26. Evan
Chapter 26
Evan
“Are you seriously worried she won’t like you?”
Hudson looked over at me as Thomas drove toward my childhood home.
“Not really,” he lied, shifting in his seat, “but it’s been a while since I’ve met the parents. I’m a little out of practice.”
I laughed and took his hand. He was a terrible liar. “You talk to strangers every day. You’ll charm her just like you did me.”
Hudson ran his right hand over his stubbled jaw before he met my eyes. “When did embarrassing myself and ruining a shirt become charming?”
“The moment you looked at me, but couldn’t look away.”
I leaned closer to him.
“And when you took my arm and walked away from your gala without a second thought.”
I lifted our laced fingers and brought them to my mouth for a kiss. I’d never been like this with anyone. Not even Nick.
“Making a good first impression is important because you’re everything to me.”
I would have given anything to be alone with him right now, but mauling him in front of his security was probably not the best move. So I settled on reassuring words.
“Just be you, Hudson. Not the governor, not the dignitary, not the man the media projects. Just be you. And she’ll love you as much as I do.”
Hudson’s phone pinged with an incoming text. He leaned over and retrieved it from his pocket, then tapped into his messages.
I looked out the window and took in the familiar sight of my old neighborhood. Memories of wide-open streets and riding bikes with my friends made me wonder if Jack and Erin had ever had that kind of normal childhood experience. They always had security with them because of Hudson’s high-profile career.
Hudson’s quiet huff drew my attention back to him.
“Everything okay?”
He darkened the screen and smiled. “Yes. Fine.”
When he didn’t elaborate, I let it go and watched as we made our way toward the back of the neighborhood.
My phone rang with my mother’s ringtone as Thomas made the last turn. I hit the green button and accepted her call.
“Hey, Mom. You’re on speakerphone. We’re almost there.”
“Evan,” she said in a tone filled with concern.
Instinctively, I looked up at Thomas, who must have heard the same thing I did.
“What’s wrong, Mom?” I asked, looking at Hudson.
“I’m not sure, sweetheart. I went out to get the mail and noticed cars and news vans parked along the street. Reporters approached me and started asking me questions about how long you have been involved with the governor and if I’d seen the photos. Did you post something on social media about the two of you?”
“No,” I said, keeping my eyes on Hudson. “The only photos out are the ones the Storm PR released at the stadium. We’re not hiding our relationship, but we haven’t released it yet. As far as anyone knows, we’re just friends.”
“Governor?” Thomas called, drawing our attention. He tilted his head toward the very scene she was describing a few blocks ahead.
Thomas slowed the car and pulled to the curb, waiting for Hudson’s reply.
He looked over at me. “What do you want to do? I’m okay with going in, but I don’t want the paparazzi to bother her.”
What I wanted was a chance for him to meet my mother without the intrusion of the press. To show him where I grew up and all my stupid trophies in my bedroom. But that wasn’t an option right now, and I wouldn’t say that to him.
I looked at my phone where my mother was waiting, then switched over to a video call. She answered, looking concerned.
“Hello again,” she said.
I leaned closer to Hudson so she could see him.
“Mom, this is Hudson Gatlin.”
“Hello, Mrs. Evans. I’m sorry we’re bringing a media circus to your door.”
My mother smiled at him. “This is not your fault, Governor. But I’m not sure how safe it is for you to come here.”
For some reason, I was still stuck on the question about the photos. “What photos are they talking about?”
He shrugged. “I have no idea. The only photo op was the one at the stadium with the kids, and they weren’t salacious.”
Hudson looked up at Thomas. “Can you call Anne? Let’s give her the heads up so she won’t be caught off guard.”
“Yes, sir,” he replied. “What are we doing now? I don’t advise sitting here too much longer. They’ll figure it out.”
I curled my lips in and glanced up at Thomas. “What do you recommend we do?”
He sighed. “I don’t like being unprepared and going in blind. But if we’re going to the home, more security is preferable.”
“I have an idea,” Hudson added, looking at his watch. “Let’s get a suite downtown and call EHM for more security. They can bring you to us, Mrs. Ellis.”
I smiled and looked at my mother. “Is that okay with you, Mom? Pack a bag and we’ll get you a room at the hotel.”
“Thomas?” Hudson called.
He nodded. “Yes, sir. That’s a better option.”
I looked back at my mother. “You up for some luxury accommodations?”
“As much as I wanted you to come home, I do like that better, Evan.”
“Okay. We have a plan. Give us an hour to get settled, and I’ll call you with the details.”
She smiled. “I’ll be ready.” She turned her attention to Hudson. “I’m sorry about this, Governor”
He chuckled. “Please don’t apologize. We don’t intend to hide our relationship, but I don’t want to invite the press to hound you, either. And please call me husband.”
His eyes went wide as he turned three shades of red. “Hudson, not husband. Hud-son.”
My mother chuckled at his mistake, then smiled at him. I could see she was dying to rib him about his slip of the tongue.
“Thank you, Hudson.”
“Yes, ma’am,” he replied, then leaned out of view of the camera.
“I’ll be in touch, Mom.”
She nodded. “I’ll put the food away and pack a bag.”
She ended the call as I glanced over at my boyfriend. He was back in governor mode, working his phone with a purpose.
Thomas backed the car slowly so as not to draw attention our way, then turned down the closest street.
I looked over at Hudson, who was in deep concentration working his phone like the savvy professional he was.
“How do you think they found us?”
Hudson looked up with concern on his face. “Could have been someone at the airport or the stadium. All it takes is one innocent comment or post on social media to set the world on fire.”
Nodding, I put my hand on his knee. “Don’t overthink this. We haven’t even gotten to the football fans yet.”
He chuckled but nodded. “Can’t wait.”
Holding his phone up, he gestured to it. “I’m going to call Austin.”
“Should I make a reservation?” I asked, reaching for my phone.
“No, sir. Adley is taking care of it,” Thomas called from the front.
I smiled and got comfortable. “I guess all I need to do is sit back and look pretty. My governor has this situation under control.”
Hudson relaxed and smiled. “You do that, Superstar.”
Twenty minutes later, we arrived at a new luxury hotel in downtown Portland. Hotel security met us at the car and then escorted us to the Presidential Suite that took up most of the top floor.
We’d both packed an overnight bag, thinking we might spend the night with my mother. And even though the paparazzi ruined those plans, the new one would give us the privacy we needed. Every moment we spent together was precious as we got closer to our impending separation.
Thomas swiped us into the room and made a quick sweep as we stood in the foyer, waiting.
“This place is huge.”
Hudson looked around as if seeing it for the first time. “Yes, it is. The bed is exceptionally comfortable, and we have space to spread out and visit with your mother.”
I grinned. “The bed, huh?”
His cheeks pinked as Thomas came back into the room. I reached for his bag and placed it with mine over my left shoulder.
“All clear, sir. I’ve contacted Commander Langdon. He and Commander Evans are going to pick up Mrs. Ellis and have her here in about an hour. Room Service has stocked the kitchen.”
Hudson nodded and held out his hand to shake before walking to the door. “Thank you, Thomas. I think we’re all set.”
“Let me know if you need anything. I’ll be across the hall.”
I took a moment to look around the suite as Hudson spoke quietly to Thomas. Dropping our bags on the sofa, I headed to check out the view. The floor-to-ceiling windows provided a glimpse of downtown with a stunning view of Mount Hood in the distance. That’s what prestige and money got you. Million-dollar views and last-minute, five-star luxury fit for a governor.
The soft click of the door caught my attention. Goosebumps ran up my spine as Hudson made his way to where I was standing. Like magnets, we were drawn together and met in the middle of the plush carpet for a passionate kiss. I’d been dying to get my lips on him since we’d left for the airport this morning.
Hudson ran his hands through my hair and shifted his cock along mine. I groaned at the sensation and deepened our kiss. I wanted him. Needed him.
Pulling back, I kissed along his jaw and down his neck. I was starved for him.
“I want to take you apart right here,” I said, running my hands over every bit of him I could reach.
“I want that too. But I also don’t want to be a wrinkled mess when your mother arrives.”
Groaning, I pulled back. “I love my mother, but I don’t appreciate her cock blocking me.”
Hudson laughed. “She’s not blocking you. But if you can wait until later, I’ll make it up to you.”
I bit my bottom lip. “I could blow you.”
Hudson raised one brow.
“Fine,” I whined, pulling away. “Can we at least make out?”
“But that will wrinkle our clothes.”
I stepped back from him, unbuttoned my shirt, then pulled it over my head. Draping it over the chair, I looked back to find his eyes as they roamed over my chest and abs.
“Not if we take them off.”
Keeping my eyes on him, I unbuttoned my pants and slid them low on my hips. He loved the deep ridges of my v-cut, and when I exposed my cock to him, he hummed deeply.
“You’re playing dirty.”
“I know. I’m stockpiling memories of us for times when we’re apart.”
Hudson didn’t respond, but looked up into my eyes, his expression now understanding. He reached out to cup my face, then swiped his thumb over my swollen lips. His fingertips swept lightly from my jaw down over my chest, tracing the dips of my hard-earned abdominals.
“These are mine,” he said, leaning in to suck on my collarbone.
I nodded and took his head between my hands. Bringing his lips to mine, I kissed him reverently as he took hold of my cock.
Groaning into the kiss, he stroked me lightly, then began with hard pulls. My orgasm was building quickly, and before I could warn him, he pushed away and sat down on the sofa.
“Come here,” he said, reaching for my hips. “I’m going to finish you off.”
My heart was pounding and all my blood was pooling in my cock. “But… your clothes.”
Hudson grinned up at me. “They’ll be fine if I swallow.”
I almost came right there, but eagerly stepped forward for him to take me in his warm mouth.
The sounds we made would forever be etched into the soundtrack my mind associated with him. And I couldn’t get enough.
My orgasm crept up on me quickly as Hudson took all of me into the back of his throat. Dropping my head back, I closed my eyes and let the nerves fire from every extremity until they culminated in a spectacular release.
Heaving breaths and thrusting my hips, I gave him all of me. And when the passion had passed, Hudson stood and kissed me. Tasting myself on him was as powerful as knowing he wanted all of this with me. But I needed to give him something.
I pulled back, and when I could form words, I looked into his eyes. He stared at me, a soft smile on his face.
“I love you so much,” I whispered, “and I want to give myself to you before training camp.”
His brow furrowed in confusion. “I thought you already had.”
“I have, but not everything. I want to give myself completely to you. In every way possible.”
He was still confused, so I just came out and told him. “I want you to fuck me, Governor. I’ve never bottomed before, but I want to for you. If that’s something you want.”
Hudson nodded slowly. “Yeah, baby. I want that too. But I don’t want to do that here. I want you at home, in my bed. When you’re gone, I want to smell you on my sheets. When I roll over, I want the memory of you in my bed.”
He was killing me.
“Can we go home now?” I begged.
His smile was breathtaking, and I wanted to remember this forever. So I reached into my pocket and pulled out my phone.
“You can’t cancel on your mother.”
I smirked. “I’m not. But I need a picture of you, just like this.”
Hudson humored me for a moment, and let me take photo after photo of him. Then he reached for my phone and pulled me closer. My bare chest was plastered to his immaculately pressed designer shirt, but he didn’t seem to worry about the wrinkles this time.
“Put those long arms to use and take some of us. I need some of us to look at, too.”
“Should I put my shirt on for this?”
He thought about it for a split second, then shook his head.
“No. These are for my eyes only.”
“Anything for you, sweetheart.”
I took the photos and sent them to him, counting the moments until we could get back to Sacramento.
I secretly wished training camp would never come.