Hudson
I woke the next morning in Lucy’s bed with her sprawled over my chest. I distantly remembered her waking me after we’d fallen asleep on the couch only a few minutes into the movie we’d put on and towing me toward her bedroom.
I hadn’t intended to stay over, but now, having her wrapped in my arms, the scent of peaches filling my nose, I didn’t regret it one bit.
She made a soft humming noise in her sleep that went straight to my dick, and I bit back a groan as she shifted in my arms, practically straddling my lap.
The previous day had been one long test of my self-control. Now, after so much time around her soft curves, warm smile, and delicious scent, that control was slipping, and I wasn’t so sure I wanted to reign it in.
When she shifted again, I grunted, my hands moving to her hips as my hard length strained to get closer to her.
Her head lifted, and she eyed me with sleep-muddled lust. Her cheeks were flushed, pupils blown, and as she bit her luscious lower lip, that control of mine well and truly snapped.
Reaching up, I cupped the back of her head and brought her mouth to mine in a bruising kiss. She gasped, her thighs shifting on my lap as I groaned low, my hips rising so I could feel her heat through our clothes—clothes I was desperate to get rid of.
I rolled us so I was on top, pressing into the juncture of her thighs, my lips trailing kisses down her throat.
“I want to see you, can I?” I rumbled in her ear.
Her breath hitched as she nodded, goose bumps pebbling against her skin. “I want to see you too,” she managed as I bit at her earlobe.
Reaching back with one hand, I pulled my tee over my head, spurred on by her hungry gaze roving over my exposed chest. I moved down her body and started at the waistline of her sleep shorts, kissing her stomach, shifting her tee up as I went.
The first sight of her bare chest nearly short-circuited my brain. Perfectly round breasts with rose-colored nipples begged for my mouth. I fought for control as my tongue explored one and then the other.
Her back arched as she pressed closer, her hips shifting restlessly beneath me. I slid back down her body, pressing open-mouthed kisses to her skin as I went. When I reached the waistband of her shorts, I slid them down her legs.
I’d never been ravenous for someone before, but my first look at her bared to me had me salivating for her taste.
I delved in, her sweet taste hitting my tongue like a balm I hadn’t known I needed.
“Oh God, Hudson.” She was gasping for breath as I reached out to hold her hips still, pressing her into the mattress as I continued my onslaught.
When she called out my name, her taste exploding on my tongue, I felt nearly as satisfied as if I’d found my own release.
Seeing her limp and sated, I felt a quiet sense of gratification as I moved up beside her, collapsing at her side and pulling her close.
“Aren’t you…? Can I…?” Her inability to complete that thought had me fighting a grin.
“I’m good,” I assured her before kissing her softly. “More than. We’ve got time.”
She snuggled closely as I traced the outline of one of the Band-Aids on her arm.
“I’ve never…” she began hesitantly, her words muffled against my chest. “That was a first for me,” she said at last.
I squeezed her to me. “A first how?”
“I’ve never finished that way,” she admitted with a small shrug.
I bit back a curse at what a selfish prick her ex had been and decided instead to see the silver lining. “Glad to be your first then. And I’m more than happy to make up for lost time.” I grinned as she shoved at my chest playfully.
“I should let Ranger out.” I sighed regretfully, not at all eager to leave her naked in bed. “Stay right there.” I leaned over her and kissed her neck as I squeezed her bare ass. She was going to have a hard time keeping my hands off her from now on.
Reluctantly, I climbed off the bed and was unsurprised to find Ranger at the door. “Sorry, buddy,” I murmured, ruffling his fur before leading him through the house. After I let him out the back door, I headed for the kitchen, intent on making her a cup of coffee.
When she wandered out dressed in her sleepwear, I scowled. “I thought we had a plan.”
Laughing at my disappointed expression, she held out my phone to me. “This has been ringing since you got up.” Just then my phone started ringing again.
I took it and sighed at my manager’s name flashing on the screen. “I’m making you coffee,” I announced before answering the call, putting it on speaker so I could more easily move around her kitchen. “Davis, what’s up?”
“What’s up? You send me some of the best material I’ve ever heard and then go dark on me?” he barked.
After working together for five years, I was well-versed in Davis’s blunt communication style. Honestly, it was hard to tell when the man was actually pissed versus his normal manner of speaking.
I snorted. “I didn’t go dark on you. That’s a bit dramatic, even for you, don’t you think?” I quirked a brow at Lucy, who was barely suppressing a laugh.
“I’m serious, Hud. This is great shit. Seriously great. The label wants a meet to talk about your new album. How soon can we get you on a plane?”
I looked at Lucy, leaning against the countertop, watching me with those gorgeous eyes.
“Not yet,” I answered definitively.
“When, Hudson? Your fans are clamoring for new material, and so is the label. This is going to rock their world.”
The truth was, I’d been hesitant to leave Green River before meeting Lucy. Now the idea was downright depressing. “I’m not going to send you any more tracks if you’re going to be a pain in the ass. We talked about this,” I reminded him with an eye roll toward Lucy, who now looked contemplative.
I reached over to squeeze her hand. “You know I don’t like leaving home. I’ve got too many things to keep me here.”
“And do those ‘things’ have anything to do with where these songs are coming from? What’s her name?”
One thing was for sure, Davis could be a pain in the ass, but he was also sharp as a tack.
“Her name is Lucy. And if you laid eyes on my girl, you’d understand why I’m not eager to go anywhere.” I winked at Lucy as she stood there staring at me wide-eyed. “Got you on speaker by the way.” I chuckled.
“Hey, Lucy,” Davis said, unfazed by the fact that our conversation was being overheard.
It took a lot to unnerve the man, which was part of what made him so good at his job.
“Don’t believe everything this guy tells you about me.
I look forward to meeting the woman who has Hudson writing some of his best material. ”
Lucy’s cheeks flushed. “I look forward to meeting you too.”
“What do you think about a trip to Nashville? Something tells me, if you were to come along, Hudson might be more willing to get on a plane.”
“And we’re done,” I cut in, not wanting him to pressure her. Lucy had barely settled in, and I knew I was already coming on strong. I wasn’t about to do anything that pushed her too far. “Call you later.”
“Fine, fine. But keep close on this, Hudson. The minute you’re ready, we’ve got to get you out here to talk recording and your next tour.”
“You’ll be the first to know,” I assured him. “Now go harass one of your other clients.”
“But you’re my favorite,” he protested.
I snorted. “You say that to all the girls, don’t you? Bye, Davis.” I hung up, turning to Lucy. “Sorry, baby, I’m failing miserably at making you coffee. What do you say we walk over to the bakery?”
She looked up at me pensively. “I’m still getting to know this town, but even I know that people will talk if we show up together, especially in the morning.”
I pulled her into my arms. “So?” I challenged, bending down to take her mouth in a soft kiss.
“They’ll think you spent the night.”
I chuckled. “I did spend the night.”
“You know what I mean.” She rolled her eyes.
“Babe, far as I’m concerned, this town couldn’t get the message fast enough that we’re together. I figure we might as well rip the Band-Aid off on the gossip mill, and we can do that while feeding you something sweet. What do you say?”
“You make it all seem so easy.”
I kissed her again, unable to keep my lips to myself when it came to her. “Doesn’t have to be hard. What has you worried?”
She sighed. “I’m the new girl in town. I was just trying not to make too many waves. I’m not a big fan of scrutiny.” She grimaced, but then her gaze softened. “But if anything is worth it, you are. So, I’ll pull up my big girl panties—as Goodie likes to say—and deal.”
I chuckled. “I’d rather pull them down, but I get what you mean.
” Sobering, I met her gaze. “And if anyone gives you a hard time, they’ll answer to me.
And if I’m not around, then my family has your back, and so does yours.
You may have only moved here recently, but you have an army of support,” I reminded her.
“I’ve never had that,” she marveled.
Her reaction forced me to school my expression. After knowing her only a short while, I already knew I’d give anything to protect her, to make her feel safe. I couldn’t understand how her parents never had.
“Okay, let’s rip that Band-Aid off,” she agreed, her spine straightening in resolve. “And anyway, I’m in desperate need of caffeine. Should we take Ranger? Doesn’t he need to eat?”
“We can take him. He’ll be alright. My mom snuck him table scraps last night in addition to his dinner. I’ll feed him when I get home.”
“Let me just throw something on, and we’ll go.” She stepped out of my embrace and headed for her room. I let Ranger in the house and clipped his leash on just as she emerged, looking gorgeous dressed in jeans and a tee, still free of makeup.
I took her hand after she locked up, and we made our way down her front walk.
“So, are we going to talk about that phone call?” she asked.
“What about it?” Truth be told, I’d already put it out of my mind.
“Seems like you’re needed in Nashville.”
“Davis always wants me in Nashville.” I shrugged easily. “He can wait.”