I sucked in a breath. So, this is why he didn’t discuss his parents.
“Once my dad realized how lucrative of a business it was, he started investing in the black-market. He taught me everything he knew, so I would learn how to do it myself. I'm a dealer, I also mule. I go across the borders without being caught on a private jet. In some ways, I'm just like my father, and in other ways, I’m not.”
“How are you not like him? And if he was funding these guys, you working for them is the same thing.”
He looked out over the water, hunched over the table, with his hands resting on what was still an empty plate. “I thought that, because of him, I would never fall in love. I thought because of how my mom was, I couldn't trust anyone; he had made me think that.” He looked back at me, gazing into my eyes. They weren’t as cold as they once were. Nothing like when I met him in the club that night. He was so different now; so much had changed. “But when I met you, I knew that I wasn't like him at all. I want out. I like helping people, but this isn’t the way to do it. I want to run a legitimate business, maybe a non- profit dealing with hospice care or pediatrics. I know medicine, but I don't want to be part of that side of it anymore.”
I was shocked. Before Hudson met me, he had just been another playboy. I couldn't believe he was willing to take the risk of getting out of the trade just for me.
I smiled at him and raised my milkshake up. “To big changes.”
He smiled back, and tipped his Coke so that it touched my plastic cup. “To big changes.” He gulped down some of the soda, and took a hot dog. He looked like he didn't even know how to hold it right. I wasn't sure how he would survive in the everyday world without his business suit and his mansions. It made me think. “What about the money?”
“What about it?”
“I mean you don't have enough to live forever. Not the way you live anyway.”
He studied me. “You have no idea how much money I have, do you?”
The truth was, I didn't. Even through all this time of us dating off and on, I hadn't even really looked him up.
“I was a billionaire before I was twenty. And most of that was my father's money. Now that I've made my own, I can live this lifestyle for as long as I want to, and help other people. You don't have to worry about me and the money.”
There was something else I was considering though. “What about your safety? How do you get out?”
He sighed. “I don't know about that yet. These two guys are my own security detail, but Rudolph, he'll try to get me wherever I am. I’m going have to transition out slowly or make a deal.”
“Who's Rudolph?”
“Rudolph Lenko is the head of the Russian mob. He's currently the supplier I work for. My father and he had a relationship, so it just seemed like the right move when I got into the business. But he’s ruthless, doesn't always give me the script I need for the people who need them. He pulled some shit recently that made me rethink my involvement with him.”
So, it wasn't just me he was leaving for. There was something else going on. “What is that?”
“Nothing you need to worry about. He just thinks I owe him something that I don't. But I'll work it out, don't worry.”
I tried not to, but I couldn't help it. Hudson wasn't invincible whether he thought he was or not. And his cocky attitude just made him even more vulnerable.
“So, do I get to ask you more about you now?”
I looked at him. “As long as you promise not to report it to the DA this time.”
“Touché.” He further attacked his hot dog, and had it down in just another two bites. “So, tell me more about your family, or how you and Alexis met, or working at the library. Anything. I just don't want to be the one talking anymore.”
I sucked on my milkshake a bit more, and then I smiled at him. “Then, let's not talk.”
He gave me those hungry eyes that pulled me in every chance they got. “Are you saying that we need some additional privacy?”
I leaned across the table. “I'm saying that you make the rules. I just follow them.”
He looked over at the two suits that were guarding us. “Gentlemen, it’s time for us to go back to my house. Arrange the car for us, won't you?”
One of the men in sunglasses walked away, and in just a couple minutes, the silver Mercedes was pulled right up to the dock for us. I linked my arm through Hudson's as he guided me to the door, and opened it for me, allowing me to settle in. He placed his hand on the inside of my thigh, and trailed it up between my legs, sending shivers through my body. He was the perfect tease.
“This won’t be a long drive.”
I sighed. “Thank God.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
We only drove in the Mercedes for what felt like a few seconds before pulling into an underground garage minutes away from the docks.
“You live at the harbor?”
Hudson shrugged. “I don't really live anywhere, but I rent the penthouse here. I like to look over the ocean. Remind you of anywhere?”
I smiled. I knew exactly what this view reminded him of. It didn't surprise me that he needed to be close to the water. I felt like the ocean signified freedom to Hudson, and as long as he could see it, he felt like he could make a clean getaway. As he opened my door for me and extended his hands, I wondered when the night might take us. I had learned that he had very specific tastes when it came to his sexual desires. I was ready to explore all of them.
I heard the clicking of my shoes as we crossed the concrete pavement, walking to an elevator where Hudson stuck in a key card. We ascended to the very top of the building. As the steel doors opened, I saw why Hudson had chosen this place. There were windows everywhere, and for a moment, I was reminded of my night in the hotel, waiting for judge. I sucked in a breath, reliving the fear. I couldn’t help but look over my shoulder instead of admiring the view.
Hudson pulled me forward, and snapped me back into reality. I could see the ocean for miles. I wondered what it would be like to watch big ships come in the morning over cup of hot coffee. Hudson took my hand and led me further into the apartment, and I attempted to take in as many of the details of this place as I could. It was nothing like the cottage in France; here it was modern, posh, and it looked like it been put together by some young, hot designer. I felt like the house in France had more touches of Hudson, but maybe it was more of his true home. This is just another stop along his trail of deals.
“Why Boston?”
He moved closer to me, and I felt my heart rate increase. “The club.”
I was confused. “What about it?”
“How many of those men do you think are my clients?”
I'd never thought of it that way. He probably worked with most of the men that sat underground and smoked cigars while they looked at beautiful women. They were all wealthy and connected, just like Hudson. It made me think about how many of them were dabbling in illegal activities in order to pad their bank accounts. But, I didn't have time to think. Hudson pressed his body against mine, and I found myself nearly tripping over a chaise lounge in front of the windows.
“Lay down,” he instructed.
All I could do was nod. I had somehow lost my voice. I sat down on the edge of the chaise, and then pushed myself back until I felt my back touch the fabric.
“Take off your clothes.” I removed my shirt, and then wiggled out of my jeans, so that all was left was my bra and underwear.
“Stay here.” He walked away from me, and I looked around the apartment until my eye caught a riding crop leaning next to the slate gas fireplace. Would Hudson use that on me? Somehow, I knew that he would. He walked back into my line of vision with a blindfold and a set of handcuffs.
“I'm going put these on you. Tonight, you will completely submit to me.”
I chewed on my lower lip in anticipation. I could already feel my pussy getting wet.
“Yes.”
“Yes, what?”
“Yes sir,” I added.
He pulled my arms above my head, and placed the handcuffs on them tightly. I heard the clink of metal as they locked into place. Then, he took the blindfold, and placed it over my head and my eyes, so that the world went dark. I was totally vulnerable. I waited for something to happen, anything to move forward with our evening. My senses reached out for some sort of comfort, but they were met with a shocking discovery. Hudson had something cold and wet, what I assumed was ice, rolling down my stomach. I felt his hot breath on the top of my underwear, and then I was met the opposition of the frozen water. I writhed under his touch.
He lightly caressed the tops of my thighs with his fingertips, and I waited for the ice to come after, but it didn't. He ran his fingers over the lace of my underwear teasing me slowly.
“You’re so beautiful,” he whispered. I felt him begin to turn me over, and I helped by putting my handcuffed hands below me, so that I was on my knees with my ass in the air. Hudson took the ice, and slid it along my back until he reached my bra strap. He undid the clasp, and my bra fell down onto the lounge. He rolled the ice, slippery and smooth, back and forth along my spine until I shivered.
“Unexpected, isn’t it?” he whispered hotly in my ear.
“Yes, sir.” I couldn't believe how heightened my other senses were without my vision. The ice cube laid in the center of my back while he just took his fingertips where my ass met the tops of my thighs. Occasionally, he would run his hand over my underwear, and my body would ache in response. The ice continued to melt on my back as he tantalizingly pulled down my underwear to expose my dripping pussy. I desperately waited to see what he would do next, until I felt the sting of his hand on my bare ass. My body jolted forward, and I moaned in pleasure. I heard his pants drop to the floor, and I waited for him to push his cock into me.
“Do you want this?”
I did. So badly it hurt. “Yes, sir.”
He pushed his dick into me, and put his hands on either side of my hips. I imagined him behind me, completely naked; his body barely glistening with the slight amount of sweat from being out in the evening air. He pulled me back into him, and rammed me hard until I felt like I could barely breathe. I took my restricted hands, and placed them between my legs, rubbing my clit furiously as I got close to my climax.
“Are going to come for me, Calla?”
“Yes! Yes, sir!”
He leaned onto my back, the ice cube now completely melted. “Then, do it.”
He pushed into me deeper and faster as I rubbed myself furiously. And, as I felt him come inside me, I allowed myself the release I had been to so desperately waiting for.
He whispered to me again. “Submission is good, isn't it?”
I could barely breathe out. “Yes, sir.” And it was.
Chapter Twenty-Five
A few days later, I was lying in bed, on Hudson’s bare chest, when I looked at the time. “I have to get ready to go.”
He turned to look at me. “Why are you going to work?”
“Because I have to pay my bills.”
He moved towards me. “Calla, you are dating a billionaire. I can pay off your apartment, any bills you have. You’re set.”
I got up from the bed, and began to grab some clothes. I had borrowed some outfits from the club to change at home from now on. It was more comfortable.
I put my underwear on. “Hudson, I don't want to feel like some sort of charity case from my boyfriend. And what if this doesn't work out? Then what do I have left?”
He looked puzzled. “I mean, if that's what you're worried about, we can come up with some sort of agreement. Even if things with us would end, I wouldn't just leave you with nothing.”
An agreement. Just another business arrangement. I grimaced at the thought. “Hudson, you know how I feel about that. I need to do this, for me.”
He shook his head. “You don't know who's all at the club. We don't know who we can trust.”
“You don't have to trust anyone but me.”
“I don't want to have to worry about you,” he said, in a gruff voice.
“You don't have to worry about me. I can protect myself. I'm a big girl, Hudson.”
“Some things are bigger than you, Calla. What I do for a living is bigger than you.”
“I can handle it. Not like I'm going to go in there and say, oh my boyfriend, millionaire Hudson James, is dealing pharmaceuticals on the side, did you know?” I raised my voice at the end to sound immature. But he didn't look amused.
“I just wish you could understand how much I care about you and your safety.” He stood up from the bed, and walked towards me, but this time I didn't pull away. He put his hands on either side of my arms. “I don't want anything to happen to you. So, if you have to do this, just be careful, okay? I want you to have your eyes open, regardless of the money that's being thrown at you.”
I sighed. “Okay.”
He pulled me into him, and crushed me against his thick body. He ran his fingers through my hair, and I felt comforted. Besides Alexis, Hudson was really the only other person who had my back, and with such a small team, it was nice to have one more.
I finished getting dressed and left for my shift. Hudson agreed that he wouldn't come to the club anymore; it would create tension between him and the customers. We agreed to one other condition: no sex with any of the clients. It wouldn't be hard to do, since many of the vets still had their regulars, and I was still new enough that most of those clients weren’t interested. Hudson seemed comfortable with our arrangement, and I was fine with that as long as I could still make some money. I didn't want to be someone he had to take care of. He could protect me, sure, but I wanted to be my own person. I was hoping he finally understood that.
I signed the book at the front desk, and I walked upstairs to the dressing room. Some the girls had already started their shift; I was working fairly late. Monique passed by me and gave me a wink. I was glad that we were finally friends. At least, I think if Monique had friends, I would be one of them, and I knew that she would bail me out of jail anytime I needed it. I could trust her, but Hudson didn't trust anyone, so I couldn't tell her about us. She sashayed down towards the wooden doors, and out onto the ramp down at the club. I dropped my coat at my station, and shook out my hair before following her. As soon as I walked into the cigar smoke-filled room, I felt safe. No one would ever try anything at the club; they weren't that stupid. Security was tight, and the Madame knew everyone’s secrets.
Immediately, I noticed a few men eyeing me up, and I walked over to the bar to get a tray full of drinks. It was the easiest way to get an introduction. The bartender quickly filled the tray with six shots of tequila, and I began wandering around the tables. I noticed many of the men were already preoccupied with other girls, so I steered clear of those tables. Getting into a catfight was not my plan. I noticed a booth in the back that was for some of the higher-end clientele where their glasses were empty. I figured, if nothing else, I could at least get a tip.
“Drinks, boys?”
A man in his early fifties with a black suit and red tie spoke. “What do you say, gentlemen?”
They nodded in agreement.
The first man spoke again. “What do you have?”
I smiled at him flirtatiously. “Why don’t I sit down and show you?”
“Join us.” I thought I heard a hint of a Russian accent, but it was just my nerves.
I sat down on the edge the booth next to him, and put the tray on the table. “Tequila,” I said, winking at him.
He smiled broadly at me, and then took a shot in his hands. “Gentlemen? We don't want to turn the nice lady down, do we?”
There were three other men at the table, all in similar suits and red ties. They looked at me greedily, and I suddenly wondered if I'd gotten in over my head. I'd never been to one of the high roller tables before. This may have not been my best idea. The other men raised their shots, and all downed them in one gulp.
The man I had been speaking to
shook his head as he set the glass back down on the tray. “That's got a bite to it, doesn't it?”
“I'm sure it does. Only the best tequila served here.”
“Are you new around here, girlie? I don't recognize you.”
“I've been around. But not for long.”
One of the other men spoke, sounded more like a growl that a voice. “What's your name?”
“Calla.”
The first man I’d been talking to nodded. “We might have some information that could interest you, Calla. Perhaps a business arrangement.”
This was moving a lot faster than I expected. “Oh? And what is that?” I asked innocently.
“Why don’t you take my card?”
“Your card? You mean your membership card?”
“No. My business card. In ten minutes, we’re going to leave this table, and I will leave it here for you. I think you're going to be very interested in who I do business with.”
I gulped. “Okay.”
“Time for you to go, Calla, so we can make our exit. Leave the tray.”
I nodded, and swiftly got up from the table. I walked back to the bar, and stood leaning on it, watching the table like a hawk. In just a few minutes, they left, and I took a deep breath before walking back over, and picking up the tray. Beneath it was a hundred dollar bill and a business card.
In red letters it read:
Rudolph Lenko
Shit. I was in trouble.
Chapter Twenty-Six
I picked up the card, and slipped it into my bra. I dropped the tray off at the bar, I looked over my shoulder to make sure no one was watching, while I stealthily moved up the ramp, and back into the dressing room. I felt like I couldn’t breathe. All of Hudson's concerns were validated in just a single introduction. I grabbed my phone, and dialed Hudson's number. I needed that protection, now.
“Calla? I thought you were working tonight.”
“I am. Your boss is here. You are right, Hudson. I can't work at the club anymore. I need you to come get me. I don't want to leave alone.”
Filthy Boss: An Office Romance Page 21