Page 57 of Hudson

“Your iron is a little low. I’m cooking you a steak for dinner.”

I smile, and as he looks at me, assessing, his frowneases, my pupils obviously now normal and the color back in my face. Crisis averted.

“Sounds delicious.” I’m already feeling back to normal, and he makes me drink the rest of the water, his concerned frown now almost permanent, before we go downstairs for dinner.

29

LACY

Ilook into the freezer before I slam it shut and shuffle to my handbag at the kitchen counter.

“Okay, so I have lasagna and a casserole in there, and I’ve already portioned it out,” I tell Jennifer as she looks at me from where she stands in the kitchen, giving me a small warm smile.

“We’ll be totally fine. I can cook some fresh meals too,” she says in that gentle tone she uses that makes my shoulders lower automatically. Jennifer has been with us for a few weeks now. My mom and I both agreed after Hudson went to the effort of finding her that we would trial it because I needed help. Turns out that it was the best trial we have ever done, and now Jennifer is almost part of the family. She and Mom get along so well it has given Mom an extra pep in her step and more energy than she had before. It has also alleviated so much from my plate, and I struggle to figure out what to do sometimes, because I’m so used to being busy every second of every day. Now I can work a little more, rest alittle more, see Hudson a little more. It has been nice and has enabled me to just figure out what life is meant to be like. Giving me the space to breathe and be somewhat normal without the constant guilt that always plagues me. Although that still filters through most days.

“Thank you,” I tell her, sighing in relief. It makes this work trip so much easier this time to know that she is here, twenty-four seven for the week.

“Take a breath, Lacy. I’m fine. I can look after myself. Besides, that lovely man of yours said he will be checking in on me,” Mom says, obviously fishing for information, and I stop what I’m doing and look at her. She’s right. She’s looking better than she has ever looked. More color in her face, and she’s walking around a lot more, making her own food and drinks, no longer needing me as much as she did just a few weeks ago. That’s the way her health has been. Periods of pain, lethargy, sickness, then periods of wellness, energy, and life.

“Hudson is not… I mean, he is…” I struggle to label us because we are having fun, getting to know each other, and while we are exclusive, we haven’t really talked about it all and “boyfriend” feels too adolescent, and “partner” feels too formal. “We are just getting to know each other. Just make sure you take your medications. Sleep well. Eat well,” I say, drumming it into her.

“Lacy. I’m okay. Just go. Have a wonderful week. See the sights, drink the cocktails, and enjoy. Don’t worry about me,” she says, smiling, seemingly pleased to see me spread my wings.

“You heard her, she’s fine. Tanner said he’s going todrop by tomorrow as well. So let’s go!” Victoria says from the open front door where my suitcase waits.

“Oh, I do like that man. I’m such a lucky woman with both Hudson and Tanner now at my beck and call for the week,” Mom says with a laugh, and Jennifer chuckles. I take a breath and lower my shoulders.

“Okay, I’m ready,” I say, smiling at them both. More excited than stressed now, most likely due to the multiple orgasms that Hudson delivered to me last weekend. My pussy throbs even now, just thinking about it.

“Go! Enjoy the Big Apple. I can’t wait to hear all about it.” My mom grins before walking to me and giving me a hug, and then she and Jennifer scoot me out the door, while Victoria runs my bag to the truck, where she and Tanner are waiting.

“Thanks, Mom,” I say, before giving her one last squeeze, and then I run out the door and jump into Tanner’s truck.

“Have you got the itinerary for the week?” Tanner asks us as he drives us to his jet at Whispers airport.

“Check.” I look through my iPad at the week's activities we have planned. It’s a work trip, but mud wraps, massages, and facials at some of the city's best day spas can hardly be classed as work.

“That Jennifer is a godsend,” Victoria comments, and I take a deep breath.

“Literally,” I agree, thinking about her.

“What’s her story anyway?” Victoria asks, and I smile.

“She is a widow, so she does some patient support work to bring in some casual hours. I’m lucky this week she doesn’t have anything else going on so she is able tostay with Mom the entire week. She was happy to offer a discount since she will be eating our food and staying at our place,” I tell her, happy with the arrangement.

“Lacy, no other work while you are in New York,” Tanner says abruptly, and my head flicks up to look at him. His eyes hold on to the road, but I see his face is serious.

“What do you mean?” I frown.

“Have the week. Enjoy the spas and the research, but otherwise, I want you to have time off. No calls, no emails, no work. You have been working hard these past months, extra hours and whatnot. So when you are not researching the spas, go shopping, sleep in, do whatever it is you want to do.” Tanner continues, and my eyebrows rise. “Do you have everything you need for the penthouse?” he asks Victoria, moving the conversations on quickly so I don’t have time to answer. He looks at her briefly as we pull up to the jet on the tarmac.

“Yes. I have it all,” she says with a nod.

“Call me when you get there,” he says, looking at her, and I open my door, not needing to watch them kissing goodbye.

“Glad I caught you.” I hear Hudson's voice as I slide out of the truck and look up, startled, seeing him in his signature suit, hands in pockets, watching me with a big grin on his face from the base of the jet stairs.

“Hey! What are you doing here?” I say, surprised, my smile instant as he walks to me, his hand circling my waist and pulling me close.

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