“Oh, so you’re telling me that there is a logical explanation as to why you came home drunk, smelling like the entire Lakers cheerleading squad? Is that what you are going to tell me? What happened? Did you trip and fall into a pool of liquor and then use a perfume-soaked towel to dry off? Is that what happened, Hudson?”
“No. I mean, there is just more to it than what you saw or smelled.” I wanted to tell her, but I knew the consequences. I would tell Chloe and I was sure that she would go to somebody else, and after that, both of our careers would be over because Simon would rip us to shreds. “Just know that there is nobody else in my life. There is not, and there was not. It is just complicated right now. It is hard to explain.”
She scoffed at me. “Yeah, sure, Hudson. You wanted your time to talk to me and then when I give it to you, you just spew out more bullshit. Listen, I don’t have time for any more of your games, ok? So, please, you keep away from me, so I can focus on my life and you can focus on yours. Thank you.”
“Chloe…”
“That. Is. Enough. Stop wasting your time.”
I stood still, watching her walk away from me with a head full of unanswered questions. I couldn’t lose her over this and somehow, I had to get the truth out there to her. She had to know that I cared about her deeply and it was more than just a fling.
Chapter 21
Chloe
I left Hudson standing there even when everything in me wanted to turn around and hear him explain what he was holding back. I knew there was more to it, but if he didn’t have the balls to let it out, then I wasn’t going to sit around and wait for him to become comfortable enough to talk to me about it. As I walked past the set, Simon called me to her director’s chair. I don’t know what his deal was, but he’d gone from being a total jackass to dripping all over me like honey. I hadn’t yet decided which worse, but I was leaning toward this current version of him. It made my skin crawl.
“So,” he said absent-mindedly, “it looks like we aren’t far off the end of wrapping this. How are you liking your position?”
“Well, I’m not sure about it. Maybe it is not for me, you know? I came out here wanting to act and I haven’t decided if I want to work production. I don’t know, there was just a lot going on this time around, so my mind is all over the place.”
“I see,” he said looking up from his tablet, eyeballing me over the top of his glasses. “You should probably consider exactly what it is you are looking for. And how I can help you get it.”
My stomach dropped. What exactly was this guy implying? “Excuse me?”
He smiled. “Never mind. Did you deliver the call sheet for tomorrow to Hudson?”
“I will later. I think he was busy in his trailer. So, I will just talk to him another time. Maybe I can just send it to him in an email or something.”
The faintest hint of a smirk crossed Simon’s face, but it disappeared as fast as it appeared. “Is everything alright with you two? I mean, you seemed like buddies in the beginning, but now it seems like you’ve been avoiding each other.”
“It’s just personal things, you know? I don’t really want to talk about it.”
“Ok. Well, word to the wise,” Simon leaned closer to me, so he could whisper into my ear. “Men like Hudson? They only want one thing from pretty young things like you. It might be better for you to stay away from him. And focus on more important things,” he reached out and ran a finger down my arm. I thought I was going to wretch. “More important things… like grown men. Who can offer you opportunities beyond your wildest dreams.”
Oh, you have got to be kidding me with this. Is every man around me an ass? I shook my head, wanting to say more, but knowing that it was best to keep it to myself. “Alright, then. I have a few more things I need to take care of, Simon, so I am going to get on it. If you need me, just call me, ok?”
“Sure thing.”
As I walked away from him, he yelled out to the set, “Alright, places! Places, everyone!”
I walked away from the commotion and into a small, makeshift office that was the size of a utility room. I closed the door behind me and sat down at the desk. At first, when Hudson hadn’t been around to talk to, it had been hard for me. It was hard to get used to not seeing him as much as I had been, but I couldn’t take the pain. The more I thought about it though, the more it didn’t make sense to me. Why would he just all of a sudden flip on me? I couldn’t put everything together, but right now, it just didn’t make sense. And after the crap Simon just said… something was weird. I had a sneaking suspicious whatever Hudson wasn’t telling me, he wasn’t telling me a good reason.
Jade told me that I was trying to subconsciously give him a way out because I liked him so much, but I didn’t think that was it. I opened my laptop to send him the call sheet that Simon wanted me to. I pulled up his email address and started to type but I was halfway through the message before I deleted everything. I had to say what was on my mind.
Hudson,
I don’t know what went wrong. I don’t know what changed between us, but I do think that you should have the chance to explain yourself to me. Maybe you couldn’t do it while you were here on set and I realize that I may have put you in an awkward position. So, I am willing to give you a chance to tell me the truth. All of it. But I won’t stand for any more lies, or half-truths. This is your last chance, so please use it wisely. Let me know…
Chloe
I reread the message what seemed like a thousand times, erasing things and adding to them just to make it sound better. After I was satisfied, I sent the email to Hudson. I looked at my watch. It was 2:49 pm and it was just about time for me to pick up the last of the sides.
I got up, locked the door and made my way to the editing room. I hoped that Hudson would see the email before he ended his day. I wanted him to tell me what really happened, and after that, I could make my decision to turn away and not look back or give him a second chance.
Chapter 22
Hudson
After the shoot was over for that day, I checked my phone for missed messages. The studio heads usually sent out information regarding the movie, like times we had to show up for promotional events and other things related to upcoming PR. I scrolled through my emails until I landed on Chloe’s. After I read through it, it was clear that she wanted me to have a chance to explain myself. With shooting finally coming to an end, I felt that it was the best time to tell her the truth. All I could do was hope that now the movie was almost over, we might actually be safe to speak to each other. Maybe I could finally let her know what had happened.
I sent her a text.
Me: Stop by tonight. I can clear everything up and then you can make your decision after that.
I kept my phone in my hand as I walked back to my trailer, so I could respond to her as soon as she replied. I hoped that she would surprise me and be there when I showed up, but when I opened the door, I knew it was just wishful thinking. Finally, she sent me a response.
Chloe: Tonight is fine. I’ll meet you at your place right after the shoot.
Me: I’ll be there. Or do you want to ride together?
Chloe: Don’t push it.
I was just happy that she responded to me in the first place and gave me a chance to come clean. Immediately after we were finished shooting for the day, I went straight home so I could get ready. It took me days to get the smell out of the front room from when I threw up a while ago and the stain was still there. I was going to have to get the carpet replaced, but I didn’t have the time to do it right now. I grabbed a rug out of my room and laid it over the stain that persistently reminded me what an asshole I was.
I lit incense and waved the aroma around in the room so that it would be soaked by the time she showed up. It was almost 8:30 pm when the doorbell rang. I wanted to smile when I opened it, but I felt that it was too awkward for me to do that. Chloe looked exhausted from her day, and I knew I would have short leash.
“Hey, Chloe. Thank
s for coming by.”
She raised an eyebrow at me. “Are you going to let me in?”
“Of course.” She walked by me and sat on the couch. I caught her scent as she walked by me and it sent me into a tailspin of emotions, thinking about the times that I felt her body close to mine. Outside of my dreams, it hadn’t happened in some time. “Do you want anything to drink? Soda? Water?”
“No, I’m fine, thank you.” Uncomfortable silence sat between us for a few moments until she spoke again. “I just wanted to give you the chance to explain yourself. I am not saying that what you say will be enough and suddenly change things between us. But I need answers and I know I’m only going to get them if I give you an opportunity to tell me the truth.”
I exhaled deeply. The incense fluttered around the room while I took a seat on the other end of the sofa, keeping a cushion between us. I didn’t want to get too close, too soon, especially since I didn’t know how she was going to take the news.
“So, Simon. Simon has this rule on set, that no one should be fraternizing. Especially talent with assistants. He threatened my job and yours and wanted me to ends things.”
“What? That’s insane, Hudson.”
“Yeah, so I kept it to myself. He said he would’ve ruined your career and mine, too. I mean, I probably could’ve fought my way back, but I know how much harder it would be for you, Chloe. If he had you blackballed, if he started rumors about you? And it’s not like it’s just hypothetical. I know he would do it because he’s done it before. I didn’t want to sabotage your career before you had a chance to begin it. So, I kept it to myself for the last two months. And that night that I was drunk? I was with his assistant, Ariel.”
She fixed her attention directly on me, confused. “I don’t understand. What were you doing with Ariel?”
“Simon sent her to try and get me in line. I was so angry that I got drunk and that’s how I ended up stumbling around on my lawn. And puking all over my carpet.”
Chloe looked down under her feet and winced. “Okay, but did something happen with Ariel? Why did you smell like perfume that night?”
“The bar was packed, Chloe. There women everywhere. People were rubbing up against me every time they went to get drinks. But I swear. Nothing happened with Ariel. She is a single mother and Simon has her over a barrel too. She is barely holding on to her job because she turned him down. I didn’t want you to be put in that same position, but neither of us knew what to do about it. All I could do was wait for the movie to finish and hope you hadn’t moved on, or ended up hating me so much, you couldn’t come back from it.”
She turned away from me and shook her head. “Wow. I mean, I guess that was the last thing I expected to hear. I had a feeling Simon was a piece of shit, but I had no idea it was this bad. Ugh, and poor Ariel. She is a sweetie. She doesn’t deserve any of this crap.”
“We are almost done with this movie. We just have to get through the last few days and then we can decide how to move forward.”
Chloe kept a straight face as she looked at the blank television screen in front of us. Suddenly, she smiled, and then seconds later, laughter erupted from like she’d just been told the most hilarious joke she’d ever heard in her life. “That son of a bitch!” she said as she continued laughing, doubling over to her knees. “This is insane and so unbelievably childish. I can’t believe him. But I guess I can. I knew this shit happened before I moved out here, but on my first movie? Come on.”
“That was my point exactly.”
“Well, I’ll tell you one thing, when I write my book, all of this is going in there. All of it. Every last word.” I laughed and scooted closer to her, hoping that maybe we were on our way to a place where she might forgive me. She can’t still hate me, can she?
“Hold on,” she said right before I put my hand on her thigh. “Do you promise all of this true? You aren’t just telling me a story or pulling a line or working me?”
“What?” I asked, confused.
She glared at me. “I’m just having trouble settling into all of this. Going from hating you one minute and realizing what a mess this has all been the next. I need to believe, really believe, you, Hudson.”
“With every fiber of being, every ounce of my soul, I promise you, Chloe. Simon is behind all of this and I just wanted to protect you. I will never hurt you again, and when this movie is over, we will fix all of it together.”
Chloe reached out and took my hand in hers, giving it a squeeze. “Good,” she said with a smile.
“So, are we ok now?”
She fixed her eyes on me, not blinking once. I expected the worse but suddenly, she leaned forward and kissed me. “I forgive you.” She kissed me again. “I missed you.” She kissed me a third time. “And don’t you ever, ever keep secrets from me again. If anything like this happens in the future, you tell me about it, and we’ll work it out. I’m not a porcelain doll. I can handle anything, and we can definitely handle things together. So, if some douchebag director tries to use me or seduce me, assume that I am also capable of making decisions myself.”
I slid my hand onto her thigh. “You’re absolutely right, Chloe. Will you give me a chance to make it up to you?” I asked with a wink.
“You read my mind.”
Chapter 23
Chloe
I leaned back onto the bed and beckoned him closer to me and without hesitation, he traced his tongue down the length of my stomach, settling into my core. I dipped my head back as the evening rays of sun shone directly through the large window behind the bed. I had forgotten just how amazing he was, how much he cared about my pleasure. Being with Hudson again was beyond anything I remember, and I wanted us to be like this forever. A rushing sensation of pleasure shot through my legs as he teased and tasted me. I bit my bottom lip and ran my fingers through his thick, beautiful hair as he clenched his arms around my thighs. As his sucked gently on my clit, I wiggled out of my shirt, then tossed aside my satin bra, relishing the cool night air against my skin.
My breathing intensified as he flattened his tongue and ran it down the middle of my pussy. “Yes,” I whispered as ecstasy rushed through my bones and sent small convulsions through my legs. I didn’t want to leave that hallowed place between my thighs. I wanted him to make me feel like that forever. Even when I had been hurt by him, I still wanted him. Hudson had become like a drug. Now that we had found our way back together, I could never imagine myself with anyone else ever again.
Hudson stood up and removed his shirt as the weakened rays of sun beamed through the window, enhancing the ripples in his chest and his abs as he towered above me. His thick cock was already hard and ready to slide for me, reminding me of the pleasure he’d already brought me. I felt ready to come already as he climbed on top of me and slid himself slowly inside of my ready core. His eyes closed tightly as he entered me, both of us lost in a wave of extreme pleasure. He exhaled deeply as he gripped my legs and pushed them back, enhancing the easy glide of his thickness inside of me.
He pressed his lips against mine as he picked up his speed, my whole-body trembling with the power of his prowess. We bounced on the mattress as I knocked pillows onto the floor, trying to find something to grab onto. We fit together perfectly, like two pieces of a puzzle, and every thrust was like magic. I wanted more of him, all of him, forever.
Just when I was settling into an easy rhythm, Hudson lifted me off the bed and carried me to the wall, pinning my back against the coolness of it as the sun shone down on us. His naked, muscular body held me up with ease as he fucked me again, my legs wrapped around his waist as if he were the only thing keeping me anchored to the earth. I put my arms around the back of his neck, holding onto him tightly as he remained fully inside me. I slid my nails down his back, and he shivered under my chest.
“Fuck,” he whispered in my ear, nibbling on it gently.
He eased me down to the floor where I got on top of him and rode him, relishing every movement. He smiled, biting his botto
m lip as sweat formed on his brow. “You like that?” I asked while we lay on the carpet in the master bedroom. Hudson smiled and ran his hands up and down my legs.
“I’m about to come,” he said, sweat rolling down the sides of his face.
“Yes, baby,” I said. “Together. I want to come together.”
Moments later, his body convulsed as he grabbed on to my hips and thrust himself deep inside of me. I planted myself on top of him, wanting to feel inch of him inside of me. I felt him tremble, and then the warmth of him reaching his peak.
“Hudson!” I yelled, clenching my legs around his waist. I shook as I leaned forward and kissed him deeply, doing what I could to keep my screams of ecstasy as quiet as I possibly could. He held onto me tight, my body was pinned to his, until I could feel his breathing steady.
I was so glad that we had figured everything out because the idea I may have missed out on this was horrifying. He was everything I wanted in a relationship. Our careers were flourishing and regardless of what crap Simon pulled, we were going to figure things out.
“I missed you so much, Chloe,” Hudson whispered as I lay on top of him.
I rested my head on his chest and moved my hand over his biceps. “I missed you, too. I’m glad you finally told me the truth.”
He sighed. “I will figure out what to do with Simon. If he has done this to me and you and Ariel, I can only imagine what other horrible stuff he has done. He is a devil.”
“Yeah, he is, but we won’t worry about that right now.” I kissed him on the lips. “We will just worry about us and let the rest take care of itself.”
“That sounds good with me.”
We laughed and kissed each other as the moon replaced the sun in the sky. I was right where I wanted to be and no matter what, I wouldn’t let things change ever again.
Baby and the Biker: The Ghost Riders MC Page 34