Chapter Thirteen
Jillian
Iknew that Hutch wasonly agreeing to go to the bonfire at the beach with Jo and Pat because of me, but I hoped it wouldn’t turn into a disaster. I also made Jo promise that no else would be there. I didn’t want Knox or Madison to show up and ruin everything when Hutch was finally starting to come out of his shell.
Hutch went home, showered, and told me he would meet me at the beach at six so when I checked my phone to see, it was two minutes after I started to think he was blowing me off. I knew how he was. He didn’t like to be late, was always on time, and I wondered if he was even going to text me an excuse. I decided to walk over to his place when I saw him approaching with Patrick.
He looked nervous, but he looked, well, he looked freaking amazing. Hutch was wearing a Kenny Chesney shirt that stretched across his chest like a second skin, and I was beginning to think he had stocked those. He was wearing a pair of swim trunks that fit his muscled thighs perfectly, and sneakers without socks. His hair looked freshly washed, a little damp maybe, and he had a bag hanging off his shoulder that was nearly bursting at the seams.
I swallowed as the butterflies in my stomach fluttered when he flashed me a megawatt smile. Then he stopped in front of me, and I greeted him, “Hi.” I felt like I was seeing a completely different man right now. Who was this version of Hutch Kelly, because I wanted to keep him hidden away forever.
“Hi.” Hutch’s voice caused goosebumps to break out over my arms. “You look beautiful, Jills.” His arm suddenly snaked around my waist as he pressed me against his chest. “I really want to kiss you right now,” he admitted, and relief washed over me as his ears burned pink. There was the Hutch I knew.
I slid my hand up his impressive chest. “Is this a dream?” I whispered before his lips landed on mine in a soft, wet touch. I bit back the groan that threatened to escape as I felt Hutch’s tongue evade my mouth.
“Okay, enough of that.” Jo clapped her hands. “You two can make out later,” she teased as Hutch pulled away.
I buried my face against Hutch’s chest, breathing in his fresh scent. “You smell so good,” I whispered as he held me closer.
“Not half as good as you.” His fingers gripped my hips. “One day it’s peppermint, the next it’s flowers. I can’t figure you out.” His breath was hot against my skin, and heat flared between my legs.
Something was different about Hutch tonight, but I liked it more than I wanted to admit.
I grinned at him. “I have to keep you on your toes,” I teased as Pat sat the cooler he had been carrying down in the sand.
“I have burgers, hot dogs, and some beers,” he announced. “You girls brought the s’mores for later, right?” Pat glanced at Jo who nodded her head.
I had been on plenty of dates with my sister and Pat before. Knox and I had casually dated for a few months before prom, but it wasn’t serious, however the guy I lost my virginity to, who had left the View while we were still juniors, had been close with Pat. Lincoln Matthews was my first real boyfriend, and although I wasn’t sure he was the one I would have spent the rest of my life with, he had treated me well, been very sweet, and seemed to care about me. In fact, Pat was the one who had set us up at the insistence of my sister who was more than obnoxious about it when things worked out between us.
“You disappeared on me.” Hutch’s voice brought me back to the present. “Where’d you go?” He tugged me closer to his warm body.
I smiled up at him. “I was wondering if you had bought stock in Kenny Chesney shirts,” I teased, just see that smile break out on his face.
“I happen to like his music.” Hutch eased himself down onto one of the logs that was set up around the fire.
“You mean you’re obsessed.”
“There’s a difference, Jilly.”
I folded my arms across my chest. “Is there?” I tried to keep a straight face, but the look on Hutch’s face was too much, and I burst into a fit of giggles as his eyes grew serious. I laughed even harder as he grabbed me and pulled me down onto his lap, making sure to wrap his arms tightly around my stomach.
“You’re teasing me.” Hutch chuckled into my ear. “What?” he grunted up at Pat who was staring at us with his mouth hanging open.
Pat shook his head. “Nothing, I just...nothing.” He turned to face Jo.
“Say whatever it is you were thinking, Patrick.” Hutch went stiff with anger. “Don’t fucking hold back, brother,” he hissed between clenched teeth.
I turned slightly so that I could reach up to touch his face. “Baby,” I whispered softly. “I’m sure that Pat was just glad to see you so happy.” Hutch’s eyes locked with mine, his face softening, and his body relaxed.
“Is that it?” Hutch glanced up for a second before he met my gaze again. “Jesus, you’re sure you don’t want to change your mind about being a dancer?” he asked before he dropped a kiss against the top of my head.
“I like seeing you happy, bro, that’s all,” Pat told him. “Jill’s good for you.” He threw his arm around Jo’s shoulder as I leaned further back against Hutch. Jo popped open a beer and took a sip. “You balance one another out,” he added with a wink.
Hutch’s arm tightened against my belly. “You hear that, Jillybean? He said you’re good for me.” His husked voice sent fire through my veins.
