17. Hudson
Chapter 17
Hudson
Waking up in Evan’s bed made one thing very clear. I wanted to be with him, even though I knew it wouldn’t be easy.
As I lay listening to the waves break along the shore, I contemplated how to make this work. There were things out of our control that had the potential to be problematic.
The distance.
His career.
My career.
Living in the spotlight.
And then there were my children to consider. Would they accept me being with a man? Would my relationship make things difficult for them at school?
They were my biggest concern, and it was daunting, to say the least.
But he made me happy. And my kids had seen it firsthand.
My somber thoughts came screeching to a halt when Evan’s soft lips found bare skin. He left soft kisses along my shoulder as he held me close. We were naked and wrapped up in his sheets. And I could smell his scent all over me.
“What’s on your mind?”
I smiled. “Everything.”
When he moved, his erection skimmed along the crease between my ass cheeks. When he realized what was happening, he drew his hips back. I reached behind him to hold him in place.
“It’s okay,” I murmured. “I understand the physiology of erections.”
He kissed my shoulder again. “I don’t want to freak you out.”
I turned my head to look at him but rolled onto my stomach before propping myself up on my elbow.
Evan’s hair was a mess, and he looked sleepy. Not to mention sexy as fuck.
“Do I appear to be upset?”
The side of his mouth crept up into a smile as he blinked at me with adoring eyes.
“Not at all.”
I nodded. “Exactly. There’s something you should know about me. Several things, actually, but the main thing is before I commit myself to something, I make sure I know everything there is to know before I start. I know how this works between two men.”
I reached out and ran a finger down his chiseled jaw to the sexiest dimple I’d ever seen.
“And when I make a commitment, I’m all in. I know exactly what being with you entails, and I’m not having buyer’s remorse. If I weren’t enamored with you before we came down, we wouldn’t be here. And I sure as hell wouldn’t be in your bed.”
Evan’s gaze melted as he grinned at me. “You’re such a badass.”
I smirked. “So you’ve said. And as far as asses go, I want to try that too, just maybe not right now.”
Evan’s eyes widened as he stared at me in shock. “You want to try bottoming?”
I shrugged and ran my fingertip over his lips. “Definitely, unless you’re not into that. I suppose we should have a conversation about it, though. A lot of things, actually.”
He leaned forward and grazed his lips along mine. “You always surprise the fucking hell out of me, Hudson.”
“Why’s that?”
“Because you’ve leaned into this thing between us with so much ease. I realize everything between us has been behind closed doors. And I’m fine with that. But I can’t promise that I’ll be able to conceal how I feel about you in public.”
My heart warmed at his words. “Funny how that works. I don’t think I’ll be able to conceal it, either. But we have to be realistic.”
“I know. So we’re officially going to give a relationship a try.”
A smile broke across my face. “Yes. If that’s what you want.”
He nodded. “Yes, Hudson. That’s all I’ve wanted since we met.”
“Even when I doused you in bourbon?”
“ Because you doused me in bourbon. And how you tried to take care of me before pawning me off to Adley.”
I shrugged and tried to smother my smile. He made me so damn happy.
“Shall I blow you to celebrate?” Evan asked, running his hand under the sheet to my equally hard cock.
I hummed in acceptance. “We talk about a few things first.”
Evan sighed.“Okay. Make it fast. I know you probably have a bulleted list.”
“I do, but I’m realistic. Our jobs are demanding, but the lack of flexibility now will be for future gain. There’s also the kids’ school schedule to consider.”
Evan reached for my hand and laced our fingers together. “I understand all of that. But I want this with you. I’m going to be busy with training camp in a month, and then the preseason. That’s why I gave you the passes. It gives us an opportunity to see each other.”
I moved closer and kissed his shoulder. “Yes, it does. There’s one more thing. I need to make sure they’re okay with us being together.”
Evan’s expression changed from jovial to worried. “So if they’re not okay with this, what does that mean for us?”
My heart pounded in my chest. I hated the thought, but it could be a possibility. Especially with my son.
“I don’t know. But I refuse to hide it from them. I’d like to tell them we’re together before we leave tomorrow.”
Just the thought of this being over made my stomach churn.
“Of course. I don’t ever want to hide anything from them. We can be discreet. As much as I’d like to hold your hand or kiss you in public, I can control my actions. I’m willing to do whatever they need to feel comfortable.”
“Jack is the one I worry about. How do I explain this to him after being heterosexual all my life?”
I knew he understood what I was saying.
“I see how that could be a challenge. But on the other hand, give him some credit. It might not be as difficult for him as you think. The norms for their generation are really different from when I grew up. Maybe just talk to him.”
Something registered in my brain. “That sounds like you have insider information.”
He tried to compose his face. “All I’m at liberty to say is he confided in me a little yesterday. I promised not to share what he said unless it was something dangerous. But I believe he might be okay with it. I think he knows something is happening between us.”
I released the breath I’d been holding. I was relieved my son had opened up to Evan, even though he didn’t feel comfortable confiding in me. I’d take the help any way I could get it.
“Alright. That’s good. I’ve been worried about him, but I trust your judgment.”
Evan gave me a heart-stopping smile. “Thank you. That means more than you know.”
His lips momentarily distracted me. Every time he said the word you , they pursed, making me want to kiss him.
“We can make this work, Superstar.”
“Yes,” he grinned. “I may get ahead of myself here, but when your term is up, would you consider moving to San Diego during the season?”
I squeezed his hand. “Absolutely. My kids love it here. And their Nana would be close by. It makes perfect sense if I’m going to work with Preston..”
His grin was blinding. “So we’re doing this, Hudson Gatlin?”
I nodded. “We’re doing this, Evan Ellis.”
Whipping back the sheet, I pushed him to his back and crawled onto him.
Evan placed his left hand on my hip before his right one wrapped around my dick. Leaning forward, I wanted to kiss him. But Evan stopped me.
“Wait,” he said, stroking me lightly. “I have one more question. No two questions.”
I frowned. “Now? I thought we were done talking.”
He grinned and tightened his grip. “I’ll make it quick.”
“Fine. What’s your question? It’s not good for a man of my age to be edged like this.”
Evan laughed at my ridiculous excuse. “I think you’ll like what I have to ask.”
I released a frustrated sigh. “What is it, Ellis?”
“Would you consider fucking me?”
My body burst into flames, and I almost came. My dick released a pulse of pre-cum that he noticed. And he took the opportunity to swipe his thumb across the tip of my crown, making me shiver.
“I take that as a yes, sweetheart.”
“Good observation. What’s the other question?”
“So impatient,” he teased. “How long do we have before the kids get back?”
“Not long enough. We’re trying to make the most of our last day.”
Evan sat up, making his abdominals pop. “Then I need to introduce you to frotting, babe.”
My pulse elevated. I knew what that was. I might have even seen a video or two. “Yeah. Introduce away.”
He grinned, then took my mouth in a possessive kiss. Before I knew what hit me, Evan let go of my dick and had me on my back. Positioning himself between my spread legs, he lined our cocks and thrust his hips against mine.
Momentarily, I watched his eight-pack tighten and release before my eyes rolled back in my head at the indescribable sensation.
“Holy fuck. Why does this feel so good?”
Evan looked down at me, his blue eyes full of warmth. “I could go into the physiology of it,” he said, using my words against me. “But I think it’s more than that.”
He held me with his loving gaze.
“Yeah? What’s that?”
He kissed the tip of my nose. “Everything is better when you’re falling in love, Hudson. It elevates the smallest touch into something spectacular.”
My heart beat a little faster at his words.
“Is that what we’re doing, Ev? Are we falling in love?”
The intensity of his stare told me everything I needed to know.
“Yes, Hudson. We’ve been falling in love. But I think we might already be there.”
I sucked in a breath before he took my mouth and rocked my world.
The once-familiar feelings were brand new with him. Maybe more intense because I knew it would be weeks before I saw him again. But I’d survive knowing the superstar in my arms was all mine.
Ninety minutes later, we’d showered and dressed for the day. We were sitting on the deck having coffee when my phone buzzed with a text.
Thomas: ETA ten minutes
Me: Thank you
“Ten minutes,” I said to Evan.
“Okay. Are we telling them now?”
I nodded. “Yes. And I want to tell Marianne. I owe it to her.”
Evan reached across the table and took my hand. “Whatever happens, it won’t change how I feel about you.”
I sighed and squeezed his hand. “Thank you.”
“And after we tell them, we’re heading to Preston’s for a cooking lesson, then to the beach, right?”
I nodded. “Yes. That’s correct.”
My eyes hung on to Evan as he looked at me. Feelings of longing were already setting in. “I don’t want to say goodbye to you tomorrow.”
He took our joined hands and kissed them. “Me either. Take out your phone and let’s make some plans. And Hudson, you gotta let that boy play football. It would be a crime if he didn’t. He’s a natural.”
“I know. I just worry about him.”
“That’s a lame reason not to let him play, and you know it.” Evan gestured to my phone. “Open your calendar, babe.”
I smiled at his term of endearment. “Okay, babe.”
Evan flipped through his calendar. “I have training camp beginning the last week of July. That means four weeks open. What’s on your schedule?”
I looked through my ever-changing calendar. “I have meetings at the capital, but nothing out of town as of yet. Can you come to me?”
Evan bit his bottom lip. “Every chance I get. What about the Fourth of July? It’s on a Friday. You could bring the kids back down.”
“Let me put that on my calendar. But we won’t be able to sleep together. Not with my kids in the house.”
Evan’s face fell, but he recovered quickly. “That’s okay. We can rendezvous in the middle of the night. It’ll be fun.”
“Yes. Sneaking around like teenagers is fun,” I deadpanned but smiled at him. “I appreciate you being so understanding.”
“I’ll do anything to be with you, Hudson. Don’t you know that?”
I leaned over and kissed him until my phone buzzed again. Pulling away, I looked down to check my message.
“I’m beginning to appreciate the warning texts, aren’t you?” he asked, rising to his full height. He stretched his arms over his head, making his T-shirt ride up.
Evan saw me watching and grinned. “Like what you see, Hudson?”
“I do now.”
He laughed, making his eyes sparkle and that dimple pop. But his expression changed quickly. “Do you want to talk to them alone? I don’t mind giving you some privacy.”
“No. That’s not necessary. You and I,” I motioned between us, “are now a team.”
The doorbell rang, signaling their arrival, but Evan kissed me one more time before I strode to the door.
Pulling it open, Jack and Erin stood with their Nana and Thomas.
“Hey, did you have a good time?” I stepped aside for them to enter.
When they spotted Evan, my question was forgotten. That was a good sign.
I gestured my thanks to Thomas and turned my attention to Marianne.
After closing the door, I hugged my former mother-in-law. I smiled at how easily things were with them. “Do you have a minute to talk?”
Marianne looked up at me. “Of course, sweetheart. Is everything okay?”
I nodded, trying to quell her concern. “Yes. Everything is fine. More than fine, actually.”
Running my fingers over my lips, I glanced back at the kids where Evan had them engrossed in a conversation.
“Is it about that young man, Hudson?”
I whipped my head back around to find her smiling at me. I should have remembered how easily Marianne could read me.
“Uh, yes,” I sighed, chuckling.
She put her hand on my face. “You were a wonderful husband to my Carrie, Hudson. She wanted you to go on with your life and be happy. And as a result, I can already see a change in Jack and Erin.”
I frowned. “What do you mean?”
“They seem happier than the last time I saw them in Sacramento. And they told me all about Evan.”
“What about him?” I asked nervously.
But Marianne’s smile put me at ease. “They told me you boys were friends, and all about playing yesterday with the team. Jack said you smile more, and even text on your phone. When you’re not in the office.”
I chuckled, my face heating. Confidence was not an issue for me, but when someone pointed out my personal behavior, all bets were off. And texting after work was not something I did often. Carrie and I always tried to find a work-life balance.
“Yes, I might do that a little more than usual.”
Marianne laughed and hugged me. “It’s okay Hudson. I’d like to meet him, then I’ll be on my way so you can enjoy your last day here. Maybe this will inspire you to consider moving my grandchildren closer.”
I glanced over my shoulder at Evan, then motioned for him to come over. He strode confidently across the floor until he reached us.
“Evan Ellis, this is Marianne Harrison, my mother-in-law. Marianne, Evan Ellis.”
He extended his hand to shake. “It’s nice to meet you, ma’am.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Evan.” She looked at me, then back at him. “Take care of my Hudson, okay? He needs someone like you.”
Evan chuckled. “Thank you, ma’am. But how do you know…”
“It only took one look to see how you feel about each other. And when you welcomed my grandchildren like you did, that was all the proof I needed. I know Hudson is a good judge of character. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be the governor of this fine state.”
I reached out to hug her. “Thank you, Marianne. I love you.”
“And I love you, Hudson,” she said, pulling back. “Take care of my grandchildren. You’re doing a fine job.”
She reached over and hugged Evan, catching him off guard. “Thank you, ma’am.”
“You call me Marianna, or Nana.”
He laughed and nodded. “Yes, ma’am—Marianne.”
She patted my cheek and turned to leave. “Such good manners. You’re a good influence on our Jack.”
“Drive carefully. I’m going to have Thomas make sure you get home,” I said.
“Pfft,” she replied, looking over her shoulder. “No need, sweetheart. I’m going to the grocery store.”
She waved over her shoulder as she headed to the car. “Call me if you need me.”
I laughed as she got in and pulled away.
“Well,” Evan said, “I guess that means we’re transparent.”
“Evidently,” I sighed. “Now let’s go do the hard part.”
He chuckled. “Yeah, about that. I don’t think you’re gonna have to say much. They gave me the shakedown while you were talking to Marianne.”
I turned with wide eyes and looked at him, my hands on my hips. “What did they say?”
“They asked if we had fun on our date?”
I closed my eyes and ran a hand over my face. “Fresh. They’re just too fresh.”
Evan laughed and bumped my shoulder before heading to where my kids waited. “I don’t think that’s the word the kids use nowadays.”
I grumbled something under my breath until we found them at the bar, eating our breakfast pastries. I knew Marianne had fed them a good breakfast, so I didn’t mind.
Rounding the corner, I leaned across the bar in front of them. “Have a good time with Nana?”
Jack looked up and nodded, his mouth stuffed with cinnamon rolls.
“Yes,” Erin replied. “Did you have fun on your date with Evan? He said you had dinner with friends.”
My face froze. Her words still caught me off guard. “Uh, yes?”
Jack snorted, then swallowed down the rest of his milk. “It’s okay, Dad. We knew you liked him before we came down here.”
My face heated. I didn’t get this flustered when I spoke to the President of the United States.
“You did?”
“Duh,” he replied. “All that smiling and you being on your phone all the time. It was a dead giveaway.”
I frowned, but Evan laughed.
“And you’re okay with Evan being my… boyfriend?”
They both nodded simultaneously as if they’d practiced the synchronization.
“You can love who you want, Dad. It’s okay with us. Besides, we like Evan.”
I was shocked until a big arm landed over my shoulders.
“And you’re okay if I do this?” Evan asked them.
“Uh huh,” Jack replied.
“Yes. It’s sweet,” Erin grinned.
My face heated again, prompting Evan to laugh at me. But I had to ask.
“Are you sure? If it makes you uncomfortable, we won’t show any PDA. We respect your feelings.”
Jack nodded, amused. “Are you gonna let me play football now?”
I sighed. “Right to the point,” I muttered, “but yes. I’m going to let you play.”
My son grinned at me, then held out his fist to Evan. “Then we’re good. Welcome to the fam, Evan.”