Page 41 of Summer Love

Elena waved a hand. "She's always making tea. But yeah, I'll meet you downstairs."

I didn't think I could handle being alone in this room with her for one more second. I waited until she was gone, and then I went into the bathroom and locked the door. The clothes were a barrier between us, because the towel could be lowered with a flick of my fingers. It would be too easy for me to lose control entirely.

This afternoon, it was clear that I couldn't be alone with her. Not in a situation like this. If we'd been at my house, I don't think I could have resisted crossing the room and kissing her. The thought that her grandmother was in the house was the only thing holding me back.

ChapterTen

ELENA

Grams insisted we join her in the living room to watch a movie. The rain fell outside, and the sky was dark. It felt like we were in a little cave, protected from the rest of the world. The only place to sit in the room was on the couch with Hudson.

Every time his leg or foot brushed mine, a tingle shot through my body. I couldn't stop thinking about how he looked wrapped in only a towel, his sculpted chest on display. It would only have taken one tug to see everything underneath.

It wasn't fair that he was so attractive or that I couldn't keep my mind off him. I was positive Grams knew what was going on in my head, because every once in a while, she'd look over at us and smile.

Hudson didn't have to stay, and I was positive he was just being polite. When the movie ended, he threw off the blanket from our laps. "I'd better get going. I want to do a few things before dinner."

"Oh, aren't you joining him, Elena?" Grams asked as she got up to follow us into the kitchen.

"Yeah, it will be a good opportunity to meet his family and get to know him better." Did she notice how stilted I sounded? I was trying to remind myself that it was strictly professional, but being with Hudson felt personal. We spent a lot of time together, and we'd shared some things on his deck last night that made me feel vulnerable.

"Right," Grams said.

"I'll be back to pick you up at six," Hudson said with his hand on the door.

"Okay," I said even as I knew I should push back on that idea. I needed to distance myself from him. If he looked hard enough, he would see that I was attracted to him. That my mind was going to forbidden places. That it felt a little like bringing a woman home to meet your parents, which was ridiculous. His dad was the one who assigned me to Hudson. This was a job.

He opened the storm door and dashed through the falling rain and into his truck.

I hoped to disappear into my bedroom to get ready, but Grams said, "How did it go last night?"

I sat on the couch. "It was nice. He played basketball with the boy, and then he took him out for ice cream."

"You were home late."

"He invited me over to his place afterward so I could ask questions about the mentorship." At her knowing look, I rushed to add, "You know, journalism kind of questions."

"You didn't fool around?" Grams said so matter-of-factly that my mouth dropped open.

"No." I couldn't believe her sometimes.

"You kids are too slow to… What do you call it these days? Hook up." Grams waved a hand in my direction.

"Grams, I'm not looking to hook up with Hudson, and if I was, I wouldn't be sharing it with you." My cheeks heated because my body was one hundred percent on board. It wasn't a good idea to hook up with one of the most eligible bachelors. I was fairly sure Valerie wanted the guys to stay single, and I wanted to keep this job so I could stay here.

"I'm living vicariously through you; you have to share."

"There's nothing to share."

"Hmph." Grams walked past me into the living room. "He sat here for two hours and watched a romance movie. He didn't make an excuse to leave until after it was over."

I snorted. "He'd do anything for you."

"He might enjoy my company because I'm a treat, but I'm fairly positive he's hanging around because he likes you."

I rolled my eyes. "That's not the case."

"I hope you don't miss what's right in front of you."

---