I don’t say a word as I pick up my clippers and gently tilt his head to shave his neck. He’s looking down, which means his eyes are no longer on mine, which gives me the chance to catch my breath and slow my racing heart.
Most days I can deal with being close to him. I see him all the time, but today he’s throwing me off-kilter. Let’s not forget that he referred to me as beautiful. It’s not the first time, but his tone is usually teasing, and the statement usually includes my sister. However, this time it was low and gravelly and just for me.
He thinks I’m beautiful.
I file that little morsel of information away for now. I’ll unpack it and obsess over it when I’m at home alone tonight. Raven can read my emotions better than anyone. It’s the twin thing, and I know I need to get my shit together before she’s grilling me about what’s wrong. I’ve hidden my crush for so long. I can’t blow my cover now.
“Done.” I release the snap of the cape and remove it from around him. I shake it off to the side, so there is a place for him to step that’s not covered in hair, and quickly grab the broom.
“What do I owe you?” he asks, reaching for his wallet in his back pocket.
“Nothing. You installed our new water heater on short notice and wouldn’t let us pay you. So it’s on the house.”
“Riley.” His tone is a warning, and it does nothing to make me cave and take his money, but it does soak my panties. Great, that’s not exactly how I want to spend the rest of my day, but this is my reality when Hudson is around.
“It’s done, Hudson.”
I’m taken aback when he leans in close, his lips hovering next to my ear. “Thank you.” His voice is deep and husky, and yeah, I need to start packing a clean pair of panties in my purse with me for occasions such as this.
Hudson moves to step around me and the pile of hair that I’m sweeping up. His hand rakes over the small of my back as he passes, and my breath stalls in my lungs. “See ya later, Raven,” he tells my sister.
“Later, Hud,” Raven calls back, never missing a beat with the haircut of the little boy in her chair.
Everyone in the shop seems to be breathing just fine, and none of them seem to realize that I’m struggling. I must be better at hiding my reaction to him than I thought.
CHAPTER 2
Hudson
Pushing open the door to the salon, I pull in a gulp of fresh air as I stride outside and down the street to my truck, with confidence that I don’t feel. In fact, the only things I feel right now are the pain from my cock pressing against the zipper of my worn-out jeans and the tingling in my hands from touching her.
Riley.
I was fifteen when I realized my best friend’s twin wasn’t just an extension of Raven. It was my birthday party, and since my birthday is in August, we had it out by the pond. I invited all my friends, which included my best friend, Raven, and her twin sister, Riley. While Raven and I were the closest, Riley was always there. I never minded. She was her sister, and she was cool. And I’d always seen them as a package deal kind of thing, well, until that day.
Opening the door of my truck, I slide behind the wheel and quickly start the engine and pull away from the curb. I don’t go far, just around the block before I pull over into the parking lot of the local grocery store. My windows are tinted, and no one can see me. I just need a minute to breathe as I rest my forehead against the steering wheel. It’s getting harder and harder to hide that I want her.
I want Riley Burke more than I’ve ever wanted anything.
My mind drifts back to the day I realized Riley was more. The girls were late to the party. I can’t remember why, but by the time they got there, everyone was already swimming in the pond. Most of our class showed up. Small-town living doesn’t leave many options, and who doesn’t want to spend the day at the pond with all their friends with cake?
Anyway, there were close to fifteen, hell, maybe twenty of us already swimming. We all called out to the girls to hurry up and join us. My other best friend, Clayton, and I had already planned to play a game of chicken. He was crushing hard on Raven. I agreed that when they got there, we would make sure they came to us, and he could take his shot. So that’s what we did.