I sighed. “About that…So, please, please,pleasefeel free to say no. Like, you absolutely aren’t obligated to do this, and I know it’s probably weird and way too soon and—“
“Quinn,” Hux cut in, grabbing my hands and bringing them down. “You gotta stop with your hands. I just feel all the movement and it makes me nervous.”
“I’m so sorry!” Guilt welled within me, only adding to my already growing nerves. What would he think of me inviting him to dinner with my dad and Georgette? This was stupid. I should just lie and tell my dad that Hux said no. But I’d been an idiot and already opened my dumb mouth and said something.
“Now,” Hux said, drawing me from my thoughts. “What were you sayin’?” He released my hands, but trailed his own slowly up along my curves until he cupped my face. And just like that, the nerves vanished, desire and lust and need igniting in my veins from his scorching touch. It’s like he knew exactly what to do to set my heart aflame.
“Um…” What was I even talking about? My gaze fluttered to his lips then back up to his sunglasses stare. God, I wanted him. “I don’t remember what I was saying,” I admitted.
He chuckled, the sound a deep, sultry rumble in his chest reminding me of rolling thunder. A shiver of anticipation went down my spine. “We were talkin’ about dinner.”
“Right,” I managed to breathe out as his thumbs trailed up and down my jawline, his rough hands scraping against my skin. It was one the most wonderful feelings I’d ever felt. “My—um, that, uh, that feels really good.”
Another low laugh fell from him as one of his hands drifted to my hips before trailing down to the curve of my ass. “You feel really good, darlin’,” he whispered against my lips.
I melted into the caress, opening my mouth for him and flicking my tongue against his. The appreciative growl that escaped him nearly turned my legs to jello. Did I think this time yesterday I’d be making out on the front porch of my dad’s house with a hot AF cowboy? Nope, I sure didn’t. Did I mind? Not one fucking bit.
“Queenie! There you two love birds are!” Though the pet name was from my father, it sure as hell wasn’t his voice that called out over the sound of cicadas and birds singing in the trees.
I froze beneath Hux’s touch, pulling away from him to look for the source of the voice. I fought the urge to scowl at Georgette. “Hi, Georgette.”
“Girlie, how many times do I have to tell you? Call me Georgie! Or, you can start calling me mama if you want.”
My lungs withered up and died right then, and I damn near choked on my own spit. What the hell had she just said? Was I hearing things? Hux let out a disbelieving laugh at my side.
“Well, look at you, sweetie, don’t you just look precious in that little outfit? And, Hudson, was it?”
He cleared his throat, before replying in a cool tone, “It’s Huxson, ma’am.”
“That’s right. How could I have forgotten? You sure clean up nicely.” She waggled her eyebrows from the open doorway at me. “Queenie, you sure know how to spot a diamond in the rough, dont’cha?”
Was I going crazy or was she looking at Hux like he was a cool drink of water on a hot day and she wanted a sip? I leaned into Hux further, a protective, possessive stance, but I didn’t care. I could feel his heart beating in his chest, felt the tension in his muscles. I was right, he didn’t like her. And the more I was around her, the more I couldn’t blame him.
“I was just comin’ to find you,” she said, sauntering out the front door before I could come up with a response. I noted her neon yellow shoe-string bikini along with the white silk sarong wrapped low on her hips. I mean, I guess when you looked as good as she did, why not flaunt it? “Your dad told me you two were havin’ dinner with us.”
I sputtered for a reply. Hewhat?Frustration ignited in my veins, fueled by Georgette’s annoying voice and behavior. “Oh, um, actually—“
But she cut me off before I could fully finish. “I was afraid y’all had left with your friend, Chelsie, was it?”
“It’s actually Whit,” I managed to get out without growling. It’s like she was doing it on purpose now.
“Right.” She waved me off before moving to the front door. “Well, come on. Get in here, you two. We’re havin’ some of Isidor’s famous ceviche by the pool.”
Fight it. Say no.
I wanted to say no. Ishouldhave said no, but I also didn’t want to go and make a huge scene either. Maybe we could get this over with quick enough and then still go out to dinner just the two of us.
“We’ll, uh—give us a minute, okay.”
“Oh—“ One of her perfectly manicured eyebrows rose, a mischievous grin lighting up her features. “I see. Gonna get a little quickie in, right? Don’t worry, I won’t tell your dad.”
A groan of embarrassment escaped me, but I tried to hide it with a laugh. “Right. Yeah. Be there soon.” I waited until the door latched closed before pressing my head defeatedly to Hux’s chest. “I’m so sorry about that,” I muttered.
If he was annoyed, he didn’t let on. The chuckle that escaped him was genuine. He brought a thumb and forefinger up to tilt my chin up. “So, we’re eatin’ here tonight?”
“We don’t have to. My dad wanted me to invite you. To apologize for how he acted and, like, get to know you since he saw us kissing, I guess. I told him I’d ask, but I never said it was a sure thing, I’m s—“
“Don’t worry,” he said, pressing a reassuring kiss to my lips. “It’s fine, Quinn.”
