by M. A. Innes
She really didn’t seem to get he wasn’t a virginal young girl she got to auction off. Weird.
Randall sighed, not bothering to hide his growing frustration. “Mother, I’m an adult.”
Evidently, just not in her eyes.
“Absolutely not. Look at the decisions you make when left on your own. Living in the dorms has corrupted you. And where did you meet him? I’ve done my best to introduce you to the right people and find you a proper match.”
Richards was leaning against the wall, smirking. He was having a great time watching the drama unfold. He really must have been looking to settle down, because her clear hints at her vision of their future didn’t make the douchebag doctor blink an eye.
Well, tough shit, because Angel was mine.
“I have found a proper match.” Randall looked angry on my behalf. He might not stand up for himself, but it looked like he was more than willing to fight the monster for me. So cute. “He is smart and has done an incredible job of growing his business and thinks the world of me.”
I leaned close and gave his head a kiss. “You’re right. I do.”
She looked at Randall like he was being ridiculous. “That is not what is important.”
Since when?
“Mother, I am sorry you don’t approve, but I am not leaving Hudson because you disapprove. I think it’s time that I start making my own decisions.” He took another deep breath and grabbed my hand, squeezing tight. Looking her right in the eye, he continued, “And I have other decisions that I will be making shortly about my education and potential career. I will let you know once I have everything planned out.”
“You what?” Her voice echoed through the hall. “I’ve had that planned out for years. It is a very suitable career, since taking over your father’s business is not a viable option.”
“I have to find the right career for me, not something that is suitable to you.” He said it softly, like he really wasn’t sure why he had to point it out to her.
“If you think I’m going to pay for you to become some kind of...” Her voice trailed off. Evidently, she couldn’t think of something terrible enough right away. “You’ve got to be kidding. I have invested time and money in your education. This is not acceptable.”
She’d invested time?
And the money? His parents weren’t quite worth what mine were, but she probably spent more on spa trips in a year than they did on his college education. She hadn’t even been willing to send him off to an Ivy League school where she’d have to loosen the reins, so she couldn’t complain.
“I’m sorry you feel that way.” Randall was firm but much more polite than I would have been. I was barely controlling myself as it was. “That is not going to change how I feel. I think it’s time I take more control over my life.”
Her expression could have frozen us both to the spot. “We will discuss this when we get home. I expect to see you at the car immediately after the party.” Then she turned and walked down the hall.
Richards laughed and straightened up from where he’d been relaxing against the wall. “Oh, I think I dodged a bullet on this one. Marrying into this family would have been interesting.”
As he walked down the hallway, he called out a short, “Good luck,” and smirked.
Randall sagged against me and cuddled close. “Do you think I could sleep on your couch for a day or two if she does something crazy like refusing to pay my dorm fees?”
“Oh, just ignore her. Although if Hudson doesn’t think that’s a good idea, you’re more than welcome to stay here.” Mom to the rescue. “I didn’t want to intrude. I think my presence would have just made things worse, but I heard what Evelyn said, and you don’t need to worry about a thing.”
Randall stood up and tried to look presentable, straightening his clothes and giving my mom a fake smile. “Thank you for your kind offer, Mrs. Merrick. I’m sure that won’t be necessary.”
“You’ve always been so polite, Rand. But the offer is genuine if it comes down to that.” She gave him a tender look, then started shaking her head. “I don’t know who she’s fooling with that money talk. You came into your trust at twenty-one just like Hudson did.”
“What?” Randall seemed confused. “Trust?”
Mom gave him a long look. “They didn’t tell you? I only know because we have the same investment advisor, and he made a comment one time about modeling your trust on the one we set up for Hudson.”
Randall shrugged, still clearly lost. “I know there is some money set aside for me, but I think it’s tied up until I turn thirty.”
My mother waved her hand. “That’s ridiculous. We can call the advisor if we need to, but I’m positive you’ve had that money for several years. Hasn’t she been bringing you papers about it? Maybe something you need to sign every year?”
Randall nodded slowly. “Yes.”
“It wouldn’t surprise me if it were Power of Attorney paperwork. She’s always been a little too controlling.” Mom shook her head. “We’ll get it all figured out. I’ll have James give your father a call. I can’t believe he’d be party to something like that.”
Randall glanced down at the floor, then seemed to force himself to stand up straighter. “We don’t talk much. So I wouldn’t know if he was aware of what was happening or not.”
She sighed and gave him a look that told me she was dying to hug him and make it all better, but she restrained herself. Barely. “You got the short end of the stick on parents, that’s for sure. I’m very sorry, Rand.”
“Thank you, ma’am.”
“Oh,” she waved her hand, “no company manners here. Call me Andria, please.”
Randall gave her a hesitant nod. “Thank you, Andria.”
She beamed at him and nodded. “Better. Now you two have your discussion, because it sounds like you clearly haven’t been doing enough of that. Then I’ll see you outside in a few minutes. Did you hear me, Hudson? Just a few minutes.”
I got a stern look, like she knew I was going to get up to trouble, then she started walking down the hall. “Five minutes, boys.”
Randall looked over and grinned. “She knows you really well.”
“Too well.” I laughed and pulled him against my chest. “I’m sorry your mother lost her marbles.”
He sighed and wrapped his arms around me, tucking himself close. “It was bound to happen. I couldn’t keep blindly following her. Thank you for helping me.”
“Hey, you did everything. You’d even started making the decision to stand up to her before I came along. The job? That was your first act of rebellion.” I had to smile. As far as rebellious acts went, his could have been much worse. She should have felt lucky. I’d driven my parents crazy.
“It was? I hadn’t really thought of it that way.” He lifted his head and gave me a kiss. “Will you help me figure out if I actually have money?” Then he frowned and shook his head. “That sounds pathetic.”
“No, it sounds like someone who hasn’t been given much freedom.” It was a bit like he’d only been able to see the real world from a window and was now getting to explore it for himself. “You are not alone, Angel. No matter what, I’m here.”
“You don’t think I’m stupid for not questioning things sooner?” His brows pulled together, and I could see the worry in his eyes.
“No, absolutely not. You wanted to make her happy. She’s your mother.” Just not a very good one. “And you are more than welcome to my couch, my bed, and anything else you need, Angel.”
I pulled him close again and gave him a tender kiss. Letting it slowly deepen, I finally pulled away when we were both breathless and hard. “Time’s almost up, and she will come find me, just so you know.”
Randall giggled and grinned. “She’s nothing like my mother.”
Thank god for that.
“Come on, before we get distracted.” I gave him another kiss, quick and innocent.
He smiled and took my hand, stepping back. “Can you give me a dri
ve to the dorms later? I came with my parents, and they were going to take me back after, but all of a sudden that doesn’t seem like such a good idea.”
I barked out a laugh. “Probably not. I would love to take you to the dorms, Angel. Or you can come to the condo with me?”
Randall squeezed my hand. “Yes, that sounds perfect.”
“Do you need anything from the dorms? Books?” I wasn’t sure if he’d gotten everything done or not.
He shook his head as we rounded the corner to head back toward the living room. “No, I got everything done earlier.”
“Wonderful. Then we have the rest of the weekend to ourselves.”
He stopped as we got to the living room. “What about work? You still haven’t hired anyone, have you?”
I grinned. “I’ve got it all figured out. You’re going to love it. I’ll tell you when we get home.”
“You look like the cat that ate the canary. What did you do?” He knew me too well, too.
“Nothing terrible. It’s perfect. And it wasn’t completely my idea; Dad helped.” Randall smiled, and I knew he was pleased that I’d talked about the problem with my parents. “See, I’m not that stubborn.”
He was still smiling as we got to the back door. I saw him take another deep breath, and he looked around subtly. “You’re not going to leave me alone, right?”
“I will never leave you alone, Angel.” The words came out filled with more emotion than I’d intended.
“Thank you, Hudson.” Then he looked around and, seeing that we were alone, kissed me quickly. “And thank you, Master.”
My wicked angel.
Chapter 18
Randall
I was usually bored after those parties because I’d been hiding in obscure places like bathrooms for extended periods. Going back to Hudson’s place, everything felt different. I was tired, but it was deep inside, like I wanted to curl up and continue to hide from everything.
His hand reached out and started caressing my neck. I closed my eyes and soaked up his warmth. “You look exhausted, Angel.”
“It’s not that late, though, and all I did was make small talk.” I shouldn’t have been this worn out.
“And then there was everything with your mother and my mother and everyone learning about us dating.” I had a feeling his list could have kept going, but mercifully, he stopped. “I think you had a longer day than you realize.”
Possibly.
“I’m fine.”
He might have laughed, because he made a strangled sound, then started to cough. Dramatically. “It wasn’t supposed to be funny.”
“Then don’t say ridiculous things with such a straight face.” His hand tightened around my neck and something about the small change had my muscles relaxing and almost sinking into the seat.
“That feels good.” I was fighting off the urge to yawn.
“You just relax and let me make you feel good. We’re almost home and then we’ll take it easy tonight.” His voice was soothing, and I loved the fact that he wasn’t going to make me decide anything.
“Okay.” I was good with whatever he wanted, as long as I didn’t have to think.
The ride to the condo didn’t take long. I probably should have realized he lived in a nicer part of town, but I’m not sure I would have connected the dots and guessed who he was even if I had. “Should I have realized you were a Merrick, or at least part of that crowd?”
I was starting to think I’d been stupid, or at the very least, a little naïve.
“Not necessarily. I don’t think I ever said my last name, and money never really came up. It wasn’t that important to either of us.” His hand kept caressing my neck and shoulder, so I pushed the worries away.
“I wasn’t hiding it from you.” His voice seemed stressed, so I opened my eyes and turned to look at him.
I wasn’t sure what he meant. “Of course not.”
He’d taken me to his house. He’d talked about work. I just hadn’t understood what they’d meant. “Do you think I was?”
Was that what he was worried about?
Hudson smiled. “No, Angel. I just didn’t want you to think I hadn’t said anything deliberately.”
“Oh, okay.” My brain was going in too many directions to process his fears. All I knew was that he really understood that my parents were crazy, and he still liked me anyway. He’d said I could stay with him if the batshit crazy woman got me kicked out of the dorms.
“Do you think she’ll actually do it?” Okay, so it was a leap in conversation topics, but Hudson followed perfectly.
His face darkened, but I could tell he was trying to hide it from me. “She can’t get you kicked out of school, because more than likely, she’s already paid tuition for the year. And you got in on merit, not because of who your parents are. Dorm fees might be different, but you don’t like living there, anyway.”
He had a valid point. “But—”
His finger touched my lips. “I wasn’t done.” He grinned for a moment before his features evened out, and he kept talking. “Worst-case scenario, you have to find someplace else to live. My mother wouldn’t have mentioned your trust unless she was sure. Monday morning, we’re going to make that our top priority. I use the same guy, so we’ll go in and talk to him. Once that’s squared away, you’ll have plenty of money to find an apartment or just pay the dorm fees, if that’s what you want.”
He was making it sound simple. But she’d been so angry.
“I can see your mind turning in circles, Angel. So what if there’s no money? You work more hours at the bar. You really don’t understand how good your tips are, Angel. That right there would pay for most of your living expenses and a chunk of your tuition. If you were inclined to let me help, I wouldn’t mind at all. But if that made you uncomfortable, then I’d help you get student loans or figure out another job.” He said it like it was so easy. Just a simple problem with lots of different ways to fix it.
“You’re sure it’s not going to be more complicated?”
“I’ll be with you every step of the way. And if I don’t know the answer, we have my parents. They already love you. I could see it in my mother’s face.” His hand squeezed my neck again, and he went back to focusing on the road.
It took me a moment to realize we were parking behind his condo and not on the street where the taxi had dropped me off. There were a few spaces tucked at the back of what looked to be a nice garden. He turned off the car and leaned over to give me a tender, almost innocent kiss. “My tired angel.”
I just nodded. He was right. I was his, and I was tired.
He moved away to climb out of the car and walked around to my side. Going all the way to the condo seemed incredibly difficult, so I wasn’t in a rush. I’d managed to unbuckle my seat belt by the time he opened the door, but that was about it.
“Come on, Angel. I know exactly what we’re going to do.”
Part of me was hoping it would involve ice cream, but I didn’t say anything. I’d already had a steak and a delicious chocolate mousse. I wasn’t that hungry. It just sounded good.
Hudson took my hand and helped me out of the car. Wrapping his arms around me, he let me rest against his chest, and I just breathed in his scent. “I know you are overwhelmed right now and everything feels like it’s weighing down on you, but I promise we will get this worked out. And once she sees that you aren’t going to do what she wants, she’s going to back off and let you make your own decisions. I know it.”
I wasn’t as confident as he was, but I didn’t want to worry anymore. “Can we pretend everything is fine? Just for tonight? I don’t want to talk about her anymore.”
I just wanted it to be Hudson and me...Master and me was an interesting idea too.
“Absolutely. We’re going to relax, and it’s going to be just the two of us.”
“Perfect.” I gave him a tight hug, then straightened. “I can function. Let’s go.”
“I never had any doubts.” He grinned
and took my hand.
As he led me through the back yard, I had to marvel at the little garden. It was almost like an old English garden with flowers everywhere and a winding path. Not the formal ones, but the cottagey styles that made you want to sit and relax.
“This is beautiful.”
Hudson nodded. “There’s a guy on the first floor who’s made the garden his project. Evidently, no one else in the building was interested in the space, so he got permission to set it up. I think it’s great. It’s what sold me on the property.”
It probably would have sold me too. It was quiet and relaxing. “It’s incredible.”
“Yeah, he’s some kind of banker or something, and I think uses it as a way to relax. You see him out here a lot in the evenings and on the weekend.” Hudson opened the door and stood back to let me walk in.
As we got to his place, I was feeling more like myself. Less exhausted and more numb, probably. But I’d take it. His condo was dark, but he didn’t bother turning on all the lights, just one lamp as he led me through to the bedroom.
I wasn’t sure what the plan was, and I wasn’t going to ask, but I was still surprised when he led me into the bathroom. When I’d been picturing the possibilities, the bathroom hadn’t really been on the list. Still, I simply waited and held his hand. That was all I wanted, anyway, just to be with him.
He turned on the lights and gave me another tender kiss before letting go of me. Hudson stepped toward the tub and turned on the water. The bathroom was starkly white, but in a magazine kind of way. My brain hadn’t really been working the last time I’d seen it, so I’d never really analyzed it. It wasn’t boring or ugly, it just wasn’t what I pictured from him.
“Did you design the bathroom?”
He laughed. “No, it was already renovated. It’s kind of cold looking, but I love the tub.”
Hudson leaned down to plug the tub, then came back over to me. “We’re going to get you a bath. Then we’ll see if we want to watch a movie or just cuddle in bed for a while.”
I just nodded. “Okay.”
He gave me an understanding smile and another kiss before he started stripping off my clothes. Not having to decide what to do or worry about what he wanted was perfect. I knew my opinion would matter if I actually had one, but he seemed to understand when I needed him to take control.
