25. Kavi
KAVI
“Hey! I was wondering when you’d be coming back.” Adam stops me at the barn’s entrance right as I’m rushing back. He must see the flush over my face and neck. “Are you alright? You look out of breath.”
Yeah, I just got railed in every direction by my boss and the father of the bride, Adam. Suffice it to say, I’m a little out of breath.
“Fine!” I answer a little high-pitched. “Just wanted to get back before they cut the cake.”
“Well, I’ll walk you back to our table.” Adam waves toward our table, as if I might get lost walking the twenty feet over there. “Any chance you’d save a dance for me later?”
Approaching our table, I’m about to answer him when Belinda turns around, eyeing me from head to toe and saving me from having to answer Adam. “Did you take a detour through the ranch on your way here?” she quips as I sit beside her.
Adam takes the seat on my other side.
Though I tried salvaging my hair the best I could without a brush, it doesn’t look quite as put together as it did when I arrived. I’m sure my cheeks are stained red and—
“Wait.” She lifts my hair off my shoulder and inspects my neck. Shit! “Is that a—”
With panic coursing through me, I quickly readjust my hair to cover the bite mark on my neck and shoot her a look that tells her not to complete the sentence. I flick a glance at Adam, glad he wasn’t listening.
As we all rise to applaud Brie and Madison on their cake cutting, Belinda grins so wide, I’m worried she’s going to hurt herself. I should have known there was no way any of my attempts at putting myself back together were going to get past her sharp gaze.
She leans over to me under the cover of the noisy room. “We have some things to discuss, don’t we?”
My eyes connect with Hudson’s across the room and from his slight squint, I know he can see my anxiety written all over my face.
But I’ve never been a good liar and, given Belinda is like an FBI agent who could make a stone spill its secrets, I’m not sure it will do me any good to try. Plus, I trust her. She may not approve of what I’m about to tell her, but she’s always been sweet to me, and my champion since day one. Hopefully, she won’t judge me too harshly—although I wouldn’t blame her if she did. Anyway, I just can’t keep it bottled in anymore. I don’t know her much past our professional relationship, but having a girlfriend to talk to right now would be a relief.
Especially one who isn’t related to my boss.
“It’s . . . complicated,” I answer, ensuring I’m keeping my voice low while watching the two brides feed each other pieces of cake to more applause and cheers. “You’re the only one who knows at this point.”
“Hell, yeah, it’s complicated! He’s your boss and your friend’s dad!” She hisses her words near my ear to ensure no one is listening. “I mean, are you even going to tell Madison?”
I wince, looking at Madison across the room, smiling as she wipes the corner of Brie’s mouth with her finger before lifting it to her mouth. God, what will she think if she ever finds out? My stomach topples, and though I’d lost my buzz a while ago, I’m completely sober now, as the thought of Madison telling me I betrayed her trust sinks in. What if she never speaks to me again after she finds out? What if I lose the only real female friend I’ve ever really had?
“I don’t think either of us has thought that far,” I answer diplomatically, but the words don’t feel right, even on their way out.
We haven’t thought far at all because we have no idea what far even is. Is it to the end of summer or is it past that?
And as much as I want that answer, I also want to take things one step at a time. What if by the end of summer—only five weeks from now—whatever this is between us fizzles away?
The thought of anything fizzling away seems almost impossible, given the chemistry between us. The way he ravaged me not only a half hour ago; the way his hands seared my skin and his mouth wrapped around every needy part of me . . .
The way I can still feel him inside me . . .
My cheeks heat again, knowing I’m no longer wearing any underwear, since my last pair is now sitting inside the trash bin in his bathroom.
Could I ever see this fizzling away? This desire, this need, this combustible energy.
But what if it does for him?
“I can’t shake you, Kav.”
His sweet admission, along with the downward tilt of his lips as if he was preparing to have me throw his heart back in his face after he handed it to me, swims through my head.
Yeah, we have chemistry, but do we have more? It certainly seems like it. The question is, how far were we both willing to go for it?
I know my answer . . . but is it the same as his?
“It all makes sense now.” Belinda shakes her head, as if shocked it took her so long to figure out. “The way he acted around you, the fact that he never had anything solidly bad to say about you, besides that he just didn’t want you working for Case Geo. The way he constantly tried to make you quit because he couldn’t fire you. And the fact that he’s been glaring at you all night while you talked to—” She motions with her head toward Adam. “It all makes sense now. Old CrankyDick has had it bad for you since day one. I just can’t believe I didn’t see it earlier!”
We get seated as Brie and Madison take to their first dance as a married couple. I smile as Brie whispers something in Madison’s ear, making her throw back her head, laughing. The love between them couldn’t be bigger, and it’s obvious everyone in the room can feel it, too.
I lean over to Belinda, about to tell her another piece of news that’ll probably have her eyes falling out of their sockets—that I’m living with Hudson—when I stop myself. Even though Belinda figured out there was something going on between me and Hudson on her own, something about telling her this bit of information before telling Madison just feels like an even bigger betrayal.
Instead, I opt for something less sensational. “Hey, I wanted to thank you for making those appointments with the apartment complexes in Portland for me to tour.”
Belinda looks at me like I’ve grown another head. “I didn’t make any appointments in Portland for you.”
Surprise and disbelief tussle inside me as my eyes float back to the man whose layers I can’t seem to peel back, no matter how hard I try.
After both brides dance with their fathers, and my eyes well watching Hudson spin Madison around before kissing her on the cheek, cake is served and the newly wedded couple make their way to all the tables to greet the guests.
It’s only a few minutes before they make it to our table, and I’ve got Madison in a warm embrace, congratulating her.
“Thank you so much for being here. You look absolutely ravishing in pink, Kavi.” Madison says, holding my hand. Her platinum blonde hair is done up in a beautiful chignon. She tilts her head conspicuously at Adam, who is engaged in a conversation with Brie. “And what do you think about Brie’s friend?”
“He’s . . . nice.” I was hoping to come up with a better adjective, but it’s the best I can do, given my gaze is now connected with the man who left more than just delicious bruises all over my body not long ago. My mind feels like mush as his eyes skim down the length of me, laden with promises I’m ready to let him make.
How is it that he can make my skin heat and my heart race with nothing more than a look from all the way across a room?
“Just nice? Well, if that isn’t the most compelling review.” Madison giggles.
I squeeze her hand. “No, he’s great. It’s just . . . I’m not sure he’s my type.”
She leans into me. “I get it, but if nothing else, you’ll have an acquaintance in Portland when you move.”
I try to cover my frown with a forced smile, even if the weight on my chest suddenly feels heavier at the thought of moving. “Yeah, that’s true.”
As Madison and Brie move away from our table, Belinda turns to me, making sure her voice stays low. “Just a word of unsolicited advice. If whatever this is between you and Hudson continues, make sure you tell her yourself.” Her eyes bounce around my face. “Madison wants nothing more than for her dad to be happy, but this is not something she’ll expect. And though she’s incredibly reasonable and cares about both of you, I’d assume she’d be hurt if she found out any other way.”
Guilt pools in my stomach like it’s corrosive. What will Madison think? Will she be disgusted, disappointed in me? What if she thinks I’ve betrayed her trust in some way.
Taking a sip of my water, I make a silent vow to tell her as soon as she’s back from her honeymoon. They’ll be gone for almost four weeks. If things are still progressing with Hudson, I’ll have no reason not to tell her. In fact, maybe Hudson and I can tell her together.
I’m just about to take a forkful of the cake that’s magically appeared in front of me when Belinda swivels her head to look at me aghast, as if realizing something for the first time. “Oh my God! I just thought of something.”
My brows furrow. “What?”
Her mouth turns downwards. “You guys haven’t . . .” her brows rise to meet her hairline and somehow, she still keeps her voice to a whisper, “in the office, have you?”
I pull my lips into my mouth, holding back any sort of response, to which Belinda says, “Oh, God. I’m going to have to ask maintenance to sanitize everything before I get back!”
I can’t help but giggle. Despite how crazy this situation must be to her, I, thankfully, don’t find any judgment from her, and that’s an unexpected boon in itself.
Nudging her shoulder with mine before taking a bite of my cake, I decide to tease her, now that the cat’s out of the bag. “You’ll need to tell them to pay specific attention to his desk.”
Her mouth practically falls to the floor while I’m practically in stitches. “Oh, you have got to be kidding me!”
“I loved your ranch.There was something so serene and magical about it.” I brush my hand over his bare chest, outlining his armor tattoo with my index finger. I love how just that small touch has goosebumps forming over his skin. “And all those wildflowers.”
“You’re a fan of wildflowers,” he murmurs, coasting his fingers over my arm.
We’re back in his condo, our bodies still slick from our lovemaking as we lay on his bed. We ripped each other’s clothes off as soon as we got home. Thirty seconds after that, he was buried inside me again, taking me from behind with my hair wrapped around his fist.
I wouldn’t say I was very experienced sexually until now, but after a summer with him, I’m pretty sure I’ll be able to write a thesis or the revised version of the Kama Sutra.
“They’re the most honest, unpretentious, and soft-spoken flowers,” I muse, delighting in how they were spread all over the grassy patches at his ranch—yellow poppies and baby blue irises.
He tilts his head, looking down at me, his blue-gray eyes less stormy than usual. “They’re like you. They’re the most beautiful.”
Feeling a flush work up my neck, I bury my face in his chest, kissing his pec, and Hudson wraps his arms around me, kissing my forehead.
While I’ve worked through many of the cruel remarks hurled at me in my teen years—Have you seen how her thighs jiggle when she walks?—I can admit they’ve resurfaced at times I haven’t felt my best. It’s not that I dislike the way I look. I’m quite comfortable in my own skin, in fact. But with the way Hudson looks at me—lust and admiration in perfect balance—I can’t help but feel . . . perfect. Desired.
“What did you say to the Justin Timberlake wannabe to get him off your back?” Hudson’s body stiffens under me and I suppress my giggle.
“Oh, you know. I just told him I’m more inclined toward the grumpy, stick-up-their-ass kind of men, preferably ones who’re twenty years older than me. He was a little put off, but took the hint. He was sweet, though.”
“I don’t give a fuck if he was doused in syrup. He needed to get his eyes and hands off you.”
I raise my head and run my lips over his delicious scruff. “I’m going to admit, jealousy looks damn good on you, old man.”
He groans. “Good, because I don’t share what’s mine. Get used to it.”
Butterflies swoop through my stomach at his words—what’s mine.
Sure, it was nice to have the attention that Adam showed me, especially when I had no idea where Hudson and I stood—whether we stood at all. But even as the day progressed, I knew Adam wasn’t who I wanted. He was sweet and good-natured, but I guess I’d recently decided sweet and good-natured weren’t on my list of attributes to look for in a man.
Settling back over his chest, I inhale his scent I’m so intoxicated with. “I heard you have a favorite horse and that you might love her more than you love Madison.”
His chest rumbles with a soft laugh. “Maddy told you about Kansas.”
“She did, and I’m not going to lie, she seemed a little jealous of her.”
Hudson chuckles again. “I’ll admit one thing. I certainly loved Kansas more when Maddy was a teenager. She was the reason I went gray early.”
I raise my head to look at him. “I like your gray.” When his eyes just glimmer back at me, I continue, “She turned out to be an incredible woman, and that’s one hundred percent because of the dad you are. Now, about this Kansas horse of yours—”
“You can’t call her a horse when you meet her.”
My mouth stays open as I try to process the two things he’s said—the when I meet her and the I can’t call her a horse. “What do you mean, I can’t call her a horse?”
He gets a serious and oh-so-sexy look on his face. “She doesn’t like people referring to her as a horse.”
I blink at him like he’s lost his marbles. “She understands English?”
“Hell, yeah, she does. And she gets offended easily. I’ve had her for twenty years, and the only reason she lets me ride her is because I call her my little girl. I treat her the same, too.”
I grin because the man surprises me in so many ways—hiding away all that sweetness behind his gruff demeanor—I’m having trouble keeping count. “You think she’ll let me ride her?”
“Not if you insult her by calling her a horse.”
I give him a solemn look. “I promise to refer to her as a human.”
He kisses my forehead. “Then I’ll take you to see her next weekend.”
My heart flutters inside its cage at the prospect of spending more time with him. “Why did you name her Kansas?”
“Because she didn’t like being called Georgia.”
I chortle, my shoulders shaking as I wonder if he even knew how funny he was.
“Madison and Brie must be on their flight to Greece by now,” I muse a few quiet moments later, thinking about the entire day, the beautiful wedding, and the two brides.
I loved dancing with them until I couldn’t feel my toes, taking a celebratory shot with them at the end of the night, and hugging Madison again before she left in a limo with Brie to head to the airport.
It was a perfect day, but maybe I’m feeling a little extra happy because it worked out in another unexpected way.
With him.
“Have you ever been to Mykonos before?” The timbre of his voice right near my ear has ripples of electricity traveling to my toes.
Is that normal? To be turned on by someone’s voice alone?
I shake my head, sliding my bare leg over his thigh—my thick and smooth to his strong and rough. “The only place I’ve been outside of California is Portland . . . when I traveled with you.”
Hudson pulls me back so he can look at me. “You’d never been on an airplane before that?”
“Growing up, my parents were sometimes working multiple jobs to make ends meet. Don’t get me wrong, I never wanted for anything, but . . .” I shrug, “flight tickets weren’t ever in the budget for us. Plus, I watched this movie where the lights on the flight were all off, and you know, the idea of sitting in a small and dark enclosed space while dangling in the middle of the sky just wasn’t something I really wanted to do.”
Hudson swallows, clearly considering his words. “Would you travel with me again?”
I want to tease him about making future plans with me, but I have a feeling that will clamp him up and I’m not ready to have conversations where the ending isn’t clear.
One day at a time, Kavi. One day and one moment at a time.
“You’re the only reason I went the first time, anyway.”
He tucks a strand of my hair behind my ear, his thumb dusting my cheek before he pulls me into a kiss. Our lips explore one another, gentler and less hurried than any time before.
I cradle his face in my hands, my hair pooled on each side as I deepen our kiss and he lets me take control. There’s something so satisfying, so freeing about being able to kiss the man you’re falling for the way you please, without restraint, without thought.
Because you can.
Because he’s yours.
I disconnect my lips from his, staring down at his beautiful eyes, well past the point he’s ever let me see.
He must see the question in my gaze because he lifts to place a kiss on my lips. “What’s on your mind, beautiful girl?”
His husky voice has me pulling my lip between my teeth. “I’ve never . . .” I drop my forehead on his chest, suddenly feeling stupid for even saying anything. My cheeks heat. “Never mind.”
Hudson places his index finger under my chin and lifts my head. “You’ve never what? Tell me.”
I look at him through my lashes. “I’ve never given anyone a blow job, and . . .”
His eyes darken like a moonless night, the bulge under my thigh pulsating with our intermingled breaths. “And . . .?”
“And . . .” I lick my lips, my nipples pebbling as bolts of arousal slide down my spine, pooling at my core. “I want to . . . with you.”
I drag my hand down his taut abs and wrap my fingers around his shaft, tugging and stroking, making him draw in a shuddering breath.
“I want to put you in my mouth,” I say, slithering down his body under the light blanket over us. “I want you to teach me what you like as you fuck my mouth.”
“Jesus.” I hear him say above me as I hover over his erection, loving the sight of pre-cum beading over his tip.
Sticking my tongue out, I go with what my mind tells me to do, licking the beaded cum off the little slit on the head of his cock.
Hudson jerks under me, and I’m about to ask if I did something wrong when his hand wraps around the back of my neck. “Fuck, baby,” he rasps. “That feels so good.”
I do it again, rolling my tongue around his tip a few more times when he says, “Now wrap your lips over the head of my cock and suck.”
I do as requested, covering the tip of his thick cock with my mouth, laving it with my tongue, and sucking. Wrapping my palm over the part of his hardened shaft not in my mouth, I stroke it up and down.
Hudson’s fingers dig into my scalp, an indication that he likes what I’m doing, as I greedily lick and suck his mushroom head.
“Fuck, yes, baby girl,” he hisses, widening his legs under me. “Just like that. Now, drag your tongue down the length of my cock.” He rewards me with another groan when I do exactly that. “That’s it. Now put me back in your mouth, all the way until I hit the back of your throat.”
My center pulses with need as my juices seep out, coating my folds and thighs. Hoping to quell my own need, I drop one hand to play with my clit.
Apparently, he can tell exactly what I’m doing, even with me under the covers.
“Don’t you dare touch yourself,” Hudson commands, tangling my hair in his fist and pulling so I practically pop off his dick. “You don’t come until it’s my fingers, my mouth, or my cock in that pussy.”
I groan as he shoves his dick back into my mouth, telling me exactly what I need to be focused on.
“Now suck my cock like it’s the only thing you were born to do.”
His words make my core throb and my mouth water. I do exactly as he asks, working my mouth back up his veiny shaft and teasing his tip. He seemed to like that earlier. I take him all the way in until his tip hits the back of my throat and tears sting my eyes as my gag reflex kicks in.
I’ve never done this before, never even wanted to for anyone else, but with how sexy, sweet, and beautiful this man is, it’s all I’ve thought about lately. My head bobs over his velvety skin, the slurping sounds from my mouth mixing with the sounds of our breaths as I continue to suck.
Hudson moans, urging me to continue, his abs and thighs flexing under me. “That’s it, baby girl. So fucking good. Now, pick up the pace and play with my balls.”
I roll his balls in my fingers and continue to pump him into my mouth, tasting every drop of pre-cum he rewards me.
A moan builds inside my chest as I take my lips off him and lick him from root to tip like he’s a goddamn popsicle melting in the summer sun. I kiss and suck his head once more before dropping my mouth over his entire length, picking up the pace and cooing at the feel of him on my tongue.
Groaning, Hudson throws the blanket off us, tugging my hair until I’m forced to pull my lips off him. I’m just about to object when, in one fast move, he has me under him, my back on the bed.
With one hand around the front of my neck, he straddles my torso, pumping himself with hard strokes over my chest. The chords in his forearm bunch, his abs contract, and his chest tightens as he glares down at me, his eyes like polished obsidian.
I can’t take my eyes off him, as if the mere thought of looking away will make him disappear.
“I’m going to fucking cover you in my cum.”
My chest heaves with anticipation and lust as I watch the most beautiful man’s control snap. All because of me. His face contorts with pleasure before his mouth hangs open and he succumbs to his orgasm with a low growl. “Fuck.”
Streams of cum spill over my chest, the warm liquid running down the middle of my breasts as Hudson rises over me, throwing his head back and gasping as if he just ran a marathon.
When he gazes back down at me, I run my fingers through his release, circling and coating my nipples with it before bringing my fingers to my mouth and licking them clean.
“Jesus Christ,” he says. “My fucking fantasies couldn’t have done this justice.”
“So, I did alright for my first time?”
“You did better than alright,” he says with a breathless laugh. “I think you earned yourself a reward.”
I tuck my lip between my teeth, feeling my center throb at the prospect. “Yeah? What kind of reward?”
Hudson’s mouth turns up at the corners. “The kind that has that sweet little pussy of yours singing on my tongue.”
And with that, he drops his lips over my center, taking me into another dimension.