I helped myself to a bottle of Smithwicks I found. I’d noticed they’d stocked an assortment of Irish beer since my arrival, and it was one of the many little gestures that had made me feel quite welcome during my stay.
“Where’s your sidekick?” Doc asked, taking a seat on one of the stools at the large breakfast bar.
“He went to Dallas for the day to work in the office. Said he’s headed back tonight, but I’m not sure he’s left yet.”
“Well, we can save some for him in case he turns up hungry. Now, tell us how the pub is coming along,” Grandpa said.
I told them about how well the framed photos had turned out. Cait had managed to scan and send historic photos from home, and we’d taken them to the framing gallery on the square in town. After inviting them to stop by and see the place soon, I told them about Rhonda’s visit to the pub earlier that day.
“That woman thinks your grandson is a tasty treat,” I said with a laugh. “She’s coming back tomorrow just so she can ask his opinion on the design work she did in person. In fact, you might want to time your visit with hers tomorrow just so you can watch her in action. Poor Hudson.”
Grandpa’s eyes glanced behind me a split second before I felt strong arms wrap around my waist. I froze in shock. According to my Hudson radar, which was finely tuned, the man hugging me intimately in front of his grandfathers was none other than my straight lover.
A cold nose pressed against my neck. “Why ‘poor Hudson’?”
I gritted my teeth against a full-body shiver at the sound of his voice. Instead, I kicked it up a good twelve octaves and squeaked out my surprise.
“What are you doing back? I thought you were planning on calling first.”
As I spoke, I tried desperately to wiggle away from his embrace. Couldn’t he see his grandfathers’ jaws on the ground?
Hudson’s hand threaded through my hair as he turned me to face him. “I decided to surprise you instead.”
And then he fucking kissed me full on the goddamned lips.
I should have jumped back and made a joke. I should have laughed it off as funny Hudson pulling a prank on his grandfathers. But I didn’t. Instead I let myself melt against him and surrender.
Kissing Hudson was like shooting heroin. Or, at least, what I’d imagine shooting heroin would feel like. Warmth ran through my veins and left a euphoria behind. All I could do was ride the wave of pleasure, not giving one whit about any other thing in the world.
I lost myself in him. His lips were firm and attentive, even though the kiss itself was fairly chaste. His strong arms wrapped around my waist and held me close, ensuring I didn’t actually melt to the ground in an undignified puddle. I didn’t even realize he’d stopped kissing me until his words made it through my stupor.
“…late. I meant to get here by six, but I had to change a flat. How long’s it been since any of us had to change a tire on the side of the road?”
The deep rumble of his voice vibrated against my cheek, and I realized I was leaning my face against his chest and hugging him tight. His lightly stubbled chin rubbed across the side of my hair, and his hands roamed up and down my back in a reassuring caress. It felt so damned good being held like that, I wanted to stay in his arms forever.
But I didn’t.
I cleared my throat and stepped away. “Did you run over a nail?”
“Um, can we talk about the gay elephant in the room?” Doc asked slowly, continuing to stare at his grandson.
Hudson’s ears turned pink, but he managed to keep his composure. “It might be more of a bi elephant or a pansexual elephant. Or it might be one of those stubborn elephants who refuses to be labeled but doesn’t mind wearing rainbow colors. Like Elmer from that book you have in Pippa’s room. You know the one.”
His voice was rock steady, and his index finger had snuck out to wrap around my pinky finger while he spoke. I squeezed it encouragingly. The man was braver than brave.
“Point taken,” Grandpa said with a straight face. “But I’m afraid we’re going to have to throw you a big Welcome to the Gay party. You know that, right?”
Doc pointed his thumb at his husband. “He’s right. And Stevie will insist on being the emcee. We’ll serve cocktails and mini wieners. Nico will make us all eat bananas in slow motion. I’ll have to pick up more mixed nuts. It’s going to be a thing.”
Hudson groaned and threw a dish towel at Doc. “Don’t make me regret being open with you.”