Page 28 of The CEO's Outback Gal

When Hudson’s stomach growled loudly, despite having had a decent breakfast only a few hours earlier, we made our way to the food market. We both chose burgers and soft drinks and ate at a table beneath an umbrella that offered some protection from the hot sun.

“How many times have you been here?” I asked Hudson around a bite of burger.

I was interested in knowing more about the man it appeared I was dating.

“Too many times to count. Sitters used to bring me here fairly regularly. We always came over on the ferry and they would insist we walked up to the top and then back down. I was a super active kid, always on the go, and they hoped it would wear me out.” Hudson laughed. “It didn’t. Instead, a couple of them fell asleep on the ferry heading home. It’s a wonder I never fell overboard because as soon as I noticed, I’d take off outside and stand on the rails. Fortunately, some caring citizen always pulled me down, carted me inside, and abused the sitter who managed to stay awake for the rest of the journey.”

“How many sitters did you have?”

“No idea. None of them stayed for long because they said I was out of control. I don’t think I was naughty as much as inquisitive and high-energy. Mum and Dad spent as much time with me as they could, but both worked long hours securing my future, they used to say. They love me to pieces, and I love them dearly, but the truth is, they were workaholics. I vowed when I have kids, they will be my priority. I’ll take school holidays, Easter, Christmas, and their birthdays off, and on weekends we’ll take the boat out for a mini holiday. I have more money than I could spend in fifty lifetimes, so my kids won’t be raised by sitters.”

“Does your father still have an interest in the business?”

Hudson shook his head. “We agreed to a billion-dollar buy-out and it became mine.”

I grinned. “You talk about a billion dollars like I’d talk about one hundred.”

Hudson shrugged. “I’m fortunate, I know that, and it’s why I do what I can to help charities. I love animals so donate to a lot of animal charities and give a substantial donation to this zoo every year.”

“Yet, you pay to visit.”

“By choice. I have a pass, but if I don’t pay, the critters don’t get the benefit of that money and every little amount helps.”

“You’re a good man.”

“I try hard to be the best man I can and respect other’s viewpoints. My only sour relationship is with the media. They won’t accept that I prefer not to draw attention to myself.”

“I understand. It must be terrible for celebrities and those with money, having their private lives intruded on all the time.”

“Yes, it’s bad enough for me, but if I was a celebrity, I think I would flee to some remote tropical island.”

I laughed, even though Hudson seemed to be partially serious.

After we finished, we disposed of the rubbish and continued our trek down the hill.

When we saw a crowd gathered at the entry to the seal show and realised it was about to start, we headed inside.

I clapped enthusiastically at the antics, but when I voiced my concern to Hudson about making them do things that weren’t natural, he insisted that in his experience, no critter would do anything or obey any command if it was something they hated.

He made a good point, the seals appeared happy and well-fed. I thought about the animals on the station and recalled, none of our horses, or cattle, would do a damn thing they didn’t want to if they weren’t in the mood.

***

The day had been one of the best in my short life, probably because I’d shared it with Hudson. On the way back across the harbour, I rested my head on his shoulder and dozed off. It seemed like only five minutes passed before I was being gently shaken awake.

Hudson pressed a kiss to my cheek. “Time to go—your place or mine?"

"I still have my bag at your place. Can we have dinner together before I go home?" I didn't want the day to end, I would miss Hudson when I went home.

“Of course. How about I order Chinese?”

“Sounds like a winner.”

Devon had the car parked a short distance from the wharf and we settled in for the short drive to Elizabeth Bay.

While we waited for the food to arrive, we headed upstairs for a shower to wash off the sweat and heat of the day. Hudson joined me and worshipped my body before fucking me up against the shower wall and by the time we were done, I was incredibly happy but exhausted.

I donned one of Hudson’s t-shirts which had him wiggling his eyebrows and me darting for the stairs and dashing downstairs. It wasn’t that I didn’t want him again, but I was starving—for food.

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