He didn’t have time to finish his sentence on account of the warm body pressed so tightly into his. Rebecca’s mouth found his, and they clung to each other in a kiss that spoke volumes. It was sweet and tentative, bold and daring.
It was all-consuming, and when she finally dragged her mouth from his, Hudson literally felt weak.
“I’ll take that as a yes,” he murmured against her cheek. “I love you, Becca. I don’t think I ever stopped.” He moved again and cupped her chin, because he needed her to understand. “I’ll never leave you again.”
He kissed her nose. “I.”
And then dropped one on her forehead. “Love.”
Then he made his way to the corner of her mouth. “You.”
She shivered against him and rested her head against his chest. “There was never anyone else for me, Hudson. Never. I loved you with all my heart. From the time I was fifteen and first met you. I love you even more now.”
She sighed and looked up at him. “You do look like shit, though. Why don’t we head back, and you can have a nice, long hot shower, and we’ll fill your family in on our plans.”
He dropped another kiss to her nose, because, damn, it was a cute nose. And just, well, because he could.
“You must be hungry.”
Her eyes widened. “Um. No. I had turkey dinner at my brother’s, but John insisted Liam and I come by this evening. Now I know why.” She bit her bottom lip, her forehead furrowed. “He told me. About your mom and the other woman.”
Hudson stilled.
“About why you left.” She paused. “Do your brothers know?”
“No.” He shook his head slowly, as the familiar wave of pain hit him. “It’s not my secret to tell.”
“Sometimes it’s best to let things be.”
Hudson wasn’t so sure about that, but right now, his focus was Rebecca and her son, Liam. He didn’t want to think about the sins of his father or the way they’d changed the dynamics of his family. There was still a lot of pain there, and he had a feeling the day of reckoning would come. There was a sibling out there. Somewhere. Would the lure of Crystal Lake be too much for him or her?
He shook the thoughts from his head and pulled Rebecca back toward the still-running truck. “You mind driving? I haven’t slept in forty-eight hours.”
She gave him one last slow and sinful kiss, and then they hopped in the truck. Seconds later, they were headed back down the road that would bring them to town.
“You’re not going to miss your job?”
He shook his head. “No. I’ve got a lot of good I can do here. Things I’m passionate about. Namely you.”
Hudson turned up the heat and got comfortable.
“We’ll have to take it slow with Liam. I’m sure he’s figured out we’re more than friends, but he’s used to being the only man in the house.”
“Sounds like a plan.” God, the heat felt amazing.
“Like we’ll date for a few months.”
“Okay.”
“No sex at all.”
“Sounds good.”
“Like maybe never.”
God, he was drowsy. “Yep.”
“Never again. The no-sex thing.”