He leaned forward again, and placed another kiss on my lips. “I missed you Calla.” His mumbled words against my lips made my heart race, but now was not the time. This was my school, and I couldn't just let the rumors run rampant. I was sure that people had already gone back to their dorms, and were putting Hudson James's name in Google search. Self-made millionaire, sleeping with a university student. The headlines would be splashed with our names once again.
“So how does this work? Do I ask you to dinner?”
“I think I could handle dinner, but not tonight. Too much work to do, and I have a shift at the library this afternoon. But maybe tomorrow?” I wanted to make him wait, squirm for another day.
“Tomorrow sounds great. I’ll pick you up myself.”
“No town car?” I was surprised.
“No, just you and me, casual.”
“Sounds good.” I grabbed my laptop, tossed it in my bag, put my cell phone in my back pocket, and got ready to leave.
Just as my hand was on the doorknob, he said my name. I turned around, and he was walking towards me with that smug look on his face, like he owned me. I let him feel that way. But, when he pushed my body against the door, and raised my hands above my head, I wasn't in charge anymore. He trailed kisses down my jaw and along my neck. His body pushed against mine made my body temperature skyrocket. I leaned my head back and closed my eyes. I wanted him to take me, but I knew that this wasn't the place. Plus, a little part of me wanted him to earn it.
“Hudson,” I breathed. He brought his face back up to mine, and bit my lower lip just enough that I felt a touch of pain.
“I didn't want you to forget about me before tomorrow night.” He leaned in closer, and put his lips next my ear. “I want you to think about tomorrow night until I can have you again.”
His head dipped down onto my collarbone, and I laid my bag down on the floor. I looked behind me through the door’s window to see if the hallway was clear. I didn’t want to get caught. For a moment, it crossed my mind that I could get kicked out of school for sleeping with a teacher.
Hudson continued to fondle my body, and as he got to my pants, I was shocked to see him unbutton them.
“Hudson, we can’t… Not here.”
“Just a little reminder,” he teased.
I bit my lower lip as he pulled my pants down to below my ass, and exposed my underwear. He drew circles on the outside before pulling the fabric to the side.
“What are you...?”
He tongue dove between my folds. I leaned my head back against the wooden door. He sucked my clit as my knees trembled in response. I pushed my hand into his hair while I moaned with pleasure. He slipped a finger into my hole, and began to pump, when I heard a door close behind me.
“Shit, someone’s coming.”
“Besides you?” He mused.
I pulled up my pants and grabbed my bag. He kissed me full on the mouth, and I could taste my own juices on his tongue.
“I just didn’t want you to forget how good I can be.”
There was no way in hell I could forget that. I fumbled with the handle behind me. As he released my body, I slipped through the door, and into the hallway. The coolness of the outside air from an open window helped to clear my head as I fixed my bag over my shoulder. An older professor walked by me and tipped his head in my direction. I couldn't believe that Hudson James had once again made me feel completely helpless. And I couldn't believe how much I liked it.
Chapter Twenty-One
Alexis was watching some random TV show when I got back to the apartment. I dropped my bag in the kitchen, and walked over to the couch plopping down next to her. “You won't believe my day.”
“What do you mean?” she said, turning her attention to me.
“Guess who the new professor is?”
She shrugged. “I don't know. Some old fat bald guy is what I assumed.”
“Not exactly. Our new professor just happens to be Hudson James, the millionaire who broke my heart.”
“You've got to be kidding me. He’s not even a professor.”
I shrugged. “I guess he called in a favor, I have a feeling a lot of people in this town owe him something. Just another way to get us together.”
“But, you didn't take the bait, right? I mean you're not going get back together with him, not after what he did to you.”
I sighed. “I wish I could say I didn't. But that would be lying. I don't know, Alexis. He makes me crazy. I can’t think straight around him. I felt like he deserved another chance.”
She just stared at me. “Another chance? When he almost sent you to jail? And now it turns out that he may or may not be a drug dealer? But, sure, he deserves a second chance.” The sarcasm was dripping off her words.
“You’re the one who said to give him another chance!” I argued.
“Yeah before I realized who he is, what he does. I did my research Calla, he runs drugs, I’m sure of it. He’s not a millionaire because he’s a good guy.”
“Most aren’t.”
She raised an eyebrow at me, she knew I was referencing her dad, even if I didn’t mean for it to sound as heavy as it had. “Touché.”
I knew she was right. I knew that I was making a huge mistake, but somehow I couldn't help it. The way that Hudson made me feel, my skin tingling every time he touched me, the way my breath caught in my chest when our eyes locked… I just couldn't deny my feelings for him as much as I wanted to. I knew he was dangerous, but I didn't care.
Alexis crossed her arms, and looked back at the television, acting like she wasn't interested our conversation anymore. But I knew she was worried, and she had every right to be. By me being involved with Hudson, it put her in danger too.
“Alexis, I can handle it. I promise nothing will happen to you.”
She turned her head and narrowed her eyes at me. “You don't know that. You're being reckless Calla, something you never are. You’re calculated and smart. Why throw everything away for one guy?”
She was right; I usually planned everything out in my life, just so I wouldn’t end up like my mom. But, for some reason, Hudson made the risk worth it. But I didn't know how I could explain that to her.
“You're right. But this is what I'm doing, and it's cool if you don't support me. You don't have to have my back on this one.” I stood up, and started to walk away, but she called after me.
“Calla! You're my best friend, dammit. I'm just worried about you.” I looked over my shoulder to see her standing next to the sofa. “I just don't want to see you broken; there's not enough Ben & Jerry's to fix that if he hurts you again.”
“I know.” I continued walking and shut my door behind me. I sat down on my bed, and looked at a picture of the two of us that I kept on my nightstand. Alexis was always looking out for me; that's just what best friends do. Suddenly, Hudson felt like a betrayal against that friendship. So, why did I still want him?
Chapter Twenty-Two
That evening, I had my normal shift at the library. I planned on getting some work done, but Shane had me stacking books instead. We were getting close to finals, and people were using some of the textbooks for thesis statements, mostly the graduate students. That would be me one day. Working on law papers, attempting to reach my goal. I also saw them studying, nervously sweating in the tiny little cubicles that they used to block out the rest of the world. I hope that part wouldn’t be included in my future, but I knew that was wishful thinking.
I was on the top floor of the library, stacking books about sexual harassment law when I saw two people arguing in the next aisle. It looked like a couple just having a relationship issue, and I didn't want to intrude, so I moved to the other side, and waited for them to figure it out. I saw a guy sitting by himself with headphones on, but I realized that he wasn't studying. He was talking on a cell phone, but he kept the headphones around his head to make it look like he was busy. Or maybe I was just being paranoid.
I couldn't help but overhear the
conversation as I walked away from the arguing couple. I tried to appear inconspicuous as I looked through the shelves, pretending to need a book. I'd abandoned my cart in the corner so that I just looked like another college student.
"I’ll have your money. You don’t need to tell Rudolph anything. I will have it tonight." He paused for a moment. "No, I haven't seen her. But there was some weird shit going on in class today. The professor cancelled class and gave us some online assignment. But I know that she stayed. At least, I think she did."
He paused again listening to the person on the other end of the line. "Okay I know, but you guys need to stop calling me. Someone is going to figure it out."
I wondered what someone was going to figure out, and if that someone was me. Hudson was the professor who didn't finish the class, and I was the girl who stayed after for some…extra activities. My heart rate quickened just being reminded of our encounter.
The kid put his phone down and put his headphones back on, furiously typing on a laptop. I tried to look over his shoulder, but I couldn't see anything. I opened a book and began paging through it, and moving closer to him to try to see what he was working on, but he turned around and looked right at me. He shook his head and took off his headphones, slamming his laptop screen down, and shoving his things in a bag. I turned around and walked back to the stacks, thinking he would just leave, but instead he walked right towards me.
"You better watch yourself. You're not the only one involved."
I shut the book. "What the hell does that mean? And who were you just talking to?"
He looked me up and down in a way that made me feel dirty. "You'll see soon enough. Watch your back."
"Watch yours,” I spat back at him.
He just shook his head, and stormed off. I didn't even know his name. He was just some kid I'd seen in class. But who was he even talking to? And why were they interested in me?
When I got back to the apartment, Alexis was drowning herself in wine as per usual for a Monday evening. Our favorite television shows were on and, typically, when I got off of work we ordered a pizza, and drank ourselves silly. It was a good ritual, one that I wanted to stay intact even after our conversation earlier in the day.
"Hey," I said, as I dropped my bag next to the couch. "Did you leave any for me?"
She finished her glass. "Bottle’s in the fridge. Mind refilling me? I already ordered pizza."
I took the glass from her and obliged, walking over to the kitchen, and pulling the bottle out of the fridge. "So, I had an interesting shift at the library."
Alexis sat up, and looked over the back of the couch. "The library was interesting? Isn't that like an oxymoron or something?"
I rolled my eyes at her. "I think some kid was talking about Hudson on the phone. It was really weird, but then he came up to me, and told me to watch my back. I mean, I know Hudson is a powerful guy, but what would that have to do with some college kid?"
Alexis shrugged. "I don't know. You think he’s some low level dealer?"
I brought the wine back over to her, and sipped my own glass. "I mean, I guess I could be. I don't know. I don’t want to put us in danger. And I can handle myself, but, Alexis, I don’t want you to get hurt. Maybe I should just call things off with Hudson. Maybe you were right all along."
She shook her head. "I've got to show you something. Come with me."
She walked into her bedroom, and I dutifully followed. Sitting down on her bed, she opened up her nightstand drawer to reveal a handgun. "You don't need to worry about me, Calla. But if people are watching you, you need to be careful, and you should tell Hudson about this."
I was shocked at the fact that my best friend owned a gun, kept it in our home, and I had no idea. But that was Alexis, small but mighty. "I'm not going to tell him. It was just some stupid guy trying to scare me. And that's not going to happen."
The doorbell rang, signifying that the pizza had arrived.
Alexis walked past me, but put her hand on my arm right before going to the door. "Just be careful, okay?"
I nodded. "I wouldn't want you to have to shoot anybody."
She smiled, but only for a moment. "I wouldn't want to either."
Chapter Twenty-Three
Hudson made arrangements to pick me up himself for dinner. He showed up in a silver Mercedes with sunglasses on, and the dark T-shirt and jeans. The T-shirt was so tight against his broad chest that it pulled a little. It was hot. But I was surprised that he wasn’t in a suit. He opened the door for me, and I waved to Alexis as she stood surveying me from our balcony. She just nodded in response. We hadn't spoken as much over the past couple days, since our argument over Hudson, but I could tell that she was getting over it. Alexis wasn’t good at holding a grudge, and she knew that if anything happened to her as a result of our relationship, she had enough money to get out of it. Essentially, she was safe. Our conversations had still been shorter than usual, but at least she was talking to me. She had even offered advice on my outfit when Hudson mentioned that we were going to a casual dinner. I also had jeans on, and an embellished tank top with a blazer. I left my hair down. It lay in curls as it fell along my shoulders. Hudson greeted me with a kiss on the cheek once I was inside the car.
“So, where are we going?” I was buzzing with excitement. Everything was always such an adventure with him; we could be going to a local dive bar, or we could be crossing state borders just for the best Mexican food. Hudson had no limits.
“We’re going to the harbor to have a romantic dinner. Just the two of us, somewhere quiet.”
He still sounded formal, even on a casual date. “I love the harbor. You know how much I love the ocean.”
“I do, don't I? I mean this isn’t France, but the landscape is still pretty great. You belong in it.”
I blushed slightly as he took off. Hudson managed the streets with ease, even though he was going about thirty miles over the speed limit. We were at the harbor in less than ten minutes. He parked in an empty parking lot, and I wondered why there were no other cars around. It wasn’t until we approached the dock with two security guards that I understood why. We were totally alone. Hudson has rented the whole dock. I saw a table set for two just before the water. It was perfect.
“That for us?”
“Do you even have to ask? I thought we might need a little exclusivity tonight.”
He placed his fingers between my own and squeezed my hand. “Why's that?”
He stopped for a second, and pulled me back close to him so that our bodies were in full contact. “Because tonight I'm going to tell you everything. The real me, what I do. Everything.” He breathed against my jaw line, and placed a sweet kiss on my cheek. “You deserve everything, Calla, and I'm going to give it to you.”
He kissed me on the lips, and then pulled me towards the dock. The security guards moved aside so we could sit down. A waiter walked over with a tray of hamburgers, hot dogs and French fries. All of my favorite harbor foods from street vendors. I didn't even have to ask how he knew. I just smiled at him.
There was a milkshake sitting in front of me; no wineglasses or formalities this evening. It was just us. Maybe Hudson would finally be honest with me; maybe I would finally learn all his secrets like he claimed.
I slipped my milkshake, and took a hamburger off of the tray in front of me. After a big bite, he started to laugh. “What?” I asked, as I wiped some extra ketchup from my lip.
“I’ve just never seen you so calm before.”
“Well, that makes two of us. I mean, except maybe for the beach, and the picnic. But, besides that, you're always on guard, you have a wall up.”
He sat back, a bottle of Coke in his hands. “Well, tonight, I'm letting you tear down my walls. Ask me anything.”
I raised an eyebrow at him, and picked up my hamburger again. “And you’ll actually answer me? Honestly?”
“Yup. And we hope I don’t get shot for it.”
I took another bite of my hamburger as
I mulled over the options. What did I want to know first?
“Tell me about your business. Everything. I can handle it.”
He nodded. “Okay. I deal black-market prescription drugs. I work mostly with hospice clinics, and patients whose insurance has run out. The insurance companies are such an enterprise of their own, it doesn’t matter how much money you have. If you're dying of cancer, sometimes they just won't help. So I serve private clients who are ill, and then I have the clinics. Most of my income comes from the private clients though, the clinics are kind of a side project I run on my own.”
I set my hamburger down. “And, where do you get the meds? Who supplies them?”
He shook his head. “My company does most of the supplying, they work for a larger pharmaceutical corporation who's in the drug trade. I never see the trucks though, so I don't actually know. But I know the stuff is legitimate and good. None of the generic stuff; brand name only. I don't want anyone get hurt because of me. Especially some sick kid lying in a hospital bed. That's not what I'm about.”
So he was in a bad business but it sounded like it was for the right reasons. I wasn’t naïve though, at the bottom of the issue was the money. Or so I thought. “Why do you do it?”
He smiled mostly to himself. “You asked about my mom before. This all started with her.”
I squinted at him. “What do you mean?”
He leaned forward on the table, looking at his hands. “My mom was sick. Not physically, but she had mental illnesses, a whole list of them. And let me tell you, when you get diagnosed by multiple therapists, and they all argue with each other over your official diagnosis, your insurance company sees it as fraud. They stopped all her prescriptions when I was a teenager. My dad worked on Wall Street, and had loads of money, but didn't know where to find the drugs. I was at one of my boarding schools where all the guys did recreational, and I asked them about it. It pretty much saved my mom’s life; I think she would've committed suicide without them.”
Filthy Boss: An Office Romance Page 20
