Hudson
We landed smoothly in New York two days later, the midday sun streaming through the jet windows.
Lucy sat at my side, donning a green dress and boots, looking effortlessly gorgeous as always. As the aircraft came to a stop, she stared out the window with a smile, having fully enjoyed her first experience on a private jet.
I pulled my ball cap lower on my brow—my armor of sorts—as I stood up and reached for her hand before leading her to the exit.
“What about our luggage?”
“It’ll be seen to,” I assured her as I guided her down the stairs of the jet and directly into the waiting car. The security team would follow behind us in a separate SUV.
“Fancy,” she noted with a playful grin as we settled into the Escalade.
“Hi, Greg,” I greeted the driver, who I frequently used when in New York.
“Mr. Carter.” He nodded with his trademark professionalism. “Miss Kincaid.” No doubt he’d done his research. “To the stadium, sir?”
“Yes, thanks.” I had sound check for a few hours but had managed to free up our evening and had some surprises planned for Lucy.
As we pulled up to the stadium, my head of security was there waiting. Approaching quickly, he opened the car door for me, and I held Lucy’s hand to guide her to exit behind me on my side.
“Garrett.” I shook his hand as he clapped me on the back. With his large frame, bald head, and assessing gaze, Garrett was as imposing as you’d expect for someone in his position. With his military training and experience in the field, he was also the best there was.
“Meet Lucy,” I introduced as Lucy stepped to my side, holding out her hand.
“Ah, the precious cargo.” Garrett graced us with a rare smile as he shook Lucy’s hand. “Nice to finally meet you.”
“Likewise,” she replied as he handed over the badge that would allow her access backstage.
“Along with myself, Deon and Liz are part of your detail.” He gestured to Deon Burns, who’d also been part of my team for a number of years, and a woman with short, dark hair. She was new to the team, as I’d specifically requested a female for Lucy.
We both nodded in greeting as they ushered us through the passageway and toward the backstage room where my band and Davis waited for us.
Lucy let out a tinkling laugh and elbowed me playfully in the side as she caught sight of the giant mallard stuffy on the couch. “You’re ridiculous.” She shook her head.
“A little home away from home.” I winked at her.
Davis approached and clapped me on the back before heading straight for Lucy, clearly unable to curtail his eagerness. “Lucy, I’m so excited to finally meet you.” Beaming, he wrapped her in a hug.
“Easy,” I grunted in protest.
“It’s fine.” Lucy smiled easily.
“Yeah, Hudson, it’s fine.” Davis grinned good-naturedly. “Lucy and I are going to be fast friends—how could we not be when she’s the reason for some of the best music you’ve ever made?”
“Oh, I can’t take credit for that.” Her gorgeous eyes widened adorably.
“You can,” I stated firmly before sweeping a hand toward the rest of the room. “Baby, meet Joe, Benny, and Lee—the real reason anyone wants to hear me play.”
“Right.” Joe, my guitarist, rolled his eyes before shaking Lucy’s hand, while Benny and Lee did the same.
“It’s so nice to meet you. I’ve heard such good things.” Lucy smiled warmly. “Benny, I’ve got to get the secret to your sourdough starter.” She directed her eager gaze at my long-time drummer.
“You got it,” he agreed easily. “It’s definitely been a work in progress.”
“Mine’s more work than progress at the moment.” She grimaced. “Most of my experiments work out better, but the starter seems particularly moody.”
“I’m the lucky benefactor of said experiments,” I proudly announced. Despite a few minor failed attempts, which were still more than edible, Lucy was hell on wheels in the kitchen. “We have to go to sound check. You want to come with?” I murmured in her ear, not wanting to put her on the spot.
“Yeah, I want to see you in action.” She smiled up at me, her hand pressed to my chest.
I couldn’t deny I liked that idea a hell of a lot. I wanted to share this part of myself with her. “I want you where I can see you. That goes for tomorrow too.” I turned to Garrett.
He offered a chin lift in acknowledgment as I took her hand and we made our way to the main stage.
The sound check crew and engineers were already there, setting up for tomorrow. Davis ran around making final arrangements while I sang a few of the songs in my planned set, including the single Lucy and I had finished together.
I was eager to share some of my newer songs with the sold-out crowd tomorrow night.
A few hours later, as we sat together on the couch backstage, her legs draped over mine, she tapped the top of my ball cap. “You, my love, are crazy talented. That was fun.”
I had a few more hours of work left at the venue, and she’d be taking off shortly to do some shopping before we met up for dinner.
“Good.” I squeezed her thigh, wanting her to know how pleased I was that she’d enjoyed herself. She’d sat there smiling her face off for the entirety of my set. She was the most gorgeous fan I’d ever seen.
“You are so getting lucky later.” She shot me a mischievous grin.
“Oh yeah?” I lifted a brow.
“I was tempted to throw my panties at you, but I figured you might frown upon that,” she added with a smirk. “And anyway, I’ve heard that happens to you on the regular.”
“Not on the regular.” I grimaced, though the truth was that it did happen. “And your panties are the only ones I’m interested in.”
“I know. Don’t worry about me, honey. I know you’re mine.”
“Always.” I raised her hand to my mouth, kissing her knuckles. “I suppose I’m lucky you’re not the jealous type. I know for a fact that if the situation were reversed, I wouldn’t be able to say the same.”
She snorted affectionately. “No, baby, you most definitely would not. And I’d never given it much thought.
” She shrugged, seeming to ponder it for the first time.
“With Josh, I was so apathetic that I just didn’t care enough to be jealous.
And with you, you make me feel so safe, so secure—I know I’m all you see. ”
I pulled her in for a deep kiss. “From the first moment I saw you,” I rumbled in her ear. “You up for a surprise after you’re done shopping?”
Her gorgeous eyes lit up. “Always.”
And not for the first time, I couldn’t imagine keeping this woman in the shadows where she’d been shrouded for the majority of her life.
She was so full of light, so ready for adventure and open to whatever the day might bring.
And while I couldn’t take credit for all that was Lucy, and wouldn’t dream of trying, I’d be damned if I didn’t play a part in ensuring she was always in the light.
“You okay there, champ? She’s only been gone a few hours.” Davis chuckled as we debriefed backstage after our final sound check. “You have it bad, my friend.”
“I know,” I grumbled petulantly. I wanted Lucy to enjoy herself, but I couldn’t deny that I preferred her close.
She’d taken the car, with Liz in tow, to hopefully go spend a lot of money.
What felt like an eternity later, Lucy walked in with Liz, one of her gorgeous smiles aimed at me. I felt like I took my first deep breath in hours.
“How was the rest of sound check?” she asked as she stepped into my arms, and I delivered a kiss to her beautiful lips.
“Good. We’re ready. I also debriefed with Garrett. You’ll be side-stage when I’m on tomorrow. I want to make sure I can see you,” I reiterated. “Our security here is ironclad, but sometimes things can take you by surprise.”
“Panties?” She raised a brow, making Davis howl in amusement.
“Oh, dude, she so has your number.” Joe chuckled.
“There haven’t been that many underwear incidents,” I protested with a huff.
“Clearly enough to be worth mentioning,” she teased.
“How was shopping?” I wanted to change the subject, but I was also genuinely curious. I pressed my forehead to hers, my hands spanning her hips.
“Total success.” She grinned as she rose up on her tiptoes to whisper in my ear. “I even got a few things for your eyes only.”
I groaned in response, all too eager to get her alone, but that would have to wait.
“Can’t wait, baby, but I’ve got other plans for us first. You ready to head out?”
She nodded, her expression curious but eager. After bidding farewell to the others, I took her hand and, flanked by Garrett and Liz, we headed for the car.
“Okay, now can I know what we’re doing?” she asked impatiently as we pulled to the curb of a restaurant in the East Village.
“I wanted to take you out, but I also wanted our privacy, so I arranged for us to do a private cooking class.”
Her eyes lit up with excitement.
“You’re an amazing cook already, but I thought you’d enjoy learning some new tips and tricks.” I smiled as she practically bounced in her seat. “I also asked if the chef could teach me how to make you a decent cup of coffee.” I winced, remembering some of my failed attempts.
She leaned over, kissing me soundly. “This is a great idea, honey. And I don’t mind making you coffee for the rest of our days,” she murmured against our lips.
It was a good thing too. While Lucy clearly took to the lesson with ease, I still managed to burn the espresso.