Roughing It

11. Hudson

CHAPTER ELEVEN

hudson

Kissing Blakely is as effortless as breathing. It’s also the best bad idea I’ve ever had. There’s no way this ends in anything other than heartache and disaster. But dammit, she fits against me like she was cut to be mine.

Blakely’s lips part, and I have to hold myself back from fucking her mouth with my tongue. With a groan, I break the kiss. She steals a few more small kisses, pecks really, but they make me want to own her mouth with mine.

“Fuck, Spitfire.” I hold her arms, bracing her away from my chest. “I swear I didn’t bring you out here to make out. I wanted to talk.”

She leans in again, eyes heavy-lidded. “We talked. This is better.”

I nip her lip and chuckle. “Let’s get out and enjoy the picnic.” As soon as I say the p-word, I sigh because I know what’s coming?—

“It is a picnic! I knew it! You big softie.” She shifts from my lap and I immediately miss the press of her body, the slight weight of her against me .

The air is brisk now that we’re out of the hot spring, and I fight a grin when the towel I toss to Blakely hits her in the face.

“Rude.” She huffs as she wraps it around herself.

She dries off and slips into my clothes, and damn if that doesn’t call up something primal from deep within me. As she struts towards the food, I see her in a new light.

A self-made princess—so much more than the spoiled brat I assumed she was.

And she’s enjoying being outdoors. With me. It’s in the way her eyes soak up the majesty around us, the way she lifts her face to follow the calls of the birds.

Questions rest on the tip of my tongue, but before I can ask them, a grape bounces off my forehead.

“Tell me more about your family.” Blakely stretches out on a large rock, her hair shining like spun gold.

“There isn’t much to tell.”

Another grape hits me in the chest. “Just tell me about them.”

“Stop throwing fruit.”

“Start talking, and I’ll stop throwing.”

“What do you want to know?” I plop onto the rock next to her, sitting up straighter when she scoots closer.

She nibbles a piece of cheese. “How is it working together? I could never work with anyone related to me. Do you ever wonder why your dad taught you your wilderness skills the way he did? What did your mom think of his methods?”

I stiffen. “My parents are great. What’s wrong with the way I learned?”

Blakely shrugs. “You spent a good chunk of your life literally guiding your brothers through the wilderness. Teaching them how to survive after learning it on your own. That’s a lot of pressure for anyone. ”

“I told you, my dad trusted me. It was a privilege to be responsible for them.”

“And now?”

I stare at her.

“Are you still responsible for them?”

“It’s my job. I’m the oldest; I have an obligation to the family business and to them.” My muscles tense. She’s pushing buttons I didn’t know I had.

The cool touch of Blakely’s hand on my cheek soothes my temper. “I’m trying to understand you and them. That’s a heavy weight to put on a kid’s shoulders, but you, no pun intended, bear it well.”

“I wouldn’t be who I am today without those experiences.”

“And is who you are now who you want to be?” she asks, studying my face.

My initial reaction is to lash out. That’s a bold question coming from her. What with the social media persona she built. But I’m not trying to dig my current hole deeper.

When I stay silent, she sighs, and her features soften. “I’m sorry I pushed the topic about your family stuff. Tell me about your brothers.”

Her apology makes me feel worse. I brought her out here to apologize. To explain about Paige. To learn more about her. Not to shut down. And for sure not to kiss, though the guilt of that isn’t as potent as it was.

Before I can say anything, my phone rings with a video call—as if mentioning their names summoned them. Bo’s number is on my screen, and if Bo is calling, Gray is right there with him.

“I need to take this. Something could be wrong.”

Her smile is gentle. “Always the responsible one.”

My brow creases with my frown. Why do her words feel more like an accusation than an observation?

“Yeah?” I bark as I hit the answer button.

Bo’s grinning face fills the screen. “How’s it going? You unfuck things yet?”

Blakely covers her mouth but can’t stifle her giggle. “Yeah, Bear, did you unfuck things?”

“Bear?” Gray asks as he shoves his way into the video frame.

I glare at my brothers, a warning in my scowl.

“Fuck yeah,” Bo says, “I’m totally calling you that from now on.”

“No,” I grunt. “Only one person gets to call me that.” The evil gleam in my brothers’ eyes tells me I haven’t heard the last of it.

But Blakely, being Blakely, takes this as her cue. She elbows me over and grins into the camera. “Hi! I’m the one who gets to call him Bear. You must be Bo and Gray?”

Bo’s mouth drops open. “You’re pretty.”

I not-so-subtly guide Blakely out of frame. “Did you two need something? Everything okay?”

“Hey, put Blakely back on. We have to look at your ugly mug all the time,” Gray says, smirking.

The familiar throb I associate with my brothers starts ticking behind my eye. “Gray,” I snap, “is everything okay?”

“Yeah, man. We called to check on you, that’s all. You need to relax, Hudson. We’re not kids anymore. Shit, Baby Bo will be thirty this year. We aren’t gonna bankrupt the business in a month without you there to triple-check everything.”

My jaw aches, and it isn’t until Blakely snakes the phone out of my hands that I realize how tightly I’m clenching my teeth.

She slips into her social media voice and dives into conversation with practiced ease. “Have you seen an uptick in bookings yet? ”

Gray nods. “Yeah, we’re booked out through the spring with more requests coming in daily. It’s fucking unbelievable. We’ve had to push some a ways out because, with just the three of us and Dad as reserve, we don’t have the staff to take them all on. It’s the best problem we could have.”

Blakely preens and gives me a smug smile before turning to the phone. “Hudson told me about how you guys used to go camping with your dad when you were young.”

Bo’s face lights up. “Yeah, it was awesome. Hudson taught Gray and me everything we know.”

“He sounds like a great big brother.”

“He is. He looked out for us growing up. Kept us out of trouble.”

Gray snorts. “He still does, even though we’re grown.”

My throat tightens at their words. Do they think I don’t trust them? I’m supposed to teach them, lead them, not make them think I don’t have confidence in their abilities or place in the business. Is my overprotectiveness holding them back?

Clearing my throat, I turn to Blakely. “Hop back in the hot spring. I need a minute with these two.”

“Sure, Bear. No problem. I could use more time to soak.” She gives Bo and Gray a friendly wave. “Nice to meet you two.”

I wait until she’s in the water before focusing on my brothers.

“The least you could do is let us see her in her swimsuit.”

If a snarl could throttle a person, Bo would be blue in the face right now.

“Woah, woah. Just teasing, Bear. Damn.”

“Fucking hell, Bo. Don’t call me that.”

“Oh, so the pretty woman can, but your own brother can’t?”

“Yes. ”

“Shit, you really like her, huh?” my youngest brother asks, the teasing tone melting from his voice.

I glance over at Blakely, and when I see her staring out over the valleys and cliffs, I nod.

Gray’s words are careful. “Hudson, she’s here for a month, and you aren’t built for casual. Don’t get me wrong, I think she’d be good for you, but what happens when it’s time for her to go?”

My chest aches, and I rub a clenched fist over my heart. Gray’s right. It’s all too easy to imagine Blakely coming home to me every day, putting on one of my t-shirts to sleep in, curling up at my side. For the next three weeks, I could have the fantasy future I thought I lost when Paige left.

But the ending is already written.

Bo shoves his way back onto the screen. “Don’t listen to Gray. This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance. You like her. And she’s a captive audience. I’d say turn on the charm, but we both know you don’t have any.”

I roll my eyes as he continues. “She’s the first person you’ve had an inkling of interest in since Paige. You’d be stupid to pass this up. She could fall in love with Trail Creek. And you. If Hallmark movies have taught me anything, it’s that the city slicker is never actually happy with their busy, lonely life.”

“Hallmark, huh?”

“Hey, don’t knock it.”

“So, look,” I swallow, “I’m sorry if I made you two feel like I don’t trust you. You’ve proven yourselves time and time again. I’m, um, proud of you both.”

Gray groans. “Oh shit, Hudson, don’t go getting all sappy on us. We know we’re awesome. We learned from the best.” He winks. “Now get the fuck off the phone and get back to the beautiful woman wearing a swimsuit and sitting in a hot spring.”

Bo gives me a salacious grin. “Yeah, time to finish unfucking things.”

The call disconnects, and I stand there for a moment, gathering my thoughts. That conversation was like being the ball in a fucking pinball machine, but a small weight lifts from my shoulders. I told my brothers I’m proud of them. It’s something I should say more often.

Sure, Bo and Gray are jokesters, and they drive me up the wall, but they’re good men. And they want what’s best for Peak Adventures as much as I do. It’s time I show them I believe that.

Blakely’s voice draws my attention to her. “Did you have a good talk with them?”

I shrug, but then I see the top of Blakely’s turquoise bikini sitting next to the hot spring and choke on my tongue. Her back is to me, but knowing she’s topless has all the blood in my body rushing to my cock, leaving none for my brain.

“What are you doing?”

She peeks at me over her shoulder, a suggestive look on her face. “Enjoying the view and the water.”

“Why is your top off?” My voice is ragged and rasping. Without thinking, I close the space between us, yanking my t-shirt off before slipping it over her head.

Her surprised squeak pulls me back to reality, and I huff out a laugh.

Blakely wriggles her arms through the sleeves and presses her lips into a thin line. “You could have asked me to put my top back on.”

“Wasn’t thinking clearly.”

Blakely grins. “Did the idea of me topless short-circuit your brain?”

“Everything about you short circuits my brain.” I extend a hand and pull her from the water. I realize my mistake once she steps out of the hot spring. The brilliant idea I had to cover her up is now see-through. Fuck. Me.

She arches one delicate eyebrow at me, and I spin, giving her my back. “Trying to be a gentleman here, Blakely.”

The rustling of clothing calls to me like a lure to a fish, but I stand firm. It isn’t until she laughs and gives me the all-clear that I turn back to her. It’s not that I don’t want to see her; I do, but…

“We need to finish our talk.”

“About your parents? Your apology? Kissing?”

“Yes.” She holds her hands out in exasperation.

“Your family. Why you’re here.”

Blakely makes a sour face. “Talking about my past requires something stronger than a hot spring.”

“How do you feel about whiskey?”

“I’m usually more of a wine girlie. But when in the wilderness.” She shrugs.

I brush my lips against hers, pack up our picnic— fuck, she’s got me calling it a goddamn picnic now— and guide her to the Jeep.

The ride back to the cabin is quiet but comfortable. I figure we’re both lost in our thoughts. Two factions war in my mind. Side one shouts that I’m an idiot setting myself up for a Paige redux. I’m endangering my business. My reputation.

The other side isn’t screaming. No. It’s a quiet, steady beat. Encouraging me to be brave and do what I want for once.

And fuck it. What I want is Blakely Bradshaw in her annoying, bold, infuriating, and bewitching glory.

When I pull into the familiar clearing, I say, “Why don’t you shower, and I’ll make us some dinner.”

Blakely nods, and I take my time unpacking the Jeep to give her a semblance of privacy. Once we’ve showered and eaten, I grab two lowball glasses, drop ice in each, and pour generous servings for us.

“Sip it.”

My laugh when she takes a drink and sputters earns me a glare. Rubbing her back, I croon, “Breathe through it. It’ll grow on you.”

“So…” She coughs and glares at the whiskey. “Which awkward topic do you want to tackle first? My childhood trauma? Your repressed emotions? Breaking the no kissing rule?”

I shake my head. Leave it to her to lay it all out. Drawing a long drink from my glass, I weigh the pros and cons of each topic. “Let’s move to the couch.”

Blakely curls up beside me while I study the amber liquid like it’ll tell me what to say. Scratching my beard, I mumble, “Why do you think I have issues with my family?”

Her soft hand pulls my face so we are eye to eye. “I said repressed emotions.” At my wan smile, she gives me a sweet kiss. “From what I can tell, you have a wonderful family, better than most. But I also think you carry an unnecessary amount of pressure. How much of that is because of the way you learned your trade? How much of that is who you are? It’s not a bad thing, Bear. I just wonder what you’d be like without the weight of expectations around your neck.”

Her words swirl in my head. When I don’t answer, she presses on. “What about Paige? You admitted she still colors your perspective.”

I stiffen at the mention of my ex. “I apologized for that.”

“You did. I’m not saying it’s a bad thing.” Blakely gives me a small smile. “How about we change gears for a bit?”

“Tell me something about you.”

The ice clinks in her glass as she slams what’s left of her whiskey back. “Refill?” she asks with a gasp .

“I told you to sip it.”

Blakely waves her hand. “Yeah, yeah.”

I top off both our glasses and wait.

“So Kirk is the only person who knows this, but I grew up in a small town west of Abilene. Dirt poor.” She shivers, and I automatically pull her closer, wrapping an arm around her. “Like, trailer on blocks, bugs and worse in the walls, no food on the weekends, poor.”

Her long lashes rest against her cheeks as she closes her eyes. “All I wanted was to get out of that place. The town, the trailer. My senior year, I got my wish.”

The way she spits the words tells me there’s more to the story.

She sighs. “Anyway. I started a new life in Austin and never looked back. I’m here to grow my brand. To prove people wrong.”

I brush my thumb over her supple bottom lip. “Is that the only reason?”

“Looks like I was wrong about you being emotionally stunted.” Setting our glasses to the side, she shoots me a half smile. “I was lonely as hell. I thought coming out here might give me a chance to figure out what I want. But I wasn’t expecting to want you.”

Maybe it’s the whiskey or the vulnerability of her words, but with a growl, I capture Blakely’s lips. All the bickering, the tension, the flirting crash over me, and before I know it, I have her pinned between my body and the couch.

Our mouths collide, her tongue slipping between my lips. Can she taste my loneliness, my lust, my need?

I should stop. I’m ignoring every rule I’ve ever set. Instead, I rock against her, and with each press of my hips, her shirt rides a little higher. The soft material of the fuzzy pink sweater is no competition for the silk of her skin.

The dip of her waist, the flare of her hips—every curve of her body is a winding road I long to travel. It would be so easy to lose myself in this moment. Where nothing exists outside this cabin. No responsibilities, no work. Just Blakely and me.

Breaking the kiss, her lips puffy and pink, Blakely whispers, “This is going to end badly, isn’t it?”

I trail open-mouth kisses down her throat until I reach the crook of her neck. Here I bury my face and inhale her sweet scent.

She lifts my head, those fathomless eyes searching my face. “If we stop now…”

I swallow. If we stop now, we can walk away, mostly unscathed. Instead of answering her, I seize her in another bruising kiss and let her lips push away all my doubts.