CHAPTER 27 #2
“Come on, Charlotte.” He’s upset by my performance. Disappointed. Frustrated. His arousal is fading. “You can do better than that.”
This isn’t working. Something needs to change.
“I have an idea,” I say, sitting up. “Can you please pass me your suit jacket?”
Hudson raises an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued.
He silently drapes the jacket over my shoulders, and I lay back down.
Does the jacket actually cover anything?
Not really, no. But the illusion is enough.
He can’t see me. It’s just me and my hands.
The camera clicks fade to the background as my fingertips dance along my skin.
My eyes roll into the back of my head, and in my mind, it’s not my hands touching my body, it’s hers.
Astrid’s fingernails gently scraping my sides, her fingertips skimming my thighs, crawling between my legs.
I can picture her blue eyes looking up at me, her sensual whispers teasing me as she does.
I arch my back, moaning as she touches me exactly where I want her to.
“Say my name,” Hudson interjects, his voice strained and desperate. “I need to hear you say it.”
“Hudson,” I groan breathily. I disassociate, the name dissolves into a series of meaningless syllables. Astrid’s hands move faster, confident and experienced. I say it again and again, tilting my head back, eyelids fluttering.
His body nestles between my legs as I hear the camera click for the final time. He sets it aside as he pushes my hands away.
“I’ve got it from here, love,” he purrs.
My legs are hoisted around his bare back. His calloused hands caress my breasts, rolling my nipples between his fingers. I scrunch my eyes closed as he lines up with my entrance, gradually sliding inside. He moves slowly, giving my muscles time to stretch and adjust to the intrusion.
Suddenly, Astrid is laying on top of me, and I am back in that river.
Close your eyes, she whispers, brushing the hair out of my face. I relax in her embrace, knowing I am safe in her arms. Promise me, you’ll keep your eyes closed.
The image in my mind flickers as his hand brushes against my clit, replicating the circles I made earlier. No, not his hand. That’s Astrid’s hand. His length fills me as he gradually thrusts faster, focused on his pleasure.
Astrid. I cling to the picture of her in my mind. It’s not him, it’s Astrid. Just for a little while longer, I need to pretend it’s her. But the illusion crumbles the closer he gets to climax.
Keep your eyes closed, she soothes. It’s okay. You’re okay.
“Look at me when you come,” he croons sultrily. His touch is tender, as though he thinks I want this. “Charlotte, look at me.”
My eyes open, locking onto his hazel ones. They’re full of passion, desire, lust. His gaze traps me. I know what he wants. I can give it to him.
“Hudson!” I cry, pretending to tumble over the edge.
“Oh fuck, Charlotte!” He slams a fist on the floor as he unravels, his tired pants tingling my ear. I scrunch my eyes closed, already trying to forget what just happened to me. Hudson lays next to me, staring at the ceiling as he comes down.
Astrid is gone. I don’t know where she is, I don’t know where I am. I’m low on options, subject to the whims of Hudson’s obsession.
But Hudson, he’s unpredictable. His infatuation drove him rogue, to kill his companions to secure me in his grasp. His fixation could be the death of me. But for now, I know what he wants.
Hudson stands and carries me to the bedroom, setting me gently on the mattress.
He rifles through a chest of drawers to pull out a pair of boxers for him, and a nightdress with matching panties for me.
I slide the slinky fabric over my curves, not feeling as concealed as I would like.
Hudson slides under the covers, pulling my body snuggly against his.
His hand draws imaginary lines down my arm, leaving goosebumps in his wake.
We cuddle until his breathing slows and Hudson falls asleep.
But I’m wide awake, mind moving a mile a minute. I need to escape. I need to find Astrid.
I slip out of his arms, padding across the floor.
The crackling of the fireplace has died down, embers barely glowing from the ashes.
I stumble blindly toward the door, the starlight not enough to see the path clearly.
I find the door, slowly turning the knob.
The door doesn’t budge. My fingers run along the frame, searching for a lock I missed.
Come on, come on! Why won’t it open?! A pair of arms wrap around me, pinning my arms to my torso.
“Hudson,” I stammer, my breathing rapid and startled. “I’m sorry. It’s not what it looks like. I―”
“Shh,” Hudson cuts me off. He turns me to face his silhouette in the dark and strokes my face. “It’s okay. I knew the transition would be tough on you.”
“I’m sorry.” I lean into his embrace, and he cradles me in his arms.
“You’re safe here, Charlotte.”
I cry as his lies echo through the room, my tears dampening his shoulder.
“I knew you would try to run away,” he whispers, his voice cracking. “I knew that you wouldn’t understand right away. I just didn’t expect it to hurt this much.”
Hudson picks me up, carrying me back through the dark to the bed.
He lights a candle, providing just enough light for him to rummage through the dresser again.
He pulls out a chain and secures it around the thick wooden frame of the bed.
The other end clamps around my ankle. He retakes his earlier position in the bed, snaking an arm tightly around my waist.
I sob in defeat, knowing that there’s no escape, that Astrid is out there somewhere, and I can’t help her. The candle is just bright enough for me to see Hudson’s face, and in the flickering light, I’m shocked to see that he’s crying too.