by Fiona Archer
“Hudson, is it?”
I nod and smile.
“While you are filling out that tailor made suit like a man built for sin and you have some of the prettiest eyes I’ve ever seen, I don’t think you are ready for me. Honestly, when was the last time you ever dated a Black woman?”
I close the distance between us and lean down in her ear. “Never judge a book by its cover. Trust me, I’ll surprise you.”
“Hudson Garrison, of Garrison Industries. I think it’s you underestimating your opponent today. In all my research about you and your family, not once did I see a woman of color on your arm,” she says and winks.
I stand with my mouth open like a complete idiot. She releases that laugh once more. Placing her small hand on my chest, she pats it.
“Pick up your face, love. I’ll see you for our one o’clock.”
With that, she walks out of the shop, leaving me to watch her hips sway. Suddenly, I can’t wait to get to the office, and I have the desire to clear all of my meetings before one.
Chapter Three
Six months later…
“Why have you given me such a hard time to get to this point?” I say as I look down into Cierra’s eyes. I should allow her to go into her townhome, but I need a little longer in her presence.
Our first date was amazing. A stroll through the gardens before settling in for a private dinner at the ground’s gazebo. Our light banter and the delicious food were the perfect pairing.
“Why whatever do you mean?” she teases.
“It’s been six months since I ran into you in your ice cream shop. I’ve been asking you out every week since.”
“I’ve been in negotiations with your company for six months. Don’t you think us dating would be a conflict of interest?”
“You were in negotiations with my family’s business. Since I plan on leaving the company soon, there’s no conflict at all.”
“Correction, you plan on leaving. You haven’t left.”
“I’m so glad that deal is closed,” I say as I search her face.
“Is that right? Why is that?”
I grin and wrap my arms around her waist, tugging her into me. I dip my head until our lips are only inches apart. I love that she’s so much shorter than my six three, but she fits my arms perfectly.
“Because I’ve been dying to do this,” I say before crushing her full lips with mine.
I don’t know what I was expecting, but this wasn’t it. It’s as if my soul connects to hers as I canvas her mouth with my tongue. She moans, and I tighten my hold, wanting more of the sweet flavor.
I devour her, wanting…no needing more. I’m consumed by all things Cierra. I wish this moment could go on forever.
However, I break the kiss and place my forehead to hers. My eyes still closed, I breathe her in. I’ve never felt this way in my life.
“Wow,” she whispers.
“Cierra?”
“Yes.”
I open my eyes to look into hers. “One day, once I prove to my family I can make something of my own, I’m going to ask you to marry me.”
“What?”
“When you called me out for being a Garrison that day, I wanted nothing more than to show you I’m my own man. Not a name. Tonight, this date. All night long, I’ve felt like…like I found my twin flame and I can’t let you get away.”
She scoffs. “Hudson, you barely know me.”
“I know you’re incredible and you make me see life clearly.” I peck her lips and release her. “Go inside, baby. Dream of me and the day you walk down the aisle to me.”
She laughs and lifts on her toes to kiss my cheek. “You’re crazy. Goodnight, Hudson.”
I walk away from her townhouse more determined than ever to change my destiny and build my own dream. When I arrive home, I take out my business plan and get to work.
Chapter Four
A year later…
“Where are we going?” Cierra asks between her laughter.
I love that sound. It fills the air and brings me more peace than I could ever ask for. I’m nervous, but I want her to be the first one to see this. I couldn’t have done it without her.
“Only a few more steps,” I say and kiss the top of her head.
“I told you I’m not into all that kinky crap. I’m going to kick your butt if you have me in some dungeon or something.”
I chuckle. “I told you not to knock it before you try it.”
Turning her to face me, I release the blindfold from her eyes before she can retort. Searching her face, I wait for her reaction. Confusion turns to excitement as realization sets in.
She jumps into my arms and wraps her legs around me. “You did it. This is your new office, isn’t it? Oh my God, Hudson. I’m so proud of you.”
“I couldn’t have done it without you,” I say and kiss her lips.
She breaks the connection before I can get too carried away. Tilting her head the way I love, she runs her hand through my brown locks. I’ve fallen so hard for this woman.
“You’re amazing. You know that. This was your dream and you made it happen.”
“I had to. I made you a promise. I love you, baby. I’m want to be your husband and have all those babies your mother keeps fussing about.”
She laughs, then rubs her nose against mine. “I love you too.” She pauses for a moment and bites her lip. “How are things with your dad? This had to be a big blow.”
I groan. “I don’t want to think about him or my uncle. This is what I want. You and this place are all that matter to me. Give me a year. In one year, I’ll be ready to give you all of your dreams.”
“I have all I want. When I close my eyes, I dream of you. My life is already set.”
Chapter Five
A week later…
“Hudson, babe,” Cierra calls out as the alarm system warns someone has entered my front door.
I can’t move. This day is unreal. Nothing makes sense.
I’m in my bedroom, still on my knees in the same place I dropped to when the call came in. In moments, this went from just another ordinary day to the worst day of my life. In the blink of an eye, it’s all crumbling down.
“Oh, baby,” Cierra coos as she rushes to my side.
She gets to her knees in front of me. I wrap my arms around her waist and bury my face into her stomach. As I hold her tight I release a soul wrenching howl.
“She’s gone. My mother is gone,” I sob.
“I’m so sorry, baby. I’m so sorry,” Cierra says as she runs her hand through my hair.
My mother was the only one to support my decisions when it came to my parents. She was so happy for me. I showed her the engagement ring I bought for Cierra and her face lit up with so much joy.
I hadn’t seen my mother that proud of me since I graduated from grad school. Her love for Cierra only solidified what I already knew. I’ve found a perfect ten.
“How did she keep this from me? Why would they keep this from me?”
“You know your mom. She never wanted to worry you with anything,” she replies.
“Mark knew.”
“Honey, Mark’s wife works at the hospital. I’m sure that’s the only reason why.”
I squeeze my arms tighter around her. “This doesn’t seem real. I feel so…numb. I keep waiting to switch back over to our call to tell you she said hello. I never imagined that was Dad on the other end ready to tell me…”
I can’t finish. It’s too heavy a weight to say it again. Cierra reaches for my face and lifts it until I’m looking into her eyes.
“If I know nothing else, I know she would want you to find a way to be happy. It may not be today, it might not be next week, but she would want you to find happiness again. You’ll make it through this, honey. You’re one of the strongest men I know, and I’ll be right by your side to be whatever you need me to be.”
I didn’t think I could love this woman any more, but as she tries to console me on one of the worst days of m
y life, I feel more connected to her than ever. I brush my hand over her straightened hair. It’s one of many styles she wears that compliment her face.
“Do you want to know one of the last things my mother said to me?”
“What’s that, babe?”
“She told me I had something special with you. She made me promise never to let that get away from me. She knew, baby. She knew she was leaving this earth and that was her last piece of wisdom for me. To promise to love you until my last breath,” I tell her.
I wipe at her tears. “I’m not going anywhere. How could I? You’re my future, remember,” she whispers.
I cup her face and stare into her eyes as we both remain speechless. I tell her with my gaze how much she means to me. Today I’ve lost my mother, but I know without question the woman before me is my eternity, my saving grace.
Chapter Six
Almost two years later…
I walk up behind Cierra as she stands naked in the mirror. I love every inch of her body. I know it from head to toe. However, the way she’s looking at her own reflection makes me question if she’s doubting her beauty.
I kiss her shoulder before meeting her gaze in the mirror. “What are you thinking?”
“I… I thought… I’m late. I took a test this morning. I thought I was pregnant,” she says.
“Thought you were as in, you’re not?”
She looks away. “No, I’m not.”
I reach for her chin, turning her face up to meet mine. I look over her pretty features as she sucks her lip into her mouth. Leaning down, I brush my nose against hers.
“Is that a good thing or a bad?” I whisper.
“I don’t know. I was excited. I thought… I wouldn’t have been upset if I were.”
“We should have been married by now,” I say.
She shakes her head. “I’m not saying that. I know you have a lot on your plate. Your business, your dad asking you to consult for the company, and…you’re finally starting to get through your grief.”
Placing my forehead to hers, I groan. “I don’t deserve you.” I peck her lips. “I made a promise to you. Nothing should have gotten in the way of that. I’m going to make this right.”
“Babe, there’s nothing to make right.”
I wrap my arms around her and inhale deeply. “Oh yes, there is. We should be married with one point five children by now.”
She releases a laugh. “One point five children. I don’t know about that. Honestly, I think we are right where we’re meant to be. Your business is successful. I’m opening two new locations this year, and things couldn’t be better for me. Planning a wedding and having one and a half babies wouldn’t have fit into everything we’ve had going on.”
I hold her gaze as I ghost my fingertips from the base of her throat down to her collarbone. A grin comes to my lips as her breasts start to heave in anticipation of my touch. I don’t disappoint as I stroke her soft skin and drag my light caress across her goose bumped flesh to her hardened peek.
I tease her a bit before I splay my hand over her belly. “I think we’re ready now, don’t you?” I breathe.
Her lush lips part and she nods. “Yes, if you are.”
Slowly, I lower my fingers to her warm core to find her already soaked for me. I grasp her throat and devour her mouth as she moans into mine. The thought of my child growing in her womb makes me painfully hard.
“Now couldn’t be a better time for us to start to move forward with our future. The engagement, the wedding, the new house, and lots and lots of babies,” I say and thrust my fingers into her wet heat.
“We don’t have to rush into anything,” she whimpers, lifting onto her toes.
“It’s been almost two years. I had planned for us to be married by now. Besides, I promised you all of your dreams. It’s clear you’re ready to be a mom.”
“Hudson,” she cries out.
“Cierra, I can’t wait to make you my wife and have you swollen with my child. I’m going to enjoy making every single baby we have. This body makes my knees weak, gorgeous. Let go so I can be inside you.”
She smiles at me as she finds her release. Her legs shake and she jerks against my chest. It never gets old. I love her response to me.
“I love you,” she cries out as I continue to bring her pleasure.
“And I you.”
I can’t wait a moment longer to start working on our family. I turn her body to face mine and devour her lips. Although I’ve yet to get inside her, my entire body buzzes from this simple connection. I’d be a fool not to make this woman my wife.
“Hudson.” She moans my name.
“We’ll pick a neighborhood and baby names in the morning. Tonight I’ll give you the stars.”
Chapter Seven
Two months later…
Cierra walks toward me looking like a goddess from another world. She always leaves me breathless, but this time I don’t know if I’ll catch my breath again. The blue dress reminds me of the first day we met.
She’s wearing her hair in its natural curls. They cup her heart-shaped face and make her look like a doll. I try to swallow past the lump in my throat as I think of having beautiful little girls to spoil who look like their mother.
And then she smiles. I rub at my chest as my heart pounds. When she stops in front of me, I cup her face and kiss her smiling lips.
When I break the kiss, she looks at me with so much love, I feel like my heart may burst. God, how did I get so lucky? What did I do to deserve her?
“This is all so beautiful,” she says, reminding me of my purpose.
Once again I’m aware of the music playing, the rose petals scattered around the ground, the tea lights floating in the pool, and the candlelight dinner for two. We purchased this house a few weeks ago, and I’ve been waiting for her to return home from her business trip so I could do all this.
I release her and run a hand through my hair. This is it. Tonight I take the next step to making her mine forever.
Dropping to one knee, I look up into her eyes and reach into my pocket for the ring box. She covers her mouth as a gasp escapes her lips. I can’t help but smile so hard my face hurts.
“This has been a long time coming. From our first kiss, I knew you were the one. Maybe even before that. I can’t imagine living a life where you’re not always by my side.
“Heck, these last few weeks showed me how much I need you. I was going crazy without you. Baby, I’m positive I’ve loved you from the first time I saw you.
“I knew you were my future. I want to hear that laugh when I’m old and gray. I want to take my last breath knowing I got to spend a lifetime with my better half. Cierra Erica Evans, will you marry me?”
“Yes,” she chokes out without hesitation.
I stand and lift her from her feet, spinning her in the air. This is only the beginning of the night, and I know it couldn’t be more perfect. The love of my life has agreed to make me a better man.
I’m nothing without this woman.
Chapter Eight
The night before the wedding…
I have disagreed with my father about a lot over the years, but this takes the cake. My blood is boiling. Yet my fiancée has managed to paste a smile on her face and act as if nothing is wrong. And still, I can see the tears she’s holding back from the surface.
“Are you all right?” I whisper into her ear.
“Yes, I’m fine.”
That’s a lie. She’s not fine, and I’m plain embarrassed by my father and uncle’s behavior. My mother would have never condoned this.
“You know, I had prenups with both my wives. There’s nothing wrong with it,” my uncle says, then takes a sip of the brandy in his hand.
“I had one with your mother. Did you know that?” my father says as he props against the side of the fireplace.
“Cierra actually has a higher net worth than I do. Neither of us have felt the need for—”
“Oh please, son. You’re talk
ing about that business of yours. I know you’re not counting your trust or your shares of the company, not to mention your inheritance,” my father scoffs, cutting me off.
My uncle then chimes in. “That’s the problem with this generation. No respect for the wealth your ancestors built for you. New money isn’t like old money. She could out-gross you now, but boy can that change in the blink of an eye. And even if that doesn’t, you’ll still have your family money that will make you—”
“Enough,” I bellow, tossing my tumbler into the fireplace in my rage. “How dare you? Not only are you embarrassing my future wife and me, you’re ruining the evening before our wedding, in front of a room full of guests at that.”
“Your father and uncle are only looking out of you,” my aunt says.
I turn my glare on her. However, I’m not the one to speak next. Thankfully, because I’m not sure what will come out of my mouth.
“I’ll tell you this. I’ve kept quiet because I didn’t want to be pegged an angry Black woman and I’ve had a time digging my nails into my husband’s hand before he reads you all for the trifling bigots you are,” Cierra’s mother says.
“Bigots? This has nothing to do with race,” my uncle says in indignation.
“Actually, whether you realize it or not, you have said some very narrow-minded things throughout this evening, Uncle Craig,” I seethe. “My mother has to be turning in her grave. She loved Cierra as if she were her own daughter. She never would have allowed this.
“I won’t allow it. If you can’t shut the hell up and celebrate the fact I’ve found the love of my life and we’re getting married in the morning, you can leave and take anyone who feels the way you do with you.”
“Hudson,” my father says, his face beet red. “I…I thought I was protecting your interests.”
“No, you were protecting yours. And you picked the wrong damn time to do so. As a matter of fact, you could have kept every damn thing you’ve said to yourself for the rest of your miserable life.”