“Multiple orgasms, really?” I’d laughed. “You know that how?”
“Because he gave you the best kiss ever—your words—and I refuse to believe a man that looks like Hudson Ward isn’t capable of giving a woman fantastic orgasms. I couldn’t live in a world where that wasn’t true.”
Suffice it to say Catie was all for me having a fling on my ski retreat. Therefore I couldn’t bring myself to tell her I knew deep in my gut that this thing between me and Hudson was so far beyond fling material it wasn’t even funny. However, I didn’t want my best friend to think I was crazy or naïve, so I didn’t confide that to her.
Moreover, when Killian and Skylar called earlier I’d left all mention of Hudson out. My brother would stew with worry if he knew I’d met a man over here.
As I’d gotten ready for dinner, those butterflies came back. To be fair, I’d had them all day but as the time for our date approached they began fluttering around in my belly like wild things. Assuming we’d be dining at the only nice restaurant on the resort, I put on a pair of black cigarette trousers with a silk long-sleeved shirt tucked into them. The shirt was my signature color—emerald green. I’d left a few buttons undone, showing a sexy hint of cleavage. Years ago Killian had bought me a rose gold necklace with a delicate chain and an even more delicate diamond ‘A’ pendant. The A nestled seductively between my breasts, catching the light every time I moved, drawing attention. Like always, my hair was down, and I wore a pair of sexy as hell sky high Jimmy Choos. They were rose gold lamé with criss-cross straps. A delicate rose gold bracelet and matching ring, along with an emerald green clutch, finished the look.
It was fair to say I’d brought way too many clothes with me on this trip but now that I’d met Hudson, I was glad for the choices.
My outfit was sexy but to me wearing trousers sent a message—I wasn’t looking to get laid tonight. This was just dinner.
When I opened my hotel door Hudson’s expression suggested that message had not been received. He put a big hand on my waist and leaned in, and I braced for a kiss like the one at the coffeehouse. Instead he surprised me with a lip brush across my cheekbone and then he released me, stepping back out of my personal space.
“You look beautiful.”
I stared at him, tingling from head to toe from his gentlemanly kiss. “Thank you. You look great, too.”
And he did. He wore a dark green shirt with his suit trousers and I wondered if he’d subconsciously chosen green because I wore it a lot.
He held out a hand. “Shall we?”
I hesitated, knowing as soon as I took his hand, I wouldn’t want to let go.
Sensing my uncertainty, Hudson reassured me, “Just dinner, Autumn.”
That was when I discovered something more dangerous than Hudson’s ability to give me butterflies. Inexplicably, he also made me feel safe.
Taking his hand, trying not to shiver at the way the rough skin of his palm felt against mine, I let go of the breath I was holding. I tried to relax as we strolled hand-in-hand toward the restaurant.
“If it was up to me I’d take you to dinner in town but I thought you’d feel more relaxed if we stayed somewhere familiar tonight.”
“I do, thank you.”
He smiled and then his gaze dropped to my shoes before returning to my face. He grinned. “Never dated a woman on my eye level before.”
“Well, I’m wearing five-inch heels.”
“I noticed. They’re sexy as fuck.”
Our eyes held for what felt like forever and he squeezed my hand. I blinked and jerked my gaze away, trying to catch my breath.
“So what height does that make you out of heels?” he suddenly asked.
“Five nine. What height are you?”
“Six three.”
“Tall,” I muttered, trying not to imagine that long, hard body of his covering me in bed …and epically failing.
His warm hand tightened in mine as if he could read my expression. “I promised myself I’d be a gentleman tonight and that’s going to be hard to do when you’ve got me thinking about how long your legs are and how amazing they’ll feel wrapped around me… so maybe we should stop talking about this.”
I had to curb nervous laughter because I had a feeling it wasn’t going to take much to lead either of our thoughts into the bedroom. “Sounds like a plan,” I choked out.
We reached the restaurant in no time (thank goodness) and the hostess, who was as familiar with Hudson as everyone else at the lodge appeared to be, led us directly to a table by the massive picture window at the back of the room. The sun had already set but from our table we could see part of the valley where the town was lit up in the dark. It was beautiful.
We ordered our drinks and I dragged my gaze from the view to Hudson to find him studying me thoughtfully.
