Javier hums his approval. “You’re one sick bastard, Keith, but what the fuck? You have my approval. Just make sure you clean up after yourself so Royce doesn’t find out it was our clan who killed her, understood?”
“Got it, boss. Later.”
I hang up and watch as the girl stops at a beautiful brownstone house and exits her car in a rush. I continue to examine her as she enters her place and locks the door behind her. Memorizing the street address and her house number, I turn my car around and drive home. I have a few things to do before I can come for the girl. Plus, it’ll be good for Royce to get closer to the girl before I come take her away.
That way, when I kill her, it’ll hurt Royce that much more.
Revenge is sweet.
~*~
Fay
“Are you excited about today?” Gavin asks as he holds the door open for me to walk pass. I turn my thoughts away from Hudson, and my guilt for leaving him that night, and glance around at where we are.
I stare in awe at all the amazing clothes in the store. Bare Essentials is one of the biggest fashion boutiques in Chicago. I’ve been dreaming of having my clothes featured here, or even showing a collection in one of their fashion shows that they have every year and this year is finally my year.
One of the co-owners of the boutique, Mr. Royce, has a sales associate who so happens to be my best friend, Gavin. Gavin showed Mr. Royce my designs and then called me the next day saying that his boss wanted to meet with me and was interested in my clothes. Can you believe it?
I should have Googled the man, to learn all I could about him so I know what I’m up against, but I felt weird looking up a potential boss. I don’t think it’s fair that I can Google him and know all about him and his life but he can’t do the same for me. Doesn’t seem right, so I’m taking a chance to learn about him the old-fashion way, meeting him and getting to know Mr. Royce the person and not Mr. Royce, my maybe future employer.
I nod my head at Gavin, realizing I have yet to answer his question. “I’m extremely excited, but I’m also about to piss on myself.” Gavin laughs and I sigh. “I’m serious, Gavin. I’m freaking out and, thanks to that lemonade we picked up on our way here, my bladder is about to explode.”
Gavin scrunches his nose and shakes his head. “Eww! That’s too much information, Fay.” Gavin laughs. “Go to the bathroom before Mr. Royce comes in for the day. It’s down that hallway and it’s the first door on the right.
I nod my head and run to the bathroom. When I get to the hallway, however, I forget which door Gavin told me is the bathroom. I glance at both doors and sigh. “Let’s see what’s behind door number one.” I say in my best game show voice and open the left door. I instantly know I chose the wrong door when I see a man sitting behind a desk, staring off into space. His eyes glance in my direction when I open the door and my mouth falls open. “Son of a bitch.”
Hudson raises his eyebrows at my outburst. “I have been called that on occasion, yes, but I mostly go by Hudson. To what do I owe this visit, Fay? I thought you couldn’t leave me fast enough a few nights ago, so I’m shocked to see you here today.” Hudson stands up from his desk and comes around it, stopping until he’s standing in front of me. He’s pissed, that much I can tell from his tone, but I’m shocked when I see the hurt in his eyes. He averts his gaze from mine and grinds his jaw. Yeah...he’s really pissed. “I didn’t expect to ever see you again. How—” he pauses and clears his throat. “How did you find me?”
I frown. “What do you mean? I didn’t even know you’d be here. I’m here for a meeting with one of the owners of this boutique.”
Hudson’s frown quickly transforms into a surprised smile. “You’re Gavin’s talented friend?”
I swallow hard and nod. “I’m assuming you’re Mr. Royce?” Damn it. I should have Googled him. Hudson inclines his head and chuckles. “Damn it…this can’t be happening.” My eyes meet his and I quickly glance away mortified that I had sex with my potential client. “I didn’t know who you were that night, I swear to you I didn’t. I don’t want you thinking I’m unprofessional because we…you know.” I stutter out and Hudson has the nerve to grin at my obvious discomfort. “Can we forget that night ever happened?” I say, still not being able to meet his eyes. How embarrassing. I came in dressing my best to impress my potential boss, just to realize it doesn’t matter what I wear, considering the boss in question has seen all of me more than once.
“No.” Hudson says, his eyes darkening. “I want to discuss what happened that night. I thought we had a good time, Fay. I thought I made myself clear when I said I wanted to get to know more about you. What did I do to make you flee the bed as soon as the sun came up?” I hear the pain in his voice and my throat thickens. He gently runs a finger down the side of my face and closes his eyes sadly. “Did I do something wrong? Did I hurt you?”
My eyes widen and I shake my head rapidly. “You didn’t do anything, Hudson. You were perfect.” Hudson eyes tell me he doesn’t believe my words and I can’t blame him for thinking that. I’m telling him he was amazing, but me leaving him before the sun could rise says a different story. I cup his cheek with my hand and decide to tell him the truth; no matter if that makes me look like a smitten idiot. “I was scared, Hudson. I don’t get attached to people, not after my mom abandoned me and my father died of heartbreak.” I blink back the tears that always popped up when I talk about my father. It’s been years and I still miss him like crazy. “But...when I was with you, I felt alive for the first time in my life. I wanted to know more about you. I wanted to see were our crazy chemistry could go. I—” I look away from him, embarrassed. “I wanted to get close to you, but when morning came, I realized that if I stayed, there was a chance I could get hurt again. Losing my mother hurt, but when I lost my dad, my heart felt like it was fucking being ripped out of my chest.” the tears fall down now, but I refuse to wipe them away. I hate crying, and when I do cry, I don’t acknowledge them. Hudson wipes them away for me and kisses my face. I close my eyes and enjoy his touch. “Your hands on me bring me back to life and when you kiss me, I’m lost. And that feeling, the feeling of falling for someone, terrifies me more than anything in the world. And that’s why I had to leave, Hudson. I’m too scared to take that risk with you.”
“I’m sorry about your father, Fay. I lost my mother when I was seven and she was killed in a car accident. She was coming to pick me up from school that day, since I was sick and wanted to come home, and some drunk driver hit her before she could reach me, so I know what it feels like losing a parent. And when my mother passed on, my father couldn’t process her death so he dealt with it in the only way he knew — by drinking. So I also know what it’s like having a parent who’s absent from your life. It sucks, to put it simply.” I laugh humorlessly but nod my head in agreement. “I know you’re scared, Fay, because I’m scared too. I’ve never fallen for anyone before, not even close, but I knew from the moment I saw you that you were it for me.” What? Is he serious? Hudson smiles and answers me, as if reading my mind. “I am serious, Fay. In my family...let’s just say, we always know when our true mate comes into our lives. And you’re it for me, beautiful. I know you’re scared, and I’m probably making it worse by saying you're my soul-mate.”
“No shit?” I ask, still trying to process his words. He thinks I’m his soul mate? Is he crazy?
Hudson chuckles and surprises me when he kisses my lips softly. “I see your mouth is still sassy as ever, Fay. Is it still talented?” I grin, despite the worry going through my mind, and laugh. He kisses me again and sighs. “There’s that sexy smile. For a moment there, I thought you had lost it.”
I roll my eyes. “You’re such a doofus.”
Hudson smirks and nods his head. “As long as I’m your doofus, Fay.” His face becomes serious once again and he crushes me against him. I press my face against his chest and take a deep breath, taking in his woodsy scent. “No more running from me, Fay. I’ll always find you, no mat
ter where you hide, and although I didn’t chase after you several days ago, you can be assured I will not be making that mistake again. You’re mine.” I shiver at his tone and swallow pass a lump in my throat. “And I refuse to let something like fear stand between us. I intend to steal your heart, no matter how long that might take.”
You already have a piece of it, I say in my head but out loud I say, “Let’s take this one step at a time, handsome. It takes me more than a few days to fall for someone.” I say and laugh when he growls at me. “You growl a lot, do you realize that?” He stiffens in my arms and I wonder if I said something wrong?
“I guess I’m animalistic at heart.” he responds back, sounding off now. But before I can question him, he pulls back and grins. “Let’s go outside and join Gavin. If we don’t leave now, I’m going to throw you on my desk and ravish you until you’re screaming my name again. I doubt Gavin would like that very much.”
I raise my eyebrows and laugh. “You’ll be surprised. Gavin is into some freaky shit.”
We leave his office, hand-in-hand, and Gavin’s eyes widen when he sees us. Thankfully, he doesn’t question why I’m holding hands with his boss—when I’m supposedly never met the man—and I know from Gavin’s expression he’s going to nag me later tonight, until I tell him every juicy detail.
You got to love best friends,
Hudson, Gavin, and I talk about my designs, discussing which pieces they believe would work well in the store. I brought a few of my favorite pieces with me and when I show Hudson, they impress him. He tells me he runs the business side of the boutique, while his little sister mostly deals with the designers and bringing more merchandise into the store, but since his sister is on vacation, he decided to do this interview with me today, since he liked the designs Gavin showed him before.
“I think Laney is going to love your collection, Fay.” Hudson says and gives me his sister’s number. “I like your most recent collection and I believe it will sell well in our store this fall. I’ll tell my sister about you today and will send her a copy of your designs. I want you to call her tomorrow morning so you two can discuss things further, but I know she’s going to love you and your line.” he stands up and offers me his hand with a smirk. “It was nice meeting with you, Miss Hennessy.”
I refrain from rolling my eyes at him and shake his hand. “The pleasure was all mine, Mr. Royce.” I reply back, my eyes heating up as I speak. Hudson’s eyes glaze over with desire and Gavin clears his throat, breaking the tense moment.
“I’m going to go tidy up and get ready to open the store for the day.” Gavin smirks and wiggles his fingers at me in goodbye. “I’ll see you later, Fay. We have a lot to talk about and I’m not letting you leave out any delicious details.” he winks at us and laughs. “I’ll leave you two kids alone.”
Hudson doesn’t acknowledge Gavin as he leaves and instead, he’s watching me intently. Every time this man looks at me, I turn into a pile of mush under his gaze and I feel all the barriers I put up around myself slowly slipping away.
Maybe Hudson is right and there is something here to explore.
“We’re going out to dinner tonight.” Hudson says, not asking me, but telling me. I narrow my eyes at him and he smiles. “There’s no arguing about this, Fay. And if I recall, you still owe me a breakfast together, but since I do not want to wait until tomorrow to see you again, and I’m busy most of the afternoon, I’m compromising for dinner tonight.”
“You call this compromising?” I ask, smirking at his bossiness. He’s hot when he gets all worked up, which is why I like teasing him so much. Hudson’s eyes darken and I chuckle in amusement. “Okay, Hudson, you win. I’ll go out with you tonight, but I’m picking the restaurant.” Hudson is now the one narrowing his eyes at me and I mimic his signature shrug. “You wanted to compromise, remember?”
Hudson grabs me into his arms and sits me across his lap before he crushes our lips together and his tongue enters my mouth, dancing along with mine. He breaks away and chuckles. “Fine, you can pick the place, but I’m driving us.”
“Works for me.”
Then we seal our compromise with a passionate kiss.
~*~
Fay
Seven days.
It takes me only seven days to fall head-over-fucking-heels in love with Hudson. I don’t know when my feelings of attraction morphed into love—maybe it was on the second date when he gave me flowers—not for me, but for my father’s grave. I’ve never been on a graveyard date before, but as odd as it is to say, it was the best date I have ever been on.
Hudson didn’t have to bring me to my father’s grave, but he insisted he did, wanting to pay his respects to my father. At first, it was sad; sitting by my father’s grave and knowing I will never see him again, but then Hudson started asking me questions about him. We spent four—yes, four—hours at his grave, trading stories about my father and his mother and eventually, the pain gave away and a new emotion crept into my heart.
Hope.
Hudson is the guy I’ve always wanted, but never knew I needed. He treats me with respect, affection, and carefulness. He knows when to push me on certain topics, but also knows when to back the fuck off things. He’s in tune with me and it feels like we’ve known each other all our lives. Not to mention, he’s crazy supportive of my dreams and even created a fashion show for my newest line, which will be featured in his store. Hudson is excited for me, but his sister Laney is even more ecstatic for me. We have only exchanged a few phone calls and texts, but she has been amazing in helping me with this line. I’m glad that things are slowly falling into place.
Still, I haven’t told Hudson how I feel about him. Yeah, I know, I’m chicken-shit, but do you know how hard it is to put yourself out there for a guy and tell him you’re falling in love with him? What the hell am I saying? I am in love with him. If only telling him was as easy as admitting it to myself.
“Hey, beautiful.” Hudson’s sleepily voice rumbles out and he pulls me closer to him on the bed. His eyes are studying my anxious ones and he frowns when he sees the worry and fear in my eyes. Hudson always knows when something is bothering me. “What’s wrong?”
I swallow hard. “Nothing.”
His eyes narrow at me. “Fay…” he says in warning. A warning I have learned better than to ignore, but I’m feeling defensive right now and terrified, so I ignore his warning and glance away. He growls and rolls us until I’m on my back and he’s leaning above me. His eyes are blazing with need, but also with concern. “I usually love your temper, since it’s so damn fun to take you when you’re mad at me, but not today, Fay. Tell me what’s wrong.”
Tears fill my eyes, but they don’t fall. “I love you.” I blurt out, but my words have an edge to them, showing I’m upset. In fact, I’m pouting, which I hate. Hudson’s eyes widen at my words and he’s now grinning like the Cheshire cat. “Don’t smile! I’m terrified right now. This is not a smiling moment.”
Hudson holds back his obvious amusement and leans down to kiss me softly on the lips. Pulling back slightly, he’s still smiling and doesn’t seem to be going to stop anytime soon. “I love you too, Fay.” My heart stops and my breath catches at his words. “Damn, I’ve been wanting to say those words for days now, but I thought if I did, you’ll run away from me—away from us.” he kisses me again and I relax slightly, feeling a bit better now that I know he feels the same way. Still, I’m scared and Hudson sees this. His eyes soften and he lays his forehead against mine. “It’s okay to be afraid about falling in love, Fay. I’m terrified every day.”
“Of things not working out?” I ask, voicing my fear.
Hudson shakes his head. “Of losing you.”
My heart melts a bit more. “I’ve never felt this way for a guy before, Hudson. I’m going to be bitchy, and irrational, and some days, you’re going to want to throttle me.” he chuckles and I smile. “But I’m working on taking down my barriers, Hudson. For you.” I whisper the last two words and kiss hi
s lips. “For us.”
Hudson places his hand on my face and stares intently into my eyes. “For us.” He echoes, and then lowers his mouth to mine for a spine tingling kiss. He nudges both my legs apart and settles in between my legs and I moan. Breaking the kiss, he grins and rubs the head of his shaft against my entrance in a teasing motion. “Loving me has its benefits, Fay. You wake up every morning in my bed, so you have more access to this.” He thrusts up into me and I cry out his name. Hudson chuckles and pulls out almost all the way before he pushes into me harder. I shiver at the feeling of fullness and my eyes are rolling into the back of my head in bliss. “I’ll never get enough of you, my mate.”
Hudson then proceeds to hammer into me with restless abandon. And when I finally get close to the edge, he pulls out almost all the way, and then the bastard waits until my body has calmed down before he shoves into me again. He repeats this motion several times, and each time he leaves me hanging, I want to kill him. Hudson loves teasing me and I’m afraid this game he’s playing is actually a punishment for ignoring him earlier.
But what a pleasurable punishment it is.
When Hudson denies me my orgasm for the sixth time, I grab the back of his head, bend him down to my face, and growl at him. Damn it, his stupid growling is rubbing off on me. “Stop fucking around and let me come! If you don’t, I’m going to make you sleep on the sofa and I refuse to go down on you for a month.”
Hudson stops his slow thrusting and laughs. He shakes his head and kisses my nose. “As much as I like teasing you, I don’t like the idea of you not going down on me for a whole month. You have such a talented mouth and it’d be a shame if it became enemies with me.”
I roll my eyes and chuckle, despite myself. “You’re such a doofus, Hudson.”
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