Tempting my CEO

Chapter 7 - Dinner and drinks.

Avalyn

Hudson and I just pulled up outside his place. We had come straight from work to his. Thankfully, no one saw us together. I would rather have gone home to get changed first, but Hudson insisted I was fine, and we would come straight here.

I was nervous. I know I shouldn’t be doing this, even if it is the only dinner. I should have said no when he asked.

“Avalyn, relax, please?” Hudson said.

“I am sorry, I can’t help it,” I said.

“It is only dinner,” He said softly.

We got out of the car, and he rested his hand on the small of my back as we headed into his place. I shuddered the moment he touched me. I was hoping he didn’t notice, but if he did, he didn’t say anything. Tell me again why I agreed to this? I don’t know if I trust myself around him. I swear he can turn me on just by looking at me a certain way. Pathetic right? It is a first for me, though. I don’t think I have ever had a man affect me entirely as he does. I see the way he looks at me too.

“I know,” I stammered out. Copyright Nôv/el/Dra/ma.Org.

The moment we walked in, I pulled away from him. I looked around. The place wasn’t what I expected. It was evident it was a bachelor pad, but I was expecting something fancier. It was nice, though, and about three times the size of my place.

“Make yourself comfortable. Would you like a drink? Wine? Beer? Scotch? Water? Coffee?” He said, listing my options.

“A beer, please,” I smile.

Maybe a drink will help calm my nerves. He nods, heading to the kitchen. I stand in the middle of the living room awkwardly. Do I sit down? Go through to the kitchen? I don’t know, but he did state to make myself comfortable. God, why do I need to be so awkward!

“Are you just going to stand there for the rest of the night?”

I hear a chuckle from behind me. I turn to face him, and he was standing with an amused look on his lips, his very kissable looking lips. No, Avalyn, don’t go there.

“Come on, let’s sit down and have a drink, then I will start on dinner. Salmon, rice and veg, OK?” He smiles, and I nod.

We head over to sit on the sofa, and he hands me my beer. I thank him, taking a drink, a large mouthful. I could feel him watching me. I slowly turned to face him. I was expecting him to pull away, but he never. Instead, he continued looking at him, and he had a look on his face that I couldn’t work out.

“Hudson, why, why, are you looking at me like that?” I breathe out.

“Like what?” He responds.

“I don’t know. You have a look on your face that I can’t work out,” I whisper.

Hudson moved in closer to me, resting his hand on my knee. I swallow hard, biting on my lip to stop myself from moaning.

“Am I making you uncomfortable?” He questions.

“Not uncomfortable, no,” I reply honestly.

“Then why does it make you?” He asks.

I can’t turn around and tell him the truth. The truth is that I can’t handle having him close to me, touching me, because each time he does, it makes me want him more.

“I, I, don’t know,” I finally stutter out.

I see a hint of a smirk on his lips. I don’t think I need to tell him what is going on in my head, as I believe he can see right through me. He reached one hand up, his fingers brushing my cheek. A small whimper escapes from my lips. Damn it! His lips began inching closer to mine. Is he going to kiss me? Or am I imagining things?

Suddenly his phone started ringing. He groans, pulling away.

“Sorry, I need to take this,” He said.

I smile, and he heads into a different room to talk. I decided to get up from the sofa and walk around, at least that way when he comes back then I can put a distance between us. I take a look at the photos, records, and art he had around the place. I smiled seeing the family photos. They look like a happy family.

“Sorry, it was my mother, and if I didn’t answer, she would call back

Or worry,” He chuckles.

“It is quite alright,” I giggle, “I know what mothers can be like because mine is the same,” I added.

“I will make a start on dinner before it gets any later,” He smiles.

“Can I help?” I ask.

“No, but you can come through and keep me company,” He replies brightly.

“Sure thing,” I state.

I was thankful nothing got said about what happened before his phone rang. I am not sure what would have happened if it didn’t. Would he have kissed me? Would I have let him kiss me? I don’t know, but now, I will not find out because I don’t want us to get into that position again.

We headed to the kitchen, and Hudson got to prepping. I sat by and watched because that is what he insisted I do.

***

Dinner had gone well; the food was incredible. He was a good cook. We were lounging on his sofa, eating doughnuts, and drinking beer. I had become a lot more relaxed. It was probably the two beers and the glass of wine at dinner that has done that.

“Where did you learn how to cook?” I asked.

“My mother, she taught me everything she knows,” He smiles, “And she is always saying, son, if you want to impress a woman, knowing how to cook her a good meal will help with that,” He added, laughing.

“I agree with her,” I state.

“Me too! I swear if I don’t find a woman to settle down within the next few years, my mother will end up finding one for me,” He chuckles.

I am surprised he isn’t already married. He has the total package going for him. He has a great personality, good looks. He is charming, hard-working, funny and sweet. I am sure he is good in bed too. Just call that a feeling.

“And is that what you want? A wife, or is that what your mother wants for you?”

I was curious about what he wanted in life because not everyone wants the same things.

“I do want that, a wife and kids, but not for a few years yet,” He said, “What about you?” He added.

“I want that too, but a good few years away yet,” I say.

We talked a little more about that before changing the subject. I have enjoyed my time with him tonight. I haven’t laughed like this in a while. There was still tension in the air, especially from my side, but I was trying to ignore that.

“So, are you dating anyone at the moment?” Hudson asked.

“Um, no, not really, still recovering from my last relationship,” I shrug.

“End badly?” He asks.

“Yes. We were together for four years, broke up six months ago because it turned out he was a lying, cheating, selfish son-of-a-bitch,” I hiss.

I know it was six months ago, but these things take times to get over. And once someone breaks your trust like that, it is hard to start trusting again.

“I am sorry, Avalyn, that guy was an idiot, and you can deserve better,” He said.

“Thanks, but let’s not talk about him or that,” I said.

Hudson didn’t argue with me on it. He nods and changes the subject.

I am hoping the rest of my night here with him is as good as it has been.