Page 42 of The Sweetest Cruelty: Hudson (A Sawyer Brothers Story #1)

Hudson cleared his throat and gave me a condescending look.

“I wouldn’t put it quite like that. We fuck.

End of. Although it won’t be happening here.

We need more privacy. Tate’s a screamer.

” He tacked on the last part, watching me intently for my reaction.

The guy could goad a saint. Why didn’t I walk away and find Harper and Nick was anyone’s guess. It was like my feet had grown roots.

Hudson chugged some of his beer and then pressed his lips together. “You know what that means, kitten?”

Jerking back, I looked at him like he’d suddenly grown two heads.

I felt that remark in the pit of my stomach, and it hurt.

“Yes. I get it.” I then huffed partly to myself.

“I can’t believe I was worried about you.

” Hiding my emotions was becoming something I was good at, but I was lost at that moment.

Hudson’s smirk vanished, and he cleared his throat. “Why were you worried about me?”

At that moment, I wanted to slap some sense into him, but instead went with

“Because I’m an idiot. Clearly.”

I took a deep breath and another drink before placing the bottle on the table. I was done.

“I think you need to stay away from me.”

“But you're my teacher?” he said with a feigned innocent expression .

“You bailed on me and skipped class, remember. You can find another tutor. I want nothing to do with you.”

“You’re such a liar. I think you want to be my sole focus. That’s why you’ve been worried about me. You see me as a project.” Americans and their bloody projects!

He was trying to water down my concern about him. As if it wasn’t a selfless thought. Bloody hell, another untrusting person. And they were all living under the same roof as each other. There was only one way to describe that; fucking toxic.

Hudson was trying to cast me into a mould; I wouldn’t allow it. “I know you’re not used to it, but learn to recognise a genuine caring person when you meet one.”

“I must hold my hands up there. I’ve not met many of those in my lifetime,” he pointed out, with a twisted smile. He was telling the truth.

Someone bumped into me as they passed, which jolted me forward. Hudson caught me by the arms and steadied me. At least he didn’t let me fall flat on my face.

“You good?”

“Yes. I was surprised you didn’t let me fall,” I scowled as he let go of my arms.

“Why would I do that?”

“Because I’m my father’s daughter.”

“Well, there is that. Maybe being your saviour is all part of this foreplay between us?”

Yes, if foreplay included me punching him in the nuts. I batted the thought away. “So, you’ve decided to lure me in with your attention and then spit me back out again. I don’t think so. That’s not what I want at all.” I murmured.

“So, you’re admitting you want my attention?”

I swallowed before managing to push out a “No.”

Hudson released a disbelieving grunt. “Now say it like you mean it.”

My eyes roamed over his perfect features, looking for a sign of the boy I knew was under that mask. “Just leave it alone, Hudson.”

Lowering the bottle, he cradled it against his chest and quirked me an amused look. “Why would I do that?”

Huffing, I pointed out. “Because it would be the decent thing to do, instead of sending me mixed messages.”

“Maybe I enjoy torturing you too much?” he replied with a devious smile.

“Because of my dad?”

He pointed the rim of the bottle at me. “Partly. ”

Releasing a pent-up sigh of emotion, I close my eyes briefly. “I think you’re a coward, Hudson Gage.”

Dashing a hand down my weary face, I glared as he asked, “How so?”

Our gazes were locked. “You push people away.”

“Do I?”

“Yes. You’ve done it with me before we could get to know each other, and you dressed the reason for that up with the fact that I am the principal's daughter. If that’s my only crime, I feel sorry for you.”

He snorted. “Sorry for me? Why?” I knew someone like Hudson would hate anyone’s sympathy. He was too much of a macho man, but I knew that was bullshit and I powered on. Even though he showed me no redeeming qualities, I knew he had them.

I stepped towards him, the vodka and beer on an empty stomach made confidence fire through me.

I pushed up onto my tiptoes and said in his ear.

“Because you’re missing out on something which could have been good.

” He opened his mouth to speak, but I placed a finger on his lips.

The ones where Tate’s rancid mouth had just been.

“And before you make any snappy comebacks, I know you felt it, too.”

He cleared his throat and drew his head back, those dark eyes drilling into me. “Felt what?”

I smiled. “The day we met in the library. There was something there, a spark, a connection. And I think it terrified you, especially when you found out who I am, who I’m related to.

If you want to run from something that could have been real, carry on fucking with me.

You’re the only one who will lose in the long run. ”

His eyes glazed over. “Is that a fact?”

“Yes. Now, if you’ll excuse me. I need to get back to my date.” Fuck Hudson Gage. I was done. Shit, I needed to find a pretend date. Maybe Mark would help me out?

Hudson bristled and stretched to his full height before saying. “What?”

“My date , he’s waiting for me,” I replied as if he were stupid. I fluffed my hair. It was my turn to play a part.

He looked confused as he glanced around the party. “I thought you came with Harper,” Hudson said, taking a pull on his beer. He was now agitated, interesting.

Stepping back, I put some distance between his immense frame and my smaller one. It and the booze were doing things to my insides. “I did, but that doesn’t mean I’ll leave with her. ”

Hudson choked on his drink as he pulled the bottle away from his lips. His expression was somewhere between anger and shock. “What the fuck does that mean?”

I raised my eyebrows and shot him a sugary smile, “Exactly what I said. Girls can play the field as well, you know.”

A flurry of emotions crossed his features as he spat out, “I get that, but you’re not one of those girls.” He looked so sure of himself that he had my measure. Well screw him. Two could play that game.

“If those rumours about me are to be believed, I am.”

I snatched the beer from his hand and necked it before pushing the empty bottle hard against his chest. He made an oof sound from the force, and I wiped my mouth. It was unladylike, but I was past caring.

“The rumours, Molly? You mean the ones I fucking created.” Hudson placed the bottle on the table with some force before straightening.

I waved a hand between us to embellish my point, “How would you know? You hardly know me.”

Hudson’s eyes narrowed, and he took a moment to reply. “You’re full of shit.” There was an intensity in that glare.

“We’ll see.”

I threw that one out there. It was something that Harper seemed to say a lot.

Drawing in a shaky breath, I started to straighten my dress and glanced away.

And then an opportunity too good to miss presented itself.

Xander Creed appeared by the doorway, scanning the room.

He must have been searching for me as he raised a hand, and I waved back at him with a smile.

So much for him not attending high school parties. Xander’s face showed he was glad he’d found me, but then it clouded as he turned to look at Hudson.

I looked back and forth between them as a staring match ensued. Did they know each other? If they did, there had to be bad blood. It wasn’t a friendly look.

“Why are you waving at that, prick?”

“Remember that date I told you about?” I said, trailing off purposefully toward the end.

Hudson growled deep in his chest, grabbed my arm, and tugged me towards him. He lowered his head and got in my face, snapping in my ear. “Don’t do something you’ll regret just because you think it will spite me.” There was a warning note in his tone, but I ignored it .

“Fuck you, Hudson.”

Placing the flat of my palm against his chest, I shoved him, but he didn’t move a step. Hudson just rasped, “So violent, just Molly. Are you trying to fight me, or tickle me?” His entire focus was riveted on my hand touching his skin. “Or just generally trying to piss me off?”

“Let go of me,” I panted, struggling against his hold.

He then leaned in and ran his nose up and down my jawline before nibbling my neck. “No need to get your panties in such a twist.”

I hated my body's reaction to his arseholeness, and I dropped my hand like I’d been burned. The tension was so thick between us that you could choke on it.

After one last tug, he released me.

Taking a step back, I delivered him my best take-no-prisoners glare, “I’m not doing this. We’re done, Hudson. You’re not worth the fucking hassle and I have somewhere else I need to be.” I turned and started to walk away.

“What does that mean? Molly?” The music and a girl screaming in glee at the change in song drowned out his next words.

As I glanced back, it looked like he wanted to come after me, but Micah’s hand on his shoulder stopped him. Hudson’s hands were balled into fists by his sides, his muscles locked into place. I shot him my version of cocky over my shoulder as I made my way to meet Xander across the room.

I allowed a guy who was basically a stranger to put his arm around me and steer me away, knowing that Hudson’s eyes were drilling into the back of my head.

I was fed up with his games. It was time to try out a few of my own.

His nondate, Tate, shoulder-skimmed me on purpose as she passed with a smug expression. She hit me, and yet she’s the one who said, “Watch it, skank.”

“I thought you didn’t do high school parties?” I questioned Xander breezily.

“I don’t, but the thought of you here as a third wheel forced me to turn the car around.”

“Well, I’m glad you did.”

“That guy you were talking to?” Xander said, glancing behind me with a sour look.

“He’s no one,” I huffed.

“His name’s Hudson, right?”