Chapter 12
CHAPTER 12
Hudson
T he afternoon had been a mix of chores and anticipation. I spent part of the day cleaning my room and the mancave, scrubbing it spotless as if tonight was going to be important. Alex didn’t come down here much, even though it was set up with every guy's dream—a media room, huge screen television, leather sofas, fully stocked fridge. He preferred the family room upstairs, watching TV with my mom.
They did their monthly Costco haul together, stocking up on cases of juices, Snapple, iced teas, and snacks for the candy bar in the media room. It was mostly for me and my friends, though I didn’t have enough people over to make a dent in the stash. I tidied up, threw out old wrappers, vacuumed, and restocked the drinks in the fridge. The clock above the bar showed she’d be here soon, and I was surprised she’d gotten a night away from Evan.
My phone buzzed.
I’m on my way.
I checked the time; she was early. I quickly jumped in the shower, scrubbing off the dust and sweat, then threw on a pair of ripped jeans and a black T-shirt. Just before she arrived, I sprayed on some cologne, feeling that strange mix of nerves and anticipation.
When the doorbell rang, I swung it open. “Hey,” I said, trying to sound casual, but the moment she stepped in, she melted into my arms, the evening chill clinging to her like a second skin. I wrapped her tight, inhaling the scent of her hair.
“What’s wrong?” I asked, feeling her shiver.
“Everything.” She pulled back to look at me, her eyes rimmed with worry. “I have something to tell you.”
I took her cold hand, squeezing it gently. “Come downstairs.” I led her into the mancave, taking her coat and tossing it onto the arm of the sectional. She took in the room, looking impressed.
“This place is really nice,” she said, managing a faint smile. “Is this your room?”
“Sort of. Alex calls it his mancave, but he’s never down here. My actual bedroom is over there.” I pointed to a door past the bar, and we both sank into the couch. I leaned forward, elbows on my knees. “What’s up?”
She took a shaky breath. “You’ll be happy to know I broke up with Evan.”
My eyebrows shot up. “Is this…for good?”
She gave a humorless laugh. “He’s cheating on me. And it’s with your girlfriend.”
I frowned, feeling my stomach tighten. “I’m just seeing Reagan…we’re not official.”
But if what Presley said was true, then Reagan had played her cards just right. She had a reputation, and it wouldn’t surprise me if Evan, frustrated with Presley’s boundaries, had taken advantage. Still, I wanted to believe it wasn’t true.
Presley was hugging herself, looking lost. “You were right. He hurt me. I should’ve ended it for good last time we broke up.”
I reached out, squeezing her knee gently. “Pres, how do you know? What evidence do you have?”
Without a word, she reached into her coat pocket and pulled out a red lace bra, holding it up between us.
“That…could be anyone’s,” I said, hesitating.
“I thought so too. But last week, we were in the locker room changing for class, and she had the panties—just the panties. I even made a joke that she must’ve gotten dressed in the dark, and she just shrugged.”
“You think she slept with Evan?”
She nodded, sniffling, her fingers trembling as she dropped the bra in her lap. I could feel my heart racing, torn between wanting this to be my chance with her and hating that she was hurting.
“I’m sorry,” I said softly, meaning it.
She looked up, a faint spark of accusation in her eyes. “You’re not sorry. I know you’re not.”
I inched closer, meeting her gaze. “You’re right. I’m not. I hated seeing you with him, especially because I know who he is. He’s not for you, Pres.”
She exhaled, and a hint of a smile played on her lips. “Truth or dare?”
I grinned, trying to lighten the tension. “You still haven’t done your dare from last time.”
“But that’s scheduled. Tomorrow, after school.” She raised an eyebrow. “Now, truth or dare?”
“Truth.”
“Do you want to kiss me?”
I let out a short laugh, though my pulse hammered. Kiss her? God, I wanted to pull her into my bed, explore every inch of her, and make her mine. But I shook my head, holding onto that last bit of control. “Pres, you just broke up with Evan.”
She slid closer, her lips a breath away from my neck, her voice a teasing whisper. “Does that really matter?”
I swallowed loudly, my jaw clenched as I fought the pull between us. “If it were that easy…” I muttered, but the words sounded hollow, even to me.
She pressed her lips to my neck, sending a shiver down my spine. “It is that easy,” she murmured, her breath hot against my skin. Her fingers grazed my jaw as her gaze locked onto mine, daring me to make the next move. “Your room is right there.”
I exhaled slowly, hands finding the small of her back, feeling the warmth of her body pressed against mine. Her lips brushed along my cheek, trailing fire in their wake. Everything inside me screamed to give in, to cross that line. But I hesitated, holding her gaze.
“Presley… it’s not a good idea. Not now.”
Her hand slid down my torso, stopping just above my zipper, and I tensed, every nerve in my body on high alert. “Truth,” she challenged softly, her voice low. “Tell me you don’t want me.”
I pressed my face into her hair, breathing in the scent of her. “It’s not your turn to ask,” I replied, voice barely above a whisper. “But if you must know—I want so much more than just a kiss.”
She nipped my earlobe, sending a jolt of desire straight through me. My whole body tightened, the ache intensifying with every second. Her hands roamed, her fingers tangling in my hair, her touch as intoxicating as it was irresistible.
"God, Presley," I groaned, feeling my restraint slipping. Her breath was warm against my cheek, her words whispered like a sinful promise. “You don’t know what you do to me.”
“Why?” she teased, her lips close to mine. “Because I want to get you naked, let you taste me, or because I want to ride you until we both fall apart?”
Her words hit like gasoline on an open flame. I gripped her waist, pulling her under me, my hips pressing down to meet hers, feeling her heat through the thin fabric between us. She gasped, her eyes wide as our bodies moved in rhythm, the weight of our desire settling between us. She ran her hand through my hair, her touch tender and intense.
“You turned out perfect,” she whispered, her gaze searching mine.
I leaned closer, my lips brushing her ear. “And you turned out beautiful, just like I always knew you would. You have so much to give.”
Her eyes softened, and she cupped my face, guiding me closer. “Kiss me, Hudson.”
I couldn’t resist any longer. I captured her lips, letting the kiss build slowly, savoring the taste of her. Her hands slid around my neck, pulling me down until our bodies were flush against each other. Even through her sweater, I could feel the press of her chest against mine, the softness of her skin beneath my hands.
Her lips parted, and her tongue traced my bottom lip. I caught it between mine, tasting her sweetness, my mind flashing to those cherry Blow Pops she loved as a kid. Our kiss grew deeper, her legs wrapping around me as I lost myself in the heat between us. I shifted, pressing harder against her, seeking out the perfect angle that had her gasping softly against my mouth.
“Naked,” she breathed, her voice barely a whisper.
I drew back just a fraction, meeting her gaze. “Let me do this right,” I murmured, one hand tracing gentle circles on her waist.
Her legs locked tighter around my back, and she matched my rhythm, her breaths quickening with each movement. As she trembled beneath me, her head pressed back into the couch, her moans filling the room, her hands clinging to me until she finally relaxed, her whole body soft and flushed. I brushed her hair from her face, pressing soft kisses along her cheeks and jaw, watching the pink blush flood her skin as she met my gaze.
“Oh God, Huddy, that was… incredible.”
I smirked, brushing my lips along her collarbone, savoring the warmth of her skin. “Would it make me an ass if I told you I want you to sit on my face?” I murmured against her neck. “I want to taste you, Presley… have you come for me again.”
Her wide eyes met mine, her lips parted in a soft gasp. When she didn’t answer right away, I leaned close, my voice a low whisper. “You did say you wanted it, didn’t you? And trust me, it’s not just for you. I want to taste you.”
A low groan escaped her lips. “Hudson…”
I pulled back, watching her face. “Come to my room,” I said, my hand resting against her cheek. But even as I held her close, I saw her eyes shift, that flicker of doubt starting to creep in. I leaned back, easing away.
“Or…” I suggested, softer now. “Maybe we just watch a movie. Whatever you want.”
She bit her lip, nodding slowly, a bit of color returning to her cheeks. “Titanic?” she asked, almost shyly.
I grinned, pulling her up with me. “Titanic it is.” I led her toward the media room, its cozy stadium seats and soft lighting giving the perfect escape. Presley pressed a soft kiss to my mouth before curling up in one of the front seats, her hand still entwined with mine. Her fingers brushed my knuckles as we settled in, the warmth between us lingering even as I dimmed the lights and set up the movie.
As the credits rolled, she brought my hand to her lips, letting her mouth linger there before giving my hand a light squeeze and resting it back down, her head nestled close to my shoulder.
And as the scenes played out before us, I let myself settle into the quiet, just holding her close, knowing that tonight, whatever happened next, was enough.
She stared ahead at the screen and snuggled in deeper against the seat, leaning toward me.
“Hudson?” Presley’s voice cut through the dim glow of the TV, her gaze still fixed on the scene where Kate Winslet arrived on the Titanic, complaining about the ship’s size.
“Yes?” I kept my eyes on her, waiting.
She took a deep breath. “Can I stay here tonight?”
My pulse quickened as her words hung in the still air. I turned, studying her face for any hint, but she kept her eyes averted.
“Here?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
“In your bed.” She shifted, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. “My parents are in the city for the weekend, and Neil is with his friends. The house is empty… and I hate being there alone. It creaks.” She shuddered, laughing nervously.
I smirked, leaning toward her. “It’s the ghosts,” I teased. “They know you’re alone.”
She gasped, mouth falling open as she swatted my arm. “You’re such an ass! Now I’m definitely not going back there alone.”
Laughing, I reached for her hand, pulling it to my lips. I let her index finger slip between them, gently licking the tip. She inhaled sharply, her eyes widening, and before I knew it, she was climbing over the arm of the chair, curling up into my lap. She rested her head against my chest, and I wrapped my arms around her, my fingers tracing slow circles on her back. This felt right—so painfully right—but we hadn’t defined what “this” even was.
Presley let out a soft sigh as I traced my fingertips along her spine, and she melted into me, curling her fingers into my shirt. The movie played on, forgotten, the quiet hum of it underscoring the heat building between us. Her lips brushed my neck, lingering just below my ear.
“I like this,” she whispered, barely audible.
“I do too, Pres,” I murmured, holding her closer. “I missed you.”
She nestled deeper into my chest. “I never stopped thinking about you. You know I told you things I never told anyone else.” She paused, as if caught between past and present.
The memories were still vivid—the closeness and what felt like love, the letters. She’d been my first kiss, the first girl I ever held hands with. But when my dad died, I pulled away, convinced I’d never see her again. The letters stopped. I didn’t realize until now how much that hurt her.
“I was an idiot,” I said quietly, pressing a kiss to her hair. “I should’ve kept writing.”
Her fingers drifted down my chest, lingering over my heart. “I kept writing to you, you know,” she whispered.
I tilted my head back to look at her. “You… you did?”
She nodded, her cheeks flushing slightly. “I just never sent them. My mom gave me this pink stationery with gold monograms on my birthday when I was thirteen. I thought it was so cool.”
A grin tugged at my lips. “I’d like to see them someday.”
She laughed softly. “I stopped writing last year. It started to feel pointless.”
“Why?” I asked, my hand slipping up the back of her sweater, meeting her bare skin. She shivered at my touch, pressing closer.
She closed her eyes. “I just… couldn’t anymore. But I wrote one more, the day I saw you in the cafeteria. I poured it all out—everything I’d held in since you left. I needed to get it out, all the hurt, the anger.”
I cupped her face gently, tipping her chin until her eyes met mine. “Presley, you don’t need to write anything anymore. I’m here now. I’m not going anywhere.”
Her fingers drifted lower, grazing my ribs and igniting a trail of heat through me. Every nerve in my body was attuned to her, the feel of her fingers, the sound of her breath, the way her gaze held a hint of vulnerability. I’d imagined her a thousand different ways over the years, but nothing compared to the real her, right here.
She looked down, her voice barely a murmur. “I didn’t understand why you stopped contacting me. But I get it now. I should throw the letter away—it’s silly, selfish. You went through something I can’t imagine.” Her hand found mine, and she squeezed it gently. “Losing your dad… I don’t know what I’d do if I lost mine.”
My hands slipped to her hips, gripping them with a quiet intensity, and she straddled me, pressing her forehead to mine. “Pres…” I breathed, her name a plea. She kissed me then, soft and lingering, until it grew more urgent, more desperate. The taste of her filled me—cherries, something warm and sweet I couldn’t name. She moaned softly, shifting her hips against me, igniting something raw and primal.
The sweater she wore had slipped down her shoulder, and I buried my face between her collarbones, breathing her in. She gasped, pulling the fabric aside as I kissed her neck, trailing lower. Her breaths were coming faster now, a whisper of anticipation.
“Hudson,” she moaned, her voice barely above a whimper.
She was so close, her head tipped back as she pressed against me, and I froze, catching her hips and halting her movements. Her eyes snapped open, dark with need.
“Hudson… I was almost there,” she whispered, a hint of frustration in her tone.
I grinned, my voice rough. “I know, Pres.” I cupped her cheek, searching her eyes. “I want you—every inch of you.” My gaze held hers, heavy with unspoken promises. “I need to taste you.”
She melted into my arms, whispering, “Yes… truth or dare?”
I raised an eyebrow, and she smiled coyly. “Truth.”
“Yours or mine?”
She let out a soft laugh. “Mine,” she said, her hand slipping beneath my shirt. Her heart pounded against her chest, mirroring my own.
I stood, lifting her as her legs wrapped around me. Her hair brushed my arms, and she buried her face against my neck, breathing heavily.
“What?” I asked.
“I’d rather you fuck me. I want to come on your cock.”
My dick jolted against the zipper of my jeans, and I stifled a groan. I wanted that but I wanted it all. I wanted to taste every inch of her sweet body before I slide inside her dripping cunt.
“You will but I have other things I want to do to you. Presley, you have no idea how many times I jerked off to you.”
She locked her ankles at the small of my back as I carried her into my room. My parents wouldn’t come down here to check on me. As long as my truck was in the driveway, they would trust I was home for the evening. I gently placed her on my bed and stood over her while she opened her jeans.
I yanked them at the ankles, and they slid down her legs then I dropped them at the bottom of the bed.
“Your turn,” she said, pulling off her sweater.
I sucked in a breath at the sight of her pink lace bra. Her matching panties were cut high revealing her slender hips. I got undressed down to my boxers. I didn’t think my dick could get harder, but it did.
“You’re beautiful. I knew you would look like this,” I said.
Her taut legs quivered in anticipation. I sat on the edge of the bed, hooking my fingers in her panties. The panel between her legs was soaked and my mouth watered thinking about how she would taste. She put her hands over mine and I looked at her with confusion.