Tequila Haze (The Tequila Duet Book 1)

by Melissa Toppen

  “Mind if I join you?” he asks, beer already in hand.

  “Aren’t you here with some bimbo or something?” Emma slurs, typing away on her phone.

  “I deserve that.” He sighs. “I’m actually here with a couple co-workers. May I?” He gestures to the stool next to me.

  “I can’t stop you,” I say in a way that I hope conveys that I don’t want him to but somehow know he will anyway.

  As predicted, he slides up on the stool and leans back, swiveling it so he’s staring at my profile.

  “So how are you?” he asks.

  “Good.” I sip my Cosmo, ignoring the way his eyes on the side of my face make me feel like I’m about to crawl out of my skin.

  How I ever thought I could marry this man is completely beyond me.

  “So you said you guys just finished a project,” he prompts, clearly trying to make conversation though I’m not entirely sure why.

  “Yep.” I nod, feeling Emma move beside me.

  I slide my eyes to see her on her feet, her phone to her ear. She holds up a finger indicating she’ll be right back, turning and walking toward the front door, swaying a little as she steps outside.

  “I should make sure she’s okay.” I start to move but Gage’s hand lands on my shoulder, halting my movement.

  “She said she’d be right back, Lennon.” He removes his hand when I glare daggers at where he’s touching me.

  “She’s drunk,” I point out.

  “She’s also a big girl,” he counters.

  “What do you really want, Gage? And don’t pretend it’s to see how I’m doing because we both know you never cared about my well-being. So, do us both a favor and cut the bullshit already.”

  “I don’t remember you like this.” He shakes his head, taking a long gulp of beer.

  “You don’t remember me like what?”

  “So... Angry.”

  “Angry?” I bite back a laugh. “I’m not angry, Gage. I just don’t like you.” I take a long pull of my Cosmo, needing it now more than ever.

  “And you say you’re not angry,” he counters, his tone disbelieving.

  “To be angry would imply that I care, Gage, and truthfully I don’t. Not anymore. But that doesn’t mean I want to sit here and play your games either. I know you want something so get to it already.”

  “What if I miss you and just wanted to come say hi. Is that so unbelievable?”

  “Maybe to a normal person, no. For you, yes.”

  “Why do you say that?”

  “Because I know you, Gage,” I remind him. “You’re a self-serving piece of shit who only cares about himself. So no, I don’t believe you just came over to say hello.”

  “Fuck, I miss you,” he breathes out, his gaze drifting to somewhere behind the bar before his eyes drift back to the side of my face again. “Look at me, Lennon.”

  For reasons I don’t fully understand I find myself turning my face toward him. I guess deep down I don’t have it in me to be cruel to someone even when they more than deserve it.

  “Did you hear what I said? I miss you.” He repeats himself when our eyes lock.

  “I’m sorry to hear that, Gage. Maybe this should be a lesson to you in the future. Maybe the next girl you’ll appreciate a little more while you have her.”

  “I don’t want another girl, Len. I want you.”

  “Not gonna happen, Gage. We’ve been over this. Multiple times actually.”

  “If you could just give me a chance to show you how sorry I am. I think about you every day. I find myself driving by your house. I walk on your beach. I can’t let you go, Lennon. Not without a fight.”

  “You should have fought for me when it mattered,” I say, choosing to not touch the other shit he just dropped on me.

  He drives by my house? Walks on my beach? The thought makes my stomach twist in a sick knot.

  “Besides, I’m with someone and I’m really happy. I hope you can find happiness with someone else too.”

  “The guy at your apartment?” His voice strains for the first time since he sat down.

  Hell, I had forgotten he’d met Hudson. Truthfully I can’t even tell you the last time I thought about Gage. Probably the night Hudson showed up and he was at my house.

  “That would be the one.” I sip my drink, turning my gaze forward again.

  “He’s not right for you,” he spits, leaning into my space.

  “How would you know? Because he doesn’t cheat on me? Because he doesn’t leave me for another girl? Is that what classifies someone as being right for me?” I’m seconds away from losing my temper.

  “Hey.” Emma appears out of nowhere, sliding back into the stool next to me and I instantly relax. “Sorry. Robert’s on his way,” she informs me, assessing the situation between me and Gage.

  “Can we go somewhere? Just to talk?” Gage presses, ignoring Emma altogether.

  “I don’t think Lennon’s hot as fuck country star would think too kindly of that idea.” Emma turns her gaze on Gage, an almost taunting look in her eye.

  “Country star?” Gage laughs, taking a pull from his beer.

  “Oh you didn’t know. Lennon is dating Hudson James,” she practically sings, knowing that Gage loves country music and has likely heard the name.

  “You’re really funny, Emma.”

  “You’ve met him, have you not? Why don’t you look him up. See if you recognize him? You know what, better yet, why don’t I save you the trouble.”

  The next thing I know she’s shoving her phone across the bar, the picture of me in Hudson’s arms backstage in Houston briefly catching my eye before he picks it up and studies it for a long moment.

  “Now, if you’ll excuse us.” Emma stands, leans across me, and yanks her phone out of Gage’s hand. “Lennon?” She waits for me to stand before the two of us take off toward the door, leaving a shell shocked Gage sitting there looking like a wounded pup.

  “Oh my god.” I look at Emma who laughs like a hyena the moment we’re outside. “I cannot believe you did that.”

  “Motherfucker had it coming,” she says, swiping her hand through her hair.

  “How drunk are you?” I laugh.

  “Pretty toasted actually,” she quips. “Damn it, that felt good. I wanna go back in there and do it again.” She bends over like she might puke but shoots back up again.

  “I think we should get you home.” I chuckle at my friend, thanking god I have her in my life.

  As if on cue, Robert’s black Lexus pulls up to the curb and the passenger window slides down.

  “You two pretty ladies need a ride?” He smiles at his inebriated wife who returns his smile tenfold.

  “Hey, baby.” She climbs into the front seat in a very ungraceful fashion but still manages to make it inside.

  “How much did she have?” Robert asks when I climb into the backseat.

  “Five cosmos. I remember when that girl could drink three times that and still walk a straight line.”

  “Still can.” She throws her hands up and lets out a loud whoop.

  “Sure you can, babe.” Robert chuckles as he pulls away from the curb.

  Less than ten minutes later, Robert pulls into the parking garage of my condo building, parking the car one spot over from the elevator.

  I climb from the backseat but instead of heading to the elevator, I stop next to the driver’s side door. Sensing I want to say something, Robert checks on his sleeping wife before quickly stepping out of the car and shutting the door quietly behind him as to not disturb Emma.

  “Is she okay?” I ask, not able to shake how quickly she brushed away the news she told me earlier about the baby.

  It’s not like Emma to keep things from me but I understand why she did. That doesn’t mean I can’t see how deeply my friend is still hurting.

  Part of me feels like maybe if I had been paying more attention I would have seen it. Maybe if I wasn’t so preoccupied with Hudson and my own life I would have noticed that someth
ing was off with my best friend.

  “Not completely. But she’s getting there.” He offers me a warm smile.

  “I’m sorry about the baby,” I say, feeling emotional all of a sudden.

  Stupid Cosmos.

  “Me too.” He nods, pulling me into his arms. “I’m taking care of her. I promise you I will always take care of her.”

  “I know.” I step back, so thankful that Emma found someone like Robert. “Thank you, Robert. For everything.”

  “You never have to thank me for loving Emma, Lennon. That comes as naturally to me as breathing does.”

  “God, do you always say exactly the right thing?” I laugh when he shrugs.

  “It’s a gift.”

  “Good night, Robert. Get our girl home safely.”

  “Will do. Night, Lennon.” He climbs back into the car, waiting until I’m inside the elevator before he pulls away.

  Chapter Twenty-six

  “Please tell me you’ll be here soon,” I whine into the phone the second I answer it.

  “I’d already be there if I could be,” Hudson says, neither of us bothering with hellos.

  He wrapped the tour with Travis Travers last Wednesday. It’s now Sunday and he still isn’t here. He thought he’d only have to be in Nashville for a couple of days but apparently an opportunity came up for him to work on a song with Annabelle, a pretty big name in country music. He couldn’t pass it up.

  He found out yesterday that the label wants them to record a song together for an upcoming movie which means he’ll be in Nashville for at least a few more days.

  I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t tempted to drive up there to see him but I know he’s really busy and I don’t want him to have the added pressure of worrying about me.

  It hasn’t helped matters that I can’t stop thinking about him spending so much time with another woman. One who happens to be very talented and even more beautiful.

  As soon as I found out he was recording with Annabelle, an uneasy feeling settled in the pit of my stomach and it has only magnified as the days have passed.

  I trust Hudson. Truly I do, but I don’t think there’s a woman alive who wouldn’t be at least a little worried in my current situation.

  “That doesn’t really make me feel much better,” I respond, shaking off the doubts that once again boil to the surface.

  “I know, babe. I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t be sorry. I get it. Really I do. I just miss you.”

  “I miss you too.” He lets out a slow sigh. “I can’t talk long. We’re in the studio this afternoon trying to hammer out the last two verses on this song. I just needed to hear your voice.”

  “Oh yeah?” I can’t help but smile.

  “You inspire me, Lennon Claire.”

  My heart flutters at his words.

  “I do?”

  “More than you know. Hang on, babe.”

  I hear a female voice in the background moments before he muffles the phone. I can’t make out what they’re saying but if I had to guess I’d say it’s Annabelle. The thought somewhat dampers the happiness I felt moments ago.

  “Sorry about that.” He comes back on the line after a few seconds. “I gotta get back inside. I’ll call you later?”

  “Okay.” I try not to let him hear the disappointment in my voice though I’m pretty sure he does anyway.

  “Lennon?” he pauses.

  “Yeah?”

  “I love you.”

  “I love you too.”

  —-

  I’m getting ready to leave for work the next morning when a knock sounds against my door. Setting my travel mug of coffee on the breakfast bar, I quickly make my way to the door, pressing up on my toes to look out the peep hole.

  The second I realize what I’m seeing, I rip open the front door. Hudson’s bright smile is the first thing that hits me.

  “You’re here.” A wave of heat rises up my neck and spreads across my cheeks.

  “We finished last night. I told you, Lennon Claire. You inspire me.” He steps inside and within seconds his mouth is on mine.

  I feel like I haven’t seen him in so long. His taste, his touch, the way his tongue slides against mine overwhelms my senses.

  Using his foot to kick the door shut behind him, he doesn’t dislodge from my mouth as he backs us into the room.

  “I’ve thought about nothing but this mouth for weeks,” he growls, snagging my bottom lip between his teeth and biting gently.

  “Just my mouth?” I pant, my skin prickling when he reaches down and snags the hem of my maxi dress, pulling the material up and over my head in one fluent movement.

  “Well, among many other things.” He steps back enough to remove his own shirt. His eyes scan my body in one slow sweep all the way to my feet and then back up again causing me to tremble slightly. “Come here.” He lifts me into his arms, gently depositing me on the couch moments later.

  “I’ve missed you so much,” I say as he peppers kisses down my neck and across my chest. Pulling my bra down, he cups one breast while his tongue swirls around the other before sucking my nipple into his mouth.

  I arch my back and moan, able to feel the sensation of his mouth on me everywhere.

  “I wanted to take my time with you, Lennon. But seeing you, feeling you, I need to be inside of you. Now.” He pulls back and works my panties down my legs.

  “Yes.” He spreads me wide and slides two fingers inside of me, my body already so ready for him he glides in easily.

  “Fuck.” He pumps his fingers through my folds a couple of times before pulling them out.

  I whimper at the loss of him, but before I can fully voice my objection, he settles between my thighs, arching one of my legs around his hip while the other drapes over the back of the couch.

  “This is gonna be hard and fast, Lennon,” he warns, unzipping his jeans just enough to free his erection from the confines of his clothing.

  Not even bothering to take off his pants, he lines himself at my entrance and enters me in one hard thrust. We both cry out in unison. Hudson stills for a brief moment before pulling out and slamming back into me.

  He establishes a fast, unforgiving pace. Our bodies slap together so violently the sound echoes off the walls around us.

  I’m desperate for him. Clawing at his back, biting his shoulder, arching so he can give me all of him. He’s so deep.

  My orgasm comes on hard and fast. It explodes inside of me and I cling to Hudson, afraid that without him tethering me to the earth I might simply float away.

  It’s not long before Hudson also finds his release, spilling himself inside of me as my body still quakes around him.

  Even though the entire ordeal lasted less than five minutes, we’re both spent, sweating and panting like we’ve been at it for hours.

  Hudson drops his face to my neck, his heart pounding rapidly against my chest.

  “Fuck I missed you.” He presses his lips against my pulse.

  “Me too.” My hands find their way to his messy brown locks, tugging gently at the length.

  Hudson pulls back and looks down at me, a slow smile forming on his mouth.

  “You were going somewhere.”

  “I’m not anymore.” You couldn’t drag me from this condo if you tried. Not when I’ve been waiting weeks to see this man.

  “Work?” he guesses.

  “I’ll text Emma.” I wait for him to move so I can get my phone but he makes no attempt to let me up. “I need up to do that.” I smile.

  “Hold on. I want to feel you for a moment longer,” he says, still planted firmly inside of me.

  “By all means,” I say, honestly in no hurry to lose the fullness of him.

  “Better yet, you’d better call Emma. Because I’m taking your ass to bed and that’s where we’re gonna stay for the rest of the day.” He slowly slides out of me, tucking himself back in his pants as he stands.

  “I think I like the way you think.”

  —-


  “How long before you have to leave again?” I ask the question I’ve been avoiding since this morning when Hudson showed up unannounced.

  True to his word, after I called Emma, he threw me over his shoulder, locked me in my bedroom, and we have not come out since then.

  Well except for a few minutes ago when I decided if I didn’t eat I might die. Even then I made us peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and brought them back to my bedroom where we’re now sitting across from each other eating. I’ve been nibbling on the same sandwich for five minutes whereas Hudson is on his third.

  “Seven weeks.” He drops his half eaten sandwich on the plate in front of him before his gaze slowly slides to mine.

  “Seven weeks?” I question when he makes no attempt to explain.

  “I’ll have to return to Nashville for a few days here and there but yes, you have me for seven weeks.”

  “And what happens after seven weeks?” I ask, feeling like I can’t be happy about the time I’m going to get with him until I know what comes after.

  “I go back on tour. This time it’s a co-headlining tour.”

  “Wow. Your own tour.” I smile despite the growing dread in my belly, knowing how huge this is for him.

  Hudson’s career has continued to skyrocket over the last few weeks. His fourth single debuted at number one on iTunes and his album has been sitting in the top ten for weeks. As thrilled as I am for him, it’s pretty intimidating for someone who is standing on the sidelines looking in.

  “You said your co-headlining. With who?” I ask when he doesn’t offer the information up.

  I have a gut feeling I already know the answer before he says it, as if the universe is somehow mocking me.

  “Annabelle.” He studies me for a long moment, gauging my reaction.

  “I see.” I nod, hating that this news bothers me as much as it does.

  It’s one thing to deal with the fans and the thousands of women that would gladly step in and fill my shoes. It’s quite another to compete with someone like Annabelle.

  Not only is she a tall, lengthy blonde with a set of pipes to rival the best singers out there, she’s also close to Hudson’s age and likely shares a lot of the same common interests as him.