I loved challenges, but I could do without this particular one."It's Belle."
"And?"he prodded.
"She's difficult."
"Is she a difficult client, or is it more personal?"Hudson asked carefully.
"All of it."
"I got to know Angela when her store flooded.We were forced to work together, and then she moved into my rental.I couldn't avoid her even if I wanted to."
That's what I was afraid of.I wouldn't be able to get Belle out of my head."She showed up on the site the other morning in pajamas."
He chuckled."Was it the cotton short shorts or something with a little more silk and lace?"
"The second," I practically growled.
His eyes widened."Oh, this is good.I thought I was the only one tortured by lingerie."
That made me look at him."What are you talking about?"
"When Angela's shop flooded, I found her standing on a chair in a silky lingerie set reaching for the shutoff valve.She was wet.The top was sheer.I think you get the picture"
I shook my head."I didn't need to know that."
"I know what you're going through, and it isn't easy.Just be glad she doesn't own a lingerie store.You never know what you're going to walk into."
I raised a brow."I don't think I want to know."
"The point is that I was reluctant to get involved with a single mom, and she was my client."
"You shouldn't mess with clients."But my oldest brother hooked up with his ex when he was renovating her inn, and now Hudson was in a relationship with a shop owner.
"Sometimes, you can't help who you like."
I crossed my arms over my chest."I thought we already established that I don't like her."
"Right."He drew the word out.
"You come over here for a reason, or was it just to mess with me?"I bit out, already done with him and his insinuations.Just because he'd hooked up with a client didn't mean that I would.I was tougher than him.
"Just wanted to see if you wanted to grab lunch."
"I shouldn't leave."This was a crucial part of the process, and I didn't want to leave them alone.
"You want me to bring you something on the way back?"
"Sure."
He stood next to me for a few seconds longer."Belle's a nice girl though.You could do a lot worse."
With that parting shot, he walked away.
The fact that Belle was a nice girl had always been the problem.She shouldn't want to be around someone like me.I was gruff and short with people.She deserved so much better.
Then there was our history.No one could know how I treated her.My mom would have my ass if she found out.And what good would it do?Only serve to prove my point.I didn't deserve a woman like Belle.
It was easier to view her as a spoiled brat than to think about how she looked when she was reading to those kids.She reminded me of a librarian.She put on reading glasses and sat all prim in that rocking chair in her cardigan and skirt.
