by Evie Monroe
Hudson seemed unmoved, though he cocked a brow at Ryan’s question. Hudson reached for me, pulling me flush against his side.
Oh, right. We were supposed to be in love. “I’m the only Hudson Blake I’m aware of, Ryan. You talked to your family about me, baby?”
“Of course, I did. And he is the only Hudson Blake in my life, Ry.” I finally caught up. Hudson intertwined his fingers with mine, causing Ryan’s face to turn to very puzzled stone as he glared at our entwined hands.
I squeezed Hudson’s fingers and introduced him around, noticing that while the women were sweet to him, the men were welcoming toward me, but not so much to Hudson.
He pulled me closer to him as we finally followed my family into the house. “I get the feeling I’m not very well-liked around here.” Hudson had dipped his head so low his lips brushed my ear when he spoke.
I suppressed a shudder. “You’re going to have to get used to it, baby.”
He smirked at the sarcastic emphasis I’d added on the brand-new nickname I was trying out for him.
That was what couples did, wasn’t it? They referred to each other by some term of endearment or another?
“Baby?” he asked. “I’m not sure I like that one. Let’s keep trying, shall we?”
I sighed. “Well, we have the whole week.”
“That we do.”
***
I perched on a stool at the kitchen island in my parents’ house, helping my mom get dinner ready as my family’s voices floated in from the living room. It felt like I’d never left home.
“He’s so good looking, honey,” my mother gushed.
I nearly sliced through my finger instead of the carrot I was busy chopping. I’d been expecting the Californian inquisition for bringing Hudson home, but hadn’t been expecting that to be what my mother opened with.
“I think the word you’re looking for is hot, Alice. Ridiculously hot,” my aunt chimed in, collecting the last few things she needed to set the table. My jaw dropped. My mother and her sister both laughed at my expression.
“We’re old and married, Mia, not dead,” my mother admonished, still giggling.
“I’m not even sure it would make a difference, even if we were, he’s that gorgeous,” my aunt teased, then sauntered out to call Ryan to help her set the table.
Fire raced up my cheeks. I groaned. “That’s my boss you’re talking about, Mom.”
“And you boyfriend, apparently.”
Oh, crap. I had to stop forgetting that. Guilt settled like a rock in my stomach. “Yes, and my boyfriend. I’m not sure if that makes your comments more or less appropriate, though.”
My mother’s tinkling laugh sounded from the sink. She was meticulous about clearing up as she cooked. “Less, I would think.”
Another groan fell from my lips. “I think you might be right.”
“So, how did that happen? The last I heard, he was a slave driver and now he’s driving—”
“Mom!” I cried out, covering my face with my hands. “Don’t even go there.”
She laughed again. “Don’t be such a prude, Mia. I didn’t raise you to shy away from anything. And I didn’t hear you answer my question. You’ve never so much as brought a boy home before. Now, you show up with this, well, man. Although, I guess if that’s what you were holding out for, I shouldn’t be surprised we’ve never met anyone else.”
“I wasn’t holding out for anything, Mom! It kind of just, I don’t know. It just happened. One day, I walked into his office and things just, changed, I guess.” It was as close to the truth as I could tell her.
“Oh, sweetheart, so you both just realized you liked each other as more than friends. That sounds so romantic.” She pressed a hand to her heart and turned to face me.
I could see the wheels turning in her head. Oh no, she was about to ask me if I loved him, I knew she was.
“What’s so romantic?” my father asked, walking in.
I was dizzied with relief. Saved by the dad. My father plucked a carrot from my pile and popped it into his mouth.
“Nothing, Dad.”
“It’s not nothing, honey. We’re talking about how Mia and Hudson’s relationship bloomed from professional to personal.”
“I wondered if it was the same guy. So that’s your boss, huh?” A ray of sunlight filtered through the kitchen window, shining directly onto my dad’s hair. It was the first time I’d noticed he’d gone from salt and pepper to mostly salt.
“Yeah, it’s the same guy. Let’s not talk about that anymore. You’re finally retiring? Is it a ploy to stop your hair from turning grayer?” I teased, desperately trying to change the topic.
My father grinned. “I am. I think I have a good couple of years left in me yet, but your mother insisted. As for my hair, I don’t think anything can turn the tide anymore, but I suppose it won’t hurt it either. I happen to think it makes me look distinguished.”
I laughed as my dad puffed out his chest. “Whatever helps you sleep at night.”
“You know what would help me sleep at night?” His face turned suddenly serious.
Uh-oh. Why were there suddenly minefields everywhere?
“What?” I deadpanned, even though once again, I knew what was coming.
“I would sleep better if you would move home and take over the business. It should be yours now, Mia. That was the plan. Ryan never wanted it, but now I have to give it to him.”
“I never wanted it either, Daddy. I love my job.” Mostly. When the man who was hanging around somewhere in my house wasn’t being a complete demon.
“And now I can see why,” my father replied wryly.
“Oh, come on, Dad. It isn’t like that. You know it isn’t.” His jaw clenched. The conversation wasn’t going to end well. “Come meet Hudson. He’s really passionate about what we do too. Maybe then you’ll understand.”
My father sighed, shot my mother a look that told me he wasn’t ready to give it a go, but offered his arm to me anyway. I linked my arm with his and led him to the dining room.
Hudson was seated next to my grandfather. I nearly groaned again. Hadn’t I warned him about my grandfather and my brother?
At least Ryan was seated all the way at the other end of the table, alternating between talking to my aunt and glaring at Kayson.
Hudson, for his part, seemed to be handling my grandfather’s endless barrage of questions quite well. His arm was draped over a vacant chair beside him, and he managed to look relaxed, even if he was still radiating quiet control. Power.
I let go of my father’s arm, leaving him to find his place at the head of the table and hoping my grandfather’s questioning of Hudson would distract him from our earlier conversation. I stopped in my tracks when I heard my grandfather ask how long we’d been seeing each other.
Hudson didn’t skip a beat. “We’ve been dating for just over a year now, in fact—”
No! He can’t tell them yet. Not like this!
I nearly fell into my chair beside him and continued his sentence, squeezing his arm like finishing each other’s sentences was the norm for us. “In fact, that’s why I thought it was time for everyone to meet him.”
“This has been going on for a year?” Ryan’s eyebrows shot up so high, they almost disappeared into his hair. A vein in his neck started throbbing. Double crap.
I had to manage this situation. Quickly. “Yeah, Ry. I didn’t say anything because it was casual at first. We were just hanging out, getting to know each other outside of work. Things only recently became more serious.”
Hudson wrapped his arm around my shoulders and leaned into me. Strangely, it seemed like he could sense what I was doing. “It’s not Mia’s fault, Ryan. She wanted to tell you as soon as things became serious. I was the one who asked her to keep it quiet until we could come out and I could meet you in person. Unfortunately, it’s been a really busy time for us.”
Ryan’s expression was still hard as stone. “So, you made my sister lie to us?”
“Why?” Ryan gritted out. “Why ask her to wait until we could meet you?”
True to form, Hudson answered without hesitation. “I’m not an easy boss to have. I expect nothing but the best from the people who work for me. I imagine over the years, you’ve probably heard a few things. I wanted you to have the opportunity to get to know me once Mia told you. You’re important to her, and so is your approval. I simply didn’t want her to have to explain all of this by herself and endure the possible disapproval of the situation.”
“Yeah, and how’s that working out for you?” Ryan taunted.
Hudson remained completely calm. “Admittedly, not so well, but your sister is very special to me, Ryan.”
I was surprised at the sincerity in his tone. Even more so at the soft kiss he pressed to my temple. Someone sighed audibly behind me. I shifted in my seat to find my mother swooning in the arched doorway behind us.
She clapped her hands together. “It was a wonderful gesture, Hudson. We’re just a little surprised, but we’re really happy to finally meet you, and I for one look forward to getting to know you.”
My mother called for the others to join us, commandeered Hudson and Ryan to help her carry the food to the table, and mercifully steered the conversation in a much friendlier direction.
I nearly fainted with relief. If the rest of the week was as stressful as the first few hours had been, I was going to need another week off to recover once we returned to Portland.
I idly wondered if Hudson would allow it, but dismissed the thought almost immediately. He’d made his promises, and I’d made mine. I wasn’t going to take advantage of him.
After dinner, the family dispersed, and I pulled Kayson outside before he could follow the men to the television where they were planning on catching some game or another.
I was momentarily confused when Hudson pulled me close, wrapping his arms around me and leaning his head toward mine. Then I saw my mom and aunt watching us from the kitchen window where they were washing up, and it all made sense.
“You can’t tell them about us getting married, Hudson. Please. They won’t understand, and they don’t have to know. Not yet,” I whispered, sure it looked like we were whispering sweet nothings to one another.
His arms tightened around me. “Okay, they’re your family, Mia. They’ve met me, so if the agents contact them, they can vouch for our relationship. It’s up to you when and if you tell them we’re getting married.”
Chapter 8
Hudson
My first thought when I woke the next morning was my bed felt different. Softer. Then I remembered I wasn’t in my bed. I was in Mia’s. In her parents’ house.
I sat up and stretched my arms over my head. The sunlight filtering through the thin curtains in Mia’s childhood bedroom told me I’d slept slightly later than I usually did.
The clock on her bedside table read 8:04.
Fuck. I had to check in with the office, ASAP.
I’d been in consistent contact the day before, but I had to know if anything urgent had come up overnight, as it often did.
Mia was curled up on the couch next to the bed, her soft curls fanning out around her. She really was a pretty girl. My cock agreed.
Morning wood was part of the deal. It definitely didn’t help waking up to a beautiful woman within touching distance from me.
I ignored my cock. I would deal with it after I checked in with the office.
Mia had kicked the blanket partially off her during her sleep, revealing a long, smooth leg hooked around the edge of the couch. My cock twitched.
Jesus, I had to get a fucking grip on that thing. Pun not intended. It was just the morning talking. I tore my eyes from her body and forced my mind to focus elsewhere.
She looked so peaceful in her sleep. I’d offered to take the couch, insisted even. She ignored me and flopped down on it, pulling the blanket to her chin. By the time I was done showering, she was already fast asleep.
I’d considered picking her up and putting her on the bed, but didn’t want to risk waking her. I didn’t know the details, but she’d been very tightly wound since our arrival. It just seemed to get worse as the day wore on.
I got up quietly, moving to brush my teeth in her en suite bathroom. I’d been expecting to be shown a guest room to sleep in after dinner, but her mother surprised me by showing me to Mia’s room instead.
Mia had followed me inside, muttering something about not being a prude to her strangely amused mother.
I suspected something had happened between them earlier in the day that led to the exchange, but I didn’t ask. I wasn’t looking to become Mia’s confidant, or the shoulder she leaned on. That wasn’t the nature of our arrangement. I couldn’t deny I was curious about the prude thing, though.
I scrolled through my emails on my phone and then stepped onto her balcony to make a few phone calls.
Jenny and a few of the management team in the office assured me everything was fine there, so there was one less thing to worry about. I was about to step back into the room when my phone rang with an unknown number.
“Blake,” I barked my usual greeting into the handset.
“Mr. Blake, this is Agent Benson over at the Citizenship and Immigration Service. How are you this morning?” His tone was clipped and professional.
Worse for having heard from you. “I’m fine. What can I do for you, agent?”
“We are going to set up a meeting on Friday regarding your marital status. We will see you at ten.” It wasn’t lost on me that he didn’t ask if I’d be available.
“As it happens, I’m in California visiting with my future in-laws this week,” I informed him.
“And you won’t have returned by Friday?” It wasn’t really a question, more like a disbelieving sigh.
“No, we won’t be back by then. Friday is our wedding day actually. We’re having a small ceremony with her parents and close friends.” It was, of course, a lie.
“Is that so?” I’d clearly piqued his interest.
“Yes, it is. I’m finally marrying the woman I love.” I had to make him believe me.
“How wonderful for you,” he replied dryly. “Please ask your fiancée to plan for two extra guests. Agent Brown and I will be there.”
Fuck.
I ended the call with a “see you then” and turned to face the ocean.
My grip on the handrail tightened until my knuckles became white. I gulped fresh air into my lungs. Fuck.
I forced myself to calm down. I had a plan, I reminded myself. I just had to find her. Mia was gone when I stepped back into her room.
It was probably for the best. I’d promised her the previous night that it was up to her when and if she wanted to tell her family about our marriage, and now we were going to have to throw a wedding in five days.
I grabbed another shower, using the time to work out the plan instead of rubbing one out like I’d planned to when I’d ignored my throbbing cock earlier and dressed quickly.
“Hudson,” Mia’s grandfather called to me from the porch when I got downstairs. “Want some coffee?” He motioned to a thermos beside him.
“Sure.” If I was going to be marrying his granddaughter in five days, I guessed it would go a long way to have a cup of coffee with the man. Besides, I still hadn’t been able to track Mia down.
I accepted the steaming mug he handed to me and sank into the seat beside him. He was quiet at first, so I took the cue from him and left him to his thoughts.
The Doyle’s sprawling backyard was immaculate, complete with a sparkling blue pool, several smaller buildings, and a partially obscured view of the ocean
beyond it.
It was unbelievable that Mia had grown up here. I tried to picture her as a child, running around the yard, making cannonballs into the pool. As if he could read my mind, her grandfather finally spoke.
“The day Alice found out she was pregnant with a girl, everyone in the family went wild.” The memory made him smile, and I wondered what exactly he’d done for the wild celebration. I knew better than to interrupt by asking. He was clearly working toward something.
“She was the first girl in the family,” he explained. “She’s still the only one. That’s why the men are so protective of her.”
“That puts things in perspective a bit,” I remarked.
“That’s why I wanted to tell you. It’s nothing personal, son. You said she was special to you. I believed you, even if something seems off between the two of you.”
I searched my mind for something that would reassure him. “I think it’s just the stress of bringing me home with her. She’ll be fine.”
“That she will be. She always is. She’s stronger than half the men in this family. Just don’t tell them I told you.” His deep blue eyes, Mia’s eyes, sparkled with his last sentence.
“It’ll be our secret,” I promised. He smiled, but didn’t say anything more.
“She’s a strong woman,” I added. So much stronger than they knew.
“Yes, she is. I’m sure you’re right about her being stressed about bringing you here. You must mean a lot to her. Mia wouldn’t have brought you here otherwise.”
That was news to me. “She’s one of a kind, all right.” The only one of her kind who could keep me in the country.
“I’m happy you feel that way, but I don’t expect you to spill your guts to me or to convince me. I just wanted you to know so that you don’t take it personally.” His eyes scanned the yard as he contemplated in silence. “Especially with Ryan. He was seven-years-old when Mia came along. Six when they told him he’d be getting a baby sister. He’s been all about protecting her ever since.”
Well, that explained a lot. I knew older brothers were seriously protective of their little sisters, but Ryan’s reaction had seemed a little extreme.
