Hudson's dad is just watching me. Something calculating behind his eyes. Was the wedding date a test I just failed? Then he smiles as Hudson pulls me against him, his hand resting on my lower stomach.
"Go rest, Harper."
Audrey's eyes go wide. Her gaze drops to Hudson's hand on my belly.
Oh, for fuck's sake. She thinks I'm pregnant.
I smile sweetly as we leave. The moment we're out of earshot, I snatch my hand from his.
"Are you okay, Harper? Seriously. You look like you might actually pass out."
I blink at him. "I'm fine. I promise."
He runs a hand through his hair. "I'm sorry. I tried to stop them with the dates and venues. It's snowballing."
I laugh, but there's nothing funny about it. "You need to fix this, Hudson. I can play pretend with the engagement. I will not be walking down an aisle."
"What if?— "
"No. There is no scenario where that happens."
He steps back. Reads something in my face that tells him to stop pushing. "We can talk about it tomorrow. Go get some rest. I think you're stressed."
"Yeah. A little. I'll see how I feel in an hour. I spoke to Gianna, and she wants me to upload the documents to a drive."
He nods. I turn and take the stairs two at a time, straight to my room, and lock the door behind me.
Acey: The longer you keep me waiting, the worse the punishment will be.
I open the video he sent.
His groans come through the speaker so loud I nearly launch my phone across the room. I scramble to turn the volume down, heart hammering, and then I'm watching. The slow strokes. The way his abs tense. The way his head tips back.
My panties are soaked.
Fuck it. I tear off my dress and hit dial.
He answers before it even rings once.
"Oh, thank fuck. You joined me," he says, breathless.
"I have to be really quiet, Ace," I whisper.
"Good luck with that, pretty girl. Because you're going to come for me, and I'm going to watch."
I sit on the edge of the bed, pulse racing.
"Watch?" I ask.
I slip off the engagement ring and set it on the bedside table. It makes a satisfying clink against the wood.
A video call request comes through. I accept.
"Hi, darlin’," he says.
"Ace." I breathe his name like a prayer.
He bites his lip. "Are you going to do exactly as I say?"
