Love Is Beautiful (Chelsea & Max) Read Free

goo-goo eyes?”
    “Yeah, you know.” He jerks his head towards Mina as she heads off to get my next patient ready. “The look that means I could have them with just one little crook of my finger. Probably right over there in the bathroom if I wanted to.”
    “Hudson Knox.” I ty to make it clear how much I utterly disapprove of that statement. “You better not.”
    He shrugs. “I’ll do what I like, thank you very much. Especially, if the woman who has captured my interest is even slightly interested in return.”
    Alarm bells are going off like crazy. I give his ankle all my attention, barely lifting my gaze to meet his only to drop it down again. “And just who has captured your interest?” I murmur the question, more out of a need to be polite rather than any kind of need to know the answer.
    Please don’t let it be me. Please don’t let it be me.
    “You.”
    Damn it.
    “Hudson. I…” How do I tell him that I’m just not interested in what he has to offer without making our visits awkward from this point forward?
    “Don’t tell me no, Chelsea.”
    “You’re my patient.”
    “That’s right. And I have to repay you for all your brilliance. I’ll be back to full speed in no time and that’s all because of you, my friend.” He flashes that boyish grin at me and damn if I don’t feel part of my resolve melting away. It’s been a long time since I’ve done anything fun. And an even longer time since I did anything fun with a good-looking man.
    “You’re so not my type,” I say.
    “And you’re not mine.” He shrugs as I frown. “But we can at least go out and have a good time together.”
    “Relationships aren’t my thing.”
    “I’m not proposing, London. Just go out with me and have some fun.”
    I stop working on his ankle and look up at him, considering. A night out sounds good. Really good. Dancing, drinking, conversation…
    Sensing victory, Hudson smiles. “You seriously look like you need to unwind. And I am the master of unwinding.”
    I take a deep breath and prepare myself to say no. “You know what?” I say instead. “Sure. I’ll go out with you.”
    Hudson beams and I can’t help but smile back. We exchange numbers and I give him my address while he promises to pick me up Friday night at eight before he hops off the table, drops one eyelid in a ridiculous wink and heads back to the locker room.
    “You’re still not leading with that heel,” I call after him.
    He turns around, smiles at me and flares his hands and damn if I don’t feel just a little excited about seeing him on Friday. After all, he is handsome. And, since he’s brand new to the team, he’s not famous or anything, but he will be. I can feel it. He’s got that kind of drive. How many chances will I have to go out with a guy who’s on the fast track to fame?
    So, he’s not my dream guy? A girl can have a little fun, right?
    “Chels?” Mina sidles up beside me, sounding worried.
    I turn to her, a huge smile on my face. “What’s up? My new patient ready?”
    “That’s the thing,” she says. “He didn’t want me. He said he wasn’t going to be passed around like leftovers. He’s right over there waiting for you and he doesn’t seem pleased. Like, at all.” She widens her eyes and points to a table behind her where I catch a glimpse of a large man with dark hair and massive arms folded over an even bigger chest. He’s staring after Hudson, so I can’t quite see his face.
    “What was his name again?”
    “Max. Max Santoro.”
    “Okay, Mina. Thanks for trying. I guess it’s time to turn on all the charm and make him feel like a superstar instead of leftovers.”
    “Good luck with that. This one is a real beast.” She rolls her eyes and stares after me as I head over to greet Mr. Santoro. He turns as I approach and I stop in my tracks, eyes wide, eyebrows raised.
    The man perched on the edge of one of my massage table glares at me with his bullet blue eyes and I take a deep,