Page 11 of Playing With Fire

He smirks, his answer coming readily, telling me he must get this reaction a lot.

“Yep. Pronounced the same, spelled differently, and of course, I only have two heads.”

His statement makes me pause.

“You only have two hea—”It clicks.“Ah. Got it.” I chuckle. “Clever.”

He continues casually chewing his gum on my doorstep like he didn’t just reference his dick. My skin heats from head to toe.

Gregor would be appalled.

Maybe that’s why instead of being repulsed like I should be, I find myself still laughing.

“And I know you already know this, but I’m Shannon.”

“Nice to officially meet you, Shannon.” Hudson smiles and those straight white teeth flash at me again. “I’m happy to see you’ve found that routine. Sleep looks good on you.”

My cheeks grow hotter.

“I’m really sorry about the tears last week. The kindness of the flowers sort of pushed me over the edge. I swear I’m not usually so…” I wave my hands in the air, searching for the word I want, but come up short.

“Sleep-deprived?” he offers, finishing my sentence.

“Yes, among other things,” I admit. “Please accept my apology for yelling at you.”

“No apology necessary.” His easy smile is still in place.

His nonchalant attitude intrigues me. Doesn’t he have a thousand things weighing him down? Isn’tlifeweighing him down? He can’t make that much money driving a delivery truck. Isn’t he stressed financially?

Oh God, I sound like Gregor.

Still smiling as if this is the highlight of his day, he says, “Can you sign here?”

I take the small pad and look at his now-empty hands, peeking around the edge of the door to the porch as well. “Where’s the package?”

“This one’s pretty big. I couldn’t manage it and the computer at the same time. You sign and I’ll run back for it.”

After signing my name on the line, Hudson leaves my porch, climbs in the back of his truck, and roots around, finally hopping out and pulling a large box toward himself. He braces it on his thighs before tipping it into his arms.

His biceps flex around the box which is digging into his upper thigh, causing his shorts to ride up, exposing more of his quadriceps.

Oh God.Is that a tattoo peeking out?

Lord above, I’m checking out my delivery guy.

“I’ll set it inside the door for you,” Hudson says, climbing the stairs with the box a minute later. “Although I’m certain you’re strong enough to carry it, lifting it is awkward and a bit of a bitch.” He laughs.

I open the other door so he has more room and am mesmerized as he drops into a full squat to gracefully set the box on my hardwood floor.

“Thank you.” My words are far too breathy.

“Pleasure’s all mine.”Hiswords are too deep and husky.

Once Hudson is gone, I go straight for my vibrator. I’ve got to figure out how to get back on track with my husband before my lonely lady parts cause me to do something reckless…like my delivery guy.

Chapter 6

Hudson