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"Hi." I may as well just get this awkward situation over with and I think it's best to just pretend nothing happened.
He lifts his head to look at me. His piercing steel grey eyes always take me by surprise.
"Good evening, Gianna." That gorgeous smile touches his lips and then he looks away again. Perhaps feeling as awkward as I am. Or maybe he is angry with me for having stopped everything?
"How was your day, Hudson?" I should go, this is so awkward.
"It was a day. Some things got a bit heavy in the office with one of our imports being stuck at customs, but I do my best not to bring work home. At home, I am a dad, not a CEO."
I nod. It is quite incredible how he juggles everything so well. I know how busy he is, managing an empire and fatherhood, not to mention the custody battle, and still staying so damn fit.
My eyes are grazing up and down his body. He looks immaculate. Even after a full day of work. I wish I could look that good after work. I laugh again, amused at how badly I am doing to keep the thoughts in my head clean.
"What's so funny?" He asks with a smirk.
"Oh, um, yes, sorry nothing. Just --- looking at some eye candy I should not be looking at."
His gaze shoots up, his face a mix of annoyance and curiosity.
"Eye candy?" He lifts a brow, and his son screams.
"I also want candy!" We both laugh.
"So, I was just about to go for a run. Should I wait while you grab the stroller so you can join me?" Did I just ask him to come with me after my entire goal had been to avoid him?
He raises his eyebrows. Unimpressed?
Maybe I should not have made that comment or invited him.
The seconds that he spent staring at me felt like hours.
"Sure. Come inside, Gianna. I just need to get changed if you don't mind." He's not exactly dressed for a jog in his suit.
Oh, my word he said yes.
This is a bad idea.
This is a great idea.
I follow him inside, watching his ass move in the black slacks he is wearing. Mentally lecturing myself to behave.
His deep voice pulls me from my thoughts.
"Actually, it's quite late and before we walk, I need to feed the little guy. I am just going to order something. Would you like to stay for dinner?" I didn't think about the time, or his son needing dinner. I was insensitive.
"I don't want to intrude?" I made a move to leave.
He puts Taylor down and the little guy runs straight over to me to wrap his arms around my legs.
"You have candy."
"Hello little one, I do not have candy. It's bad for my behind." I lift him up into a hug and he wraps his tiny arms around my neck, planting a sticky, wet kiss on my cheek. I am surprised. I've only really met him two or three times. My heart melts a little. I gently put him back on the floor and he runs off to find his toys. Hudson watched the whole scene play out without taking his eyes off me.
"It would be a pleasure to have you here, Gianna. It's not an intrusion." The words are kind, but his voice is free of intonation, and I am not sure if he is being underhandedly sarcastic or not. I start shifting on my feet, unsure how to respond or if I should respond. He makes me feel like a kid in trouble. I know I am being ridiculous.
"I guess it depends on whether or not you have any decent wine in this house or not?" I smile as sweetly as I can manage to show him that his sarcasm has no effect on me.
"I'll take you down to the wine cellar and you can choose your own bottle?" He says, cool and collected.
