17. Hudson
Chapter 17
Hudson
I wake to the sound of gentle breathing and soft snoring. Reluctantly, I force my eyes open, relieved to see nothing but my ceiling above me. When I turn my head, I see Aster asleep on the recliner beside me, his dog curled up in his lap. His presence instantly calms my nerves.
I’m curious about what he learned when he left. I hope it’s how to put a swift end to this nightmare, but something tells me that won’t be the case. If it was simple, he would have woken me up to deal with Chester.
He’s so… masculine. And damn, he’s hot. His appearance is at odds with his demeanor though. He looks tough, intimidating even, but he handles me gently. He seems to care, and even if it’s just because it’s his job, I’ll take it.
I only wish we could’ve met under different circumstances. Like years ago before Chester damaged my ability to trust and try again. The man I used to be was confident when it came to dating. If I’d seen a guy who looked like Aster at a club—or hell, even the grocery store—I would’ve had no problem asking for his number and inviting him back to my place.
Not for the first time, I envision what he looks like naked. Is all that rippled, tan, tattooed skin smooth or rough? Would he touch me like a man who knows what he wants or let me take the lead? Is he the top of my dreams who would rearrange my insides? I’ll never find out, but fuck do I wish I could. Even if he wasn’t here to save me from my psycho stalker, I’m hardly dating material. I’m not sure I could casually hook up even if I wanted to. I sure could use the company of a warm body after so many cold nights, but I’m too skittish to even try.
Otto lifts his head, blinking at me as his tail thumps slowly on his owner’s thighs. That’s another cute thing about Aster. He looks like a guy who would have a big dog, like a pittie or a Doberman, but he’s got this little fluff of a dog. It’s adorable.
I reach out to scratch Otto’s head, but find myself dragging my hand over Aster’s broad chest. Oh god, now I’m a creeper. I pull my hand away and sit back on the couch, out of reach of the gorgeous man inches away, but as I do, I get the distinct feeling of being watched.
I blow out a breath, gasping softly when it comes out in a visible cloud, and a shiver runs down my back.
“Aster?”
He doesn’t move, but Otto growls in my direction, his eyes focused past me.
“Um, guide ghost?” What was his name? “C-crash? Aster? Someone?”
I try to get off the couch, but I’m unable to move, as if I’m paralyzed. Otto growls and barks loudly, startling Aster awake.
“What’s going on?” he asks, scrubbing his hand over his face. He focuses on me and as his eyes grow wide, a spike of fear spreads through me. “Get away from him,” Aster says, his voice stern. “Let him go.”
Otto jumps off Aster’s lap, barking wildly, until his mouth snaps shut and he yelps, jumping behind the armchair.
“Aster? I can’t move.”
Aster stands up, bracing himself against whatever he sees that I can’t. “Listen to me, Horror, you’re fucking with the wrong guy. Let him go and deal with me like a man.”
My body is pressed tighter against the back of the couch before I’m lifted into the air and slammed against the ceiling. I yelp in shock as pain seers through my chest, powerless against this unseen force.
“So you’re a coward,” Aster taunts. “You know I can see you so you don’t want to fuck with me.” Aster nods, folding his arms across his chest. “But that checks out. Guys like you are always cowards. You prey on people you perceive as weak, but you’re the weak one. You’re the dead one.”
Aster ducks just in time to avoid a barrage of books flying off my shelves straight for him.
“That’s it, huh?” Aster says, standing again. “You can throw things but you won’t face me. Fight me.”
“Aster, no.”
A loud thumping noise comes from the staircase, and as I turn my head, I see the outline of what looks like a man.
Aster looks relieved. “Where the hell have you been, Crash?”
“Trapped in the attic with the other spirits, but I got free.”
My eyes go wide when I hear the disembodied voice.
“The Horror figured out how to confine us.”
Aster turns his attention ahead again. “You think you’re clever, huh? I’m smarter than you, and I’m going to drag you back where you belong. It’s my entire purpose. So you can throw all the tantrums you want, but I’m not leaving.”
The front door flies open, slamming against the wall, and the room fills with a whirlpool wind sucking things toward the entrance. Aster grabs the stair banister and his dog, digging in his heels.
“I’m not leaving.” He manages to kick the door shut with his foot, and he, along with various items, falls to the floor. “You’re not strong enough yet,” he pants. “You better hope you get to full strength before I banish you.”
The doors and windows rattle as a strange noise fills my head, spreading through me like a virus. I couldn’t tell you if I’m imagining it or if it’s even real, but it hurts my ears.
“What’s your name, Horror?” Aster’s voice replaces the ear-shattering sound plaguing me, and as I open my eyes, my breath hitches. Aster is standing on my couch, reaching up and seemingly grabbing onto something or someone I can’t see. “Tell me your name.”
Aster jerks and flies across the room, slamming into the wall, and I scream, “No!”
I fall too, thankfully landing on the couch. Suddenly, Aster is beside me, pulling me into his arms. His dog jumps between us, licking my face. I tremble, trying to catch my breath, and press my face into the crook of Aster’s neck.
“You’re okay now,” he says, rubbing my back. “I’ve got you.”
I pull back enough to see his face. “Are you okay?”
He nods, smiling. “Takes a lot to hurt me.” He brushes my hair from my face. “Did it hurt you?”
I shake my head. “Just scared me. It was like I was paralyzed or something. I couldn’t get to you.”
His brow creases. “He’s gaining strength and ability. He trapped Crash and the others.”
“I heard Crash speak. I saw his outline.”
“Yeah? That’s interesting.”
Aster looks to his left for a moment and nods before directing his gaze back to me.
“Can we call Jocelyn?” he asks. “I have a question or two.”
“Of course.” Neither of us makes a move, and before I can overthink it, the words are out of my mouth. “I don’t want you to let me go. I feel safe right now.”
He tightens his hold around my waist. “I don’t want to let you go either. I’m responsible for you and he got to you as soon as I let my guard down. I’m sorry, Hudson.”
“That’s not it. We’re not dealing with a regular person, obviously. You have to sleep too.”
“That’s why I want to talk to Jocelyn. She might know some protections we can use.”
“They don’t teach you that stuff at your job?”
He scoffs. “It’s on-the-job training.” He rests his hand on my cheek. “I’ll do everything I can to keep you safe.”
“I know. I haven’t believed anyone in almost two years, but I believe you. I don’t even know why.”
“He didn’t destroy your instincts. It may have felt like that, but he didn’t.”
I nod, blinking back the emotions building inside me. “Prove me right, please. Don’t make me regret trusting you.”
“I promise,” he says, and as he leans closer, I’d swear he’s gonna kiss me, but he stops short just as his warm breath fans across my lips.
Is it weird that I want this man, this near stranger, to kiss me? It’s gotta be the trauma talking.
“My life depends on saving yours,” he says, dragging his thumb across my chin. “And even if my own fate wasn’t tied up in this…” He pauses, swallowing so hard I see his Adam’s apple bobble in his throat.
“What?”
“I care, Hudson. Seeing this up close, I could never turn my back on you. I wouldn’t be able to sit back and let this happen without doing everything I can to help. You don’t deserve this. Not now and not before.”
“I’ve replayed every interaction with Chester a thousand times, looking for what I did wrong, you know? Did I lead him on? Did I say the wrong thing?”
“It’s not something you did. It’s how he was wired and apparently still is.”
“That’s what the therapist told me. I’m working on believing it, but it’s hard when he’s still here. Still stalking me. Why, Aster? Our relationship was casual at best and over quickly. What is it about me that he’s so obsessed with?”
“There’s no good answer, but maybe he was attracted to the same qualities I see in you. Maybe he wanted his dark, miserable soul to be in your light for a while. Maybe he saw something good and beautiful in you and wanted it for himself because he’s never had anything good or beautiful in his life.”
I stare at Aster in amazement. Is he even real?
When he brushes his fingers across my cheek, my eyelids flutter, and I release a strangled noise.
“Maybe he just couldn’t resist you,” Aster says softly. “He knew a good thing when he saw it, but he was too damaged to hold on to it in the right way. Someday, someone will see you for all the wonderful things you are, and they’ll know how to keep you and love you the right way. I hope you learn to believe that.”
“I think you should be a therapist.”
Aster chuckles. “I don’t think you’d say that if you looked back at my own dating history.” His smile fades as his gaze softens. “Just know that no matter what happens, I’m here for you. I’m not leaving until it’s resolved. You have my word, Hudson.”
I nod, sniffling and blowing out a breath. “Should we call Joss now?”
“Let’s do that.”
As Aster releases me and we both get to our feet, there’s a deep sense of loss. I weirdly liked the way his arms felt around me and the way his gaze bored into me. He seems to understand me more than a lot of people who have known me much longer.
One thing I won’t do though, is trauma bond. I have to keep a clear head and not let this little crush blossom into something that will only set me back in the long run. I have no idea how I’m going to do that, but at least I’m aware of the potential for it.
Aster smiles, taking my phone from me when I hand it to him. It’s a comforting smile, full of the promise he just gave me and something else I’m trying to ignore. The way he makes me feel scares me more than the ghost currently haunting me.
“Hi, Jocelyn,” he says. “This is Aster. Hudson’s fine, but I have some questions for you. Got any protection wards up your sleeve?”