Page 156 of Unleashed
"Ace Sterling, you've gotten big," Bert says, clapping my arm. "Your dad would be proud."
There’s that pang in my chest that happens every time someone mentions my father. Nearly three years he’s been gone, and I miss him just as much as the first day without him.
That wound will never heal.
"Thank you, sir. That means a lot."
I turn to Hudson.
He's watching me with a tight smile. He hates me as much as I do him. He stands, pretending to be brave and extends his hand. I glance down, biting back my grin.
I take it.
The same hand. The one that was curled deep inside his fiancée ninety seconds ago.
I squeeze, holding his gaze, letting the handshake last just long enough. It’s my hand that has Harper squirming in her seat, desperate for a release.
It’s me that’s edging her to the point she’s going to combust later for me.
"Good to meet you, Henry. Congratulations again. You're a lucky man." I flash him a smile.
If only I could smash my fist right between his eyes.
"It’s Hudson," he corrects me.
I drop his hand. “Yeah. Whatever.”
Then I lean down to Harper. Place my lips right next to her ear. Close enough that no one else can hear. Close enough that I feel her whole body tense.
"That's the closest he's ever going to get to knowing what it would be like to have you, Harper. I’ll see you later, pretty girl."
I pull back. She's staring at me. Her eyes wide, her lips parted. That beautiful flush on her cheeks deepening from pink to red.
I tip my hat to the table. "Y'all have a good night. I know I’m going to."
I turn and walk out. Jett and Colten behind me.
"You look pleased with yourself," Colten says.
"I'm a happy man, Colt."
"You're a dangerous man."
"Same thing."
Jett throws his arm around my shoulder. "Did you just do something incredibly stupid?"
"Probably."
"Was it worth it?"
I think about her face. The way she saidyouwithout hesitating. The way her back arched against the wall. The way she's sitting in that bar right now, wearing his ring, thinking about my hands.
"Yeah," I say. "It was worth it."
We climb into my truck. Jett calls shotgun. Colten takes the back. I start the engine and pull out onto the road.
My phone buzzes before we've hit the end of the street.
