LAILAH
ELEVEN
After we returned from lunch, we spent the rest of the day with tablets and computers going over the employee files.
We took note of who had filed for time off and when that was submitted versus the people who just had normal days off or hadn’t returned at all.
It was monotonous and slow-going since we had to check in several different places to find everything we needed to rule someone out.
The following day was the same. We got up, ate, and went right back to work.
Since it was Christmas Eve tomorrow, we wouldn’t have much time since we were all going over to Mr. Lacy’s place for the day.
Something told me that would be the closest thing to a real Christmas, because I didn’t see Ms. Dupont making merry.
Late in the day, I was sitting out on the second-floor veranda, enjoying the breeze and the scenery.
The others were scattered throughout the house, not as content to be still the same way I was.
With my headphones on while listening to music, I didn’t notice anyone sitting next to me on the oversized chaise lounge until I was tapped on the shoulder.
Snapping my head to the right, I found Hudson’s blue gaze alight with a smile.
“You scared me,” I gasped, pulling my headphones out.
“Sorry. I called your name a few times, but you obviously didn’t hear me.”
“It’s fine, clearly I was too invested in this project to pay attention to my surroundings.” I smiled and bumped my shoulder against his. “What’s up?”
Hudson seemed to pause, as if he was second-guessing himself in whatever he wanted to bring up.
“Hey, you can talk to me about anything,” I reassured him.
“Do you really consider me your boyfriend?” Hudson asked, not looking me in the face.
Stunned by his question, I didn’t answer right away. “Why do you ask?”
“I see how intimate you are with all the others, but not with me. Sure, you come to me when you need someone to help you figure things out logically, but that’s something you could easily do with a friend as well.”
Never had I expected this from Hudson—maybe Parker, but not Hudson.
My fear of him being around his stepmother was coming true.
Since the showdown in her office yesterday, the one I thought might help him to move forward, he had been set back more.
Even though we didn’t see Isabelle again after that, I could tell it was eating away at him.
Shifting, I set down the tablet and sat cross-legged next to him, giving him my full attention. “Hudson, do you truly believe that I don’t care for you the same as I do the others?”
I needed him to admit how far his mother had gotten into his head.
“I don’t want to believe it, Lailah, but I have doubts worming their way into my brain, and I can’t seem to fight it,” Hudson answered honestly.
Cupping his cheek in my hand, I lifted his face so I could look him in the eye.
“Hudson Lacy, if you asked me to Bond with you right this minute, I would without question say yes. Brayden might keep me grounded when I get lost, but you, you are my trusted confidant. I know that I can come to you with anything that is weighing on me and we will figure it out together, no matter what it is.”
I paused to see if anything I was saying was hitting home, but I still saw the shadow of doubt.
“You brought up that I wasn’t as intimate with you, but I never got a signal from you that it was important.
After having someone use my emotions before, I would never want for anyone to give me what they weren’t ready and willing to give.
I think you’re damn sexy and would climb you like a tree, as Cami would say, but I didn’t think you wanted me to. ”
This seemed to surprise Hudson. “You didn’t think I wanted you?”
“No, that is not what I said. Never did I have doubt you wanted me, but everything you do is with precision and timing. I was not going to push you when I knew you would get to it when you were ready.”
Full understanding flashed in his eyes seconds before he grabbed my arms and pulled me forward, our lips crashing together.
It was a desperate kiss, and yet at the same time tentative, still questioning if I was alright with it.
I wrapped my arms around his shoulders and shifted so that I was straddling him, our chests pressed together.
With the torrent of emotions flowing around us, I could feel my powers reach out and caress his. I pulled back from him just enough that I could see his face.
“Just know that if you are not ready and say no right now, I will wait for you, no matter how long,” I whispered.
“I’m done waiting, Sunshine,” Hudson answered as he unleashed his powers.
There was a flash of light, and when it diminished, I was standing, with Hudson kneeling before me.
“Hudson Lacy, Knight blessed with Water’s power, Warrior for the angels.
I find you true of heart and mind, upholding the agreement given to your ancestors.
Do you accept the eternal bond to protect the people of this world, and vow to cherish the vessel that holds the gift of Synergy, who has been placed in your protection? ”
“I, Hudson Lacy, Blessed Elementi Warrior gifted with Water’s power, vow to cherish and protect this world, my fellow brothers, and the one bound to us as Synergy; or my life be forfeit,” Hudson answered, holding up his dual pistols to me.
“Rise, faithful one, and seal your Oath,” I intoned as the angel’s presence left me. Hudson scooped me up, wrapping my legs around his middle, and headed inside to my room.
I couldn’t keep from kissing him as we fumbled our way down the hall, running into walls. His hands kneaded my ass as I clutched the back of his neck, unable to get close enough to him.
“We need to warn the others so we don’t have Micah busting down the door again,” I mumbled against his lips.
“No need. We just passed Parker in the living room; I’m sure he’ll figure out what we’re up to.”
I couldn’t help but laugh at that response as he kicked the door closed and tossed me down on the bed.
He crawled up my body, placing kisses as he went even though I was still fully clothed.
Once he reached my lips, he dove in, taking his sweet time exploring every inch.
I groaned, as I wanted to feel more of him against me, but he still held his body above mine.
Frustrated, I let out a little growl before I pulled him down and flipped us over so I was on top. Grabbing the bottom of my shirt, I pulled it over my head and tossed it behind me, followed by my bra. Hudson watched the show with wide eyes, filled with hunger and amazement.
Then something struck me. “Is this your first time?”
Hudson licked his lips and nodded his head. “Yes.”
“Am I going too fast?” I asked, worried that I was being too aggressive.
“No, I really like that you are taking charge and putting me at your mercy,” Hudson said, letting his hands rove over my bare skin. “All I want to do is bring you pleasure and satisfy your needs.”
Heat flared through my body at his words. “God, that has to be one of the sexiest things anyone has ever said to me.”
“I am a blank slate, Sunshine. Teach me how I can please you.”
Groaning, I dropped my head to his chest, unsure of what I wanted to happen first. “Clothes. Clothes have to go. I need to feel you against me, because right now I don’t believe this is happening.”
Without any more prompting, Hudson rolled me off of him and shucked off his shirt.
Then he stood and removed his pants along with his underwear, baring himself fully to me.
His body was toned but not overly so, and his golden skin shone in the setting sunlight, making my mouth water.
Bending down, he unbuttoned my jeans and stripped them off of me so there were no more barriers between us.
He took his time taking me in, letting his gaze wash over me, making me blush.
I sat up and took his hand, pulling him back to the bed to lay beside me.
Tossing my leg over his hip, I held him closely to me, listening to his rapid heartbeat under my ear as I let my hands run down his back.
He mimicked every touch I made as we explored each other.
“Sunshine, you are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen,” Hudson said against my neck as he placed gentle kisses along my collarbone. “To think I get to spend the rest of my life with you, learning everything about this body of yours.”
Gasping as he took my nipple into his mouth, I clutched at his hair.
He had to be taking notes of my reaction with every nibble, lick, and bite, because he was driving me wild.
After spending an equal amount of time with each breast, he moved lower and lower, watching me squirm as he stopped just above where I wanted him most.
“Just to put your mind at ease, my Sunshine, I might be new at this, but I have conducted extensive research,” he said with a smirk before removing his glasses and setting them on the nightstand. “The key is to find what will apply best to you.”
Before I had a chance to say anything, his mouth latched on to my bud and sent me arching and moaning with pleasure.
“If my assumptions are correct, that reaction was a positive one. Let’s try something else, shall we?”
Hudson trailed a finger around my clit slowly, then applied pressure, dead center, causing me to pant and wriggle under him.
Dipping his finger lower, he slid it inside me and bent it up like he was telling me to come, and come I did.
With a shout of surprise, I sat up, clutching the comforter in my hands as he continued the movement, making my body spasm.
“Holy fucking shit!”
Hudson gave a low chuckle as I flopped back down to the bed. “Seems that move is a favorite.”
“If anyone says that research is a waste of time, I will be the first to tell them to shut the hell up,” I shared as I was still trying to catch my breath.
Hudson crawled up onto the bed next to me and scooped me up, pulling me on top of him. “For my first time, I want you to watch you, Sunshine, for you will be the only woman to ever ride me.”
Catching him in a kiss, I nibbled on his lower lip as I slid myself onto him.
We both moaned together as he filled me; it was a bit of a struggle, as he was thicker than Brayden.
Relaxing into the fullness, I rocked slowly, watching the pure ecstasy that was written all over Hudson’s face.
It did something to my ego to know that I was the reason it was there, causing me to do more to see what other faces he would make.
Lifting myself up slightly, my hands on his pecs, I swirled my hips around, triggering a hissing sound to come out of Hudson.
Pushing back, I sat up straight and rode him hard, his hands gripping my hips so tight I might have bruises to show after this.
Heavy breathing and the sound of slapping skin was all you could hear, each of us lost in the sensations of our bodies.
Hudson started to buck more erratically under me, and I knew he was getting close.
Leaning forward, lowering my body to his, needing more friction on my clit, I sped up, urging us both to the finish line.
As we cried out, the walls rattled with our powers, and once again it lifted us up off the mattress as our souls were joined forever.
Toppling back down, we were a mess of limbs and naked skin glistening in sweat. I could feel Hudson’s shock at our connection and the depth of his feelings that I never would have guessed being buried so deep.
“I can feel you, as if what you’re feeling is an echo in my mind,” Hudson said in awe.
Cradling his face in my hands, I kissed him on the forehead and then the lips. “There’s no hiding from me now, Mr. Lacy.”
“I wouldn’t even try, my sweet Sunshine.”