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I smiled as I stepped into the room. “I bet I’ve gained ten pounds since living here,” I said.
Seeing him in his black, silky pajamas made me touch mine in response. I liked those the best on him. They weren’t tight, but I’d seen his arms enough to envision his muscles. The man had a huge appetite, yet all I saw was a broad, muscular chest, strong arms, and thick thighs.
“How do you stay in shape when I’m pretty sure you eat more than a horse?”
He put the tomatoes on the sandwiches and then added lettuce. “I run on the treadmill in the garage. There are also some weights, but I don’t do much lifting through the week.”
“You run every day?”
“Yes, before work. I prefer running outside, but the cold is too much for me this time of year. I’ll use the treadmill until spring. You can join me. There are a few good hiking spots I’ve found just behind the cabin that you might enjoy. That is, if you like that kind of thing.”
My heart banged out of control against my ribcage. Hudson seemed sure I’d still be there by spring. I didn’t know why, but it made my heart go all wonky.
“I used to love that sort of thing,” I admitted. “But I haven’t been since I was a teen, so you might have to carry me at some point if it’s all uphill.”
His eyes crinkled at the corners as he pulled out a stool beside him. “Come here.”
I didn’t think he realized how authoritative his tone was toward me all the time. Then again, maybe he did. My skin pebbled, and my breath quickened every time he used that voice.
As I sat down, he grabbed a strand of my hair. “After we eat, we’ll blow-dry your hair.”
I stiffened.We?
“It really doesn’t bother me being wet,” I said.
Ignoring me, he walked to the fridge, and my gaze followed. “Want a piece of cheesecake? I brought one home from the restaurant.”
“Yes, please.”
He froze and turned, his eyes flickering over me in a way that made my skin heat, before looking back into the fridge. I had half my sandwich eaten before he handed me a bottle of water and a slice of cheesecake. He sat beside me on a stool and finally began to eat.
“Your grandma’s limp was a little more pronounced today.” I slid my empty plate aside and pulled the one with the cheesecake close.
“I know. Her arthritis is likely flaring up, but I told my mom when she picked Grandma up earlier.”
I nodded and said, “Good.”
He really knew how to take care of those around him. While he was eating his slice of cheesecake, I took the plates to the sink to wash. It was becoming my thing. He always made us sandwiches or cooked something, so I cleaned up even if he never asked.
I could cook, but nowhere near Hudson’s level. I’d be embarrassed to prepare anything in front of him. He had a hard time with my walking in front of him as it was. Like a woman could help being clumsy.
“I’ll go get the blow-dryer.” He walked out of the kitchen.
Shit. We were really doing the hair thing.
My stomach knotted as I finished up the dishes. What did he mean bywe earlier? Surely, he didn’t expect to dry my hair himself. I’d never seen any man do such a thing for a woman before. I had to be wrong.
“Red!” Hudson hollered. “Get in here.”
I gulped and hurried into the living area. I saw him sitting on the floor near the wall, legs crossed, as he held the blow-dryer.
Placing my hands on my hips, I blushed. “Hudson, I’ll do it myself.”
“No, you won’t. You’ll leave it hanging on your back like that, and it kills me. Come here.” He patted the spot in front of him.
It was like my nerves were lodged in my throat as I ambled toward him. “This is embarrassing,” I confessed as I covered my face as if that could remove me from the situation. “No man in the universe would want to do this for a woman.”
“Who says? My dad does plenty of things like this for my mom when he’s home.”
