“Prove it,” I challenged, because apparently drunk Mari had a death wish.
Hechuckled, the sound vibrating against my back. “Not tonight, sweetheart.”
“Why not?” I pressed my ass back against him, his erection rubbing against me. I ran a hand along his thigh, though his arm around my waist didn’t allow me much room. “You clearly want me.”
“You’re too drunk to play. And I have no intention of being forgotten.”
His grip shifted, and suddenly he had both my wrists captured in one hand, held firmly against my stomach. “Listen to me,” he said, his voice soft but commanding. “When—not if, when—something happens between us, you will be stone-cold sober. You will remember every moment, every touch, every sound. And you will beg for it.”
The promise in his words sent liquid heat through my veins. “Pretty confident, aren’t you?”
“I know how to wait,” he said simply. Hudson released my wrists but kept his hand at the small of my back. “Now go change,” he said, giving me a gentle push toward the bathroom.
“Yes, sir,” I winked at him, and headed across the hall without further argument. The bathroom was, of course, spotless—all gleaming surfaces and expensive toiletries.
I changed quickly, his t-shirt hanging almost to my knees. There was no need for the sweatpants in my expert opinion, and I forwent them. When I emerged, he was leaning against the doorframe of the guest room, waiting.
His gaze darkened as it swept over me, lingering on my bare legs where the shirt had ridden up. “Where are the pants?”
“Too big,” I said, doing a little twirl that nearly sent me stumbling. “I’m basically swimming in this alone.”
He caught my arm to steady me. “That’s enough.” Hudson guided me back to the guest room and pulled back the covers with one motion. “In.”
I considered being difficult just for the hell of it, but the bed looked ridiculously comfortable, and suddenly I felt every glass of champagne I’d had. “Asshole,” I mumbled, sliding between the sheets. “Has anyone ever told you that you’d make an excellent drill sergeant?”
“No.”
“I’d let you drill me.”
“Oh my god,” he muttered, pulling the covers up. “There’s water on the nightstand. Drink it.”
“Or what?” I challenged, because apparently I couldn’t help myself. “You’ll punish me?”
His eyes flashed, but he remained silent. Maybe he thought he was scary like that. I just found him even more fuckable.
“This is too much fun,” I grinned up at him. “Almost as much fun as the night before the expo, when you told me to?—”
“Mari.” My name was a warning on his lips.
“Oh, now he’s shy,” I laughed. “That’s not how I remember it. In fact, I distinctly recall you being very specific about what you wanted me to do. Very... commanding.”
He leaned down, one hand braced beside my head, his face inches from mine. “Go. To. Sleep.”
I must’ve surprised him when I reached up and stroked his cheek, because he tensed above me. “God, you’re pretty.”
He straightened, moving my hand from his face as his self-control snapped back in place. “Go to sleep like a good girl.”
Giggling, I blew a kiss at him. “Yes, Daddy,” I replied, the words slipping out before my brain could catch up with my mouth.
Hudson went completely still, his eyes darkening to near-black.
“What did you just say?” His voice was dangerously soft.
I could have backtracked. Could have played it off as a joke. Instead, I doubled down. “You heard me.”
For a heartbeat, I thought he might snap—thought he might show me exactly what happened when Hudson Gable lost control. Instead, he leaned down and pressed a firm kiss to my forehead, his hand coming up to cup my cheek.
“We’re going to have a very interesting conversation in the morning,” he promised, his thumb brushing my lower lip before he pulled away. “Drink your water, Mari.”
