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As if reading my mind, she asks, “Alone?”
Cade takes Killian from me, then wraps his arm around his wife’s shoulders. “If anyone in the goddamn gym could just wait two more days before complicating my fighter’s life, it would be a miracle.”
“Daddy cursed. That’s a dollar for the swear jar.” Brynlee’s hands go back to her hips, and I laugh again.
“That swear jar is gonna put these kids through college,” Cade mumbles.
“Sure. That’s what’s gonna do it.” I ignore the pissed-off look on his face and say goodbye to my sister’s family and wonder, for one of the first times ever, if that’s actually in the cards for me.
* * *
Maddie
Hudson and Imogen are both waiting for me at the front desk once my class ends. I walk my students to the door, like always, then lock it behind me and turn to face these two goofballs, who laugh simultaneously at whatever they’re watching on Gen’s phone.
They look up as I walk toward them, and Gen pops up from her seat. “Last night of cleaning the mats. Woo hoo!”
Really? Has it only been a week?
My eyes find Hudson’s as if tethered to him by an invisible string.
It’s crazy how much can change in seven days.
“Is someone scheduled to close with you tonight, Imogen?” I thought I saw one of the guys on the updated schedule in the office earlier.
“Yup. I’m good. You two crazy kids get out of here.” She moves to the mats with the cleaner in her hand, leaving Hudson and me alone at the desk.
“I’ve got to grab my stuff from the locker room. Thanks for waiting for me.” I lower my voice. “You didn’t have to.”
His big palm runs over the back of my head before pulling on a braid. “I wanted to. We didn’t get a chance to talk today.”
Hudson follows me to the locker room, filling me in on cut day.
“That sounds awful, King.” I pull my bag out and slip my sweats on over my leggings, then turn around. Like a switch flipped, Hudson’s on me. His arms cage me in against the locker on either side of my face, and his breath tickles the sensitive skin under my ear. He’s everywhere but not physically touching me anywhere.
I ball my hands into fists at my sides.
Wanting to yank him close.
But not wanting to break the rules.
Not now.
“Hudson...”
His nose trails up my neck, just a whisper of a hot breath away from my skin. Burning me from the lack of touch. “Two more nights, baby.”
God. Why does that sound like the most sinful promise ever made?
I close my eyes and try to slow my racing heart. “Two more nights. You better not get hurt Saturday, King.”
He takes a forced step back and reaches for my bag. “Don’t jinx me, woman.”
He walks me to my car and opens my door. “I’m going to follow you home.”
“No. You’re not. I can drive myself home. You need to go home, eat, and rest. Please. You said it yourself. Two more days. Don’t mess it up now, when you’re so close.” I lean up on my toes and brush my lips over his cheek. “Call me tomorrow when it’s over?”
Hudson’s thumb strokes my cheekbone. “Yeah. I’ll see you tomorrow, sunshine.” He stands there, watching me until I pull out of the parking lot. And for a reason I’m not 100 percent ready to overanalyze yet, there’s a tug on my heart when I leave him.
