Page 53 of Hudson

“Thank you for finding her and locking her in. I know I said it before, but it really means a lot,” I tell him honestly, and he gives me a small smile and nod. “This cherry is amazing.” I twirl the stem, placing it on the napkin like I usually do.

“So no issues this morning? Everything went well?” he asks again.

I want to tell him giving blood is the least of my worries. I want to tell him that I spent the entire day sofar looking over my shoulder, wondering if today is the day my worst nightmare comes to life. I have been doing research, and what I thought was purely infatuation is now obviously stalker behavior, and I barely want to think about it, let alone verbalize it.

“It was all fine. However, my nurse was Jolene,” I tell him, rolling my eyes, keeping my real thoughts to myself.

“Oh, I bet that was fun,” he says sarcastically. I have told him all about her and her school antics.

“She was surprisingly nice, actually.” Nice might be pushing it; maybecordialis more suited.

“I would hope so. She was at work. The care and attention patients need should be at the forefront of everything she does.”

“Spoken like a true professional,” I tease.

“I got you an extra cherry,” he says, turning the sundae dish a little, where I spot an additional cherry on the side. I look at him and raise my eyebrow.

“An extra one? For me?” I ask, my grin now almost taking up my entire face.

“I like watching you eat it and twirling the stem with your tongue,” he says, sitting back, and all the concern and lightheartedness we just had now boils down into a simmering heat that has swirled around us since our date.

“You want to feed me, Hudson?” I ask quietly. The diner is busy, but no one is looking at us or paying us any attention. Positioned at the back, we are away from prying eyes. The novelty of seeing us together is slowly starting to wear off, it seems.

He smirks. “Lacy baby, there’s a lot I want to do toyou,” he murmurs, and my pussy pulses. I move my hand and pick up the cherry by the stem and lift it to my mouth. I have always loved food, and while I don’t have time to make elaborate meals or bake all weekend, I do like to enjoy eating different things.

“Put it in your mouth,” he tells me, voice low, and I watch him watching me, our eyes glued. I do as he asks, and I dangle the cherry to my lips, my tongue darting out to grab it and pull it into my mouth. I bite down, then swallow the cherry juice, Hudson's eyes trailing the movement of my throat.

“Harvey is at a friend's house for a sleepover tonight,” he says, his voice gravelly.

“He is?” I ask, just as my stomach flip-flops.

“I spoke to your mom earlier today. She said Jennifer is free to spend the night with her, so I organized her to sleep over at your place tonight.” He continues, and I swallow the rest of the cherry and place the stem on my napkin. I look at him and take another deep breath as his words from weeks ago ring in my mind.I took care of it.So I nod in agreement, ready to follow him anywhere he wants to lead me.

“Come home with me?” he asks, and my breathing pauses before I smile. With him taking care of everything else, I only have to worry about me, and right now, there is nowhere else I want to be than with him. I feel a mixture of things—joy and happiness mixed with a healthy dose of trepidation. But he has waited for me. Waited for me to be at ease with him. At ease with leaving Mom, helped me morph into myself and become the woman I was always meant to be.

“Let’s go,” I say, and his grin is instant as is the way he stands and throws a few bills onto the table.

“My truck is right outside.” Putting out his hand, I slip mine into it, stepping out of the booth. The remains of the Saturday sundae now forgotten.

27

HUDSON

Ifeel almost unhinged as I grab Lacy from the truck.

“Hudson!” she gasps, giggling as I lift her quickly from the seat. God, I love her giggle. She doesn’t do it often, so when she does, I feel a rush of endorphins for making it happen.

“Let’s go,” I say, tone gruff, lifting her bridal style and walking her up the steps. I feel like the luckiest man alive with her in my arms.

“You are insane!” she squeals in delight, and my smile grows. I have been waiting so long for a woman like her. Someone not only smart, funny, and gorgeous, but who will accept me and all that I bring, including my little boy.

“Insane for you,” I admit, setting her on her feet, then I open the door and pull her inside. As soon as we are across the threshold, my lips are on hers. My hands wrap around her waist, and I pull her to me. We are toe to toe, my lips consuming hers, and I feel her body soften in my hold as she melts into me.

“Mmmmm… Hudson…” My name is a mere whisper ghosting from her lips onto mine as her hands run up my shoulders before settling behind my neck. I kick the front door closed, then walk her backward, not once taking my lips from hers.

“Lacy baby,” I groan, smoothing my hands down her hips to cup her ass, pulling her to me as I step her backward until her back meets the door.

My lips slide from hers, and I drag them down her jaw, her head pushing back as her hands run down my arms to my chest. Her fingers work at my shirt buttons as I pull at her top, wanting it off her, wanting to see her.

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