One Tiny Lie – Jennifer Youngblood Page 0,16

little embarrassed when it occurred to him that he’d spent the second half of their hour-long drive from Sonoma to Bodega Bay, rattling on about the new label as he explained his marketing plan for the launch. The crazy part was that Ava didn’t seem to mind. In fact, she had some great feedback on the subject. He made a note to himself that on the way back, he would shift the conversation more to Ava.

When he caught the first sight of the Windswept, a feeling of awe trickled over him. He still couldn’t believe his parents had given him the sailboat. Hudson and his dad had been restoring it for years. Now, it was in pristine condition, shining like a new penny. Had Hudson desired, he could’ve purchased his own sailboat ten times over, but this one meant so much more because he and his dad had worked on it together. Hudson’s dad was the no-nonsense, practical sort who believed that he needed to instill in his only son the value of hard work. Alistair taught Hudson to labor in the vineyard, often alongside the other workers. In fact, he didn’t want to bring this up to Ava, but it had been Hudson’s dad who gave Todd Giles the idea to have Ava work all night long beside the harvesters. Hudson had wanted to be with Ava, so he agreed to pick with her. Of course, Ava thought that she and Hudson were both being punished.

Hudson’s grandfather had passed down the legacy of work to Alistair who passed it down to Hudson. He intended to carry on the legacy to his own children.

Too bad the family work ethic hadn’t carried over to Hudson’s seventeen-year-old sister. Samantha was the typical spoiled and pampered daughter of a wealthy family. Hudson hoped that Samantha would mature in time. He’d never understood why his dad had been so stern with him and yet so willing to give Samantha all the latitude in the world. It was certainly a double standard.

As he and Ava got out of the car, the wind picked up, sending goosebumps over his flesh.

“I should’ve brought a jacket,” Ava said, hugging her arms. “I guess if worst comes to worst, I can always wrap myself in the towel Rosalyn packed for me,” she laughed.

“We usually have some extra jackets on the boat.”

“Oh, good.”

He hopped onto the boat and put down the lunch basket loaded with food and his duffel bag of personal items before helping Ava aboard. A zing darted through him when their skin touched. As Ava got in, she lost her footing, falling into him. He caught her around the waist.

“Oops, sorry,” she offered with a self-conscious chuckle. The palms of her hands were resting on his chest as she gazed up into his eyes. Ava had no idea what having her this close did to him. She was his kryptonite. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t seem to get her out of his system. And now, for some wondrous reason he couldn’t explain, she seemed to want him. He drank in the delicate lines of her features, appreciating the radiance of her milky complexion and the faint splash of freckles across her nose that gave her a girlish quality. Her high cheekbones were sun-kissed with the perfect amount of color. And her eyes were such a rich, deep purple. So unique. The most fascinating color eyes he’d ever seen. He could lose himself in their depths. He caught the flicker of desire in her eyes, and it kindled the need in him.

Heat wafted through Hudson as he pulled her closer. His breath came faster. She parted her lips expectantly, her face tilting to his. “You’re incredible,” he murmured.

A smile curved her lips. “So are you.” She looked at him with such tenderness, as if he were the only guy she could ever adore.

For so long he’d wanted Ava, but he wanted her to long for him as he did her. He leaned in. The instant before his lips took hers, he heard the intrusive voice.

“Hello,” a woman called.

Still keeping his hold on Ava’s waist, he looked to see who was coming down the dock. “Margot?” he muttered. Disappointment sank like a bag of rocks in his stomach as he looked at Ava. “What’s she doing here?”

Confusion filled her eyes. “I’m not sure.”

Margot flashed a broad smile, waving. “Sorry we’re late.”

Hudson felt like he’d been sucker punched. He released Ava’s waist and stepped away from her.