33. Hudson
Chapter 33
Hudson
We rolled into September, ready to navigate the kids’ return to school, football season for Jack, and eighteen NFL games spread out across the country. With two home games against Green Bay and Tennessee and two away in Kansas City and Atlanta, Evan tried to warn me how challenging it might be. But I was the Governor of California, and I could handle anything.
Or die trying.
We hadn’t seen one another for three weeks, and I was becoming desperate. Taking care of my personal needs alone or via video call was not preferable.
Factor in the kids starting school the Wednesday after Labor Day, and Jack’s Friday night lights, things became even more complicated.
“You don’t have to come to all the away games, babe. That’s going to be a lot to juggle,” Evan said over the video call. He was packing for their last pre-season game in Chicago.
“We want to be there. If I don’t go, we won’t see each other.”
Evan smiled as he sat down on the end of his bed and looked into the phone. “Hudson, you know I want you and the kids there more than my next meal. But I also know you’re busy, and I don’t want it to be a waste of your time or money.”
I scowled at his handsome face. He already looked tired.
“What are you talking about? The money doesn’t matter when I get to see you.” I pointed my finger at him. “Don’t you dare try to dissuade me now, Ellis.”
Evan laughed before he sobered. “I agree, but that’s the thing, though. I’ll only be available for a few hours when you’re there.”
I knew that. I wasn’t a complete newb at this. “That’s fine. A few hours is better than no hours. It’ll be fine. You’ll see.”
“Okay, Governor. We’ll see how things go in two weeks when we play Kansas City.”
I grinned and leaned back in my chair. “I’ll own it like a boss! And when we walk in, not only will everyone be jealous, but they’ll be hearing Sharp Dressed Man in their heads.”
Evan’s grin was priceless. “Don’t think I know that one, but I’m sure it’s good. And you are really full of yourself, aren’t you?”
I tilted my head and smiled. “I wish I was full of you, but whatever.”
His laughter at my bold statement made me smile. God, I missed him. It had been three weeks since we’d been in the same place.
Adley knocked on my office door before strolling in carrying a long, narrow brown box
“I have a delivery for you.”
My brow furrowed as she handed it to me. The box was addressed to Governor Hudson Gatlin and labeled unofficial business. I shook it and listened for movement.
“Were we expecting anything? Maybe Thomas should open it.”
Evan laughed. “I don’t think that’s a good idea. It’s from me. And you might not want to open it until you’re alone.”
Adley’s eyes went wide. “Oh, boy. I’m going on a coffee break.”
I watched in shock as she hurried from my office, closing the door behind her. I looked back at Evan.
“You’ve done it!”
He grinned. “Done what?”
“You figured out how to get her out of my office!”
The dimples on his chin and cheeks popped when he laughed like that. But he pointed at the box.
“I’m serious. Open that when you get home.”
I dropped my chin and looked at him. “What’s in the box, Mr. Ellis?”
“Me.”
I looked at it and then back at him, confused. Then, the realization of what “me” could mean lit me on fire. I bit my lip and narrowed my eyes.
“You naughty, boy. I think I have to see that now.”
Evan was enjoying this too much. “You sure? You know what curiosity did to the cat.”
I snorted. “Yeah. He found out what was in the box.”
Evan smiled and reclined on his bed while I tore into the discrete packaging.
“Don’t hurt yourself,” he teased. “Paper cuts are a bitch.”
Keeping my eyes on him, I pulled out the contents wrapped in brown paper. All kinds of dirty images filtered through my mind.
“It’s for when I’m not there, or unavailable.”
My pulse hammered as I imagined what might be in that box. I’d have to hide it from the kids.
Dear lord let it be a silicone replica of his dick.
I removed the paper but was confused. Looking at him, I tilted my head.
“What is it?”
“Open it.”
I tossed the paper to the side, then unrolled it.
One eyebrow went up as all my dirty fantasies evaporated into thin air.
I looked at him. “Really?”
Evan grinned. “Yes! It’s a six-foot poster of me in my uniform. And I signed it. What did you think it was, pervert?”
I sighed. “Why did I have to open it alone?”
“I didn’t want Jack to be jealous. He has the regular poster. I figured you could put it on the back of your closet door and jerk off to it. It’s laminated.”
I stared at him as I tried to wipe away the disappointment.
“What did you think it was?” he mused, obviously enjoying this.
I released a heavy sigh. “Well, let’s see. You said it was you, and I haven’t seen you for two weeks, so I was thinking a replica of your cock.”
“Governor Gatlin!” he gasped. “Did you really think I’d send something like that to your office?”
I shrugged. “Yes.”
He laughed. “Hudson, Hudson, Hudson. I’d never do that. That gift is in your mail at home. And it was just delivered to your house.”
My pulse began to hammer as unmistakable delight ripped from me. “Okay. Talk soon. Gotta go now.”
Evan laughed as I stood and ended the call.
I needed to get home.
Quickly.
Half an hour later, I pulled into the driveway to find a giant box sitting by my front door.
I looked around, then waved to Thomas, who’d followed me home. Pressing the button, I waited for the garage door to go up, then pulled my car into the garage. When the door was down, I got out and went inside.
Heading to the front of the house, I pulled my phone from my pocket and dialed Evan. He answered on the first ring.
“That was fast. Did you get your present?”
I pursed my lips, trying not to laugh. “It depends. What have you really sent me, Ellis?”
Opening the door, I placed the phone on the entrance table, then tugged the box inside. Labels reading heavy , this side up, and open carefully were plastered all over the outside.
“What in the fuck is in here?” I grunted as I pushed it out of the doorway. “It better not be an animal. If I didn’t know you weighed more than this, I’d say it really was you.“
Evan laughed hysterically as he watched me labor with the box. He was enjoying this way too much.
“Be careful what you wish for, Governor. You might want to take that somewhere private. Like your room.”
I picked up my phone and looked at him. “Seriously, what’s in this box?”
“Me. I told you.”
Rolling my eyes, I put the phone in my pocket and drug the heavy box across the hardwood floor to my room.
When I had it inside, I pulled my phone from my pocket to find him smiling at me.
“Hurry up, I want to see. That thing cost me $2,000.”
My mouth fell open as I stared at him. “You’re crazy, you know that?”
He shrugged, but the smile was there. “About you.”
“So cheesy.” I groaned, then reached for the bedside drawer to get some scissors to cut the packing tape.
“Be careful. And cut it down the front. It will be easier.”
Propping my hands on my hips, I surveyed the box. It was from the UK, which gave me pause.
Glancing at the phone propped on my dresser, I turned and opened the scissors to cut down the dotted line. Carefully, I cut through the heavy cardboard box, as Evan watched.
When I had it open, I removed the packing to find…Evan.
“What the fuck is this?” I asked it a pitch only dogs could hear.
“It’s me. Let me see it.”
I picked up my phone and flipped the camera to show him his doppelg?nger in the box.
“Evan, is this a…”
“Sex doll,” he answered with glee. “An expensive one.”
I was speechless as I looked at the silicone man staring unblinkingly back at me.
“Do you love it?”
I didn’t know how to answer that as I studied the eyes and hair, down to the unshaven jaw and chin dimple. And when my eyes drifted lower, the anatomy of my silicon savior was perfectly and graciously endowed. So much so that my cock stirred from looking at him.
“Hudson? Are you okay?”
When I tore my eyes away and looked at the real thing, I had one question.
“Why? I mean, it’s definitely you, but just why?”
Evan looked embarrassed. “Lennox gave me the idea. He said it would be a cool story to tell our grandkids one day.”
I shook my head and rubbed my temples. “This wasn’t necessary, but I love you for it anyway. Just don’t know where and how I’m going to hide it from the kids.”
“Put some of my clothes on him and tell them it was a gag gift from Lennox. They’ll believe it. They’ve met him.”
I laughed. “Both of you have more money than sense.”
Evan shot me the half-smile I loved. “You have no idea.”
“I think I do. Be safe in Chicago and don’t get hurt. I need you healthy next weekend.”
“Okay, Governor. I love you,” he said.
“I love you more,” I replied and ended the call.
As much as I wanted to go to Chicago, the timing was terrible. So we’d watch this game from the sofa and wait to go to San Diego next weekend.
The following weekend, we headed to San Diego for the first home game with Green Bay. It was the first and last weekend we’d be able to leave on a Friday since Jack was playing football.
I had a little surprise up my sleeve and couldn’t wait to get my hands on him.
After returning from Chicago, Evan chartered a private plane for us for the season. When I objected, he fed my words back to me.
“I have more money than sense. So I’m going to do what I want.”
“But it’s expensive.”
“Hudson, if the shoe were on the other foot and you had a sixty-four million dollar contract and endorsements, would you worry about ten grand?”
My eyes bugged out. “Ten grand? Per trip? For all those games?”
Evan sighed and looked at me over the phone. “The last endorsement I did for an athletic wear company earned me two-hundred fifty thousand dollars. I can afford it.”
When I didn’t reply, he left me without an argument. “Don’t take this away from me. I want to do this.”
There was no point in discussing it any further, so I agreed. “Okay. I’ll try not to think about it.”
“Good. Now get on the damn plane. I need to see you in person before I lose it.”
“Okay. We’re coming. Thomas is pulling into the airport now.”
Two and a half hours later, we pulled up to Evan’s house. When Thomas tapped the horn, the garage door opened and my big beautiful man came bounding out.
Jogging to my door, he pulled it open, reached down into the car, and pulled me out.
“Well, hello to….”
Evan crashed his mouth onto mine, and I swear the world stopped. All I could feel, taste, and smell was him. He was all I wanted.
“Ew,” Jack muttered as he walked into the house. For once in my life, I didn’t care what anyone thought. I loved him, and he loved me. We were out, and that was that.
Evan pulled back but held onto me a moment longer as if he were afraid to let me go.
“Let’s go inside,” he said, wrapping his arm around my waist.
Glancing over my shoulder, I nodded to Thomas. “Five o’clock.”
He smiled and nodded. “Yes, sir. I’ll be back.”
“What’s happening at five?” Evan asked.
“The kids are going to Nana’s for the night. And we’re going to bed.”