His answer is to place his hand on the small of my back and lead me outside to his truck. I pretend his touch doesn’t bother me. Like the heat from the palm of his hand isn’t seeping through the fabric of my thin shirt and burning my skin. I’m doing great until we reach the door of his truck. He opens said door for me, and before I know what’s happening, his hands are on my hips, and he’s lifting me inside. He leans over me and straps my seat belt.
It’s on the tip of my tongue to tell him I’m buzzed and still capable of climbing into vehicles and strapping my own damn seat belt, but that would mean I’d lose him being this close. I’d lose his hands on my body, and yeah, call me a glutton for punishment, because I keep my mouth shut.
CHAPTER 4
Hudson
I grip the steering wheel as I wait for the light to turn green. Out of the corner of my eye, I glance at Riley. She’s resting her head back against the seat, her eyes on me. “You doing okay?” I want to reach over and pull her close, or maybe rest my hand on her thigh. Having her this close and not having her is torture.
“Just dandy.” She grins. “I could have walked home.” She’s a little giddy from the alcohol and so fucking gorgeous she takes my breath away.
“Yeah,” I agree. “But it’s late, and why should you walk when I can drive you?”
“You’re a good man, Hudson Fleming.”
“You think so?”
“I know so.” This time her voice is soft and more in control.
“What time do you have to be in the shop tomorrow?”
“My first client is at nine.”
“That’s good. You get to sleep in a little.”
“Yeah,” she agrees.
I hate that the easy banter that’s usually between us is missing tonight. Something else resides in its place. Tension. It’s all on me. I’m fighting my attraction to her, and she can sense it. Maybe not that I’m fighting what I feel for her, but she can sense my change in mood. Maybe it’s that she’s chilled out with the alcohol running through her veins. Either way, it has me shifting in my seat and tightening my grip on the wheel.
“I really love the color of your eyes. Have I ever told you that?”
I swallow hard. “I think I’d remember that.”
“They’re crystal clear. I’ve never seen anything like them. They remind me of the ocean on those fancy resorts you see on TV.”
I chuckle at her description. “I get my eyes from my dad. All the Fleming men have them.” I glance over at her, and she points at me.
“Good genes.”
“Your eyes are beautiful.” The words are out of my mouth before I stop them.
“You like Raven’s eyes.”
“You have the same eyes, Riley.” What I don’t tell her is that hers always seem more vibrant to me. I’m pretty sure they’re exactly the same, and it’s just the effect that Riley has on me.
“Raven is your best friend.” Her tone tells me that she might not love the fact that I’m best friends with her twin sister.
“Does that bother you?”
“She got to you first.”
“What does that mean?” I pull up in front of her house and put the truck in park, turning to face her. Without thought, my hand darts across the console and finds its way to her cheek. “Tell me.” She leans into my touch, and I can’t help but wonder if this is it. Is this our moment? Can I finally make her mine?
“Thank you for the ride, Hudson.” She fumbles with her seat belt, and my hand falls from her cheek as she reaches for the door handle.
“Shit,” I mutter, reaching for my door and meeting her at the front of my truck.
“This isn’t a date. You don’t have to walk me.” She rushes up the sidewalk to her front porch.
I catch up with her easily enough and match her step for step as we climb onto the porch. “My momma would be pissed if I didn’t,” I finally reply.
“Well, you be sure to tell Janice I said you were a perfect gentleman.”
She mumbles something under her breath that I can’t quite decipher, and she struggles to punch in the code to unlock her door. Lucky for her, I installed this doorknob for her just like I did her sister’s, and I remember the code for emergency purposes, of course. I’d never abuse that.
“Let me get it,” I say, stepping up behind her and placing my hand on the small of her back. I reach around her with my free hand to punch in the code, and her breath hitches. I look down at the same time she peers up at me, and my eyes flash to her tongue that peeks out and licks her lips.
“Thank you.”
“Riley…” I want to kiss her so damn bad. My hand that’s resting on the small of her back pulls her into my chest. Her hands settle there, catching herself. I bend my head, and she stands on her tiptoes, meeting me halfway.
My heart thunders in my chest. This is it. This is our time. Fucking finally.
I move in just a fraction closer. She meets me, closing the distance, and my lips press to hers. My lips tingle as if I’ve been struck by electricity. My hands wrap around her waist, tugging her as close to my chest as I can get her. I want to get lost in her. I want to get lost in us.
However, instead of her body molding into mine like I imagined she would, her hands land on my chest as she pushes me away. Her chest rapidly rises and falls with each breath. I wait patiently as she starts to speak several times, quickly closing her mouth. “I-I can’t. I mean, we can’t I should go.” She pushes against my chest, and I drop my arms from around her waist, letting her back away.
“Riley?” My voice cracks. I thought she wanted this. She met me halfway. I thought Fuck. Did I just ruin any chance I have with her by mauling her while she was drunk?
“Thank you for the ride,” she whispers as she pushes the door that’s unlocked and cracked all the way open and steps inside. I open my mouth to speak. I’m not sure what exactly, but her words stop me. “Good night, Hudson. Drive safe.” With that, she closes the door in my face, and I’m standing here on her front porch like a fucking teenager in heat.
I was finally going to make my move, and she rejected me. I’d be lying if I said that didn’t hurt. The girl I’ve wanted for well… all my life is what it seems like, doesn’t want me back. I don’t know what to do with that. I stand stock-still, staring at her closed door for longer than I should. My heart that was just seconds ago beating with anticipation is now aching from doused hopes of what could have been.
I guess it’s better that I know before I let things get too far. Now I just need to figure out how to move on. How do I let go of Riley Burke when I see her every damn day?
It’s Sunday night, and I’m still thrown off balance from Riley’s brush-off. I’ve run the moment through my mind a thousand times. Raven is my best friend. I love her like a sister, but her sister, Riley, she’s so much more to me, and I don’t know how to face her now. Sure, she was drinking, but she wasn't drunk. It’s not like I was going to take advantage of her. Hell, I would have been happy with a quick peck, or maybe a hug. Anything more than that would have been a bonus, one I didn’t receive.