Chapter 19
“Is she asleep?” Hudson asked quietly later that night as Layton tiptoed down the hall. She sank down on the opposite end of the couch as him, and the gap between them made him want to tug her closer. Pull her hair out of that messy ponytail and run his hands through it. Show her that he didn’t want them to simply be temporary roommates.
“She is,” Layton confirmed. “That playdate wore Caroline out. I’m so thankful she’s in a good daycare. They have afterschool care, too, which is awesome, because I’ll need something next year when Caroline starts Kindergarten.”
“What age do kids start that?” he asked, feeling completely out of his element.
“Five. She’s a summer birthday, so she’ll be turning five in July.” He listened to her continue talking about her daughter, realizing he didn’t even know Layton’s birthday. The baby was due in December. It felt like time was already flying by.
“And next week is my first ultrasound.”
His ears perked up. “Next week? Can they tell if it’s a boy or a girl yet?”
“No, it’s too soon. Usually, they get you in around eight weeks, but since I just moved here, I needed to shop around for a good OBGYN. I got some great recommendations from the moms at daycare.”
He frowned.
“What’s wrong?”
Hudson shook his head. “I just feel so uninvolved at this point.”
Layton reached out, and Hudson eagerly took her hand as she scooted closer. “Hey. There will be a million things to do. The beginning kind of drags on. I mean, I know my body’s changing, but no one else can really tell yet. But the good news is my morning sickness is finally, finally better.”
She was squeezing his hand, and Hudson grinned. “I’m glad. So you had fun with Emersyn tonight?”
“Yeah, we had a great dinner. I couldn’t drink of course but had a fun mocktail. I was so relieved that my mom friend from daycare could watch Caroline.”
“What happened with that anyway? The showing took longer than expected?” he asked.
Layton explained what happened, and Hudson’s body stiffened. “The entire place was ransacked? What if they’d been there when you arrived?” he asked, his blood pressure rising. Layton could have been inside the property, helpless and alone. He’d been training with his teammates on base and would’ve had no idea that she needed help.
She let out a soft sigh. “That’s what Em said, too. I mean, anything’s possible, right? Someone could break into your home or mine. It’s not simply my job that poses those risks. Bad things could happen anywhere.”
“That’s not the same,” he countered, keeping hold of her hand. After what she’d told him, it was like he needed that connection to her, to prove to himself that she was okay.
“It’s not unheard of for someone to gain unauthorized access to a lockbox,” Layton explained. “That’s a risk anywhere. Honestly, I’m more concerned about some of the drug cartels here on the island. Maybe I’m aware of that more than most people given Emersyn’s situation.” Hudson clenched his jaw. Emersyn’s kidnapping a few months back had been terrifying for Aaron and the team, and he was certain that Layton had been equally alarmed.
“Apparently, some cartel members have been stashing drugs in vacant homes,” she continued. “They’ll sneak in during a showing or open house, then come back for them. Sometimes they even leave a back door unlocked if it’s a larger stash. It’s gutsy, given anyone could stumble onto them.”
“Damn it,” Hudson cursed. “That’s outrageous. HPD needs to be on that, stat. Did Emersyn tell you about this or the other realtors?”
“Actually, the other real estate agents did, which surprised me. I thought Em would’ve had all the latest intelligence on any cartel schemes on the island. This isn’t where the drugs come in, but it’s more the actual dealers who are moving product around the island. I know that Emersyn can’t share any classified information with me, but I think it’s safe to say she’d tell me if I were in danger.”
“Absolutely,” he agreed. “I don’t like any of this. What’s your real estate office’s solution?”
Layton frowned. “Not much. We’re supposed to be aware of the situation and screen our clients more thoroughly. We do obtain a driver’s license before showing them a home. If they have a fake ID, however, I’m not sure how we’d know. Obviously, I’m always cautious, but I’m not a trained police officer or something.”
“I don’t like it,” Hudson grumbled.
Layton laughed and squeezed his hand, then dropped it as she stood up. “Of course you don’t, but you can’t be everywhere at once. Are you going to drop out of the Navy and become a realtor to show homes with me? I don’t think so.”
Hudson followed her into the kitchen. “You can’t just drop out of the Navy,” he muttered.
“Exactly.”
Layton went to the fridge to get a drink, and Hudson’s gaze swept over her. A feeling of déjà vu washed over him. They’d been in Emersyn’s kitchen alone all those months ago, and his eyes had been glued on her then. Layton was just as tempting now. More so. She pulled her phone from her pocket as it buzzed and read over the text, turning back around.
“Augh. Some of these homebuyers,” she muttered.
“What do they want?” Hudson asked.
“I’m convinced some of my clients think I can just wave a magic wand and instantly make their problems go away. Or poof! I can produce the perfect home for a price lower than they’re willing to pay and magically get them the money they need.”
“Sounds like a fairy tale,” Hudson quipped.
“Yep. Exactly.”
She carried the pitcher of water to the counter and poured herself a glass.
“I’m sure you can handle them, princess.”
Layton shot him a look. She was feistier now that she was pregnant. Maybe it was the hormones or something, but Hudson found it turned him on even more. Plus, she already looked different. Prettier, if that was possible. Layton claimed no one would notice the changes in her body yet, but she was wrong. Hudson noticed them. Her breasts were bigger. Fuller. And she really did have that pregnancy glow she’d mentioned. Her cheeks were flushed, her hair lush and shiny. Even the swell of her hips seemed slightly bigger. Sexier. Hudson imagined wrapping his hands around them as Layton rode him to ecstasy. Only, this time, they’d be in his bed.
Yeah. He definitely wanted that. Layton in his bedroom, naked beneath his sheets. He could imagine her blonde hair spread over his pillow, her jasmine scent on his things.
Damn, he was a goner.
“Let’s go out on a date,” he abruptly said.
“What? Why?”
“Because we’re having a baby together. Because we’re living together.”
“Hudson. I’m moving out next week. We both knew this was a temporary arrangement until my things arrived. And I’m not sure us dating is the best idea. I mean, obviously I’m attracted to you,” she said, gesturing to her stomach, “but everything is complicated now.”
He stalked closer, watching as her eyes widened. He was done wasting time, done stalling. He wanted Layton and wasn’t going to stand back and watch his life pass him by. “What if something had happened to you today?” he asked in a low voice. “I care about you. I want you. Let’s go on a date because the idea of you with any other man guts me.” Her breath caught, and then he pulled that messy ponytail free so her blonde hair spilled over her shoulders. One of his hands landed on her waist, and he gave her a gentle squeeze. His other hand tangled in her hair. Her eyes filled with arousal as he ducked lower. Closer. Those pretty lips of hers parted, and then Hudson’s mouth was finally on hers, hot and hungry.
Layton was flushed and gasping as they parted, the look in her eyes telling him all he needed to know. “We can’t go out on a date right now. What about Caroline?”
“Another night,” he said, ducking for a second kiss. “I’ll take you out. Bring you flowers.” He kissed her again, harder this time. His cock twitched, already swelling against his boxer briefs, and he knew she could feel how badly he wanted her. Layton whimpered but yielded to his control of the kiss, Hudson’s tongue sliding inside her mouth. The way Layton clung to him made him feel about ten feet tall. She wanted him. Needed him.
“I want you now,” she pleaded, her hands fisting his tee shirt.
“I told you I’d never turn you down.” Hudson’s lips quirked, and then he lifted her into his muscled arms as she clung to him in surprise.
“But Caroline—”
“I’ll take you to my room, princess. That’s where I wanted you the first time. It just took longer than I’d planned to get here.” Longer to make love to her how he wanted to. Longer to let her into his heart. He was done making mistakes and would do whatever he could to prove that to her.
Still holding Layton in his arms, he shut his bedroom door and locked it behind them. “Good idea. I don’t want Caroline waking up and coming in here.”
He pressed his lips together.
“Hudson?”
He shook his head. “I always lock my bedroom door anyway. Just a habit I got in as a kid.”
A look of sadness crossed her face. “Don’t feel sorry for me, princess,” he said, carrying her toward his bed. “I’m here with you now, aren’t I? Seems I did okay.”
He placed her in front of him, Layton so much smaller than he was. Her nipples were pebbled against her tank top, and he thrilled at knowing the effect he had on her. “Let’s take these pretties out to play,” he murmured, his voice thick with desire. Hudson fisted the bottom of her tank and then lifted it over her head. She gasped as Hudson’s large hand palmed one breast, his hand looking masculine and rough against her creamy, smooth skin.
“Hudson,” she breathed.
“You want me to stop, kitten?” He nailed her with a gaze before watching her breasts rise and fall. His thumb skated over her nipple, and Layton whimpered. “I didn’t think so,” he said, continuing his sensual assault. Ducking, he took one nipple in his mouth. It was pretty and perfect, just like the rest of her.
She squealed in surprise, and he gentled his suction. “You’re sensitive now,” he murmured, palming her other breast.
“Yes.”
“Mmmm.” He laved at her nipple, his tongue firm, and Layton actually moaned for him.
“That’s right, princess. I want you to feel good.” His hands were pushing down her elastic-waist shorts and panties next, taking them both in one swoop. “Lie back on the bed for me,” he said, staring at her with reverence. She did as he asked, but propped herself up on her elbows to watch.
“Good girl,” he murmured, spreading her thighs.
“Hudson.”
He kissed one inner thigh as she fell back on the bed, and Layton flushed as he lifted her legs over his shoulders. She was spread wide for him, her pussy glistening with arousal, and he pushed closer, his face inches from her sex. “Now I’m gonna taste you.”