Hudson
“Baby, we’re landing,” I murmured as Lucy slept with her head on my shoulder.
I’d kept her up late after the show, but she was an all-too-eager participant in the adrenaline high that I always got after performing.
I used to go to the gym after a show. As it turned out, working it out with her was far more enjoyable.
I kept waiting for my hunger for her to ebb, even a bit. If anything, it grew more explosive with every day.
I certainly wasn’t complaining, and so far, neither was she.
If anything, after the show, I couldn’t say which one of us was more eager to tear each other’s clothes off.
Her head rose, her cheeks flushed as she adorably attempted to blink away sleep.
“I slept through the private jet experience,” she complained once she got her bearings.
“Don’t worry, darlin’. It won’t be your last,” I assured her with a smile.
She leaned over, snuggling into my shoulder. “That was so fun to watch you on stage, honey.” It wasn’t the first time she’d shared those sentiments.
Looking over mid-song to find her watching from the side stage, her expression so full of love and joy for me, had made the experience all the more meaningful.
When I’d dedicated the song we’d written together to her, I’d fought the urge to bring her on stage and kiss her senseless. But there would be time for that.
“You’re in trouble. Now that you’ve come with me, I can’t really see performing without you, unless I have to.”
“We’ll work it out,” she assured me with a sweet smile. “Are we going to stop on the way home and pick up Ranger?”
“Griff’s dropping him off later.” My brother wanting to stop by didn’t necessarily mean anything, but with Griffin, he didn’t typically elect to catch up unless he had something to say.
“Okay.” She yawned. “I’m going to go check in with Daphne and Jo after we get settled.”
“Does she know that?” I raised a knowing brow.
She snorted. “Hey, if she wants to keep dodging me, showing up on her doorstep is the least she should expect.”
“You’re a good cousin.” I kissed her temple. “And I know Ri’s been keeping tabs too.”
“I bet.” She chortled. “Once I stalk my cousin, I’ll head to the grocery store and come home. I’m ready for a night in.”
“Sounds perfect,” I agreed as we taxied down the runway, the sprawling mountains, spotlit by the familiar Denver skyline, a welcome sight.
By the time Griffin arrived, Lucy had already bundled up against the chill and taken off to go see Daphne. Fall had officially set in—the leaves turning, the air crisp with the promise of snow.
I was fucking out of my head with anticipation, knowing Christmas would come early for Lucy this year.
I balanced Scout in one hand while Jem tried to climb my pant leg. Ranger raced ahead of Griffin, tongue lolling in greeting as I leaned down to ruffle his fur.
“Clearly you tortured him,” I stated dryly.
“Christ, you have a small animal farm already.” Griffin chuckled as he stepped into the entryway, dressed in his uniform and clearly on his way to work. He plucked Jem off my leg and held the tiny kitten with surprising ease.
“Later shift today?” I gestured to his uniform. He typically started his day early, and it was already nearly lunch.
“Deb’s out sick,” he said, referring to one of his long-time deputies. “Wanted to brief with you before I headed in.”
“I figured.” I led the way to the kitchen, the kittens attacking a bewildered Ranger with familial glee. The three of them took off down the hall, and Griffin watched them with a bemused smile.
At the end of the day, despite his gruff exterior, my oldest brother was a big softie.
“Sounds like the show went well?” He leaned against the counter, studying me.
“It was good. Aside from Lucy’s parents showing up, it was a smooth trip. And even that maybe wasn’t a bad thing.” I’d already shared the high-level details of the trip with both my brothers when I’d checked in, as I frequently did when traveling.
In a way, Lucy had known the other shoe would drop, and she’d shared that part of her was relieved to have it out of the way. Now, she just needed to decide what she wanted to do about it.
I’d support whatever she decided, as long as it meant she was protected. Physically, I wasn’t worried. It was her heart that concerned me.
“They have a steep hill to climb.” His mouth tightened, proving what I already knew. My entire family was protective of Lucy.
“An even steeper climb when they have to get past the Carter clan.”
“That’s the damn truth.” He smirked. “At least it seems like they don’t intend to make more of a racket. And from his socials, looks like her ex moved on to some bottled blonde.”
My brows rose. “I guess practically losing your balls and being frog-marched out of a crowded bar will make a man like him move fast to repair his fragile ego.”
The fact that he’d had the beauty of Lucy and hadn’t moved heaven and earth to make her happy and keep her only pointed to the depths of his stupidity.
Griffin’s expression shifted, the humor fading.
“Got a call from a buddy at the LAPD.” I stilled, sensing this was what he’d wanted to talk about.
“Spencer Jones was arrested on stalking charges against a pop star in the area. Asshole was released on bail. My buddy thinks he seems to be unraveling. Once he failed to break the story on you, he’s had a series of other failures.
His audience has been tanking, and he seems desperate.
Until he can be pinned on something concrete and put behind bars, we should keep an eye out. ”
“Fuck. That asshole has been a thorn in my side for years.”
“Good news is, when people get desperate, they fuck up. He’s already started down that path.” He met my gaze. “I just don’t want it touching you or Lucy.”
“Nothing will fucking touch her.”
“I doubt it’s an issue,” he added quickly, lifting a reassuring hand, “but I’d rather be cautious. I have a picture of him circulating at the department. You have top-notch security here. Just make sure you use it.”
“We will.”
“And if it would make you feel better, Shadow and Sadie could stay here for a bit. No offense to Ranger, but he’s hardly a guard dog.”
“Only in his dreams,” I agreed dryly. “If you’re okay with it, that’d be good. Lucy would love it.”
“Maybe think about getting your own guard dogs, so you don’t have to borrow mine.” He raised a prompting brow.
“Noted.” I chuckled. “I’ll talk to Lucy about it tonight and make sure Goodie and Daphe are aware. We should spread the word locally. No better lookout than nosy locals.”
“True. I’ve got to hit the road. I’ll bring the dogs by after my shift.”
“Thanks, Griff.”
“You got it.” As he headed for the door, Jem appeared from down the hall and scampered after him.
“You’ve got a fan,” I observed as he picked her up and handed her over to me.
“Not much of a cat person,” he grumbled.
“I didn’t think I was either.” I cradled Jem against my chest, her loud purr vibrating through me. “They have a way of winning you over.”
He shot me a skeptical look before lifting his chin in parting and striding for his truck.
While I agreed it was a low likelihood that Jones would show up in Green River, I was still on edge with Griffin’s update. After calling Lucy to confirm she was with Daphne and heading home afterward, I hit the gym, needing to work out some pent-up aggression until I could set eyes on my girl.
“It needs a bit more salt.” Lucy muttered to herself as she moved around the kitchen, trying to recreate one of the recipes we’d made in New York.
I sat on a barstool, beer in hand, thoroughly entertained as always when she experimented in the kitchen. “I’m sure it’ll be great.”
She shot me a look. “You always say that.”
I shrugged. “It’s always true. How’d it go with Daphe?”
“Okay. She seemed better rested. Beyond that, she keeps insisting she’s okay.
We had fun. I swear Jo grew in just the few days since I last saw her.
” She paused, wincing as Jem scaled her pant leg.
“You are feral, little one.” She laughed softly as she gently extracted the cat’s claws and redirected her to one of the many toys lying around.
“You think Sadie and Shadow will do okay with them?” She glanced over her shoulder. She’d taken the news about Jones in stride, seeming more concerned about the animals.
“They’re generally good with other animals, but we’ll introduce them slowly.”
“Okay, I think it’s ready,” she announced triumphantly a few moments later.
I plated the pasta while she poured the wine, and together we made our way to the kitchen table. It was getting too cold to eat outside, and the dining room was too formal for the two of us.
“You still want to have everyone over?” She raised a questioning brow as we dug into the meal.
I’d been wanting to host our family and friends for a while now—though I hadn’t shared the real reason. “I do. You still good with that?”
“Yeah, it’ll be fun. I just wish Haley and Oliver could come. I still can’t believe I haven’t met your sister and nephew.”
“I’m sure they’ll be here for the holidays. Hales will graduate soon, which should free up her time.”
“Maybe she’ll move back. I hate the idea of her raising Oliver alone when she has so much family here.”
“We’re all hoping that. But she’s almost as stubborn as Daphne. She’ll have to come to that decision on her own terms.” It had taken me a while to accept that fact. “This is delicious, by the way.” I gestured to my plate with my fork.
“Good.” She smiled, clearly pleased. “I saved something special for dessert.”
With a playful glint in her eyes, she slowly lowered the zipper of her hoodie, revealing sexy black lingerie beneath.
I nearly choked, coughing as I caught an eyeful of her gorgeous breasts outlined in the delicate lace.
“Christ, baby, you’re going to kill me.” I reached across the table, sweeping a finger along the curve of her cleavage. “Come here.”
I pulled her into my lap, my lips tracing the path my fingers had just followed.
“But the food…” she protested weakly as I stood, lifting her effortlessly into my arms and striding toward the stairs.
“It’ll keep. I can’t wait.” I was ravenous for the sight of whatever else her outfit had in store.
In the end, reality eclipsed anything I could have imagined.
When we finally got to finishing our dinner hours later, we both agreed it was even better cold.