Georgia-Blue & Hudson (Stoney Creek #5)

Chapter 15

15

Hudson

The next twelve hours goes by in a blur and all traces of last night seem to have disintegrated as each moment at the wedding passes.

We ate breakfast out on my balcony with the tone of the morning very light with no mention of bucking wild bulls, or my demise after my mother died. Georgia did, of course, ask how I was feeling this morning, and I am a darned sight better than I was while taming the wild beast Bucko last night.

There’s also something else that needs taming, even though I took care of myself in the shower, but that will have to wait until later.

I think Georgia wanted to rehash what happened last night. I could tell by the way she was looking at me during breakfast and the way her mouth kept opening slightly but she seemed to think better of it and closed it again. But thankfully we never delved into more details as she drank coffee and ate her French toast.

I have demons from the past, there’s no doubt. The last few years have been rocky, and other than my dad and Gray, there’s no one I’ve ever divulged anything to before.

All I know now is that I’ve washed all traces of last night away and I’m suited up looking sharper than I have done in years. I even take my beard right down to stubble and run some gel through my hair.

My eyes nearly pop out of my head seeing Georgia dressed in a long, slinky silver dress that fits her body like silky liquid, accentuating all her curves that I’ve certainly grown to admire. There seems to be slits all over the place in that dress: one up one side to her thigh and a low V down the front, which somehow she still manages to keep her tits contained. The low backline shows off her creamy skin and her swan-like neck and shoulders. She’s regal and elegant when she’s not dressed in flannel and work boots.

It’s certainly enough to raise my eyebrows, and every other man in the room, as I try to not scan the rest of her body, I know with a hundred percent certainty I’m going to fail.

Lord only knows I had an eyeful last night as she leant over me, trying to wake me up, and then at the beach in that little bikini. I was trying my best to keep straight thoughts in my head when I was laying in the water with a hard-on the size of Brazil. I wasn’t sure that would be a good look for me to announce to the whole beach, especially Georgia herself, being she’s the one that caused it.So I laid there waiting for it to subside.

She’s curled her hair for the occasion today and wears it in loose waves with one side pinned up with a clip. Her makeup is a little more than she usually wears, and the smoky eye was another eyebrow raiser. Shining blue eyes like sapphire. Red lips the color of strawberries. She looks fucking stunning, no doubt about it.

I try my best to be the guy I’m supposed to be on this trip and stop ogling her and concentrate on the procession, which runs like clockwork. In no time at all, James and Liz are a happily married couple walking down the aisle hand in hand as everyone claps and cheers. I’ve never liked weddings as a whole, but James and I go way back, and I never thought I’d see the day when he settled down.

I guess there’s hope for us all.

Realistically though, I don’t think there’s a woman that could put up with my array of shit. I’m set in my ways and I’ve been told — by more than just Georgia-Blue Bassett — that I’m a grump.

“You think they’ll make it?” I ask GB as the canapés are served in the huge marquee just off the ballroom. We both take a chicken skewer. I’m starving.

“Who?” she replies, holding her champagne glass halfway up to her mouth.

We both agreed this morning that a glass of champagne here or there wasn’t going to hurt anyone as long as she doesn’t guzzle them down. And I’ll make sure she eats.

Then we shouldn’t have any alcohol problems whatsoever.

I give her a look and I’m half a second away from rolling my eyes and mouthing, “seriously?” until she laughs into her glass. I watch her pretty red lips find the rim, my eyes raking over her face as she sips. Yes, that’s good. Small sips aren’t going to get her shit faced and all over me again. Not that I minded the first time, and it’s all I’ve thought of since, but I’m here to look after her. Whether she thinks she needs babysitting or not is beside the point.

“Oh, the happy couple,” she continues. “Why, don’t you?”

I pop a shoulder. “They seem good together. James has tamed his ways the last few years.”

“There’s hope for you yet, then.” She laughs again. I watch as she takes a bite of her skewer. “You know, you have quite the reputation for being a ladie’s man.”

My head jumps back. “What the hell are you talking about?”

She shakes her head. “Never mind.”

“I told you before, I haven’t been with anyone since before the summer.” Okay, longer than that, but whatever.

“So that’s true?”

“I don’t tell lies.”

Her eyes wander downward, wafting over my frame and my soul about leaves my body as she assesses me. “You do look good in a suit, though.”

Fine. She wants to play this game?

My eyes glance down at her svelte figure. “You look good dressed up, Blue Belle.”

“Are you saying you don’t like flannel?”

“No, I’m saying a girl like you doesn’t get much of a chance to dress this fancy.”

She sounds sad when she says, “Not in a town like Stoney Creek.”

I’m about to answer when the couples start walking back from their photo shoot with the bridal party. Everyone is asked to take a seat in the ballroom ready for their arrival.

We’re sitting at a large round table of ten, there’s no one we know, but they seem pleasant enough. Georgia chats away as usual, like she’s known these strangers her whole life. Meanwhile I focus on eating until one of the guys starts talking about the Titans game and I join in because there could be worse conversation other than football.

We’re up to dessert when I give Georgia a nudge. “No sign of Ronnie what’s-his-name yet?”

“I saw him at the ceremony, luckily he was on the far side of us. I don’t think he saw me.” It’s pretty crowded here with 120 guests.

“Good, it better stay that way.”

It’s around the time of the cake cutting when some douchebag sidles up next to her. I’m still at the table, talking about sports with James and some of the guys, while Georgia is up near the bar talking to Liz and a group of women. They’re watching the wedding cake being wheeled out, ready for more photos. It looks delicious; three tiers with buttercream frosting surrounded by smaller cupcakes at the base.

But I’m distracted when a tall, solid dude sways up to Georgia and swings his arm around her neck. It could be dear old Ronnie boy. I immediately chagrin with a heavy exhale and push my seat back.

This is exactly what I wanted to avoid. Some drunk asshole hitting on her.

I don’t even know if the jerk is her ex from high school because I didn’t give the slightest fuck what he looks like or who he is until this moment.

I see her say something to him as he leans against the bar like he’s God’s gift to the universe. Immediately, I don’t like him. He’s smug. His suit is a little too tight. And he has a boring haircut.

Oh yeah, he’s trying to be charming and it just looks sleazy. When I see him slide his arm around her shoulders, and Georgia immediately shrugs it off, I’m a few strides away from taking him down.

My fist balls at my side and I already want to gauge his eyes out. Who the fuck does he think he is manhandling her and looking at her like he wants to devour her?

If that’s going to be anyone’s job this weekend, it’s mine. Period.

Guys have been eyeing her all night but since she’s been with me for most of it, she’s been safe from any advances.

More importantly, she’s saying no, her hand flat on his chest as she shakes her head.

I stride toward them in a fury.

“Yeah, I don’t think that’s a good idea,” I hear Georgia say as I approach. “I’m here with somebo?—”

“Honey, is there a problem?” I bark as I sidle right up behind her, wrapping an arm protectively around her middle, effectively pulling her back to my front. She gasps from the sudden movement she clearly wasn’t expecting, one hand pressing into her chest.

She looks over her shoulder and stretches her neck to glance up at me. It gives me great satisfaction to feel her visibly relax under my touch when she sees it’s me. Then she leans back into my chest. Fuck me. This feels too good…

“No, baby.” Georgia smiles as sweet as pie, as fuckface looks at me and we have a five second stare off.

“Um, I’m Ronnie,” he says, sticking his hand out. “Good to meet?—”

I stare at his hand like it’s a foreign object and he quickly retracts it. “Is this guy bothering you, sweetheart? It kinda looked like it from where I was standing.”

I rock my hips against her back, hammering it up just a notch as snuggle into her neck. I don’t mean to breathe in her fucking wicked scent. The violets and vanilla mixing together in a heady concoction have me feeling delirious for a second. I’m swept up in the illusion that we really are a couple for these moments.

My growing erection agrees. And I can’t help noticing how much I like being wrapped around her.

She’s so fucking tiny.

“I was just saying hello,” Ronnie interrupts before she can answer. “We haven’t seen each other in years.”

“Since he cheated on me,” Georgia surprises me by saying. Her eyes flick up to him and she tilts her head with a pause. “Remember, Ron ?”

“George, you know how fucked up things were back then.” I bristle at the way he calls her George and the way he says it like I’m not even standing here. He doesn’t take his greedy eyes off her as he stumbles his words. From my observations and the way he’s slightly slurring, he’s inebriated.

I don’t know who he thinks he is touching her like that. She said no.

One thing I’m sure of is the stone-faced, icy glare I give him that can’t be mistaken for anything else, other than back the fuck off . And as his eyes divert to mine, I see he’s getting the vibe as his face drops along with his stupid smile.

He swallows hard. “Look, I should really get going,” he says, “I’ll see you?—”

Georgia shakes her head. “You won’t be seeing me later, Ronnie. I’ll be upstairs fucking my boyfriend.”

I try to not let the air in my lungs rasp out at her words, but she has a way of being able to knock a man’s wind from his sails like nobody else. I pull her a little tighter, well aware my dick is sticking into her and not giving one single fuck.

Upstairs fucking my boyfriend? Why do I suddenly like the sounds of that?

I give her a kiss on the side of the head, gripping her hip with my other hand. “That’s right, Robbie or Ronnie or whatever the fuck your name is. Beat it.” He turns to leave and on reflex I snatch his wrist before he moves a step. He spins around to look at me. “Stay away from her,” I warn. “You’ve got no business touching my woman. When a woman says no, she means no, got it?”

He swallows again, nodding. “Got it,” he mutters, stalking off.

When he’s finally out of our goddamned sight, Georgia looks up at me as she steadies her hands against the bar and I make no attempt to move.

“Huds,” she whispers. Her rapid breath draws my eyes down to her chest.

I don’t remove my hands from her body. “Yeah?”

“He’s gone,” she calls over the music. I’m one second away from grinding my fucking hips into her lower back when I catch myself and quickly let go. Adjusting my cock right now would be good, but people are already watching us after that intense situation with her ex, and I don’t want to draw any more attention.

She smirks as she watches me.

I notion to the bartender to grab us some drinks. A champagne for her and a whisky for me.

“That was quite the face off.” She sounds amused.

“Don’t even get me started.”

“I told you he was a jerk.”

“I don’t think you did, I would’ve remembered. In fact, I’m sure you tried to tease me about him being here. Why didn’t you tell me he cheated?”

“It wasn’t important. And I was teasing you to try and make you jealous. Not that that’s possible,” she mutters.

I try to keep my eyes off her body in that dress. Fuck, no. No. No. No!

“Lookin’ like you look tonight, Precious Princess, don’t be so sure about that.”

Her mouth parts slightly and I know I’ve fucked up.

I clear my throat. “It’s been a while,” I try to explain. “I was just playin’ the part to get rid of him.”

Her lips twitch. “How long has it been?” She also has this way of completely ignoring me.

“That’s what you wanna talk about?”

She shrugs and my eyes divert to the V at the front of her dress concealing two beautiful tits that are more than a handful. I’m sure there’s tape or some shit keeping the edges from opening and I’m glad no one can get a clear shot of her succulence from this angle except me. “Yep.”

“I’m not discussing this with you,” I say as the bartender passes our drinks over.

She makes a scowling face and then breaks into a little giggle, it’s fucking musical over the noise of the music from the DJ. “Tell!”

I shake my head and pick up the glass and without thinking, I tip the liquid down my throat, slamming the glass back on the bar.

Her lips curl. “Thirsty?”

I lick the liquor off my lips and lean on the bar. “A little parched after that showdown. You really dated that asshole?”

“It was a long time ago.” She sighs. “I was young and dumb back then, clearly.”

“I’m sorry he cheated on you. Doesn’t seem like you missed out on much, though.”

Her pretty sapphire eyes blink up at me. “He was an idiot. Now, how long, Huds? I won’t stop bugging you and if I have to resort to tickling, I will.”

My lips turn up and I sigh, running a hand over my head. “A while.”

“Since Dolly?—”

My eyes shoot to hers and I groan. “Don’t even.”

She holds up her palms. “Just making conversation.”

“I was very drunk, and that’s all I’m gonna say about it.”

“Uh, huh.” She has a mischievous smile that makes my dick jerk.

“How long has it been for you?” I ask, quirking a brow. I signal to the bartender for another shot at the same time. I need another one before this conversation is over with.

When my eyes stray back to hers again, she’s staring up at me with a look I can’t place. The reason I can’t place it is because I’ve never seen it before. It’s a mixture of shyness, surprise and heat all rolled into one.

She’s also sucking down that champagne like there’s no tomorrow. I’m tempted to take the glass away from her.

“I told you in the truck that night,” she whispers. I reach for her glass, but she’s too fast. She holds it up to her lips and knocks it back.

“You little brat,” I mutter.

She smiles triumphantly. “Grumpy pants.” She’ll be the death of me. “Anyway, the alcohol ban got lifted the moment you threw that whisky down.”

I disregard that, wanting to get back to her earlier comment. “What did you tell me in the truck that night?” I want to hear her say it.

She looks down at her feet. Shy Georgia? That’s a first.

I find myself aching to know what she meant. “Georgia, tell me.” Do I sound like I’m pleading? At this point I don’t fucking care.

Her eyes find mine, and her southern spirit is alive and well again. “I’ll tell you mine if you tell me yours. That’s how this is gonna work, Cowboy .”

Oh, she thinks she holds all the cards?

I grin. “There ain't much to tell. I’ve had a dry spell since before the summer.”

“Months, then?”

I give her a pointed look. “Many, many months.” Okay, maybe one ‘many’ would’ve been enough.

She sighs, resigned to the fact she’s gonna have to tell me one way or the other, even if I have to tickle it out of her in return. “I told you I’d been abstaining my whole life, Huds.” She looks down again. Everything about her is perfect. I tip her chin to look at me.

Now I know I’m pleading. “Tell me.”

I can’t digest the next words out of her mouth, not right away, anyway. It still shocks me to my core when she whispers, “I’m a virgin.”