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“Sit down, Kingston. You’re not walking up the damn stairs tonight.” Cade and Hudson are arguing while I stand in the family room, staring out the wall of windows making up the entire side of his house. The snow has just started falling outside, and the view of the lake at the end of Hudson’s backyard looks like part of a Norman Rockwell painting.
No matter how many times I see it, this view always takes my breath away.
Hudson’s house sits on the banks of Kroydon Lake, and the waterfalls play a constant soothing melody in the distance. He moved in a year ago after spending months on renovations, and from the first time I stepped inside, I’ve been in awe of how warm and homey it is.
Not at all the bachelor pad most of us were expecting. Reclaimed wood floors and a stacked stone fireplace take center stage on the first floor, surrounded by windows and oversized, plush furniture. Everything about it screams beauty and comfort... and money.
Hudson spared no expense making this home his own personal retreat.
The Kingston family is Philadelphia royalty. They own half the city. It’s easy to forget that when you’re talking with them because they don’t act like... well, like how I’d imagine billionaires would act.
Which I guess isn’t exactly a fair assumption.
“Maddie...” I spin around to find Cade standing behind me. “He’s on the couch, and he’s grouchy. Don’t let him convince you he’s okay to walk up the steps tonight. Make him wait until tomorrow.” He hesitates, then pulls his keys from his pockets. “You sure about staying here? You could always come stay with Scarlet and me until Dixon gets home.”
“Umm, no thanks, Cade. My brother may like to think I need to be taken care of, but I did manage to live on my own for four years before I moved in with him. I’ll be fine.”
Cade laughs as he shakes his head. “I gotcha. But give him a break. We big brothers like to think it’s our job to keep our little sisters safe. I think I was more upset when Imogen moved out than she was.” He takes a step back and points toward the giant sectional sofa where Hudson’s flipping through channels on the TV. “He’s gonna be a pain in the ass, Mads. Call me if you need me.”
“Okay. Thanks.” I follow him to the door, then lock it once he’s gone.
A chill runs down my spine, thinking about locking another door earlier tonight and what happened afterward. I pull the detective’s card from my pocket and flip it over. I’m not sure what exactly he thought I’d remember and be able to tell him, but I was given instructions to call if anything came to mind.
I kick my Uggs off and sit them next to the front door, then pad barefoot over the cold hardwood floor into the kitchen in search of something to drink. The space is massive and open, with high ceilings and open shelving instead of cabinets lining the walls. Everything is spotless and sitting perfectly in its place, and I wonder whether that’s because Hudson is secretly OCD or if he has a housekeeper.
My phone rings, drawing me from the rabbit hole my mind started spiraling down. When I pull it from my pocket, the face of my best friend, Daphne, is flashing back at me.
“Hey. I’m standing in your closet. What do you want me to pack for you?”
Daphne and I roomed together all four years in college. Then she lived with Brandon and me after we graduated. Of course, that was before she moved in with, and eventually married, Hudson’s oldest brother, Max. “What the heck, D?” I lower my voice, not wanting it to carry into the other room. “What are you doing in my closet?”
“Scarlet called and asked me to pack you a bag. What the hell happened?”
I grab two bottles of water from the fridge and look to see if Hudson has any wine hiding in there. It’s going to be a long night. “I’m fine. Someone broke into Crucible tonight. Hudson tried to catch them but slipped. He hurt his knee, but he’s going to be fine too.”I hope.“Scarlet’s making too big of a deal out of this. I can get my own clothes, D.”
“You sure you know what you’re doing, Mads?”
“What do you mean? It’s only a few nights. I’ll be fine.” I pull myself up to sit on the granite counter. “He’s not hurt too bad. He can put weight on it, but it’s swollen and sore. I should be fine to help for a few days.”
I hear Daphne going through my closet and unzipping a bag, then she groans, “That’s not what I’m talking about, and you know it. You two have danced around each other for years.”
“Hudson flirts with everyone, D. We’re friends. That’s it. I think I can resist him for a few more days.” It’s not like I have much of a choice. “What do you think I’m going to do? Jump into bed with him?” Heat prickles my skin again, and I can’t believe how hot that idea makes me.
“He’s not a long-term guy, Mads. And you’re not a one-night-stand girl.”
“I guess stranger things have happened. I mean, look at you and Max.” I laugh quietly as I look around again. I definitely didn’t see myself ending up here tonight. “I’ll be fine, D. I’ll call you tomorrow.”
“I guess so. Just be careful. Love you, Mads.”
“Love you too, D.” I end the call, grab a banana from the counter, and hop down. Then I pull out a pack of peas from the freezer and snag the towel sitting next to the sink before I hurry across the cold floor to where Hudson sits reclined on one of those fancy armchairs at the end of the sectional. His leg is raised in front of him, and a commentator on ESPN is discussing his upcoming fight.
Hudson looks up at me, and the look on his face breaks my heart a little. “How are you feeling, Mads?” There’s no silly smile, only exhaustion pulling at the corners of his eyes.
“You’re the one who got hurt. Because you were making sure I was safe.” Once the towel is wrapped around the peas, I place them gently on his knee. “The doctor said you need to keep ice on it.”
Hudson pats the couch next to him. “Sit down, Madison. You look like you’re about to fall over.”
“I’m fine.” I hold up the banana and water. “Are you hungry?”
