16. Evan
Chapter 16
Evan
I glanced over at Hudson after pressing the doorbell. His suave demeanor was in place, just like his perfectly pressed Ralph Lauren woven shirt that was rolled up to his elbows. He didn’t appear to be conflicted anymore about his feelings for me, but I needed to check for my peace of mind.
I looked around to see where security was stationed before I placed my hand on the small of his back. Leaning in, I inhaled the intoxicating scent of his aftershave mixed with my body wash. I wanted to smell that combination every day of my life.
“You okay over there?”
His smile was genuine as he surveyed the surrounding beachfront homes in the gated neighborhood. When his eyes landed on mine, I saw the answer.
“I’m great. How about you?”
The door swung open before I could reply, and the ever-scowling Preston James greeted us. Whenever he glowered at me like that, it made me smile every time. I didn’t blame Preston for being threatened. I had, after all, told him if he didn’t make things right with Nick, that I’d move him in with me.
He should thank me.
“Governor,” Preston said, extending his hand to shake. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“You, too. Evan has been singing your praises.”
I bit my lip as Preston panned his gaze over to me. With one raised brow, he called bullshit, making me laugh.
“Come on, Preston. Why’s that so hard to believe?”
“What’s hard to believe?” Nick asked, joining us in the doorway. He put his hand on his husband’s shoulder and pulled him back.
“Why are they still standing out here? Come in.”
Nick stepped back and opened the door for us to enter. He looked at me and smiled. “Hudson, this is Nick Reed.”
“James,” Preston grumbled, slipping his arm around Nick’s waist. “You seem to keep forgetting that, Ellis.”
Nick rolled his eyes and released an exasperated sigh, making us laugh. Good thing I’d warned Hudson about him.
“It’s nice to meet you, Nick. Evan told me you’re a hell of an architect.”
He shook Hudson’s outstretched hand and chuckled. “Evan’s always been generous with compliments. But thank you. I’m working on it. Would you like a glass of wine?”
Hudson nodded. “Wine would be great, thank you. Something smells divine.”
“Chicken Marsala,” Preston added. “It’s my Italian grandmother’s recipe.”
We followed them into the oversized kitchen that overlooked the water. I watched as he took in the rest of their property.
“What a beautiful view,” Hudson said, walking up to the wall of windows.
Preston approached with two glasses of wine. He handed one to Hudson and begrudgingly handed the other to me. I simply grinned.
Hudson pointed outside to what looked like a pool house. “Is that where you hold your cooking classes?”
Preston relaxed and nodded, dropping comfortably into conversation. I slipped away to talk to Nick while they spoke.
“You think he’ll ever get over our past?” I asked, taking an appetizer from the tray.
Nick looked over at his husband. “Probably not. He’s ridiculous, but I love him.”
Popping the food into my mouth, I nodded.
“How are things going with him? He’s even better looking in person.”
I grinned. “Things are good. And believe me, I know.”
Nick looked at Hudson. “He can’t take his eyes off you, Evan.”
I nodded and glanced over my shoulder. “Feelings mutual.”
My friend looked at me. “I hope you know what you’re doing. A straight man, much less the governor, with two kids.”
“I know, Nick.” I glanced at Hudson as he talked with Preston. His attention was focused on what he was saying. “But I think we’re gonna be okay.”
A timer went off, drawing Preston’s attention. He and Hudson walked back to where we were talking. Slipping an arm around my waist, he leaned in and kissed my cheek.
“You claiming me, Governor?”
Hudson touched his glass with mine. “Damn right, I am.”
I grinned. “Then I claim you right back.”
When we sat down for dinner, Preston and Hudson talked about their shared passion for feeding people. I knew it was important to him, but had no idea how much so.
“What gave you the idea to start the cooking school for kids?” Hudson asked.
“My previous business was based in New York. Real estate is expensive, so you have to use every square inch you have. We started with greenhouses for herbs and a few vegetables, but with cold winters, it didn’t materialize as I’d hoped. So when I finally convinced Nick to design my new restaurant downtown, that was one of the things I wanted. That led me to consider partnering with the local schools to teach kids how to provide for themselves.”
“How did it turn out?” Hudson asked.
Preston smiled. “We didn’t get it off the ground. Nick was offered an internship down here, so I had a choice to make. Stay in Portland without him, or move to San Diego with him.”
I glanced over at Nick, who cut his eyes to me. We both burst out laughing because it was just too ironic.
“What did I miss?” Hudson asked me. But Nick was the one to answer.
He reached out and put his hand on his husband’s shoulder. “We had a… misunderstanding, and Evan stepped in to help him figure things out.”
Preston grunted. “No, he didn’t. I was already going to apologize. He just had to be… Evan.”
I threw my head back and laughed. “Happy to help you out, Preston. He loves you, and all I wanted was for him to be happy. Even if it was with you.”
Hudson picked up his wineglass and took a sip then sat it down. “So, how did the cooking school come about?”
“We didn’t need the money, so I went out and canvased the local farms and worked out a deal. They got a tax write-off, and I got fresh produce. I teach kids how to use inexpensive protein and locally sourced fruits and vegetables to make quick and easy healthy meals. ”
Hudson leaned forward, focusing on what Preston was saying. “That’s amazing. I’m working on a food project myself. I want the state to provide free breakfast and lunch to all our schools. Not pizza, corn, and french fries. But good food. We have a four billion dollar economy here, and we need to capitalize on all the food we grow in this state to feed our kids. Think of the implications on learning and health alone.”
They sunk further into a conversation on logistics and shared ideas. I sat and listened, totally turned on by how intelligent and passionate my governor was. Then, an idea struck me.
“Have you considered partnering with the NFL to support the project?”
Hudson’s eyes lit up.
“I could get my guys involved, and the PR team would be all over that.”
“If you expanded the reach to include the West Coast,” Nick said, “I can promise you Greer Rowan would be all in. He and Preston are good friends. And we already have a property in downtown Portland. It could easily be retrofitted to accommodate your needs.”
Hudson looked at Preston. “I think we need to sit down and figure out how to make this thing happen.”
Preston grinned. “I agree. And as far as Portland goes, I can handle that one. My best friend and Nick’s family live there, so we go up often.”
He extended his hand to Hudson. “I think we have a new partnership here. I can fund a portion of it so we’re not dependent on your remaining time in office.”
Hudson took his hand and grinned. “That would be fantastic. We can start here from the ground up with the schools and local communities. Would you be open to cooking classes for cafeteria staff?”
I burst out laughing at the thought of Preston in a hairnet. “Preston is going to be a lunch lady!”
The scowl was back. “Fuck you, Ellis.”
That made us all laugh even more. But the developing friendship between the two men was interesting to watch.
By the time we were ready to leave a couple hours later, they’d exchanged contact information and Preston made plans to fly to Sacramento to meet with Hudson’s planning team to get the ball rolling.
Even though it wasn’t my project, I was excited about something more than football.
“Before you leave, we need to address the elephant in the room. What’s the deal with you two?”
Hudson looked at me before replying to Preston. Slipping his arm around my waist, he looked at Preston. “We haven’t made any formal declarations, but we enjoy each other’s company. When we figure it out, we’ll let you know.”
“Good enough,” Preston grinned. I wasn’t sure if he was happy for us, or that I wouldn’t be coming around as often.
When we got back to the house, I had a difficult time keeping my hands off him.
“You’re so fucking brilliant,” I murmured into his skin as I kissed down his neck. My hands were working overtime to unbutton his shirt, but Hudson smacked them away.
“You like me for my brain?” he said, shoving me back. “Take your clothes off. Now.”
I grinned and obeyed. “Yes, sir.”
He unbuttoned his shirt as he watched me strip out of my jeans and polo in record time.
“Commando?” he murmured.
I bit my lip and stroked my cock. “Yep. All for you, Governor.”
His smile was wicked, and it turned me the fuck on.
“Sit on the sofa and wait for me.”
Chills ran up and down my body at his authoritative tone, and I wasted no time complying with his commands. I could hear him in my head ordering his staff around. Well, everyone except for Adley.
Hudson walked over and stood between my spread legs. I looked up into his eyes.
“Take out my cock,” he murmured, stroking the back of my head.
Complying wordlessly, I did as he asked. I unzipped his perfectly pressed dress pants and reached into his briefs for my gift. He was hard and warm, and his girth fit my hand perfectly.
“What do you want me to do, Governor?”
His expression gave away his desire and something I was afraid to call love. But I recognized it. And I wanted all of it.
“Make me cum,” he murmured.
I bit my lip and nodded.
Opening my mouth, I tapped the head on my tongue, depositing droplets of pre-cum for me to savor.
“Don’t tease me, Evan. I need it, and I need it now.”
He didn’t have to ask me twice.
I gently sucked the head, then took him to the back of my throat.
Hudson dropped his head back and moaned while he fisted my hair. I sucked and licked what I could before pulling back to breathe. Saliva and pre-cum made a mess on my face, but I didn’t care.
“Umm,” he groaned as he rocked his hips, shoving his cock deeper into my throat.
“I love that I can be rough with you.”
I nodded and sucked harder, making him thrust more.
“God, I’m gonna fucking cum,” he groaned, making my dick pulse. His dirty talk and commanding tone did it for me.
Hudson tightened his grip on my hair, giving me a clue that he was close. I stroked him once with my hand and took hold of his balls with the other one.
“Look at me when I make you cum,” I said, making my own demand.
Hudson’s head tipped forward and his eyes found mine. I sat back on the sofa and slipped down.
Patting his ass, I pulled him forward.
“Crawl over me. I wanna watch you blow.”
Once he was in position and I could comfortably see into his eyes, we were ready. With his gaze glued to mine, Hudson leaned forward and held onto the back of the sofa.
“Fuck my throat, baby. I can take it.”
He nodded as I took him into my mouth. It wasn’t going to take much, but I wanted to add a new element to his experience.
Reapplying suction, I tugged on his balls but moved my middle finger to stroke his taint.
He closed his eyes and let himself go. It was intoxicating to watch.
“Coming,” he moaned as he released into my mouth. The erotic soundtrack he was making combined with his essence on my tongue caused me to grab my dick and jerk with him.
When he was spent, I jerked myself as he draped his body over me across the back of the sofa.
Hudson’s right hand went to my head as he pulled back and sat on my lap.
“Finish on me,” he whispered before taking my mouth in the most intimate kiss I’d ever experienced. And when I released, I coated his pubic hair and dick.
He released my head and slipped his hand down to where I’d marked him. Pulling back, he looked me in the eye as he rubbed my fluids into his skin.
“You are one dirty bastard, Governor. But I’m here for it,” I panted.
“I’m your dirty bastard, Ellis. For as long as you want me.”
That’s the moment I knew I was head over fucking heels in love with the Governor of California.