Dare to Tease (Dare Nation 4.5)

“I love everything about you,” he said, the words escaping before he could censor them. Taken in context, they could mean anything, but in his heart, they held deeper meaning. He was falling fast for his best friend’s sister.

Her eyes opened wide, and her mouth parted in surprise. “I–”

“Son! It’s good to see you.” His father’s voice interrupted them. So typical, as if last night’s scene had never happened. At least that boded well for Hudson’s money pitch. But his father had shitty timing.

He and Bri turned to face his parents.

“Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Northfield,” Bri said with a smile.

They murmured polite hellos back but didn’t ask her to be less formal. Also typical.

“Mom, Dad, we were just going to dance.” He slid his hand into Bri’s. She’d removed her bandages, and the wounds were already beginning to heal.

“You’ll come by early tomorrow to talk as planned?” his father asked, an anticipatory and excited gleam in his eyes.

Hudson knew better than to give his father warning about the topic of conversation. Surprise would be on his side. “Yes, I’ll be there.” And this time, he’d be leaving Bri at the hotel. No need to subject her to his parents’ version of politeness, which actually bordered on rude behavior.

“Looking forward to seeing you, son.”

His mother patted his shoulder, and they walked away.

“Are they always so pleasant?”

“Unfortunately, yes. There’s a reason I’m living in Florida. Can we not focus on them?” he asked, wrapping an arm around her and leading her toward the dance floor.

The rest of the evening passed in a blur of wedding routines, from toasts to someone clinking or tapping glasses together and demanding the bride and groom kiss to the throwing of the garter and the bouquet.

Apparently he and Bri had the same feelings about the rituals, because he’d tried to avoid the cluster of single men grouped to see who caught the item and would be next to marry. As the superstition said. But Serena caught his gaze, walked over, and pulled him into the crowd, positioning him at the right side of the men.

He stood there, feeling like an ass, hating the spectacle, and he wasn’t surprised when the groom threw the garter directly to the side Serena had placed him on.

He walked off the dance floor, cheeks burning, garter in his hand, and everyone cheering. Especially Bri, who’d found the entire incident amusing … until Serena pulled the same routine before she tossed the bouquet.

They climbed into the back of the town car Hudson had hired to drive them to and from the hotel, Bri still laughing over their predicaments. “I suppose we’re getting married sometime next year,” she said, still giggling, slightly tipsy from too much champagne.

He leaned his head back and laughed. “If Serena has her way, we are.” He ought to be shaken up by the idea.

He’d never thought about marriage, mostly because any time the subject came up, it had been with his parents after they’d chosen the perfect potential bride. The thought made him want to puke. But the notion of marriage with the right woman, with the woman by his side? That didn’t disturb him at all.

But until he had his life settled and knew he had his goals and plans in the works, he couldn’t think about the future. In the meantime, he had Bri in his life, and she wasn’t going anywhere.

Chapter Six

Bri awoke alone in the large hotel bed Sunday morning. Hudson had gone to meet with his father, and he obviously hadn’t disturbed her. Given how late they’d stayed up last night indulging in unrivaled passion, she appreciated him letting her sleep in. Her body was sore from the number of times they’d had sex, using up all the condoms he’d brought with him to New York. She would always remember this weekend as theirs, and she’d had the best time.

After a quick shower, she pulled her hair into a bun and, wearing a hotel robe, stepped into the main area of the suite to find coffee waiting for her along with a basket of muffins.

Her cell rang just as she sat down with her caffeine and blueberry muffin. Macy’s name flashed on the screen, and Bri took the call. “Hey!”

“Hey yourself! So how’s your weekend going?” Macy asked.

Bri felt her smile grow wide. “Amazing. I mean, Hudson is everything I could want in a man.”

“Oh, Bri, I’m so happy for you!” Macy exclaimed loudly.

“He’d better be keeping his hands to himself,” Bri’s brother Jaxon spoke up in the background.

“Sorry. I should have been quieter,” Macy muttered. “Go away,” she said to her husband. “This is none of your business.” A few seconds passed and she uttered, “Go!” again.

Bri laughed. “If I wasn’t used to my brothers and if I didn’t know they meant well, I might murder them.”