quickly, but that’s exactly what a part of me wants. The part that doesn’t care my job puts me at risk every day. The part that doesn’t remember watching my mother’s grief over Dad’s death. The part that doesn’t remember almost being destroyed by it.
Thatpart of me. The part that swore I’d never do that to someone. Never put them through that pain. That love wasn’t for me.
The terrified part.
“The perfect team,” she murmurs back as my cock finally slips from her. She rolls onto her side, wriggling her arse. “Wanna see if we make the perfect spoon as well?”
Heart hammering, my breath falling from me a low chuckle, I lower myself to my side and snuggle her into my body.
We do.
“The perfect spoon,” I whisper against the back of her neck, tugging her closer.
What the hell do I do now?
Be scared and alone forever? Or face your fear like you would a fire?
I don’t know. I don’t fucking know.
Chapter Nine
Iris
Something wet and warm slides over my cheek as something warm and bright washes my face.
Archie.
Sun.
Scrunching up my face, I wave my arm in languid flaps. “S’okay, Arch,” I mumble.
Behind my ear, someone lets out a low snoring grunt at the exact moment my brain registers the warm, rugged, naked body spooning me from behind.
The perfect spoon…
My heart smashes up into my throat, and I open my eyes to squint up at Archie. He’s standing on the floor at my head and gives me a doggy grin, tail wagging.
You had wild monkey sex with Hudson last night. Oh boy.
Behind me, Hudson makes a soft, sleepy sound—part breath, part mumble—and rolls over. His butt rubs against mine, as if to remind me how incredible it is.
Liquid lust pours through me, a carnal, base response to the highly intimate contact, and a whimper of need falls from me. No louder than a breath.
Archie tilts his head, watching me.
Okay, time to move.
If I stay here, I’ll roll over and turn myself into the big spoon. And if I do that, I may as well open my chest and give Hudson McKinney my heart. Surviving the one-night stand is already going to be tricky. Cuddling after? I’d have no hope.
Ha. You fell in love with him the second he did the Batman dance. Admit it.
I did. And I don’t know what to do about it.
Tell him?
No. That’s lunacy. He’d laugh. Or think I was crazy.
