Page 53 of Lucky Laces
I shiver.
“No, I haven’t eaten yet today,” Hudson says and I jump, jerked from my thoughts as I spin to face him.“But I have some premade meals in the freezer—do you…um…do you want me to heat something up for you guys?”
“No!”I reply quickly.
Too quickly.
So quickly that Hudson’s brows fly up and when my gaze jerks to the side, I see Jean-Michel wearing a similar expression.
“I just mean…we’re here to check in on you,” I manage to push out, only half sounding like my lungs are being compressed by an elephant.“You don’t have to feed us.”
“Right,” he murmurs, slowly lifting his arm and reaching behind me to close the fridge door.
“Oh.Uh, sorry,” I whisper.“I should have?—”
His fingers trail down the outside of my arm, on the side the Jean-Michel can’t see.“All good.”A soft whisper.
“Are your parents still here?”I ask, even though I suppose I know the answer to that already, considering that my ears aren’t being assaulted by Jim’s bitching.
“No,” he says, gentle eyes holding mine as his mouth hitches up, and fuck if I don’t feel that smile like phantom fingers stroking me between my thighs.“I put them in an Uber to the airport this morning.”
“That’s why it’s so quiet,” I say lightly.
“Well until the next time they decide to storm into my life.”He shifts, wincing and I reach out to steady him.
“You should sit down.”
One big shoulder lifts and drops.“I’m fine.”
“But—”
He tugs at my ponytail.“I’m fine, DeeDee.I promise.”
I wrinkle my nose because he’s obviously hurting, but before I can argue with him further, Jean-Michel clears his throat.
Jean-Michel.
Yup, I forgot my boss was here.
Again.
Holy hell, I need to get my shit together.
Hudson’s eyes slide from mine and he glances over at the powerful businessman and team owner.When he looks back at me, our gazes connecting for only a short blip, I watch the warmth from his expression disappear, as though he’s carefully tucked it away, before he steps away to lean against the island.“What can I do for you guys?”
Do?
For me?
And just like that, my mind goes to all the wrong places.
And just likethat…I can’t think of a single appropriate thing to say.
Thankfully Jean-Michel steps in to save the day, though he does it with a look in my direction, a look that has the hairs on my nape prickling, a look that tells me he sees far too fucking much.
“We wanted to check in,” Jean-Michel says.“Make sure you’re feeling okay and arrange some time with Doc to take a look at your leg.”
“I…” Hudson glances at me.“Okay.”
