Just like that, she’s gone.
I shake my head and close the door, turning back to Hudson.
“That was … interesting,” he comments, wrapping his arms around me.
“Interesting is one way to describe Pen,” I agree. I narrow my eyes when I remember something Hudson had said earlier. “Hey, when you said that I wasn't what you're expecting, were you pretty much expecting—”
“Penelope,” he finishes.
“Really?” My mouth drops open. I’m not sure whether to be amused or insulted.
Walking over to the couch, I sit and relax into the plush cushion. It’s strange, but with Alia gone, I feel like part of me is missing. I’m trying to get my head around what I’m feeling when I realize Hudson is studying me.
“Is everything okay?” He looks concerned.
I nod. “I guess looking after the baby made me realize how much I want this, and I’m afraid we’re not going to get it.”
He considers my words as he sits next to me. There's a sadness in his eyes too, which surprises me.
“Me too,” he admits. “Crazy, isn’t it? Most people would appreciate being able to send the baby home. Here we are all upset about it.” He reaches for the top button of my shirt and flicks it open. “There are things we should be taking advantage of, though.”
“Oh?” I ask, biting my lip.
I think I like where this is heading...
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Hudson
“It will happen,” I promise her.
I can tell the fact that it hasn’t happened for us yet is worrying her. I’m confident there’s nothing seriously wrong. It’s just we haven’t been trying for very long, and we’re still working out her cycle. I did some research, and the average amount of time most couples spend trying to conceive is three months. We haven’t even hit the halfway point of that yet.
“How can you be so sure?” she asks, her dark eyes flashing with skepticism as I flick open another button on her top.
“Because I know. Trust me,” I say.
The truth is, I don’t know if it’s going to happen. I can’t know. Neither can she. The only thing we can do is keep trying and hope that she falls pregnant.
I move onto the next button, continuing my way down until the front of her shirt gapes open. Then I tilt her chin up and press my mouth against hers. She hesitates for a second, but then she falls into the moment as much as I am. My fingers cradle her face, her beautiful, soft lips my focal point. She’s the only thing I care about right now.
I get to my feet and extend my hand, scooping her into my arms when she stands. Her laughter echoes through the apartment as I carry her to the bedroom and throw her down on the bed. I narrow my eyes playfully at her, which only fuels her amusement. The fact she’s finding this so funny is kind of killing my mojo.
“What’s so funny?” I rip off my pants and throw them over my shoulder.
“You, being so…”
“Irresistible?” I supply. “Charming? Good looking?”
“I was going to say horny.” Her eyes light up. “Shouldn’t having a kid around have the opposite affect?”
“You’d think that,” I agree. “But apparently not.”
She bites her lip, her dark eyes sparkling with anticipation as I lower my boxers. My cock springs out, proving that I’m hard as fuck and ready to please her. She waits in anticipation as I climb onto the bed, until I’m hovered above her.
“You’re so incredible,” I rumble.
I reach behind her to unclip her bra, and then I flick it off to reveal her soft, full breasts. I groan, my cock throbbing as I roll her nipple between my thumb and finger. She whimpers and lays back, taking me with her. My mouth finds hers and we kiss, our lips meshing together, while my fingers begin their journey down her stomach. I reach the edge of her jeans and unbuckle them with one hand, then I tug at the zipper. She lifts her ass off the bed and rolls her jeans over her creamy white thighs, then she kicks them free, and I run my hands over her bare thighs, until I reach her panties. I sigh when I feel how wet and ready she is.
“I’ve been waiting to do this all day,” I mutter.
“Holy wow,” she whispers, a dreamy smile forming on her lips as I let my fingers explore her through the thin scrap of fabric.
“You like that, do you?” I murmur.
I lean forward and kiss her again, as my nails scrape along her now wet panties. I slide my tongue over her breasts and kiss my way down her stomach, inching dangerously close to the innermost part of her thigh. She moans when I ease her legs further apart, relishing how her body reacts to having me so close to her. God, I can smell how much she wants me. I’ve never been so turned on in my life.
“Yes,” she gasps, lifting her back off the bed as I nudge aside her panties and kiss along her entrance.
She whimpers and cradles my head, begging me to taste her.
“Please,” she begs. “God, please.”
“Since you asked so nicely.”
I keep my eyes on her as I slide my tongue deep into her pussy. She’s so wet, like she’s been waiting for this. I speed up, her hips rocking against my face, and I grip hold of her thighs. She gasps as my tongue circles her clit, flicking back and forth. I run my tongue along her pussy until her breathing shallows. When I sense she’s close to climaxing, I stop.
Her eyes flutter open, and she stares at me in shock.
“Why did you stop?” she demands.
“Because I’d much rather have you come while I’m inside you,” I say, slithering up the bed until we’re at eye level.
I take her hand and pull her toward me, until she’s straddling me. Keeping hold of her waist, I lift her up and thrust her down onto my cock, driving deep inside her. I grunt, the feel of my dick sliding through her slick pussy almost too much for me to handle. She throws her head back as she starts to come, her pussy tensing around my cock. I slide through her wetness, moving faster and harder with every push. Watching her come on my cock is enough to get me there too. I groan, her pussy gripping onto me as she climaxes.
My whole body aches as I pump into her, like it’s begging for release. I rock her back and forth, arch my back, smashing her against my balls, my dick convulsing as I release. I jerk forward, driving deep inside her again while she squirms on my cock. She climbs off me and then falls onto the bed, her breathing heavy.
“We should babysit more often.”
Her face glows as she releases a breathless giggle.
“With any luck, we won’t need to soon,” I reply, giving her a cheeky wink.
“Oh, you think we’ll find much time for that with our own child?” she teases.
“We’ll make time,” I promise her. “Besides, with all the money we’ll have, I’m sure we can hire a sex nanny.”
“And I guarantee that will have a totally different meaning for anyone applying for that job.” She makes a gagging face.
“Good point.” I kiss her, my mouth lingering on hers until she pulls away, a faint smile on her lips. “I should probably leave you in charge of the advertising for that one then, huh?”
She nods her agreement as she snuggles against me. I kiss her forehead, my fingers gently stroking her shoulder. She closes her eyes and smiles.
“This is nice, huh?”
“What? The sex? Well, I don’t like to brag, but I’m pretty good—”
“No, I mean after the sex,” she interrupts. “The fact that we can lie here and talk. I feel like something has shifted between us. I don’t know, maybe it’s just me.” She looks away, embarrassed.
“It’s not just you,” I say softly.
I feel it too, and the fact that she’s bringing it up gives me hope that what I’m feeling isn’t one-sided. I want to ask her more about what she’s thinking, but before I get the chance, she’s asleep in my arms. I stroke her soft skin and smile, because this seems to be happening a lot—her falling asleep while I lose myself in my thoughts. There’s so much I want to di
scuss with her about our future, like what happens after the baby is born? And as morbid as it is, what happens to us after her grandmother is gone? The contract says we can get divorced the moment the baby is here. Is that what Valentina wants? Because I’m not sure it’s what I want.
Closing my eyes, I try to force myself to sleep, but I can’t switch off. I thought this was going to fix all my problems. Hell, it probably will.
The downside is it’s created a whole lot of new problems in their place.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Valentina
The last few weeks have been beyond amazing. Hudson and I have really settled into a pattern of living together and playing a couple. I look forward to him coming home to me, and I find myself daydreaming about the future. I find myself forgetting what this is and seeing us as a real couple, but then just as quickly as I lose myself in the possibilities, something happens to remind me of what this really is. Like a phone call from my grandmother.
“Hello, Gran,” I say into the phone.
“Valentina. How are you?”
“Good.” I pause, knowing her next comment will likely be about my lack of contact. “I’ve been busy.”
“I figured as much.” She titters. “Why else would I not have heard from you? I offer you money and then never see you again? Unless you count the courier you sent over to deliver your contract.” I can almost picture her shaking her head in disapproval. “You better watch yourself or people might think you’re only after my money.”
I close my eyes, clenching down on my jaw. “I’ve been meaning to call, but—”
“You’ve been busy. So you said. I hope that means you’ve been making me a grandchild,” she replies.
I stifle a laugh. We have been trying, but I really don’t want her thinking about that.
“Enough of the small talk, Valentina. There’s something I need to talk to you about.”
“Let me guess,” I sigh. “Amanda.”
“She told me you attacked her at the clinic. Apparently, you caused quite the scene.”
“She told you I attacked her?” I huff. The nerve of that girl. “Hardly. And I bet she left out a few key facts too, like she was reading my patient file.”
“You two really need to sort out your differences.” Gran sighs.
“You’re the one who put us in each other’s firing line,” I protest.
What did she think was going to happen? We’d fall into each other’s arms and call a truce?
“Contrary to what you might think, I actually do want the two of you to get along,” Gran retorts. “When I gave you both the same offer, I was hoping you could sort out the differences and split the money. Help each other out. You know, like a real family would.”
“Have you met Amanda?” I ask bitterly. “There’s no way in hell she’d agree to that—”
“Watch your language, Valentina,” Gran cuts in, her tone sharp.
I close my eyes. “Sorry—but even if I wanted to call a truce with Amanda, she’d never agree. She hates me. Nothing is going to change that.”
“Yes, I’m beginning to realize that,” she discloses. “So, how are things progressing?” she asks with an obvious change of subject. “When am I going to get to meet this young man of yours?”
“You want to meet Hudson?” I repeat.
That can’t be a good thing.
“Yes, of course I do.” She sniffs. “Why don’t you bring him over for afternoon tea? He is, after all, going to be fathering your child. I think I’ve earned the right to make sure he’s worthy of you.”
“Okay, we’ll come over,” I relent, knowing there’s no way out of this.
I look up when the door opens and smile at Hudson, who’s just arrived home from some Saturday morning errands. My heart beats a little bit faster at the sight of those smoldering eyes. He walks over and kisses me on the cheek and looks questionably at the phone.
“Good.” Gran sounds satisfied. “I’ll see you at three.”
“Who was that?” Hudson asks when I end the call.
“My grandmother.”
I walk over to the couch and sit, a wave of anxiety hitting me. I’m not sure how he’s going to react to the idea of meeting her today.
“What did she want?” he asks, sitting next to me.
“She wants to meet you.”
“Really?” He looks concerned, and after everything I’ve told him about her, I don’t blame him. “Why would she want to meet me?”
“Probably to judge you,” I guess, attempting humor. “And to ask you as many embarrassing, invasive questions as she can think of. Just prepare to be interrogated about your background and your family, and you’ll be fine.”
“Great, I can’t wait,” he drones.
***
We arrive at my grandmother’s house right at three. As we stand on her veranda by the front door, I glance at Hudson, who’s looking a little green. I’m starting to think my attempt to prepare him with the types of questions Gran might ask him has done more harm than good. The poor guy looks terrified.
“It will be fine,” I reassure him. And myself. “I’m sure she will love you.”
I rap on the door and seconds later, it swings open.
Fran frowns at us. “Yes?”
“Fran. It’s me. Valentina?”
She blinks back at me with a vacant expression. I’m not sure if I’m really that unmemorable or if she just enjoys pretending not to know who I am.
“Oh. Right. Your grandmother is outside,” she drawls. “I trust you can show yourself out there.”
“Thanks,” I say, shocked that I’m allowed to announce myself.
It’s only taken twenty-three years.
I lead Hudson inside, through the mansion, to the rear doors that lead out to the balcony. Every room we walk through, Hudson’s eyes widen a little more, until I’m afraid they’re going to pop right out of his head. It’s like he’s never been in a perfectly restored, nineteenth century mansion, in one of the most prestigious neighborhoods in Savannah before.
“Is it just me, or do you look impressed?” I jest.
He shakes his head in awe. “This place is incredible. It's like a palace. Are you sure your grandmother isn't royalty, or something?”
“Yes, I'm sure. Although sometimes she acts like she’s the Queen of freaking England,” I mutter under my breath.
I straighten up as we walk outside, because there’s nothing more off putting to my grandmother than poor posture. Hudson’s awe continues as we walk outside. I should have known the private lake, complete with an its own award-winning rose garden island would be too much for him.
“There she is.” I nod to Gran, who sits at her usual spot by the lake.
“That’s your grandmother?” Hudson queries. “She looks way too fragile to be as scary as you make out.”
“Oh really?” I ask, sensing a challenge.
I call out and wave at her until she looks up from the book she’s reading. She gives the slightest of nods, then she returns to her book.
“See?” I give him a smug look.
“See what?” Hudson asks. “She’s obviously over the moon we’re here. Look at her. She can barely contain her excitement.”
“I know you’re kidding, but you are actually onto something,” I say with a snigger. “That head nod is her equivalent to doing cartwheels across the balcony.”
My fingers tingle as Hudson wraps his hand around mine. I have no idea why but having him by my side is making me more relaxed than I’ve ever been. I don’t know why, but my gut instinct is that Grandmother is going to like Hudson Sure, half of what he says is wrong and the rest is just plain offensive, but you can't help but love him.
Is that what I’m feeling? Love?
The thought catches me off guard, and I don’t know how to process it. My heart races, because even if I was falling for him, I’m not sure I’m ready to admit that to myself.
“Valentina.” Gran puts her book down when we reach he
r. “Are you going to introduce me to your friend?”
“This is Hudson,” I say, nerves fluttering through my stomach. I glance at him. “Hudson meet my grandmother, Vera.”
“It's lovely to meet you,” he says graciously, taking her hand to kiss it.
I breathe out, relieved. After the show he put on in the clinic, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but he’s being the perfect gentleman.
Gran returns his greeting with her usual cold expression, but her reaction doesn't faze him in the slightest. The poor guy has no idea how many years it takes for most people to break through her outer shell. Heck, I’m not even convinced I’ve managed it yet.
We both sit as the questions begin. He answers everything she asks with honesty and a level of thoughtfulness that leaves me impressed. But as I listen to them converse, I’m sure there’s something on my grandmother’s mind. She looks distracted, like she’s expecting someone. Panic surges through me. She wouldn’t have asked Amanda to join us, would she?
“There’s another reason I wanted to see you, Valentina.”
I immediately tense, because it’s either Amanda related, or she’s added another condition to the agreement. Maybe she’s extended her offer to all of Savannah. Nothing would surprise me anymore. It feels like every time I get a little bit ahead, I’m sucker punched backward. I’m not sure how much more of this I can take.
“What other reason?” I ask, bracing myself.
“It’s Amanda…”
I knew it.
“She’s engaged.”
Wow. I wasn’t expecting that. My heart pounds in my chest as I sit forward. I feel like all the air has been sucked out of my lungs, and I’m struggling to breathe. Hudson puts his hand on my back and gives me a reassuring rub. I take a few deep breaths, forcing myself to relax. It’s not like she’s pregnant. Married or not, she’s no closer to winning this than I am. So why do I still feel like I’m going to throw up?
“When did that happen?” I work up the courage to ask.
Baby Inheritance Page 12
