Tequila Haze (The Tequila Duet Book 1) Read online

  He spins, looking around the space. A large family room opens to the kitchen, top of the line appliances, quartz countertops, white cabinets, all the best fixtures and details. He turns back and takes in the wall of windows he had me pressed against moments earlier. They span the entire back wall of the house. There’s a set of French doors directly in the center, where we entered. They open up to a large deck complete with a wood pathway that leads all the way to the sand.

  “It’s incredible.”

  “I’m gonna run to the bathroom. I’ll be right back,” I say, disappearing into the hall bathroom to quickly clean myself up.

  When I re-enter the room, Hudson is standing exactly where I left him, staring out of the wall of windows to the beach.

  “This is a million dollar view,” he says when I approach.

  “This is my dream house.” I turn, trailing my hand along the sparkling quartz countertop as I head into the kitchen. “If I could pick one house I’d live in over all other houses, this would be it.”

  “You and Emma designed this?” he asks, still looking around.

  “It still needs paint and furniture and some other finishing touches, but it’s really coming together. You should’ve seen it when we started.” I smile.

  I step up next to him and take his hand. “Come on, let me show you the rest.”

  I pull him through the wide hallway that opens up to bonus space and then to the right where three of the bedrooms are located. After peeking into each room including two full baths, I lead him back out into the family room and around the kitchen to the other side of the house where the enormous master suite is.

  Flipping on the overhead light, Hudson’s gaze instantly goes to the massive sliding door that leads out to the deck. It takes up well over half the back wall, offering the same view in the master that you get in the family room.

  “It just keeps getting better.” He shakes his head as he crosses the room, stopping in front of the doors.

  “Can you imagine waking up every morning to that view?”

  “I can.”

  I look up to see his eyes locked on me in the reflection of the glass. The intensity makes me squirm slightly.

  “Just wait until you see the bathroom.” I gesture to the other side of the room and walk through a large walkway into what looks like a bathroom made for royalty.

  Marble floors, tiled walls, a shower big enough to hold ten people, and a jetted tub the size of a small swimming pool are just some of the amazing features that make up the incredible space.

  “We carried the quartz into the bathrooms as well.” I point to the vanity complete with two sinks before opening the door in the corner that leads to a private toilet room.

  “This place is incredible, Lennon. When you said you designed houses, I wasn’t sure what that entailed. Now I’m getting it. You start with a blank space and literally design it from the ground up.”

  “I do.” I smile, looking around the bathroom. “I decide what goes where and how much space to allot to each area. Where walls get built and which ones get torn down. I mean, Emma and I do it together. It’s definitely a two person show, but I think we balance each other well. She gets my vision and builds upon it and I do the same for her. Until we end up here.”

  “Couldn’t you buy it if you wanted to? I mean, Emma’s dad is the one that owns it, right?” he asks, following me back out into the family room.

  “If I could afford it.” I laugh, shaking my head.

  “How much does a place like this go for?” he asks, seeming genuinely curious.

  “Well, considering he’s selling it furnished, a million five. Maybe more. I think Jeff paid close to eight hundred thousand for it, and that was before he completely gutted it and paid to have it remodeled from the ground up. He’s probably got at least one point two invested in the property. Speaking of which...” I hold up my finger before slipping into the kitchen, ducking under the sink to grab some cleaning supplies.

  Finding a pack of Windex wipes, I pull two sheets out before resealing the package and dropping it back under the sink.

  “What are you doing?” Hudson crosses his arms over his chest, hip leaning against the large island.

  “Cleaning this window.” I point to the obvious boob imprints as I stop in front of it.

  “Why? I think that really gives the room character.” He chuckles.

  “Not sure my boss would agree with you.” I press the wipe against the glass, rubbing it back and forth until the evidence of what happened here tonight is completely wiped away.

  Passing by Hudson, I drop the wipes in a trash bag the workers left by the stove, before turning and almost running head first into his broad chest.

  Looking up, I smile. “Excuse you,” I fake annoyance.

  “I’m thinking we should break in the counter next.” His smile is wicked as his hands grip my hips and lift, depositing my ass onto the shiny quartz seconds later.

  “I’m thinking you have to shut the lights off first.” I wrap my hands around the back of his neck as he settles between my legs.

  “And why would I want to do that?” he asks, dropping hot kisses down the side of my neck.

  “Because anyone can see in.”

  “Let them watch.” Those are the last words I hear before Hudson pulls me roughly to the edge of the counter and spreads me wide. Tracing his tongue along his bottom lip, his face dips and he disappears between my thighs.

  —-

  It’s just after four in the morning when we arrive at the airport. As sad as I am that Hudson’s leaving so soon, I also can’t deny what this night has meant to me. With each day that passes, Hudson is showing me that despite everything going on in our lives, he wants to make this work. And god, so do I.

  “You good?” Hudson squeezes my hand that’s currently tucked into his as we make our way toward security.

  “Yeah.” I force a smile, trying my damndest not to be a total girl and lose myself to the emotion threatening to dissolve me into a puddle of tears.

  How quickly my feelings for this man have grown. I can say with complete certainty that I’ve never felt so overwhelmingly consumed by another person before. It’s scary. Yet so damn exciting at the same time.

  “You sure?” He pulls me off to the side a few feet from the security gate.

  “Today has been incredible.” I lean into his hand when he reaches out and cups my cheek. “Thank you for coming. I’m not sure I conveyed just how much it meant to me that you did.”

  “Oh you conveyed it perfectly clear.” He smirks, tracing my bottom lip with his thumb. “Over and over again.” His smile blossoms and his lone dimple makes an appearance.

  God, this man is so good looking it physically hurts to look directly at him. All I want to do is climb up his body and get lost in him the same way I have done for the last few hours. I’m not ready for this to be over. Especially since I have no idea how long it will be before I see him again.

  “Is that a blush I see?” he teases, leaning forward to lay a kiss to each of my flushed cheeks before finding my lips on a soft peck.

  “Shut up,” I murmur against his mouth before deepening the kiss.

  The airport isn’t crowded but there are still people coming and going. While this fact might have normally bothered me, I’m completely oblivious to anyone but Hudson.

  “Less than a month,” he says, pulling back.

  “Less than a month?” I question, not sure what he’s referring to.

  “We’ll be wrapping the tour.”

  “And what will you do then? Go back on tour?”

  “What I’ll be doing is flying my ass back out here and losing myself in you for days,” he says matter of fact, his smile soft.

  “Is that so?” I question coyly.

  “It is.” He nods. “You got a problem with that?”

  “Not a single one.” I grin.

  “Good.” He leans in and kisses me again before dropping his forehead to mine. “I know I have
to get on that plane but it’s taking everything for me to leave you here.” His statement causes my breath to catch. “I don’t know what’s happening here, Lennon, but I want it to continue. I want to explore this with you. You make me feel some sort of way, Miss Claire.” He grins, letting out a slow breath.

  “You make me feel some sort of way too, Mr. Demasi,” I practically whisper, my words sticking in my throat.

  “Less than a month. Promise you’ll wait for me.” I pull back from his hold, sensing for the first time ever that Hudson seems unsure of himself.

  “I wouldn’t dream of doing anything but.” I twist my hand around the back of his neck and pull him to me, kissing him for anyone to see. “Just make sure you come back to me,” I say when I break our kiss several moments later.

  “Just try and keep me away.” He grins, repositioning the bag on his shoulder before dropping a quick kiss to my forehead. “Gonna be the longest four weeks of my life,” he grumbles.

  “I know the feeling.”

  “I gotta go,” he says taking a full step back. “Text me when you’re home safe, yeah?”

  “Yeah.” I nod.

  He opens his mouth like he wants to say more but snaps it closed, clearly changing his mind. It takes everything in me not to call him back when he turns. To beg him to tell me what feels like something important, but I don’t. Instead I stand where he last stood with me and watch him walk away.

  Chapter Eighteen

  “Wait, so you’re telling me you two,” Emma does some weird sexual hand gesture before continuing, “right there.” She points toward the window that less than forty-eight hours ago Hudson had me pressed against.

  “And other places.” I try to contain my smile but it’s a useless attempt. I haven’t been able to keep it a bay since Hudson showed up at my sister’s wedding Saturday.

  “I’m so proud.” Emma fans her face like she’s drying tears that aren’t there.

  “Only you.” I laugh.

  “I’m still super bummed I missed him at the wedding.” She pouts out her bottom lip dramatically.

  “Well maybe you shouldn’t have bolted for the door the second the formalities were out of the way.”

  “Whatever. I wasn’t feeling that well.” She huffs, leaning back against the edge of the island.

  My eyes go to where she’s leaning and a quick smile darts across my lips.

  “Oh my god! Here too.” She jumps away from the counter.

  “What?” I ask innocently from my place on the floor. I’m sorting through a few décor pieces that were delivered today.

  “Please tell me you cleaned up after yourself.” She swipes her finger across the counter and holds it up in front of her face like she’s inspecting for dust.

  “What are you doing?” I can’t help but laugh at my crazy friend.

  “Making sure there’s no man business on the countertop.”

  “And if there were and you got it on your hand?” I gasp out through laughter.

  “I think I’d be okay with that.” She shrugs, wiping her hand on the side of her shorts.

  “God, I love you.”

  Emma smiles wide. “I know.”

  Our conversation is interrupted by one of the electricians who’s working on wiring a chandelier in the master bathroom.

  He’s worried about the size of the fixture and wants to make sure we think it fits the space before finishing the install.

  Emma excuses herself to help him, leaving me alone to sort through the chaos in front of me. When I ordered pieces I had room ideas in mind but things change when you have everything in front of you. It’s up to me to figure out what should go where, which will be much easier once the furniture arrives next week.

  My mind wonders back to Hudson, as it does most times when I’m left to my own devices. I think of his smile, his laugh, the way his voice sounds muffled against my skin. Never in a million years did I dream I’d find myself falling so hard and fast for a man. I wish I could say it was in my control, that I have a handle on the way I feel about him, but the truth is I don’t. Not even a little.

  I also wish I could say I’m not completely terrified by the whole thing, but I am. Getting involved with a man like Hudson is a risk. There’s going to be people out there challenging my claim to him. It’s the way of the world and when you’re as good looking as Hudson, it’s to be expected. But add on the fact that he’s touring and surrounded by thousands of fans several nights a week. It adds a whole other level of insecurity that most relationships don’t have to deal with.

  I love that Hudson is a musician. I love that the man I met five years ago stayed true to his passion and has found success in doing what he loves. I just wish it didn’t make our relationship so much more difficult.

  When I sit down and think about it, our timing really is shit. I’m in the middle of two major remodeling projects and he’s on the road for his very first tour. We’re both extremely busy, not to mention that this is all so new and exciting to him. I’m afraid it’s only a matter of time before I bleed into the background.

  “Len, did you hear me?”

  “Huh?” I look up to find Emma standing over me.

  “Dad called. I have to run over to Mitchell’s and work out some issue with the tile for the second bathroom. The warehouse sent the wrong pattern and he wants me to see if it will still work because we can’t really afford to wait the two week window for them to send the right tile.”

  “Again?” I question, this being an issue we deal with too often.

  “Dad says he’s done with Mitchell’s after this. Finally he listened to us.” She huffs.

  “Only took him two years.” I snort.

  “You good here?”

  “Yeah, I’ve got this covered. There’s not a ton I can do right now anyway. Once I go through and check all this to make sure we got the right items and everything is in good shape, I think I’m gonna head over to Manor house and check in with the crew. I want to see how they’re getting along with that load bearing beam.” Manor house is the other project we have going on the other side of town.

  “Okay, sounds good. We’ll make plans to meet for dinner in the next few days, yeah? I’m dying for some girl time.”

  “I’m in. You name the time and place.”

  “Maybe we can wait until Hudson’s back in town and go on a double,” she suggests.

  “I thought you wanted girl time.”

  “I do, but I’d be willing to trade it for some sexy eye candy. Besides, I’m pretty curious to see how he’s changed. I mean I Googled him but that doesn’t count.”

  “You Googled him?” I gawk at her.

  “What? He’s a country artist who’s album is picking up major steam. Did you know it jumped to number eight overall on iTunes this week?”

  “It did?” I say, kind of shocked.

  I mean, I know Hudson is very talented and his album is amazing – it’s just weird to think of him that way. I guess I don’t see him as Hudson James the Country Star. To me he is and will always be Hudson Demasi: the quick witted, sexy man I met at a bar five years ago.

  “Your man’s a big deal, Len.”

  “I’m starting to gather that.” I blow out a breath.

  “Hey.” She crouches down next to me, her hand coming to my shoulder. “Country star or not, he’s lucky to call you his girl. Don’t get caught up in the hype of it all. He’s just a boy and you’re just a girl.”

  “Thanks, Em.” I smile when she drops a kiss to the top of my head before standing.

  “Alright, chicka. I’m out. Call me if you need me.”

  “Will do. Love you,” I call after her.

  “Love you too.”

  ——

  Hudson: Tell me you miss me as much as I miss you.

  I reread Hudson’s message at least ten times over, the swarm of butterflies in my belly seeming to catch me a little off guard.

  I’m in bed at my condo. It’s just after midnight. Normally I would be so
und asleep but for whatever reason I’ve been restless for the last couple of hours, tossing and turning, not able to get comfortable.

  Me: I miss you more.

  I type out after a full minute has passed.

  Hudson: Not possible.

  Me: Totally possible.

  Hudson: Don’t argue with me, woman.

  Me: Don’t you argue with me, country star.

  I wait about thirty seconds before sending another text.

  Me: Where are you right now?

  Hudson: Phoenix. It’s hot as hell here.

  Me: Well it is August.

  Hudson: My girl is trying to be cute. I’m aware it’s August, smartass.

  Me: Screw you. I am cute.

  I giggle out loud, reading over the part where he called me his girl. My heart does something weird in my chest before I read the new message that came through.

  Hudson: You’re more than just cute, Miss Claire. You’re downright sinful.

  Me: Sinful?

  Hudson: Sinful.

  I knead my bottom lip between my teeth, wishing so badly that he was here right now. That I could look at him, touch him, see his handsome face.

  Hudson: What are you doing right now?

  Me: Lying in bed.

  Hudson: Really??? And what is it that you’re doing in that bed?

  Me: Wouldn’t you like to know.

  Hudson: I repeat. Sinful.

  The smile that stretches across my lips is wide enough to split my face in half.

  Me: What about you? What are you up to right now?

  Hudson: Just finished my set a few minutes ago. It’s just after ten here. Travis just took the stage about ten minutes ago. Once he’s finished and the crew breaks everything down, we will be on our way to Colorado for three different shows.

  Me: I miss your voice.

  I’m not sure why I typed that or why I didn’t stop myself from hitting send. I mean, it’s true. I miss everything about him, but that doesn’t mean I have to vocalize every single thought I have. Before I can overthink it too much, my phone starts ringing in my hand, Hudson’s face popping up on the screen. It’s a picture I took of him at my sister’s wedding. Hudson was standing at the bar getting us drinks and I couldn’t resist the urge to capture him in that moment. So laid back and carefree, not to mention unbelievably sexy.