Page 25 of The Prey
She didn’t feel trapped at all.
She could turn, and walk away, and be…okay. He wouldn’t stop her. Not this man. He’d probably follow her out, taunting and challenging her—but he wouldn’tphysicallystop her at all. He wouldn’t.
Hudson wouldn’t hurther.
Sheknewthat.
Trusted that.
He might fight and yell—and yes, call her the devil spawn of Satan, like he had so many times before—but he wouldn’thurther. Ever.
She just…knew it.
Tears hit her eyes at what that meant. Her hands tightened on the fabric over his shoulders. He had really toned shoulders. His chest was hard and broad and strong. She could feel his heart pounding against her chest. She wanted to touch him. To cling like an idiot.
Gia wanted to stay right there, pressed against him. For as long as she could. It had been two and a halfyearssince she’d felt safe in a man’s arms.
She’d really thought she never would again.
Gia just kissed him right back.
There was nothing she wanted more in that moment, than to kiss himback.
17
The kiss scorchedHudson to his soul. Reiterated that this was the right decision for him. He wanted this woman. The fascinating, intriguing, maddening, beautiful, loving woman who didn’t have a clue what she was doing to him.
He’d kissed her, forcing himself not to push for too much, until she’d pulled away.
She’d looked up at him, all wide-eyed. Her lips had been swollen from his, there was pink in her pale cheeks, and her eyes had been soft. Beautiful. Full of emotion he couldn’t quite identify yet.
Forcing himself to step back and let her go had been one of the hardest things he’d done in a long time.
Then he’d heard his sister and her brother coming back down the hallway, two babies in their arms. They were bickering lightly. Like Hala and Grady almost always did. But Hala went with Grady to take the babies to see the horses.
He didn’t see his sister or Grady again for a long time, but the Fieldses babies were being passed around everywhere. Hala wasn’t anywhere in sight. He’d make a point to check on hissister when he got a chance. Grady seriously pushed her buttons at times, and always had.
Gia’s mother recruited him to help her carry a few things outside. He helped immediately. Gayle Hiller was one of his favorite women on the planet.
He’d always respected this woman.
She had been there during the darkest days of his life.
He’d not have made it through losing his father and mother and their younger sister Hailey without her. Hala had still been in the hospital. He’d had three funerals to plan and had to help a teenage girl deal with all of it, too.
The Hillers had been there. They had shown up moments after they’d heard what had happened. Justthere.From the moment he’d needed them. They had just been there. Rather like their daughter had apparently been there for Hala when she’d needed her most. He was more grateful for that than he would ever be able to say.
Hudson acted on impulse, hugging Gia’s mother quickly. “Thank you, for everything you’ve done for my family through the years. It’s greatly appreciated.”
“We consider you family, Hudson. Don’t forget that. You and Hala and Ryan. We love you all.”
“I’m not so sure Gia doesn’t think I’m the devil, but…thank you. Especially for Hala’s sake.”
“Always. And as for my eldest daughter, I’m sure you’ll convince her you’re not really a devil—well, you are a rather handsome devil, though—eventually. If you work hard enough at it.”
There was a look in the eyes her daughter had inherited that told himthisHiller knew exactly what he was up to. And she approved.
Yes, this was one of his top three favorite women on the planet. Joined by his sister…and one Giavonna Hiller.
