The Fixed Trilogy: Found in You(37)

Hudson raised a brow. “A crap load of things?”

“Yeah. I’m sure Trent will want a formal marketing plan, and I need to set up some interviews for an additional cook.” I took a swallow of my coffee. “And I really should go home.”

“Home.” It wasn’t a question, merely a repeat of my word, but his tone was darker, surprised. Disappointed maybe.

“My apartment.”

“I understood the reference. Why?”

I stabbed at my grapefruit with my spoon. “I don’t know. I need to pick up my mail and check on things. Make sure the place is okay. You know, all my stuff is there.”

I’d known the conversation would be awkward when I began it. Though it was necessary to go to my place, I didn’t want Hudson to think I didn’t want to be with him, that I didn’t want to be invited back. The best way to get that across was to be straightforward about it. “I should get another change of clothes if you’re inviting me to stay the night again.”

Hudson dropped his own spoon with a noisy clank. “Inviting you to stay the night? What are you talking about? I gave you a key. You can come and go as you please.”


I leaned forward, a big grin on my face. “So, then I definitely need a change of clothes. Because it pleases me to spend the night with you.”

“It pleases me for you to spend the night with me, too.” He wiped his mouth with his napkin and set it over his plate. “And as long as we’re talking about it, it would please me if you would spend all your nights here and if all your things were here as well.”

I froze. There it was. At least, I thought that there it was. I needed clarification before I freaked. “What are you…I don’t know what you’re saying.”

“Yes, you do. But I’ll spell it out if that makes you feel better.” He stood and took his dish to the sink as he spoke. When he returned, he remained standing, leaning against the breakfast bar behind him. He probably didn’t realize the impact of his towering presence. Or perhaps he did. Perhaps it was purposeful. He did know how to mold a situation to his favor.

“Yes, spell it out.” My voice squeaked, unsure whether to be excited or terrified.

“Why do you need your apartment? Your lease is almost up. Move in here.”

I didn’t even bother asking how he knew about my lease. If I thought about it too hard, I’d worry about the safety of my other secrets. Besides, I was too stunned by his statement to be able to think about anything but those three words: Move in here.

“I love that I can still shock you.” Hudson tilted his head, looking at me from a new angle. “But I’d prefer that this wasn’t one of the times that I did. What about that plan is shocking to you?”

Shaking, I set my spoon down. Even though I’d only eaten half of my fruit, there was no way I was eating more. I could barely formulate thought let alone think about chewing and swallowing. “Well, um, it’s just, it’s awfully soon.”

He frowned. “It is. It’s unfortunate that a lengthy time span is regarded as such an important element to appropriate landmarks in relationships. It shouldn’t be a factor.”

“But shouldn’t it?” I shifted on my chair to face him head-on.

“Not for me. As I said before, when I have a plan, I commit. I plan to be with you as much as possible. And not only in the carnal sense. Moving in is a logical way to make that happen.”

I stood, gathering my dishes to take to the sink. I had to clutch them against my body so he didn’t hear them rattle in my unsteady hands. “And that’s another reason it might not be a good idea. It seems a little like a business plan. Like this is the next step on a list. Not very romantic or anything.”

His voice tightened. “I didn’t realize you were in need of romance. You know that’s not in my nature.”

“Hey.” I waited until he turned to face me, the breakfast bar between us. “That’s bullshit. You say you aren’t romantic, but you really are very much so.” The things he’d said the night before, for example. “I wasn’t complaining about your romantic overtures.”

“Then what are you complaining about?” He seemed genuinely confused.

“Nothing! I’m complaining about nothing.”

“You were complaining about the way I asked you to move in with me.”

“No, I’m not.” I shifted my eyes. “Okay, yes, I was. A little, but that’s not why I’m saying no.”

This took him aback. “You’re saying no?”

“No.” Wait. “I mean, yes.” Except, I didn’t really want to say no. I wanted to be with Hudson all the time, like how he’d said he wanted to be with me. Still, the length of time we’d been together… “I mean, I don’t know.”

Hudson came around the bar and put a hand on each of my upper arms. “Alayna, do you know how you feel about me?”

“Yes. I love you. You know that.”

“Then move in with me.”

I bit my lip and tugged on his lavender tie. “I have to think.”

He put a finger under my chin and lifted my face so I was forced to meet his eyes. “Why?”

“I just do.” I pulled away, unable to concentrate with his hands on me. Unable to stand my ground with the electricity surging between us as it always did when we touched.