Page 83 of Promise Me

He was clearly letting me know that he didn’t think anything between us would be a good idea, and here I was telling him that I didn’t care what he thought because I planned to make it happen again.

I should apologize.

If the roles were reversed … well, let’s just say I should respect his choice. If that’s how he truly feels, I will be okay with that. Even if it sucks.

I get my key out, but of course, Hudson left the door unlocked for me.

The sound of the shower running is the first thing I hear when I step inside.

I let out a breath.

This gives me a few more minutes to gather myself.

He’s going to think I’ve lost my mind, and maybe I can use that to my advantage.

No, no, I need to be honest.

I set my purse down on the coffee table and take my shoes off, placing them near the door right next to his.

Why do I love the fact that he lines his shoes up by the door instead of leaving them around the apartment? And I love my shoes next to his even more.

I close my eyes and turn.

You need to stop thinking of him this way.

If it’s one-sided, that will leave you nothing but heartbreak.

But that kiss didn’t feel one-sided.

Heck, he put his hand out to cover the corner of the counter so I didn’t hit my head. It was a smooth move—and then he kissed me.

That means something. More than what he let on.

I head for the bedroom but startle when I’m passing the bathroom door and hear what sounds like all the bottles collapsing into the bathtub.

“Hudson?”

He doesn’t reply.

“Hudson,” I say again and lean my head to the door. “Are you okay?”

Suddenly, the door swings open, and there’s a naked chest right in front of me. Beads of water run over his firm pecs and down his torso to the towel wrapped around his waist.

“You’re home?”

I nod. “Yeah. I went to Brooke’s for a while. I thought I would give you your space. Are you okay?” I point into the bathroom.

He nods. “I thought you weren’t coming back.”

“Oh. No. I’m here.”

I’m looking into his eyes, but every now and then, my gaze slips to his body. I take a deep breath and step back before I do something I can’t take back.

“I’m sorry for today,” I tell him before I can lose my nerve. “It was wrong of me to tell you that I was going to kiss you again after you told me it wouldn't happen again.”

He runs a hand through his wet hair. “Never apologize for speaking your mind, Sadie.”

“Yeah, but you clearly didn’t enjoy it, and I?—”

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