Page 7 of Off-Limits Love
She watched as he opened the top and carefully removed one of the German chocolate cake bites.
His hands looked ginormous compared to the bite-sized treat, and he was careful to hold the dessert by the paper-wrapped bottom before plopping the entire thing in his mouth and peeling the paper away.
His eyes widened slightly as he chewed, and watching the sight of his lean, lightly scruffed jaw working felt way more intimate and sexier than it should.
Since when was watching someone eat sexy? “They’re, um, good? You like it?”
He nodded again. And she hated that he didn’t feel comfortable enough to speak to her.
Still, that was okay. The last thing she wanted to do was pressure him after what he’d been through last night.
Actions spoke louder than words, and he’d already proven himself to be the guy who ran toward a screaming woman. “I’m glad. Like I said, I’m really sorry about last night. Sam says you’re a good neighbor and friend, and I guess I just hope you won’t hold what happened against us.”
“Yo, Finn, is Dash on the schedule for the market this weekend or Har— Oh, hello, you.”
Mak turned and found herself facing a man a few years younger than herself.
“You holding out on me, brother?”
Given the man’s gorgeous features and dark hair, she saw the resemblance.
“I’m Hudson,” the man said. “Who might you be?”
Mak felt her face flush a bit due to the younger man’s too-obvious gaze raking her up and down, but lifted her hand to shake the one he’d extended. “Mak— Makayla, actually, but everyone calls me Mak. I’m Sam’s niece.”
“From next door? Yeah, I know Sam. Don’t remember him mentioning you. Are you in town for a visit, or do you live around here? Maybe we could get together sometime.”
Finn stretched out a long arm and not so subtly punched his brother in the shoulder, drawing a laugh from Mak because of their antics.
Hudson Blackwell definitely qualified as a professional flirt. Still, her mood sobered when the questions hung in the air between them, and she felt both men waiting for her response. “Actually, I just moved in with Sam. My daughter and I will be staying with him until… I mean, um, for a while,” she altered, not sure how much information Sam had told his neighbor about his health issues or what the future held. As to Hudson’s other question, that one she ignored.
Mak glanced at Finn and saw that he’d caught her blunder about Sam, though. His forest-green gaze assessed her in a way he hadn’t been before but she forced a smile for them both and shoved her hands into the back pockets of her shorts. “I should get back before Emi wakes up from her nap. I just wanted to drop those off and apologize.”
“Wait, don’t go yet,” Hudson said. “Apologize for what? Come on, you can’t leave me hanging. You have to tell me. Big brother here is as stoic as they come, and I need details.”
She fought the urge to roll her eyes at the teasing and bit back a grimace at Finn’s disgruntled scowl. Reminded of his embarrassment last night, she’d leave the explaining to as much or little as Finn wanted to tell. To Hudson she said, “Have a good day, gentlemen.”
Mak walked away on shaky legs because she was not the type to be so talkative with men, especially two she didn’t know well—or at all. But she felt heartsick for Finn and his embarrassment, and it made her feel good to think that he could torture his younger brother by keeping his silence if he so chose.
She’d just made it to her car and was fumbling to find the fob in her pocket when a hand gently touched her upper arm.
She sucked in a breath and turned, stumbling over her own feet and into the side of her vehicle. Finn’s gaze narrowed at her clumsy response, but he quickly took a step back.
Mak released an uncomfortable laugh and lifted a hand to her neck as though it might slow her racing pulse. “Sorry. I— You’re very quiet. I didn’t hear you approach.”
He dipped his head in acknowledgement of her words, but his gaze didn’t lose the hint of suspicion at her physical response. Her unease and awkwardness didn’t help matters. She was sure of that. “Did you need something?”
His nostrils flared as he inhaled and parted his full lips.
“Th-thanks.”
She beamed at him, unable to stop the smile if her life depended on it. “It’s no problem. I know how siblings can be.” She had a brother stationed in Alaska. She hadn’t seen him for several years, but she totally remembered the way Seb teased her growing up.
Standing this close, Mak realized Finn towered over her. Barely squeaking by at five-two, she guessed him to be several inches over six feet. It strained her neck a bit to stare up at him, but she held his gaze and didn’t look away.
She figured enough people wouldn’t make eye contact because they were uncomfortable with his issue. She refused to be one of them. “Enjoy the treats. I should go in case Emi wakes up.”
Her fingers found the key fob, and she slid inside. Finn waited as she started the car and backed up, and she managed another smile and awkward wave as she left.
