Chapter 22
PIPER
Hudson fixes his collar. We’re sitting in the back of the car with his driver up front. Admittedly, I got a little handsy when we had a two-hour window. Between his meetings with team administration and the schedule of getting on a plane for an away game, this is what we get.
But it’s okay because Hudson picked me up from my apartment. We drove around with the full intention of grabbing something to eat but got side-tracked.
Since the other week when he showed up at my grandmother’s, something has swelled inside of me.
To some, his move may have been a step too far, yet it felt perfectly right.
Typical Hudson, too, as the man has zero patience except when it involves football.
And he completely has my grandmother wrapped around his little finger.
He had dressed to impress and spoke with honesty; it was enough to slay any woman’s heart.
“You may want to straighten your blouse. I’m not a fan of other people gawking at your beautiful tits.” He gives me a stern eye with a subtle smirk on his mouth.
I glance down to see my buttons are undone. “You’ve left me disheveled yet again.”
Hudson angles his body toward me and slides his hand along my cheek. “Don’t kill me for saying it but you seem different.”
I work my buttons closed. “Oh? Well, work is a little crazy, I guess. I’m lucky that I outsource so many things and I rely on internet orders, but I really need to find a new spot to kind of set up base.
I also had a hell of a week. I wasn’t too thrilled with the model who showed up for a photoshoot for the spring collection, and I mean, April is still, well… ”
“You’re stressed.”
I tip my head to the side in contemplation. “Maybe… a little.” I’m missing a confidante in my life, in the shape of a best friend.
“I can tell. But I have just the thing to help. How about you drive up to Lake Spark for the weekend and have a spa day, your boyfriend’s treat.”
Curiosity floods my face. “That’s quite an offer.”
“When you go to Lake Spark, you’re always occupied with me, which is a perfect way to enjoy Lake Spark, but the spa is one of the best.”
I rub the back of his hand with my thumb and hold his wrist. “I mean, I guess a few days of calm would be good for me. I’ve worked at your house before, and I wouldn’t complain about nabbing a coffee with jellybeans every day.”
“It’s settled then.”
I lean in to kiss him on his lips. “Thank you.” Because it’s a sweet gesture, and I think he’s noticed that I’ve been down since April made it clear she wasn’t happy with how I handled my relationship with her uncle.
“I’m being selfish. I need to know that you’re okay while I’m thousands of miles away.”
The corner of my mouth tugs, and I move to straddle him and hook my arms around his neck, ensuring our eyes are locked.
“Don’t worry. I’m fine and as prepared as I can be for your mind to be in the game many hours of the day and the fact you need to focus.
I promise to only send any inappropriate selfies after 10pm. ”
He playfully pinches my sides. “You’ll be at one of the upcoming home games?”
I nod my head, but inside I feel my breath get caught because that means more eyes and cameras. “How about I send you a pre-game photo of what I’m wearing underneath my Winds t-shirt to keep you motivated?” I throw him a sexy look.
He growls before he kisses the base of my throat. “If you do that then I’ll absolutely devour you later, take you to the edge, and leave you hanging. There will be consequences,” he taunts me back.
“That’s not a deterrent.”
Hudson quickly looks out the window and sees that my drop-off is approaching. “Here we are. I hate this.”
“You be safe. Get sleep and eat well. It’ll be a good season,” I assure him.
He smiles gently. “I like hearing you say that. It’s refreshing to hear it from someone not trying to kiss my ass.” His fingertips brush a loose strand of my hair behind my ear. “Actually, I like having someone to share this world with who isn’t a sports person.”
I kiss him again and pull my body tighter against him to hug with everything I have.
“Easy there,” he warns me.
I giggle as the car stops, and I hop off his lap. My hand is on the door handle, even though I know the driver will open it. Hudson stops me. “Piper, what I was saying earlier about how you seem different…”
“Yes?” I look at him, puzzled.
The gentlest of closed-mouth smiles stretches on his mouth. “Still no birth control, right?”
I shake my head no.
He looks at me, waiting for me to catch on.
But it takes a little longer for my brain to connect. It’s only when his eyes gawk at me that I understand.
“Oh.”
Hudson reaches out with the back of his finger once more to rub my cheek. “Yeah, oh.” He flashes his eyes. “It’s the way I want it.”
I know he hopes that I’m pregnant, but truthfully, it hasn’t crossed my mind, as we’re not actively trying, nor actively being safe either. We don’t say anything else about the topic as we bid one another goodbye.
Arriving at the front desk of the spa, I’m occupied with tying my hair up into a messy bun. Nonetheless, the calming music does bring me down a smidgen on the stress scale, and the candles, green plants, and swinging chairs all set the tone that I’ve entered tranquil territory.
When Hudson suggested this the other week, I just kind of agreed to be polite.
Well, staying at his house wasn’t, I was honest that I focus well at his place, so I have no qualms about coming to Lake Spark while he’s away, but a spa day is kind of special, and I figured it was something he was just suggesting to be nice.
But Hudson doesn’t suggest, he acts. So, a few days later, he told me that he’d booked me in at the Dizzy Duck Inn.
“Good morning, you must be Piper.” The woman my age with impeccable skin greets me from behind the desk.
“Yeah, that’s me. I have, or my boyfriend, he made a reservation for me.” I’m still getting used to calling him that, but it makes a small smile break out.
The woman studies the screen with a welcoming look. “Indeed, he booked you quite a day. Full-body massage, facial, nails, and you also have a lovely lunch later on the terrace, and you can use the sauna and jacuzzi, of course. Can I get you some mint water to start? You are having a massage first.”
My brows raise, as I’m impressed that Hudson arranged all of that, and wow, I am a lucky girl. “Water would be good.”
“Sure. I will show you the changing room so you can throw on a robe, and I’ll get you that water.” She grabs a few folded towels from behind her on the shelf and indicates with her hand that I should follow her. “Your friend is here already.”
“Friend?”
She glances over her shoulder. “Yes. The day is for two people… or did you not know that?” An awkward smile forms on her mouth.
I laugh under my breath before my lips roll in then quirk out because I should have seen this coming. Hudson isn’t shy to do things. “Let me guess…”
She opens the door and in my full view is April tying her fluffy white robe. “Piper.” April’s voice fills with disdain, but even that feels more for theatrics.
The lady from the spa looks between us and manages to hold her smile. “I’ll give you two a few minutes and get some water. When you’re both ready, you have a partner massage in room three.”
April and I don’t take notice of the woman leaving, instead we stare at one another.
“I guess my mother isn’t meeting me for a spa day… Sounds like typical Hudson.” April crosses her arms.
I step into the changing room and walk to the hanging robe, not bothering to look at April. “Maybe I knew deep down that he would conspire to get us into a room together.” I grab the robe.
“Right. Because you two are soul mates now.” April’s sentence is dripping with sarcasm, which causes me to throw a glare in her direction. Immediately, April seems to look remorseful. “Sorry,” she clips. “But I’m not leaving.”
“You don’t need to,” I say as I begin to undress.
“Good. Because I could use a spa day.”
“Me too.”
“Fine.”
Silence takes over the room, and when I tie my robe, we seem to be in a stare-off. “We should probably head to our massage.”
April lifts her head. “Okay, but if we get a hot masseuse, then obviously he’s mine.”
I shake my head. “No argument there.”
I turn to put my phone in the locker, and I see Hudson is calling me on the screen, as my phone is on silent. I quickly answer and bring the phone to my ear. “Can’t talk long, as the massage is about to start.” I speak in a near-hushed tone.
“You’re not going to kill me?” I can hear him grinning through the phone.
Looking at April, I smile tightly. “No. I… appreciate the deception.”
“You’re getting a spa day and your friend out of this, baby. I’m sure you will show your appreciation later.” There is sinfulness in his tone, and it causes me to grow bashful.
“Now isn’t the time for this discussion. I’m sure April won’t kill me, I mean, as long as her masseuse is hot and single.”
Hudson snorts a laugh. “Not a fucking chance. I made sure you have two women. I’m not having some guy stare at your fine body. I’d rip his head off, even if he is being professional. Nobody sees you naked but me.”
Whoa, there is some possessiveness in his tone, the good kind. Well, bad, because I feel an effect between my legs and I’m now going for a massage.
“Okay, okay, we need to go. I’ll phone you later. Good luck with your team meetings today.” I quickly end the call.
April gives me a pointed look before pivoting to walk down the hall. I follow her and roll my eyes. I know it may take a little for her to warm up to me.
And during the massage, we made one step when I noticed a hint of entertainment when she realized she wouldn’t be getting any good-looking spa men today, and she seemed relaxed like me when the massage was finished, even asked if I enjoyed mine.