Come Down Under

by Parker, Weston

“Be careful,” he said quietly as I walked out of my office.

  I waved without turning back, leaving him to close the door when he left. Shane had keys for every door on our floors of the building anyway. I wasn’t worried about leaving him alone in my office.

  Even the elevator ride felt longer than usual on my way down. Mental images of Rose in the gift I’d sent her occupied my mind, and the anticipation made the ride feel even longer.

  When I finally reached the sidewalk, I took in a deep breath of the ocean air to try to calm myself down. No matter how many times I had Rose, I never seemed to want her any less.

  Since my cars were too recognizable, I’d taken to walking to her hotel from the office. It was only a few blocks, and it was easier to blend in as a person than to try to hide a car worth more than some people made in a year.

  As I walked down the street, my mind stayed on Rose. I was so absorbed by thoughts of her that I bumped into someone. When I looked up, I realized I hadn’t bumped into him. He’d bumped his shoulder into mine on purpose.

  “Mr. Hudson,” the paparazzo yelled, raising his camera and sticking it in my face. “Can I ask you a few questions?”

  The guy snapped a couple pictures of me, but I kept my head down and kept going after flashing him a tight smile. He called out to me again, but thankfully, he didn’t seem to be one of those who’d follow me around for the rest of the day unless I lost him.

  I checked over my shoulder a few times, but he’d melted into the crowd. Relieved as I turned the final corner and the front doors of the hotel came into view, I blew out a breath and put the incident out of my mind.

  Rose deserved every ounce of my focus, and I was determined to give her what she deserved. I pushed through the double doors into the air-conditioned lobby, and one more elevator ride later, I was finally at her door.

  I swiped the keycard we’d gotten me for her suite, opened the door, and slammed to a stop in my tracks when I laid eyes on her as the door shut behind me.

  “Hey, boss,” she said, curling a lock of hair around her finger. She stood in front of her bed wearing only the sexy red lacy lingerie set I’d gotten her and a pair of sky-high stilettos.

  Her lips had been painted with a deep red shade of lipstick and shone under the soft light of the setting sun filtering in through the windows. She looked even better in it than I ever could’ve imagined.

  My dick reacted instantly, hardening to the point of it being painful, while my heart started sprinting in my chest. “Holy fuck, baby.”

  “You like it?” she asked, those delicious lips spreading into a teasing smile. “Someone left it here for me. No idea where it came from.”

  I reached up to loosen my tie, stalking toward her as I did. “Really? Well, whoever it was had good taste.”

  Before she could reply, I tackled her to the bed. Rose managed a squeal of delight before my mouth sealed over hers, where it would stay for as long as it possibly could.

  Chapter 31

  ROSE

  Jude and I landed on the bed in a tangle of limbs and clashing teeth as our tongues fought for dominance. His kisses were always fervent and passionate, but he was on a whole different level tonight.

  It was like he’d been starving for me for weeks instead of just days. I returned his kisses hungrily, as eager as he was. With all the buildup and anticipation since lunchtime and then arriving at the hotel to find the sexiest lingerie I’d ever worn waiting for me, I was raring to go.

  His muscular body pushed mine into the mattress, his one hand in my hair and the other gripping my hip. I loved feeling his weight pinning me down, having his hard cock grinding against my core, and feeling the vibrations from his chest in my own when he moaned.

  It made me feel petite, sexy, and wild. I hooked my ankles together behind his ass and bent my legs to bring him closer to me, to feel more of his weight.

  My arms wound around his neck as our mouths came together over and over. Jude groaned into my mouth and pulled back just enough to meet my eyes. “Fuck, Rose. What have you done to me? How is it possible to want you this much?”

  I dragged my fingertips along the elegant curve of his jaw, shaking my head as I stared into the incredible green depths of his gaze. “I don’t know, but whatever it is, you’ve done the same to me. It’s like I’m enchanted by you and there’s no way to break the spell.”

  “Enchanted,” he repeated, his eyes sweeping my face like he was cataloging every one of my features. “I like that word. It’s accurate. You enchant me too, baby.”

  One of his hands speared into my hair again, bringing my head up as his lips crashed into mine once more. The other hand slid from my hip to my bare thigh, his long strong fingers digging into my flesh.

  He kissed me fiercely, deeper than ever before, almost like he was trying to make me feel his need for me all the way down to my soul. Or maybe I just thought that because that was how I felt. I was all tangled up in this man, both literally and figuratively, and I’d never been happier.

  When we were together like this, it sometimes felt like my soul was fusing to his and he was giving bits of his in return. Our connection transcended anything I’d ever felt, and all I knew was that I needed more.

  My body came alive under his touch. Every nerve ending sparked with need until it felt like I was only being held together by pure desire. My clit ached, and I felt painfully empty inside. Rocking my hips against his, I silently cursed the few scraps of fabric that lay between us.

  I ran my hands down the powerful muscles in his back, my palms soft and my fingertips stroking and dancing as they traveled up and down. Jude shivered above me, soft sounds of pleasure filling the air between us.

  When I finally reached the edge of his waistband, I was desperate to get the damn pants out of the way. With Jude filling my senses again, all I could think about was joining my body with his.

  He lifted his hips to allow space for my hands between us but didn’t stop his feverish kisses. Working as fast as I could, I undid his pants before sliding my fingers underneath the elastic of his underwear and pulling it all down at once.

  There was no finesse to it, but it got the job done. Jude kicked them off, bringing his body immediately back to mine.

  His firm, solid length was burning hot against the thin lace of my underwear. I felt his heat on every sensitive, swollen part of my pussy and nearly came undone right there. Breaking apart from him for only long enough for him to pull his shirt over his head, it followed the rest of his clothes to the floor.

  Our chests mashed together, my nipples hard enough to cut glass against his smooth skin.

  I writhed underneath him, desperate for more pressure on my throbbing clit. Jude smiled against my mouth but indulged me by repositioning himself just right. He moaned when he felt my wetness through my soaked, barely there panties and allowed me to rub myself all over his hard shaft.

  “What do you need from me, baby?” he whispered as he lifted his mouth away from mine to catch my earlobe between his teeth and nip at it. While he did that, he rolled his hips so skillfully that I saw stars behind my eyelids.

  “More,” I breathed, my legs opening wider before I wrapped them around him again.

  “Then more is what you’ll have,” he promised, bringing his hands up to my breasts. They worked their magic there, tormenting my nipples in the best way possible.

  It didn’t take long before I was a shaking, panting mess. “Jude, please.”

  “Yes,” he hissed as pleasurable spasms racked my body. “Come all over those sexy new panties of yours.”

  Oh, good point. The thought occurred somewhere in the back of my mind. He hadn’t even undressed me yet, but I was so close I could already feel the first sparks racing through my body.

  I couldn’t help myself with him. He knew exactly how and where to touch me to make me desperate for him within minutes.

  Jude lifted his torso slightly off of me, his muscles tight with restraint and his gaze heavy. He kept
pumping his hips into me rhythmically until I was right on the edge. My body started shaking not a minute later and my orgasm ripped through me like lightning.

  Before I’d even properly recovered, Jude grinned and slid his hand in between us. Pulling the panties deftly aside, he slid his fingers through my slick folds and pushed one right into me.

  A second finger joined the first, stroking me hard and fast while he pressed his thumb to my clit. I tumbled headfirst into another climax, screaming his name and belatedly hoping the walls were soundproof.

  “You ready for me?” he just about growled, his need coming off him in waves as he tore my panties from my body and positioned himself over me. “Please say yes, because I’m dying over here.”

  “Yes,” I managed to say past my dry throat, opening my legs farther.

  “I just ruined your gift, but don’t worry,” he said. “I’ll get you more. Next time, I’m going to unwrap you slowly, like a Christmas present.”

  Leaning his forehead against mine, his hands gripped into the sheets at the sides of my head and he thrust into me, letting out a loud cry as he buried himself inside me.

  He filled me, stretched me out in all the best ways, and hit all the right places. It felt so damn good that I felt myself hurtling right back to that exquisite edge.

  Sex had never been like this for me before. I used to be lucky if I got one orgasm out of the deal. With Jude, it was different. All he had to do was touch me and I was halfway there.

  There was a wild, hungry edge in his eyes that told me he felt the same. What he was doing to my body in his chase to find release was insane. I felt so much pleasure that my vision blurred and I screwed my eyes shut, focusing on how good he made me feel.

  Before I knew it, I was climbing again, higher and higher than before. Jude’s thighs quivered against mine and I felt his stomach dipping, knowing that meant he was so close.

  His cock pulsed and swelled inside me, his kisses taking on a staccato rhythm before he abruptly yanked his mouth away from mine.

  “Rose,” he gritted out, his brow furrowed and his eyes almost completely overtaken by the black of his blown-up pupils. “I can’t—I’m gonna come.”

  Digging my fingernails into his perfect butt, I thrust up against him. “Come for me, baby.”

  Growling, he tensed above me, his hips jerking as he found his release. Seeing him come triggered another orgasm of my own and I clung to him, riding out the tempestuous storm raging through me.

  I knew some people said that a powerful orgasm could make a girl glimpse the face of God, but I hadn’t experienced it before. When I reached my delicious orgasmic bliss, I understood how it was possible.

  Choirs of angels sang in my head, and I’d have sworn I saw a glimpse of heaven before the pleasure receded. Jude brought his lips back to mine, kissing me tenderly before pulling back.

  “That was incredible.” He kissed the tip of my nose. “You’re incredible. Stay right here. Let me clean you up. Then we might have time for a quick drink before I have to go.”

  Chapter 32

  JUDE

  After I left Rose’s hotel room, I couldn’t help feeling like I was leaving a part of myself behind. I wanted her to come back to my place with me, and I wasn’t quite sure why she couldn’t. I hadn’t asked her, but I was thinking that next time I would.

  Luke and Mom wouldn’t say a thing to the press, and it wasn’t like my penthouse was the only one in the building. Even if it had been, she was my intern. If she got photographed entering or exiting, saying she’d been there to collect documents for work was a plausible explanation.

  On my way home, I decided I’d talk to her about it in the morning. I could at least ask her if she’d be interested in spending some time at the penthouse. Our relationship couldn’t develop naturally out in the open like I might’ve liked it to, but it didn’t have to be confined only to the office and her hotel room.

  My house was a safe space, too, and I wanted her in it. I would have to explain to Luke that she was my friend and would be visiting us sometimes, but he adored her. I doubted he would have a problem with it.

  As I walked into the house, I caught a whiff of roast chicken and garlic. A grin spread on my face when I realized where it was coming from. Mom had left dinner in the oven for me.

  God, I owe that woman a year-long trip to wherever she wants to go.

  “Hi, guys,” I called as I dropped my keys on the table in the foyer. “I’m home.”

  “Daddy,” Luke yelled excitedly from the living room. “We’re in here. Grandma’s show is about to start.”

  “I’ll be there in a minute.” I glanced down at my watch. It was eight, which meant I didn’t have much time to spend with my son before he had to go to bed.

  I’ll make up for it in the morning, I vowed as I went to grab the plate Mom had left for me. Her roast chicken and potatoes had to be one of my favorite dishes in the world.

  Carrying it to them, I smiled when I caught Mom’s eye and went to brush a kiss to her temple. “Thanks for this. You’re the best.”

  She returned my smile and sat back, but instead of turning her attention to the television, she tucked a leg underneath her and shifted to face me. “It’s an absolute pleasure, darling. I have to make sure you’re eating well with these long hours you’ve been keeping.”

  There was a knowing gleam in her green eyes, and it looked like she was fighting a smile, but I knew she wouldn’t bring anything up in front of Luke. I settled beside him on the couch and ruffled his hair, dropping a kiss on the top of his head.

  “How was school, buddy?”

  He looked up at me and shrugged. “It was fine. Geography isn’t fun.”

  “It’s not,” I agreed. “But it’s really important to learn about the world and our place in it.”

  Luke sighed, sticking out his lower lip. “That’s what my teacher said.”

  “Your teacher is just as smart as your dad then,” I said, grinning at him as I cut a bite of chicken. “You should listen to her.”

  “He always does, don’t you, honey?” Mom said before twisting around to look at the grandfather clock behind her. “Time to head upstairs, darlin’. Brush those teeth well, you hear? We don’t want to need a visit to the dentist soon.”

  His eyes widened as he nodded. “Definitely not.”

  “Well, you know what you have to do,” I said, pulling him in for a quick hug before he jumped off the couch. “I’ll be up in a few minutes to tuck you in. We’ll have breakfast together tomorrow, okay?”

  “Okay.” He grinned. “Will you make us omelets?”

  “If it’s a special request from you, you’ve got it.” It was the least I could do after missing so many dinners these last few weeks.

  Luke threw his arms up in the air and did a little jig. “Yay! Dad’s omelets. I can’t wait. Can we have breakfast now?”

  I gave my plate a pointed look. “I’m still having dinner, but the sooner you go to bed, the sooner it’ll be time for breakfast.”

  “Good point.” He flashed me another grin, then turned and rushed off to get ready for bed.

  The theme song to my mother’s favorite show started playing, but she reached for the remote and turned the volume down. I frowned at her and swallowed another bite of my dinner as I watched her giving me a curious onceover.

  “You don’t want to watch that?”

  “I’ll catch up later,” she said with a flick of her hand, her eyes coming back to mine. “Let’s have a chat first. How are you?”

  “I’m good. You?” I kept eating while she crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes at me.

  “You’ve been coming home later than usual these last three weeks,” she commented finally. “What’s going on?”

  “Nothing.” The answer came out way too fast for it to have been the truth, and apparently, Mom knew it.

  She arched a brow at me. “Nothing, huh? Are you sure it doesn’t have something to do with a certain American girl?”
>
  I sighed and used more concentration than necessary to cut and eat my potatoes. It was so good, rich and buttery but still crunchy. But unfortunately, Mom didn’t take the bait when I complimented her cooking.

  She just dropped her chin and stared at me. Since she already knew about Rose from our previous conversation and since I knew I could trust her, I relented. Besides, I really wanted to talk to someone about her.

  “You and Shane are too intuitive for your own good,” I said, exhaling another deep breath and sending up a quiet apology to Rose for talking to my mom about us when I’d sworn I’d keep it a complete secret.

  I’d come clean about it the first chance I got, though.

  Mom’s lips spread into a slow smile. “So that’s a yes?”

  “Maybe, but it’s not—”

  “You don’t need to defend your decisions, Jude.” She clapped her hands and leaned forward as she cut me off, excitement shining in her eyes. “I think this girl is good for you. You seem more like yourself lately, and you seem happier, too. Even Luke has noticed.”

  “He has?” My brows shot up. “What have you told him?”

  “Not much. Just that you have a new friend at work and that business is good.”

  I could’ve kissed her for that answer. “Thank you.” Relief bled into my tone. “I couldn’t have said it better myself. I just don’t really know how to handle this with him, you know?”

  “I know.” She reached out and laid her hand over mine, giving it a pat. “You don’t have to worry about him, son. He’ll be just fine.”

  “I just don’t want him getting attached to her. He already keeps asking when we’re seeing her again. Shane reminded me earlier that Rose has to leave in a few months and he’s right. When it happens, everything will go back to the way it was before.”

  Mom kept quiet for a long minute. I ate more, but the food suddenly didn’t taste quite as good. Eventually, she frowned and pursed her lips. “Why? Why does she have to leave?”