“I know.”
Wait. What?
“You know?”
“Hudson, you don’t have a malicious bone in your body.” He deflates in his seat, then stands and moves to sit next to me. We face each other, our knees brushing. He takes my hands, and I brace for impact, still uncertain where this is going.
“I’m still mad about what you did, but my relationship with Hadley was toxic. Regardless of your interference, I think I would have ended things eventually. You just gave me the push I needed to do it sooner.”
I can’t help myself as I smile.
“But…”
Shit. There it is.
“I hate that you pulled Ella into it. That felt like a huge breach of trust.” His words are firm but gentle.
“I get that. I’m really sorry.”
“I know you are.” He leans in and kisses me. It calms that raging storm in my chest, bringing sunshine after the clouds. He shouldn’t forgive me this easily, but I’m so grateful he does.
“Thank you for not walking away yesterday.” It’s a fear of mine every day that he’s going to leave. I don’t think he realizes how much it meant that he stayed.
“I’m sorry that I almost did. It took all of two seconds to realize what a stupid decision that would have been, no matter how upset I was.” He kisses me again, his lips soft and sure. “Just promise me one more thing?”
“Anything,” I say, knowing that whatever the request is, I’ll give it to him gladly.
“No more secrets.”
“Promise,” I say without hesitation.
“I missed you,” he murmurs, nipping my bottom lip.
“You saw me yesterday.”
“Felt like a lifetime. I don’t like us fighting.” He trails kisses down my neck, fingers toying with the hem of my T-shirt. My dick perks up like an eager puppy greeting its favorite person.
“Me either,” I whisper, breath catching.
“What are you gonna do to make it up to me?” His voice is low and wicked.
“I can think of a few things.” I reach for his shirt, his lips finding the sensitive spot below my ear.
The sound of shattering glass explodes through the house, a high-pitched crack that makes my ears ring. Cullen’s goalie reflexes kick in and he hauls me to the floor, covering me with his body.
I’ll swoon later. Right now? Survival.
“What the hell was that?” he hisses against my ear.
“No idea. Sounded like it came from the dining room,” I whisper. “Think it’s safe?”
“Only one way to find out.”
We sit up and peek around the archway. From here, I catch a glimpse of blue and green glass scattered across the hardwood.
“I think the stained-glass window is busted,” I tell him, keeping my voice hushed. “Maybe a bird flew into it?”
We rise cautiously and step into the dining room. My mom’s going to lose it. That window was her favorite thing in this whole house. Now, the peacock’s body lies in shards.
