Chapter 22
Hudson pulled up to the parking lot near their favorite beach three weeks later, grinning like a fool. Layton looked cute as hell beside him, her baby bump barely beginning to show. She was already fifteen weeks pregnant and had explained that women showed sooner with their second baby. Her body was changing in intriguing ways, and he loved exploring her the nights he stayed over at her place.
He’d feasted on her last night and swore she tasted even sweeter than just weeks ago. Layton’s cries of pleasure were something he’d never tire of hearing. It didn’t seem possible, but she was sexier with each passing day. It had sucked having her move out of his home, but they’d both known the arrangement had been temporary. He hated to admit it, because he’d come to love having them there, but Layton was right about Caroline deserving her own bedroom and space. She might be a young child, but they’d only just uprooted their lives and moved to Hawaii. Being raised in foster care, Hudson was painfully aware how important it was to feel you had a place of your own. It was lonely as hell in his house now, a description he’d never once have used before, but he tried to get over to see them a couple nights a week.
“Are we here?” Caroline asked excitedly from the backseat. “We’re at the secret beach?”
Hudson eyed her in the rearview mirror. “That we are, your majesty,” he said with a nod, pretending to tip his cap.
Caroline giggled hysterically. She’d overheard Hudson call her mom “princess” and had declared that she would be queen. She did seem to rule the house, but the little girl absolutely loved when he played along with her game.
“Should I help your mom out of the carriage first or you?” he asked, pausing as he waited for her answer.
“I’m a big kid! I can do it myself,” she said, looking exasperated.
Hudson bit back his smile, exchanging a look with Layton. “She’s independent,” Layton needlessly explained.
“Just like her mother,” Hudson said with a wink. He was getting out of the car as Caroline unbuckled her seatbelt, but he left her door closed for now. Layton had explained all about the childproof locks on the back doors of vehicles, and he’d quickly made sure his were set. Caroline may be independent, but he didn’t want her rushing off in the parking lot and getting hurt.
Hudson lifted the back hatch, easily putting the three beach chairs over his shoulder. Caroline had turned around and was peering over the backseat, instructing them not to forget her bucket and beach toys. “Chloe’s mom said they might go to the beach this weekend,” she told them.
“Oh yeah? Do you think there are many beaches around here?” Hudson joked.
“Silly! We live on an island!”
Shaking her head, Layton went to gather her daughter while Hudson shut the hatch.
The party was in full swing by the time they arrived, and he quickly brought his girls over to say hello and meet Callie and Alexa. Working that thought over in his mind, he realized they were his girls. He and Layton had essentially slid into a relationship together. It was fast, but it didn’t feel wrong. The nights he didn’t see her, he made sure to talk on the phone or text. She’d excitedly tell him about a home sale she made or a home she’d listed, and he’d share what he could of training that day.
It almost felt picture perfect, which was a dangerous thing to say. When Hudson was growing up, he was always waiting for the other shoe to drop. Although he had a dangerous job, it wasn’t his career as a SEAL that gave him pause. Hudson had a gut feeling that something else was coming. He could be wrong, but his instincts were never off. He just wished he could pinpoint what specifically he should be watching out for.
“Hi! We’re so glad to finally meet you!” Callie gushed, giving Layton a hug. She looked surprised for a beat at Callie’s exuberance but then relaxed, easily chatting with the other woman. Caroline ran off to see her aunt, and Hudson felt himself relaxing.
“Hey man,” Sawyer said, handing him a beer. “About time you two showed up.”
“Yeah, yeah. Layton tells me this is nothing. Once the baby comes, we’ll be rushing and likely late to every single thing.”
“Sounds about right,” Sawyer said with a chuckle. He shook his head. “I still can’t believe you’re about to be a dad. It wasn’t too long ago we were cruising the bars every night. Now I have to go it alone.”
Hudson took a pull of his beer. “What about Ryan?”
“Eh. We’ll meet up sometimes at Coconuts, but I think he’s still hung up on Avery,” Sawyer said.
“I didn’t think they knew each other that well,” Hudson admitted. “She wasn’t here that long when she visited Aaron.”
“Some of us didn’t think you knew Layton in the biblical sense,” Sawyer smirked.
Hudson narrowed his gaze.
“Easy,” Sawyer said with a laugh. “You two kids are cute together. How’s it working now that she moved out again?”
Hudson shook his head. “It sucks. I liked having them there but understood why they needed to go. Their entire lives were boxed up in shipping containers. They need their own space to get settled in.”
“You just wish that space was in your house,” Sawyer said knowingly.
Ryan strode over to them, swiping his phone with a smile.
“What’s up, buddy?” Hudson asked curiously.
“Avery’s planning to come back to visit next month. She’s still hoping to take a full-time position with Doctors Without Borders, which Aaron is pissed about,” he added in a low voice. “He thinks it’s too dangerous, but I can’t wait to see her again. We’ve kept in touch.”
“I’d say so given that shit-eating grin on your face,” Sawyer commented dryly.
Ryan shrugged. “She’s fun. Funny. Gorgeous,” he added.
“There goes another one,” Hudson muttered.
Laughter erupted from the group of women a few feet away, and Sawyer’s gaze flicked from Layton over to Hudson. “Your girl looks pretty happy. She keeps sneaking glances your way.”
Hudson’s chest filled with warmth. She was his girl. He cared about her, liked spending time with her, loved their passionate nights, and she was having his baby. Did he love her? He had to admit he wasn’t certain yet. He’d grown up without normal examples of what love was like. The thought of anything happening to Layton made his chest ache, and he knew that he’d die to protect her. If that wasn’t love, he wasn’t sure what was. He hadn’t told her those three little words, but it felt like it was coming. Each day that passed made him want her more and want for them all to be together—Layton, her daughter, and him—like a real family.
***
“What’s up, baby mama?” Hudson asked with a smirk as he strode over to Layton. After the two of them had arrived together with Caroline in tow, everyone had been congratulating them about the baby. It was the first time Layton had met the other women. She’d already met the team, of course, but Layton hadn’t stuck around the last beach party long enough to say hello, let alone meet anyone new. Maybe it should’ve felt awkward today, but instead, it just seemed right. The men were happy to see her again, and the women had welcomed her into their fray.
“I’m just chatting with Callie,” Layton said, beaming. She flushed as he ducked to give her a quick kiss right then and there. Callie was grinning at them, but Hudson’s attention was focused solely on Layton. When he looked at her that way, it made her heart catch. Neither one of them had said the L word yet, but she could feel it.
Yes, they were wildly passionate in bed, but it was more. He’d help her with stuff around the house even though he had his own home to maintain. He played with her daughter and took care of them both.
When she’d had a brief relapse of morning sickness the other day, Hudson had held her hair back as she got sick. It was mortifying, but he hadn’t missed a beat, helping her back into bed and bringing her a glass of water to sip on.
“You guys are so cute together,” Callie admitted.
“Cute?” Hudson grumbled, mock-annoyed.
“I said what I said,” Callie told him with a laugh.
Hudson shook his head, an amused look on his face. “Where’s Wyatt when I need him?”
Alexa hurried over to join the group just then. “Sorry I had to rush off before. But look at you, Layton, you look amazing!” she gushed. “I’m a photographer. If you ever want maternity photos—or family photos,” she added with a sly look, “I’m your girl.”
“Alexa has amazing photography skills,” Callie told her. “I’ve even put some things on my blog.”
“Wow! Well, I’m sure I’ll be taking you up on that offer at some point. How could I refuse gorgeous maternity shots on the beach? I’ll have to wait a few more months,” she said, absentmindedly putting a hand on her belly. “I’m sure you know all the best locations.”
“Of course! I’ll save room in my calendar, and we can touch base closer to your due date to schedule something. Hawaii has some incredible sunrises and sunsets, so we’ll aim for one of those. Hopefully, we’ll get Hudson in some of the pictures,” she added with a smile.
Layton’s gaze drifted over to where the other men were laughing over beers. Someone had thoughtfully brought mocktails for her to enjoy, and there were even juice boxes for Caroline. Hudson was still at her side though, making sure she was comfortable.
“What kind of blogger are you?” she asked Callie.
The other woman launched into an explanation of her travel blogging and her newest blog focusing solely on the island. “I should interview you,” Callie said. “Sometimes I interview local business owners. You’re a realtor, but sometimes tourists are looking to buy property. Even thought my focus is on tourist hotspots, I like to mix it up a bit.”
“Yeah, that’d be great,” Layton said in surprise. “It’d be a good way to get my name out there.”
“Of course,” Callie said. “We’ll figure out a time.”
“You sure that’s a good idea?” Hudson asked as they wandered away from the women to grab some food. Caroline was excitedly telling Emersyn and Aaron a story, and for the moment, the two of them were alone.
Layton looked surprised. “Well, realtors have to constantly find new clients. I just took a headshot the other day at the office, so my photo will be up on the website. I’ll have business cards and postcards that I mail out. That’s all standard when you’re in real estate.”
“I suppose,” he said with a frown.
She grabbed onto his forearm, lightly caressing his skin. Hudson was tanner than her from his days out on the water, and his muscled arm felt big and masculine beneath her fingers. “Hey. I know your line of work is in the business of keeping things a secret, but when you’re dealing with the public, you have to get your name out there. It’s no different from any other business. I’m new in town and appreciate Callie’s help.”
“I know. I just worry about you,” he said, concern briefly filling his dark gaze.
“I know. You’re protective, and I like that about you,” she admitted. “My ex-husband didn’t seem to give a crap. I mean, he was literally sleeping around while we were married. You may think you’re not good with kids or aren’t used to a normal family, but you’re absolutely wrong. You’re an incredible man and will be a great dad.”
His eyes filled with warmth. “And I already know you’re an amazing mom. Your kid loves you with all her heart. You’re lucky.”
“Well, our baby will be lucky to have both of us.”
Hudson cleared his throat, his eyes serious. “I know it’s still months way, but I’m hoping we’ll have a different living situation then. I’d like if we could all be together.”
Happiness flooded through her. “I’d like that, too. You’d probably have to move into my place though. Yours is smaller.”
Hudson’s lips quirked. “Only thing about me that’s small,” he joked.
She flushed, knowing he was right. She loved that he was so much larger than her, and yes, the man was big everywhere. “Stop teasing me,” she said as she shushed him. “Everyone will see me blushing.”
He leaned closer, his lips at her ear as his arm wrapped around her waist. “You seem to like when I tease you in bed, princess.” She giggled but playfully swatted at him, waving as her daughter ran toward them.
That night Hudson stayed over again, and they made love slow and sweet. It felt more passionate than before. More meaningful. Hudson laid her on the bed and took her slow and deep, staring into her eyes, his full of emotions she couldn’t read. The words ‘I love you’ had almost spilled from her lips. He might not have said them yet either, but she could tell by his actions, by the sweet way he held her. Hudson was it for her, the only man she wanted. And in a matter of months, the baby they’d made together out of their passion would be born.