Uniting the Souls (Souls of Chicago #6)(25)

Me.

I wanted to be with them and before my brain could even finish that thought, my feet began to move in their direction. They smiled at me as I walked towards them and my eyes darted back and forth between the two. Physically, they were complete opposites. Hudson was tall, dark, broad-shouldered and looked like he could be a professional football player. Isaac was pale, slender yet toned with delicate features which many people mistook for fragility. If they took the time to look closely, however, they’d see the quiet strength he possessed inside.

“Hey, Matt! It’s great to see you,” Carter called out and I nearly stumbled. My face heated as I suddenly noticed everyone staring at me. I’d been so caught up in Isaac and Hudson, I’d forgotten there was anyone else in the room.

“Hi!” I said, raising my hand in a wave to my friends and they all smiled back at me and someone handed me a drink.

I was surprised when Hudson jumped up from his seat and grabbed an empty chair from the table behind him, placing it between his and Isaac’s. His eyes held mine in a challenge as he waited to see if I’d take it. Glancing around at the other couples I wondered if anyone had noticed, but they were too busy laughing and talking. I was sure to any of them, it would be no big deal to sit next to someone you were attracted to, but for me it was huge. I felt like I was opening a door that I thought had been locked forever.

I sat down and Hudson lowered his large frame into the seat next to me, leaving a trail of fire where his arm grazed mine. I sneaked a glance at him and the intensity with which he was staring back at me nearly stole my breath.

“We were hoping you’d come,” he said.

Hudson’s words were innocent enough to anyone listening, but coupled with the hungry look he was giving me, I felt a chill race up my spine. I hadn’t missed the fact that he’d said “we” either and I turned to look at Isaac whose bright blue eyes were staring back at me. I saw something in his gaze that I’d seen many times, but had tried to ignore. The look was full of heat and longing and my cock jerked in response. I no longer wanted to ignore the fact that I wanted him too. I wanted both of them and there was no use denying it.

“I didn’t want to miss this,” I answered honestly, knowing my words could be used to describe the party for our friends or being with the two of them. Isaac smiled, drawing my attention to his full bottom lip and I was filled with the overwhelming need to know what he tasted like. A hand on my thigh had me looking back at Hudson who was grinning.

“You both look amazing,” he said. I had to agree with him about Isaac, but I glanced down at my own jeans and dark-green shirt in surprise. I supposed all the running I did helped keep me in good enough shape, but I was nowhere near as built as Hudson or as beautiful as Isaac.

“So, do you,” I told him, letting my eyes rake over his broad chest which was barely contained underneath the thin material of his sweater. My mind wandered as I pictured myself peeling him out of that sweater and I shifted in my seat to relieve the building pressure in my groin.

“I want to climb him like a tree,” I heard mumbled from beside me and I nearly choked as my head whipped around to look at Isaac. His eyes almost bugged out of his head as he realized he’d said that out loud and I couldn’t hold in my bark of laughter. Hudson looked at us curiously, but I just shook my head at him, winking at Isaac. He had no reason to feel embarrassed, especially since I’d been thinking the same thing. How could anyone look at Hudson and not want him?

Carter began pouring everyone another round of tequila and I realized I’d never drank the one I’d been given. I rarely drank because I never went out with friends and it just seemed too depressing to drink alone. I tossed mine back along with everyone else then sat back in my chair as the alcohol ran through my veins and loosened the last bit of tension from my body.

I listened to the playful banter between my friends and found myself laughing at the stories. I was having a good time and I realized just how much I’d been missing out on by closing myself off to the rest of the world. I caught Caleb’s eye and he smiled at me, the look in his eyes telling me that he understood. I smiled back at him, grateful to have him as a friend.

I was constantly aware of the fact that Hudson’s hand remained on my thigh, its warmth burning a hole through the material of my jeans. I liked the possessiveness of the gesture as if he were telling me I was right where I belonged, by his side. He let out a deep, rumbling laugh as Rylie told about the time that he took Hudson for a ride in one of Lachlan’s tiny sports cars. I laughed along with them as I pictured the 6’4” man trying to squeeze himself inside the cramped space.

Rylie had told me a little about his struggle with drugs and alcohol and I was glad that Hudson had been able to help him. The two men had obviously become very good friends through the experience.

The other members of the band walked up just then and soon stories were being told about their travels and the trouble they liked to get into while on the road. They teased Landon about having to babysit them, but he responded that being their manager was more like being a zookeeper than a babysitter. Everyone laughed at that, but I noticed Isaac had become quiet. I turned to look at him and saw his attention was on the dance floor. I glanced over at the people who were dancing and having a good time and I wondered if he wanted to join them. The music switched to a new song and I took a deep breath, a little surprised by what I was about to do.