Chapter Five
chapter five
CALLUM
W hen we pull up to my apartment, Hudson puts the car in park and turns to me. “I had a really great time tonight, Callum. I’m sorry Rachel had to lie to you to get you to come but,” he runs a hand through his shaggy hair and smiles softly, “I can’t say I’m upset by it. This is the most fun I’ve had in months. The best first date I’ve ever had, if I’m being honest.”
I mirror his pose. “Same here. I kinda don’t want tonight to end.” I lean back against the seat. “Want to come in?” Hudson’s mouth drops open and I rush to say, “Not for sex. Just to hang out some more. We can listen to music, watch a movie. Or just talk. But I’m having a good time and want to keep it going. Unless you’re tired and want to go home. You don’t?—”
Hudson grabs my hand and kisses the back, feather soft and I clamp my mouth shut, wanting more of his lips on me. Not sensing my inner turmoil, he says, “I’d love to continue to hang out with you, Callum. I’m having a good time too. I’ll come inside, but I’m not trying anything. ”
I nod. “I invited you inside, so I don’t think anything. Come on. We can watch The Matrix.”
Barking a laugh, Hudson turns off the car and we walk inside.
As I open the door to invite Hudson in, I try to recall if I left the place a mess. I’m not a messy person, but there’s usually something out of place. And I’m right. There are three suits draped over the back of the couch since I couldn’t figure out what to wear tonight. And some socks tossed around.
Face hot, I rush over and grab my things. “Sorry.” I scoop up the socks and take the hangers the suits are on in my hands. “You can get comfortable. Or pour us some wine. I have some in the fridge. Glasses are in the cabinet on the left of the sink.”
I beat feet to my room, hanging my suits up and putting my socks back in the drawer. While I’m in the room, I shed my jacket and pants, happy to get out of that uncomfortable attire. I feel a little bad that I’m dressing down and Hudson isn’t, so I rifle through my closet, hoping I still have some extra-large shirts and basketball shorts. I’m not big—five seven and one hundred and sixty pounds—but I have a habit of buying clothes that are a few sizes too big. I like the comfort…and pretending like they belong to the man of my dreams. I’m a romantic, shoot me.
When I make my way back to the living room, I see Hudson walking around slowly, checking out the character drawings on my wall. After my team and I finish a good animation, we like to sign each other’s character art. It’s a weird thing to do, but we love it, and it helps with our team camaraderie. He hears me coming and turns around, smiling. “You’re really good. I love all these. Can you show me your work sometime? ”
Ducking my head to hide my burning cheeks I nod and sit on the couch, picking up my glass of wine. “I can arrange that. I just finished the animation for my superhero. I can show that to you after it goes live. We’re not allowed to share them until the design is approved. But I’d love for you to see him.” I hold the clothes out to him, and he raises his eyebrows. “So you can get out of your suit.”
“Nothing you have will fit me.”
“These will. They’re extra-large. Unless you wear 2XL?”
He scrunches his eyebrows but doesn’t take the clothes. “No, extra-large is fine. But …” His voice trails off and I understand.
He thinks these are another man’s clothes. There’s literally no way I can wear extra-large clothes. Hell, large sizes are too big sometimes. “Oh, no. These are mine. I like to buy clothes I hang around the house in a few sizes too big. Besides, my ex was as thin as me, but about six inches taller. He also never left his clothes over, so you don’t have to worry about wearing another man’s clothes.”
Seeming to believe me, he takes the clothes and I guide him to the bathroom. While he changes, I turn on the television and find The Matrix on a streaming service and get it started. Hudson laughs when he comes out of the bathroom, seeing what I have playing.
Man, oh man. Hudson is a sight to behold. A man has never worn my clothes—it’s usually the other way around—and I see the appeal. Knowing that he has my clothes on and is comfortable in them does weird things to my belly. It’s flipping and flopping around, with dozens of butterflies dancing in there to join the party. I try not to stare, but I can’t help it. My eyes keep going back to this man in my clothes and in my house. He appears so relaxed and comfortable. I want to see more of this .
“This is a long movie,” Hudson mentions as he sits on the couch beside me. “Sure you can stay awake for it?”
Now that he mentions it, I am a little tired. “I’ll be fine,” I lie.
I’m not fine. I don’t even remember falling asleep. I don’t think Hudson notices for a while, but he wakes me just as Agent Smith is beating Neo’s ass. “Huh?” I ask, wiping my mouth of drool. God, I can’t believe I drooled.
“You dropped off there. I’m going to head home,” Hudson says, standing over me.
“No!” I exclaim. “Not yet.”
“You were sleeping, babe.” Hudson’s eyes go wide, and I melt into the seat. Does it mean something that I got pet-named so early? “Sorry. I shouldn’t have said that.”
“It’s okay. If it’s too soon, it’s okay. But I … like it?” I pose it as a question. I don’t exactly hate it, but I don’t want him to think I’m some kind of weirdo that thinks of love at first sight and picture our wedding. Though, would it be bad if I pictured our wedding?
“I’ll let you sleep, Callum.” I pout, but I stand up to walk him to the door. He has his suit folded under his arm. I laugh at the fact that he has his dress socks and shoes on with the large white t-shirt and basketball shorts. When we stop at the door, Hudson turns to me and steps closer. “I had an amazing time tonight, Callum. If it’s okay with you, I’d like to take you out again next weekend. Or see you during the week. Whenever you’re free.”
“I’d love that.” Hudson gives me his phone and I punch my number in. To be a smart ass, I save it under “Babe.” He sees it and smirks, sliding the phone into the pocket of the shorts.
Hudson puts his clothes down on the side table beside the door and I wonder at it until he slides his hand behind my back, drawing closer to me. My hair has escaped the bun I had it in, and he pushes a lock behind my ear, putting a hand on my cheek. “I’ve been thinking about this all evening,” he says in a raspy voice.
“Yes,” I murmur, even though he didn’t ask me a question.
Slowly, he lowers his face to mine and my eyelids lower on their own accord. When his mouth meets mine, we both groan and I lean into his chest, placing my hands on his pecs. Hudson takes no time sliding his tongue into my mouth, opening me up for his exploration.
Hudson’s hand slides down to my ass, pulling me closer and I feel his hard dick against my belly. My own cock is hard against his thigh, wanting to rub against his. What I wouldn’t give to have him naked and on top of me, kissing me to within an inch of my life. Does he really have to leave? He can stay. Forever if he keeps kissing me like this.
My hands drift around his neck, pasting myself to him as he devours my mouth with intoxicating kisses. The rumble of the groan he releases flows through me, and I stand on tiptoe to get closer. I want the kiss to go on and on. I want Hudson to never stop kissing me. It feels so good to be in his arms, his tongue caressing mine languidly, his hands gripping me tight. God, where has this man been all my life?
All too soon, he pulls his tongue from my mouth, but continues to give me gentle pecks. When he pulls away, I drop down flat on my feet and move my hands from around his neck, sliding them back to his pecs. I open my eyes and notice his are a little glazed and hooded. Hudson rubs a thumb over my lower lip, then gives me one more peck before he steps back from me.
He gathers his clothes and says, “We have to do this again, Callum. I’ve never had as much fun as I did with you tonight. ”
“Please,” I say, wanting nothing more than a second, third, fourth and fifth date with Hudson. “Anytime you’re free.”
Smiling, he nods and opens the door. “I’ll hold you to that. Lock up behind me.”
“Call when you get home?”
Hudson nods, gives me one more kiss and breezes out the door.
I lock the door and stand with my back flat against it. Huh, what are the odds that Rachel found the man of my dreams?
She doesn’t wait long to ask if she did good. My phone rings at nine the next morning, pulling me out of some great sleep. Hudson called me when he got home and instead of us leaving it at that and hanging up, we talked for almost two hours. We bounced around from what we do for fun to childhood memories to our favorite foods. Every part of the conversation just flowed, no searching around for what to say next. We only hung up because I started dozing off. If not for something pesky like sleep, Hudson and I would probably still be on the phone.
Reaching blindly to my nightstand, I pull my phone to me and slap it against my ear, eyes still closed. “Hello?” I croak.
“Wiz! Tell me everything! Did you love him? Have a great time? Oh no, did you leave early? I’m so sorry I didn’t tell you we weren’t going to be there. I knew you wouldn’t show if I told you it was only you and Hud. Are you mad? Please don’t be mad. I don’t mean to meddle, I promise.”
Rachel says all that on what seems to be one breath and I chuckle roughly. Still with my eyes closed, I turn over to my back and stretch. “I’m not mad, Rach, though I wish you would have just been honest. ”
“I know. I’m sorry.”
She does sound sorry, so I let her off the hook. “It’s fine. To answer your question,” I say, finally opening my eyes and throwing my legs over the side of the bed. This conversation won’t be short, so I may as well get up and get some coffee. So glad it’s the weekend. “Hudson and I had a great time. He brought me flowers, Rach. He’s … fucking perfect, honestly.”
Rachel squeals and we stay on the phone for the next hour or so, talking about the date and what I want from him going forward. She gloats for a bit, telling me the other men she hooked me up with were a warm-up and she knew eventually she would find Mr. Right.
My morning is spent sitting around the house, rewatching The Matrix and listening to a few more songs Hudson told me about last night when he called. I do like old school music, but never listened to eighties soft rock. I find that I like the peaceful melodies while also enjoying the soulful voices of the singers. I name the playlist “Hud’s Favorite Hits.” Depending on what happens with our relationship, I might change it.
Just as the last song is ending, my phone rings. I’m lying on my couch, eyes closed, just feeling the vibes of the music and the ringing almost makes me jump out of my skin. I quickly grab it and see Hudson’s name flashing on my screen. Smiling, I answer, glad he called and hoping it’s to plan another date.