Page 47 of Best Kept Secret

She paused at the waistband of his jeans. “Can I touch you? Just once? I promise not to…”

Get carried away… Her request trailed off when he laid his hand atop hers. Then he lifted it and placed it on his erection. She sighed as she slid her hand down the length of it and then gave it a gentle squeeze.

Gazing up at him with desire and admiration, she said, “I have a lot to look forward to.”

Fourteen

They reluctantly put their shirts back on and said a long goodbye at the door, at which point their shirts almost came off again. He left her apartment feeling aroused, and he questioned himself once again. He’d left a warm, willing, and wonderful woman to go home to an empty apartment, or worse, an angry roommate who might be waiting up for him.

When he pulled into the parking lot, he immediately looked for Jared’s car, and he found it where it was usually parked. It was probably too much to hope that Jared had driven Amanda’s car, or better yet, that he was spending the night at her place.

He unlocked the apartment door and stepped inside. It was dark and quiet, and he breathed a sigh of relief, but suddenly a light flicked on. He blinked a few times as his eyes adjusted. Then he saw Jared sitting on the couch, his hands folded tightly in his lap and glaring at him.

“It’s about time,” Jared said.

“It’s not even midnight,” Hudson replied. “What are you doing home?” As if he didn’t know.

“Waiting for you. Were you with my sister this whole time?”

“Before you say anything else, let me—”

“Explain? I knew you had the hots for her, but I didn’t think you’d act on it. We made a pact.”

“No. You made a pact and expected me to fall in line.” Maybe Kelsey’s bravery was rubbing off on him. He stepped closer, his fear of getting punched in the face dissipating. They’d probably have a war of words instead of a physical confrontation. At least, he hoped so.

“Why, Kelsey? Out of all the women you could have, and have had…”

“Low blow.”

“I’m just being honest, which is more than I can say for you.”

Hands clenched at his sides, Hudson said, “We didn’t tell you because we knew you’d react this way, but we were going to.”

“When? After she got pregnant?”

Hudson stiffened, thinking they might come to blows after all. He opened his mouth to reply, but Jared interrupted him.

“That was uncalled for, but I’m pissed off. She’s my sister…”

“I know. I have a sister too.”

“Then you should understand why I don’t want her to get hurt.”

“I don’t plan on hurting her.”

Jared studied him for a few beats. “But you can’t guarantee that, can you?”

Hudson looked down at the floor while he gathered his thoughts. Then he said, “She’s not a child, Jared. She can make her own decisions, and in case you haven’t noticed, she’s pretty damn good at taking care of herself.”

“Maybe, but she has a weak spot where you’re concerned.”

“The feeling’s mutual.” He wasn’t sure if his admission would help or hurt his case, but he’d felt compelled to say it.

Jared sighed and thrust his hands in his hair. “I have a bad feeling about this.”

A few months ago, Hudson would have understood his concern, but he wanted to believe he’d changed. Since he and Kelsey had become closer, he hadn’t wanted to see anyone else. She was the only woman he thought of, other than Annie, who technically wasn’t a woman yet. Lord help him when that happened.

“What about Annie?” Jared said as if he’d read his mind. “Have you told Kelsey about her yet?”