15. Hudson
Chapter 15
Hudson
I ’m left standing in my living room, clutching Aster’s dog and reeling from the fact that he disappeared right in front of my eyes. It’s quiet though, which is a nice change, so I sit on the couch, waiting, because I don’t know what else to do.
Remembering that Aster told me his guide is here, I squint as if that will help me see a ghost. Assuming Aster isn’t just feeding me bullshit, and based on what I’ve already experienced, I don’t think he is.
Otto wags his tail happily, staring straight in front of me.
“Um, hi, Aster’s guide. Crash, right? Thanks for being here. I hope you can hear me and I’m not just making a fool of myself right now.”
Another whoosh of cool hair flutters my hair and I laugh nervously.
“Whoa. Is there a way that I could see you too?”
Nothing happens for a few seconds, but then I’m overcome by the distinct feeling of weight on my shoulder, like a hand. I blow out a shaky breath, slowly turning my head to my left, where I catch just a glimpse of colors and a smile.
“Fuck,” I whisper. “I think I saw you.”
The weight on my shoulder leaves and I follow Otto’s eyes to the space on the other side of the coffee table. The more I look, the more I see, as a shimmery image of a man appears before me, but it’s gone quickly.
“Wow.” Scrubbing my hand over my face, I bounce my leg to shake off the excess energy coursing through me. “Thanks.”
I yelp as my phone rings in my back pocket.
Okay. I’m jumpy. I pull the phone out and answer quickly. “Hello.”
“It’s me, Hud. How are things?”
“Hey, Joss. Let’s see. My house is a disaster thanks to my pissed off stalker ghost, it’s also full of other spirits who apparently don’t mind me being here, Aster dipped to the underworld for some help or guidance, and I just saw my first ghost.”
“What the fuck?”
“Yeah. Exactly.”
“You’re alone?”
“No. Not exactly. The ghost I saw is Aster’s guide. He’s protecting me.”
“Holy shit.”
“It’s a lot.” I clear my throat as my voice shakes. Otto jumps from my arms and twirls around what I assume is the guide’s form. “I actually feel pretty safe right now though.”
“Aster can visit the underworld?”
“That’s what he said.”
“I’ve never heard of a medium who can do that.”
“I don’t think he’s a medium. He told me it’s a job he has and he was assigned to me. He’s in charge of getting spirits like Chester back where they belong.”
“How the fuck do you get a job like that?”
“He said it was complicated. Have you seen a ghost before?”
“Yeah, not the way Aster describes it though. I’ve seen shadows and mist and strange happenings, but nothing like a fully formed person or even anything I could focus on for too long.”
“Do you wish you could?”
“Not without being able to control it. I don’t think that would be very nice.”
“No. I kind of wish I could see the ones that live here. I don’t know if ‘live’ is the right word.”
Jocelyn chuckles. “Inhabit maybe. Linger.”
“Yeah. I… I felt his guide interact with me. I felt his hand on my shoulder and saw a glimpse of him.”
“Whoa. That’s trippy. Is he there now?”
“Yeah. Otto’s playing with him.”
“I wish I could be there, Hud. I hate leaving you like this.”
“It’s not your fault. We should listen to Aster. I believe that he’s really here to protect me.”
“I do too. I wouldn’t have left otherwise. I called to check on you but also to let you know that me and Elaina and the dogs are renting a house in Salem until this is over. I want to be close to you.”
My eyes immediately fill with tears. I tried so hard to be self-sufficient after my parents disowned me. I didn’t want Jocelyn to worry about me, but I can’t deny how good it feels to know she’s here for me.
“Thank you. Thank Elaina too.”
“We’re family, Hudson. Thanks aren’t needed.”
“I appreciate it more than you know.” I wipe my cheek as a tear slides down. “I’ll keep you updated on things.”
“You better. Be careful, huh?”
“I will. Promise.”
After ending the call, I lean back on the couch, and Otto stops running in circles to jump up on my lap. It’s nice he feels comfortable with me. My eyelids fall, weighed down by exhaustion, but I fight the urge to sleep until I feel a flutter over my face and give in to it, letting my eyes close and my brain slip away for just a little while.
Visions of Aster’s face fill my head, and I wonder what a smile would look like on his lips, and how his laughter sounds. If he kissed me, would I like it? What if he touched me? No one has since the drama started. It would be so nice to be intimate with someone again. Especially a man who looks like Aster.
As I sink further into sleep, my mind conjures images of Aster hovering above me, entering me, rocking inside of me as he slowly unravels my defenses. He gazes down at me with acceptance and awe, whispering words of praise.
You feel so good.
I love fucking you.
I want to do this forever.
Even in my half-conscious state, I feel my cock swell and my stomach flip with desire and need.
“Aster,” I whisper. My hand moves down my body to rub my growing erection, whether it’s real or imagined is unclear, but it feels good. So good.
Touch yourself for me.
I stroke myself through my jeans, preening from his attention on me. It’s as if I can feel his cock stretching me open, throbbing deep inside me, stroking my prostate with every thrust.
“Aster.” His name slips from my lips again.
You look so good. So hot.
I whimper, desperate to come, but it’s suddenly over, the haze of lust dissipating as my mind goes blank and sleep finally drags me completely under.