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After texting Emma the watered down version of my lunch with Hudson, I gave my sister and the other girls the same info. I left out the fact that he kissed me or that I kissed him, figuring it would probably incite more questions which I had no clue how to answer.

It wasn’t long after I arrived back from lunch that we all started to get ready for our night out. I hadn’t realized it at the time, but Hudson and I were at Mimi’s for over three hours, something my sister instantly pointed out when I walked in the door at nearly four o’clock.

Now here we are four hours later, dressed once again in matching shirts. Tonight’s attire is almost identical to the tanks we wore yesterday, but the words are different. The front of Starr’s shirt reads, I’m getting married, with Bride across the back. While ours say, So we’re getting drunk, with our role in the wedding on the back. The colors are also flip-flopped. Instead of white with red writing, tonight’s shirts are red with white writing.

I partnered mine with short jean shorts and a pair of black chucks, while the other girls – minus Sandy – are sporting big fluffy tutus and heels. They tried to sell me on wearing one, but there was no way I was bar hopping in downtown Nashville looking like a wanna be fairy princess. Not to mention their feet will be killing them all night.

We’ve just stepped into the fifth bar of the night and I’m already rocking a pretty solid buzz. Our goal is to walk into every bar on the strip, do a shot, and stay for one song. So I’ve had four shots in the matter of thirty minutes; a blowjob, a buttery nipple, sex with an alligator, and my favorite in name only – slut juice.

With each stop we rotate who orders and pays, and since everyone has paid but me, minus Starr who’s not paying for anything tonight, I instantly head toward the bar. Since it’s my turn to pay, I get to pick the shot. Problem is, I have no idea what the hell to order.

Sliding over to the far side of the bar away from where several people have congregated, I wait patiently for someone to come take my order, still not sure what the hell I’m going to get.

I pull out my phone thinking I can look up inappropriately named shots to get an idea of what to order. Based on two of the four drinks we’ve had, I don’t think they’re basing them off taste but the name alone.

I’ve just pulled up a list of shot names when my phone pings in my hand, a text notification at the top. Hudson’s name catches my eye instantly.

Quickly exiting out of the web browser, I click on the message, my eyes going wide the moment I do.

Hudson: I think I liked Luscious Lennon better. Though I have to admit red is definitely your color.

Looking up, my eyes trail down the bar. Hudson’s here. He has to be. It’s the only way he would know what I’m wearing. Not able to hide my smile, I turn my gaze the other way and freeze when I meet a pair of dark brown eyes, semi hidden under the same black baseball cap Hudson wore earlier today.

He flashes me a wide smile and instantly my heart does something funny in my chest.

Of course, the bartender chooses this moment to stop in front of me, barking out a rough, “What can I get for you?” as he wipes the bar in front of me where someone had spilled something.

“Oh, um...” Completely off my game, I stutter over my words several times before managing to say, “I need six shots named after something sexual.” My cheeks redden when I hear Hudson’s low chuckle as he slides up right next to me.

“How about a piece of ass?” the bartender suggests, his thin mouth twitching slightly.

“I’ll take six pieces of ass,” I say, blushing further when I feel eyes shift my way. “Perhaps I said that too loudly,” I say, turning my gaze toward Hudson.

He’s smiling widely when he leans into me and replies, “I’d settle for just one piece of ass.” His sultry look pins me to the barstool.

“What are you doing here?” I ask after I’ve somewhat composed myself.

“I wanted to see you.”

“How did you know we’d be here?”

“You said every bar on the strip. I picked one and hoped you’d show up sooner rather than later.”

“Hudson,” I start, but he quickly cuts me off.

“Don’t worry. I know tonight is about your sister. Which is also kind of why I’m here.” He knocks his shoulder gently against mine.

“What are you up to?” I turn to face him, crossing my arms in front of myself.

“Guess you’ll have to hang around long enough to find out.”

He leans down and kisses me softly on the cheek. His hot breath on my face has my body tingling in all sorts of places. If it wasn’t for Starr and this being her bachelorette weekend, I’d be begging Hudson to take me with him so I can quench this sudden and relentless thirst I feel to be pinned beneath his body with him moving inside of me.

Hudson pulls away just as the bartender reappears balancing six shot glasses in two hands.

“These are on me, Glenn. Do me a favor and signal the guys, would you?” Glenn, the bartender gives Hudson a nod before making his way around the bar and into the crowd, leaving only one person to help the ridiculous amount of people still waiting to be served.

“You’re not paying for those. All the girls are taking turns and this was my turn.”

“Well now it’s mine.” He smiles, his gaze going back to Glenn who reappears next to us out of nowhere. “All set?” Hudson asks him. Glenn nods, shots still in hand.

“What’s he doing?” I question, watching him once again disappear into the crowd.

“Helping you.” Hudson smiles. “Show him where he’s going. I’ll catch up with you.” His hand rests on the small of my back for a brief moment and then it’s gone and I’m weaving through the crowd with Glenn.

I finally locate the girls who are standing at a table not far from the stage, happily chatting with three college-aged men. Nodding my head toward them, Glenn follows me over, setting the drinks on the table the moment we reach it.

Turning to thank him, I’m met with the backside of Glenn as he quickly makes his way back to the bar.

“Here we go, ladies. Piece of ass for you,” I hand a shot to my sister. “Piece of ass for you.” I hand Chelsea hers next. I do this until all six of us have our shots and are raising them to the bride.

Since it was my turn to pick the shot and pay, which I don’t tell them I didn’t do, it is also my turn to do the toast. Not really sure what to say, I recite the same toast Emma always does anytime she’s drinking, knowing she won’t mind if I borrow it for this one occasion.

“We drink to those who love us. We drink to those who don’t. We drink to those who fuck us. And fuck the ones that don’t.” I laugh, thinking Emma does this toast so much better. Not that I’m even sure I got it right. “To Starr.” I raise my glass.

“To Starr,” the other girls repeat, all six of us clinking glasses before emptying the contents in one swift drink.

It’s very sweet and smooth and way better than any shot we’ve had so far. I feel pretty proud of myself even if I had nothing to do with selecting the shot. That was all Glenn.

“Ladies and gentleman, we have a special surprise for you this evening,” the singer of the house band announces, pulling our attention toward the stage. “How many Hudson James fans do we have in the house tonight?” His question is met with a deafening roar.

I shift to face the stage, my stomach fluttering uncontrollably.

“Well do we have a treat for you,” the man continues. “Ladies and gentleman, give it up for the one and only, Hudson James.”

Again the room erupts and seconds later, Hudson steps up on stage, confident and full of charisma like he was born to be up there. Maybe he was.

Starr smacks my arm and I look back to see all five women looking at me with shocked faces. I shrug and turn my smile back up toward Hudson, his eyes locking with mine before flashing behind me, no doubt able to locate my sister without a second glance.

“Thank you guys so much,” Hudson finally speaks, clutching the microphone in his right hand. “I’m here tonight for a special lady who just so happens to be getting married next month. Starr, come on up here.” My sister squeals, gives me an ‘oh my god’ look, and practically runs to the stage.

Hudson extends a hand and helps her up, wrapping his arm around her shoulder as she beams at him.

“Alright, sweetheart, we’re all dying to know. Who’s the lucky bastard?” Hudson looks out over the crowd before peering down at my sister.

She immediately pulls the mic down to her mouth. I swear there’s not a shy bone in her body.

“His name’s Mark.” She giggles, releasing the microphone back to Hudson.

“And when’s the big day?”

“July twenty-ninth,” she responds when he holds the mic down to her.

“And you’re getting married where?” He glances to me before looking back at my sister. I can’t help but feel like he’s up to something that has nothing to do with my sister.

“On the beach at sunset, of course,” she says like the true princess she is.

“Well of course.” Hudson chuckles, smiling at her.

“And it looks like you’ve got all your ladies here to help you celebrate.” He gestures over to our group and Starr’s three friend’s wave like lunatics while Sandy and I shrink into the background. “So let’s get this party started, shall we?” he yells to the crowd and their applause is immediate. “Starr, I need you and your girls to do me a favor, okay?” She nods and he continues, “I need you to get your sexy asses out there and show these people how it’s done. Think you can do that?”

“Oh, I can do that.” She winks flirtatiously before hopping off the stage, Chelsea, Julie, and Jaime meeting her on the dance floor.

“Bride to be, looks like you’re a couple ladies down.” Hudson points to me and Sandy, prompting my sister to come after us.

I try to refuse, but with so many eyes on us it’s hard to say no without causing a huge scene, so I cave and let Starr drag me out into the center of the dance floor, Sandy right behind me.

“Alright, everyone, let’s wish Starr and Mark a fucking beautiful life together – Nashville style.”

With that, Hudson places the mic into the stand, snags a guitar from behind him, slides the strap over his shoulder, and positions himself center stage, winking at me seconds before he starts to play.

The band kicks in, immediately following his lead, and within seconds Hudson starts to sing. Seeing him up on that big stage at the concert was nothing short of amazing, but seeing him like this, in his element, in it just to have fun... it’s like seeing a whole other side to him.

Before long even I can’t deny the feel of the music coursing through my body and I start to move with the upbeat rhythm of the song. I’ve never heard it before. He sings about beer and hot girls and as it would seem, those two are quite the crowd pleaser here in Nashville. The audience goes wild for him. But how could they not? He’s incredible.

For the next three minutes I let myself go. Let the feel of Hudson’s eyes watching me fuel my boldness. Let the sound of his voice vibrate through every inch of my body.

By the end of the song I’m overheated and in need of a serious drink, but before I can even think to move toward the bar, Hudson thanks everyone and quickly jumps off the stage. He’s at my side in seconds, wrapping his large hand around my much smaller one.

“Ladies, I’m gonna steal her for ten minutes.” He smiles and I swear all five girls melt into little puddles of lust at his feet.

“Okay.” Starr looks at him with stars in her eyes like she too has fallen in love with the man after minutes of being in his presence.

Hudson tugs on my hand once more, walking straight for the door before anyone can stop him. Once on the sidewalk, he jerks me to the right and slides me into a small alleyway that runs between this bar and the one next to it.

Guiding me backward, he doesn’t stop until my back is flush with the brick wall behind me. He leans into me, caging me in with his arms seconds before his mouth closes over mine.

He doesn’t coax or ease me into it. He kisses me good and hard, his tongue sliding against mine so seductively. A moan finds its way from me.

“Fuck.” He pulls back breathlessly, his face hovering so close to mine I can’t see anything but his eyes. “I thought I could kiss you and walk away with my sanity but then you have to go and do something like that.” He shakes his head. “You’re going to be the death of me, Lennon Claire,” he says, kissing me again, this time much gentler.

“Thank you for what you did for Starr,” I say when he pulls back again, reaching around to lock my hands around his neck. “You seriously made her night.”

“I’m glad I could do that for her. And for you.” He kisses the tip of my nose. “Speaking of which, I better get you back inside.”

I whimper, not wanting to go anywhere except wherever he’s going.

“Do that again and I’ll say fuck your sister’s bachelorette weekend because you’ll be coming home with me.” He presses his body flush with mine, letting me feel his arousal hard against my belly.

“I wish I could,” I answer truthfully, pulling his face back to mine for another kiss. “Why don’t you come back inside with me? You could hang out with us the rest of the night,” I suggest, knowing after what he just pulled Starr would probably be all for this idea.

“I don’t want to impose. This is Starr’s weekend. But I want to see you again,” he says, his mouth lingering, his lips brushing against mine with each word he speaks.

“I leave tomorrow morning,” I remind him.

“I mean beyond this weekend. I need to see you again,” he emphasizes and it does something fantastic to my insides. “We have a show in Georgia next Friday and Saturday is clear before we head to Utah early Sunday morning. I checked the schedule this afternoon. I could drive down Saturday morning and we could spend the day together. It can be our first official date.” His suggestion makes my chest swell and I nearly pronounce my love for him right here.

But, I’m not naïve enough to believe that I actually love him. Or maybe I do, but either way I know being with him makes me so happy I feel like I could burst into a bazillion pieces.

“You checked into all this this afternoon?” I question, trying to contain how pleased this makes me.

“I haven’t thought about anything but you since the moment I saw you last night, standing out in the middle of the crowd like a fucking angel calling to me.”

“You sure are good with words.”

“I’m good with a lot of things.” He dips his head, peppering kisses across my throat.

“I remember,” I say but my voice sounds nothing like my own.

Hudson’s lips find mine again. “What do you say, Luscious Lennon. Will you go on a date with me?”

The way he phrases it makes me giggle against his mouth. “Are you sure you can make it work?”

“I’ll make it work. Come hell or high water my ass will be in Destin on Saturday. That is, if you want me there.”

“I want you there,” my voice breathless as his tongue once again slides into my mouth, the action dominating my senses.

He’s everywhere. His hands on my body, his scent invading my nostrils, his taste on my tongue. I feel him everywhere.

“I need to go.” I press gently against Hudson’s chest, knowing if I don’t stop this now it’s not going to stop.

“I know.” He says it like he’s just as disappointed as I am. Letting out a long breath before stepping away, he snags my hand as he does.

“You’ll let me know about next weekend?” I question, delaying the inevitable as he walks me back to the front of the bar.

“I will. Don’t lose my number this time.” He winks playfully.

“Not a chance,” I promise, leaning in to press my lips to his one last time before turning and quickly heading back inside.