Page 18 of Liberating Water

Lailah

After we returned from lunch,we spent the rest of the day with tablets and computers going over the employee files. We took note of who had filed for time off and when that was submitted versus the people who just had normal days off or hadn’t returned at all. It was monotonous and slow-going since we had to check in several different places to find everything we needed to rule someone out.

The following day was the same. We got up, ate, and went right back to work. Since it was Christmas Eve tomorrow, we wouldn’t have much time since we were all going over to Mr. Lacy’s place for the day. Something told me that would be the closest thing to a real Christmas, because I didn’t see Ms. Dupont making merry.

Late in the day, I was sitting out on the second-floor veranda, enjoying the breeze and the scenery. The others were scattered throughout the house, not as content to be still the same way I was. With my headphones on while listening to music, I didn’t notice anyone sitting next to me on the oversized chaise lounge until I was tapped on the shoulder.

Snapping my head to the right, I found Hudson’s blue gaze alight with a smile.

“You scared me,” I gasped, pulling my headphones out.

“Sorry. I called your name a few times, but you obviously didn’t hear me.”

“It’s fine, clearly I was too invested in this project to pay attention to my surroundings.” I smiled and bumped my shoulder against his. “What’s up?”

Hudson seemed to pause, as if he was second-guessing himself in whatever he wanted to bring up.

“Hey, you can talk to me about anything,” I reassured him.

“Do you really consider me your boyfriend?” Hudson asked, not looking me in the face.

Stunned by his question, I didn’t answer right away. “Why do you ask?”

“I see how intimate you are with all the others, but not with me. Sure, you come to me when you need someone to help you figure things out logically, but that’s something you could easily do with a friend as well.”

Never had I expected this from Hudson—maybe Parker, but not Hudson. My fear of him being around his stepmother was coming true. Since the showdown in her office yesterday, the one I thought might help him to move forward, he had been set back more. Even though we didn’t see Isabelle again after that, I could tell it was eating away at him.

Shifting, I set down the tablet and sat cross-legged next to him, giving him my full attention. “Hudson, do you truly believe that I don’t care for you the same as I do the others?”

I needed him to admit how far his mother had gotten into his head.

“I don’t want to believe it, Lailah, but I have doubts worming their way into my brain, and I can’t seem to fight it,” Hudson answered honestly.

Cupping his cheek in my hand, I lifted his face so I could look him in the eye. “Hudson Lacy, if you asked me to Bond with you right this minute, I would without question say yes. Brayden might keep me grounded when I get lost, but you, you are my trusted confidant. I know that I can come to you with anything that is weighing on me and we will figure it out together, no matter what it is.”

I paused to see if anything I was saying was hitting home, but I still saw the shadow of doubt. “You brought up that I wasn’t as intimate with you, but I never got a signal from you that it was important. After having someone use my emotions before, I would never want for anyone to give me what they weren’t ready and willing to give. I think you’re damn sexy and would climb you like a tree, as Cami would say, but I didn’t think you wanted me to.”

This seemed to surprise Hudson. “You didn’t think I wanted you?”

“No, that is not what I said. Never did I have doubt you wanted me, but everything you do is with precision and timing. I was not going to push you when I knew you would get to it when you were ready.”

Full understanding flashed in his eyes seconds before he grabbed my arms and pulled me forward, our lips crashing together. It was a desperate kiss, and yet at the same time tentative, still questioning if I was alright with it. I wrapped my arms around his shoulders and shifted so that I was straddling him, our chests pressed together.

With the torrent of emotions flowing around us, I could feel my powers reach out, caressing his. I pulled back from him just enough that I could see his face.

“Just know that if you are not ready and say no right now, I will wait for you, no matter how long,” I whispered.

“I’m done waiting, Sunshine,” Hudson answered as he unleashed his powers.

There was a flash of light, and when it diminished, I was standing with Hudson kneeling before me. “Hudson Lacy, Knight blessed with Water’s power, Warrior for the angels. I find you true of heart and mind, upholding the agreement given to your ancestors. Do you accept the eternal bond to protect the people of this world, and vow to cherish the vessel that holds the gift of Synergy, who has been placed in your protection?”

“I, Hudson Lacy, Blessed Elementi Warrior gifted with Water’s power, vow to cherish and protect this world, my fellow brothers, and the one bound to us as Synergy; or my life be forfeit,” Hudson answered, holding up his dual pistols to me.

“Rise, faithful one, and seal your Oath,” I intoned as the angel’s presence left me. Hudson scooped me up, wrapping my legs around his middle, and headed inside to my room.

I couldn’t keep from kissing him as we fumbled our way down the hall, running into walls. His hands kneaded my ass as I clutched the back of his neck, unable to get close enough to him.

“We need to warn the others so we don’t have Micah busting down the door again,” I mumbled against his lips.