Hudson stretches himself across the couch, his path only blocked by the popcorn bowl that sits between us.
“You don’t have to worry, Amanda. I’ll keep you safe.” Hudson’s words are sure. He has faith in himself. His head moves closer, so he’s inches away, and his face meets mine. He stops and waits, leaving me to close the distance between us.
Before the countdown reaches one I kiss him.
His lips are not rough, but harder than mine. Our first touch is tentative and then Hudson runs his tongue over my lip and I open, giving him access to my mouth. I pull on his shoulders to bring him closer and knock the popcorn bowl to the floor with my knee. The crowd on the television roars to life at our side as I tug Hudson’s body on top of mine.
A flood of emotions releases while I’m in his arms and for the first time in days I feel safe, happy, whole. Hudson has wrapped me in a protective bubble and I never want to leave.
Hudson pulls back an inch and I lean forward, not willing or wanting him to go.
“This is not something we should be doing,” he says kissing along the edge of my jaw.
I take his face in my hands, stopping even as my body screams to let him keep going. “I promise I won’t tell anyone.”
Hudson balances himself above me using one hand on his knee to prop himself up. He runs his other hand across my hairline and past my cheek. “I don’t want to be a secret either.”
Dammit what does he want then? I’ve always been a girl to consider my choices. Analyze the pros and cons. Make a list. Do a bit of social media stalking. There’s never been a decision I’ve made without doing my research, but tonight I throw it all out the window.
“Let’s enjoy tonight and figure it out tomorrow,” I say pulling him closer between my legs.
Hudson resumes his kisses along my chin, his lips trailing to my neck and sucking on the little spot by my collarbone that for some reason most men do not give enough time or attention. “Are you sure?” he asks between kisses.
I wasn’t sure before, but I’m definitely sure now. I nod, unable to answer with words.
Hudson turnsthe music lower in his rental car and hits the door lock button, keeping me inside.
I unlock the car and my click is met by a second one immediately after as he locks it again. “Hudson! You’re not coming into my work.”
“Then you aren’t going inside,” he says, his finger resting on the lock button. This is ridiculous.
Are all men crazy or only those attracted to women in my group of friends? Do we emit a weird pheromone? I haven’t met a single normal guy since I moved to San Francisco. I would think it was something with living here, but Hudson is from Maine.
“There’s absolutely no way you can come into work with me.” I can’t understand why we are having this discussion. We settled it last night. Hudson said he was coming to work with me to keep me safe. I said no, he wasn’t. He said yes, he was. I said no, he was not and then I turned and walked away. Fight done. I got the last word so I won. That’s how it works, right?
And here I thought living with a bodyguard was difficult during the week I had off between Christmas and New Year. Now he wants to follow me into work. He’s lost his mind.
“Amanda, your office building is huge and has over six different employers with offices in the building. How can I keep you safe?”
“The office is very safe.”
“There’s only one exit.” Hudson narrows his eyes and tilts his head in a, “gotcha” expression, but I’m more concerned over the fact he knows there’s only one exit. Where the hell does he get this knowledge?
“There are two stairwells, I think.” I’ve never used the stairs since I prefer the elevator.
“The second staircase is under construction while they paint the hallway.”
Ahh. Except wait. That’s even worse. How?
“Have you been in my office building?”
“That’s not important. What’s important is there’s no way to escape if something happened to you. How would you call for help?”
“My phone,” I say holding up the small rectangular item.
I’ve let Hudson get away with a lot of crap for my safety as he so delicately puts it. I’ve locked the doors and windows, I’ve avoided going out to large groups of people, I even skipped the fireworks, but this has gone too far. I promised him I’d take his advice and do what he says but he’s gone mad.
“I can’t explain you to my boss. What will I tell him?”
