Naughty Holidays 2016

by Nicole Edwards

Hudson nodded.

  “I need to say something. So don’t interrupt me, okay?”

  Teague ignored the sexy way Hudson’s eyebrow lifted, a clear challenge. If the man didn’t like what Teague had to say, he would definitely interrupt. And he didn’t need to be able to verbalize anything, because he had his own way of stopping the conversation when he wanted to.

  Teague took another step toward Hudson, keeping their fingers linked as he wrapped his arms around Hudson, effectively pinning Hudson’s hands behind his back.

  “I love you,” Teague said, his tone serious for possibly the first time in his life. “I don’t think that’s news to you. At least, I hope it’s not. I’m not sure I’m the greatest at expressing my feelings, but I’d like to think you know me well enough to know what’s in my heart.” Teague glanced away. “God, this is harder than I thought.”

  Hudson tugged his hands from Teague’s, then curled his finger beneath Teague’s chin, forcing him to look at the man.

  He took one more deep breath and decided it was now or never.

  HUDSON TRIED TO hide the worry that was churning in his gut. He hadn’t seen Teague this worked up in a really long time. Now that he thought about it, the kid had been acting strange for the past few days, but Hudson had chalked that up to cabin fever. Teague didn’t do well when he was confined to small spaces for long periods of time.

  “I’m not the romantic type,” Teague continued. “I don’t care about roses and candlelight, but I don’t think you do either. Shit.” Teague’s eyes widened. “Do you? Care about that shit? Should I be bringing you roses? Damn it.”

  Teague’s eyes implored him, but Hudson remained completely still. Teague would get where he was going eventually; Hudson knew that much.

  “Okay, fine. Whatever. That’s not important. Well, it is, but it isn’t. Not right now anyway.” Teague drew a deep breath in, then continued, “If you do need roses and candlelight, I’ll make that happen. Because I love you. I want to make you happy. I believe in you and me. I’ve spent my entire life isolated, alone, and I’m definitely not good at this shit, but I’m trying. I’ve never wanted anyone in my life because I didn’t want to risk losing them. Until you. As cliché as it sounds, you complete me, big guy. You add color to my world, sometimes too much. I get overwhelmed by it, but you seem to get that, too.”

  Hudson’s heart squeezed in his chest. He could hear the sincerity in Teague’s tone, see the love shining in his eyes.

  “Hudson…” Teague swallowed hard. “I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Not just today or tomorrow or even next week. Forever. And plenty of days after that.”

  Teague’s hand moved, sliding into his pocket, and Hudson watched curiously, waiting to see where this was going. Before he could process it entirely, Teague dropped to one knee in front of him.

  It took everything in him not to follow him to the ground. His heart was pounding like a bass drum, and he could hear the roar of his blood in his ears.

  Teague opened a small velvet box, then held it open, lifting it up so Hudson could see.

  There were two rings in the box, a matching set. His heart turned over because it didn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out what this was all about.

  “I didn’t buy you anything for Christmas, Hudson,” Teague admitted, his eyes glassy. “I’m not good at that. I don’t even know what to buy you, but I did buy these. For us … because I want to…” Teague choked on his words, but he didn’t look away. “I want to marry you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I want to wake up every single day with you beside me. I’m not perfect, and I know that. I know there are things about me that you’d like to change. Hell, I’d like to change them, too. Just so I can make you happy.”

  Hudson couldn’t stop the tears that leaked from his eyes. He couldn’t remember the last time that he’d cried, but Teague was breaking his heart right here.

  When Teague clearly wasn’t going to continue, Hudson held up his hands so he could sign a response. He noticed his hands were trembling, but he went for it anyway.

  First of all, the answer is yes. Second, there is absolutely nothing about you that I want to change. Nothing. And I want you to understand that above all else. I love you. Just as you are. Hudson went to his knee in front of Teague. Only you. And I love the real you. The damaged, broken man who loves me with all that he is.

  He noticed Teague was crying, too, although he was desperately trying not to, and Hudson knew that had to be killing the kid. Teague did not like to show emotion, but it was obvious it had boiled up inside him and was begging for release.

  I have known nothing better than spending my days with you. Loving you. Seeing you smile, laugh. Even watching you pout. Teague grinned sheepishly, so Hudson continued. I love you just as you are.

  “So you’ll marry me? Let me take your name?”

  Hudson thought for a moment he would fall over. To keep himself from doing so, he grabbed Teague, slamming his lips over Teague’s while the emotion won, filling him to overflowing.

  “I take that as a yes? I can take your name?” Teague laughed on a sob when they pulled apart.

  Definitely yes.

  “Oh, thank God,” Teague blurted. “I thought I was going to lose my mind just waiting for this moment. I’m not a patient man.”

  No kidding.

  “But I did it,” Teague said with pride. “I waited, I asked…”

  And I said yes.

  “So when’s the wedding? I don’t want anything elaborate,” Teague rambled. “I mean it, Hudson. I’m all for going to dinner with the people we know, but I don’t want anyone at my wedding. I want to get it over with. The two of us. That’s it. And whoever officiates it. Nothing elaborate. No fancy bullshit. You. Me. Vows. Then I get to be Teague Ballard.”

  Teague Ballard. God, Hudson would love to give his name to this man. He’d never thought marriage was in his future, didn’t think he’d find someone who would make him feel complete.

  Hudson nodded. Just you and me. Got it.

  And he did. Teague had come so far in the months since Hudson had initiated his challenge to the kid. Hudson would give Teague the world if he could. And he would not fight him on this. There would be plenty of battles to choose from during the long life they had ahead of them.

  I love you.

  Teague grinned. “I love you, too.”

  When they were both on their feet, Hudson took the rings and studied them. He noticed the inscription on the inside, and tears welled up in his eyes again. This man was going to forever surprise him, and for that, Hudson was more than grateful.

  “So … where’s my present?” Teague’s tone was teasing.

  Hudson glanced over at the man, smiled.

  “What’s that look for?” Teague questioned, sobering.

  If the kid only knew.

  Chapter Nine

  HIS NERVES HAD abated somewhat, which was a good thing. After the proposal and Hudson’s acceptance of it, they had walked down by the lake for a good hour, hand in hand, before they returned to the apartment. Teague figured Hudson knew how hard it was for him to be cooped up inside.

  It was true. Teague had years of experience. He’d kept to himself, sharing his innermost secrets with no one, and certainly not sharing his space or his life. But now he had Hudson and everything had changed. For the better.

  They made dinner together, ate together, then cleaned up together. Now that they were finished with all the mundane chores, Teague was beginning to feel restless again.

  He tried to focus on the television, but it was doing nothing for him. Nothing on except Christmas movies that he had absolutely no interest in. Call him Scrooge or whatever, but this Christmas thing was still new to him. He was still getting used to the tree looming in the corner with its flashing lights and dangling ornaments. Oh, sure, he liked it, and he’d admitted as much to Hudson at some point, but he was ready for the holidays to be over. He wanted to get back to his regular routine; it was th
e only time he felt he could function normally.

  Hudson snapped his fingers, and Teague glanced over to see him sitting on the couch, watching him.

  “Huh?”

  I didn’t buy you anything for Christmas.

  Teague laughed. “I’m okay with that.” And he was. The whole present exchange was weird for him. He didn’t want anything, didn’t need anything, so gifts weren’t necessary. He had everything he ever needed right here in this room with him.

  Hudson’s hands began to move again.

  I am giving you myself for Christmas.

  Teague chuckled. “How very generous of you.”

  Hudson didn’t smile, his face serious.

  Teague kept his eyes locked with Hudson’s, trying to read between the lines here. Clearly Hudson was trying to tell him something.

  I am giving myself to you. All of me. Whatever you want from me.

  Again, Teague tried to comprehend, but he was coming up short.

  Hudson shifted. Tonight I belong to you. I am putting myself in your hands.

  Teague’s eyes widened as he understood the implications of Hudson’s words. “Oh … my … God.”

  Hudson nodded.

  Teague’s dick was already stirring to life. Then again, it usually did whenever Hudson talked to him.

  “So, let’s make sure we’re both on the same page…” Teague cleared his throat. “You’re gonna let me … top you?”

  Honestly, Teague never thought he would see this day. Yes, it was his only remaining unfulfilled fantasy. Every other one, Hudson had fulfilled many times over. Even the spanking thing. Although, until it happened, Teague hadn’t been aware it was a fantasy of his. But topping Hudson...

  Hudson nodded again.

  Okay.

  Yes.

  Well.

  Teague sucked air into his lungs as he continued to stare at the big guy. He could see the hesitancy on Hudson’s face. Teague knew that no other man had ever had the pleasure of feeling Hudson beneath him, taking him in such an exquisitely intimate way.

  Holy shit.

  He wanted to jump the guy, to strip Hudson naked right there on the couch, to bury his dick so deep inside Hudson he didn’t know anything else but what it felt like for Teague to claim him. The feeling was overwhelming with its intensity, yet somehow Teague managed to remain where he was.

  If Hudson was going to give him this, then Teague was damn sure going to make it good for him.

  And damn, wasn’t this a new twist for him. He never thought about how Hudson took control so easily, how he commanded Teague’s pleasure, rocked his fucking world. Yet he did and Teague loved every minute of it.

  The question was, how could he show Hudson just what this meant to him in the span of one night?

  Hmmm.

  He needed a plan.

  HUDSON’S ENTIRE BODY was drawn tight, his muscles tense, his nerves rioting. This was a first for him, and to be honest, he was terrified. Not that he would tell anyone that. No way would he let on that the kid freaked him out and it had nothing to do with the fact that Teague would fuck him into oblivion. This wasn’t about sex. Not entirely anyway.

  This was about giving himself completely to someone else. Teague seemed to do that freely, and Hudson took everything the kid offered him because he loved him. He thought nothing of it, but when the shoe was on the other foot…

  It all came down to the fact that Hudson trusted Teague with his body. With his heart. With his soul. With his life. And yes, he wanted this. He wanted to share this with Teague, to feel him, to know what it meant to be completely invested in another person.

  When Teague finally hopped up off the couch, Hudson’s gaze trailed him, waiting with his heart in his throat.

  Without a word, Teague came to stand in front of him, holding out his hand.

  Hudson took it, praying the kid didn’t realize how much he was shaking.

  Teague led the way, muttering for Charger to stay as they headed across the hall to the other apartment. Rather than go straight to the bed, Teague continued on into the bathroom. He flipped on the shower, then turned back to face Hudson.

  “Relax,” Teague whispered, his voice calm, gentle.

  Hudson nodded, taking a deep breath, forcing the muscles in his shoulders to unknot.

  When Teague pressed up against him, fusing their mouths, Hudson lost himself in the kiss. He felt Teague’s hands as they slowly worked the button on his shorts free, lifted his shirt. Within minutes, they were both naked, tongues still seeking, and Hudson realized he had relaxed into the warmth of Teague’s body. Somewhat.

  He hadn’t known what to expect from Teague, but then again, the kid was volatile. There was no way to predict what he would do next, but he seemed to realize how hard this was for Hudson. Another check mark in the why I love him column.

  “Come on,” Teague whispered, pulling Hudson’s arm, urging him toward the shower.

  The warm water cascaded over his back, his shoulders, sliding down his chest while Teague stood there, studying him. His blue eyes were intent as his hands slowly roamed over Hudson’s chest.

  “I won’t hurt you,” Teague promised. “I swear it.”

  Hudson nodded his head. He knew that. He had never doubted Teague for a second.

  “Just let me love you. That’s all I want to do.”

  Nodding, he decided then and there that he would stop thinking, stop worrying. This was the only place he wanted to be.

  Hudson dropped his head back when Teague’s mouth trailed over his chest. The man’s teeth grazed Hudson’s nipple, and he drew in a sharp breath as the sting vibrated through him, making his dick pulse. A firm hand wrapped around his shaft, gently stroking him.

  He fought the urge to control, to dominate. It would be so easy to slide his fingers in Teague’s hair, to force him to his knees, but he stopped himself short, wanting to let that all go.

  “Turn around,” Teague instructed, releasing him.

  Hudson pivoted, planting his hands on the wall, ducking his head as the warm water poured over him.

  Slippery hands slid over his skin, soaping him up as they moved. Teague’s fingers were firm as they dug into the muscles of Hudson’s neck, worked their way down. Hudson focused on the sensations, the incredible feeling stirring deep within him. The next thing he knew, the water had rinsed the suds from his body and Teague’s hands had disappeared. He had to fight the urge to turn around, to see what Teague was doing. He didn’t need to know. He trusted him.

  Teague’s warm mouth glided over his back, his tongue trailing the lines of his tattoos. Hudson drew air into his lungs in gulps as the incredible pleasure rocked him. And when Teague’s tongue drifted down the crack of his ass, Hudson instinctively spread his legs, allowing for more of that mind-numbing feeling to course through his body.

  It was clear Teague was taking his time, teasing, tormenting. Strong hands slid up his thighs, over his hips, back down to his cock, all while that devious tongue thrust into his ass, fucking him exquisitely, making his balls ache, his need ratcheting up another notch.

  But then it was over, and he felt the loss of Teague’s ministrations like a cold chill down his body. He wanted that warmth, needed to feel more of him.

  “Go lie down on the bed. On your back,” Teague instructed. “I’ll be there in just a minute.”

  Hudson dried off, then slipped out of the bathroom to do as Teague instructed.

  And for the first time since he’d made his proclamation earlier, a smile curved the corners of his lips as he thought about what was to come.

  Chapter Ten

  SEX WAS SOMETHING Teague was intimately familiar with. It wasn’t a secret that he’d been a little more than promiscuous in his lifetime. Safe, but promiscuous nonetheless. It had always been about the physical release. He’d purposely kept emotions out of it.

  But when it came to Hudson, this was a whole new world for him. Every single time they were together was like the first time for him. Teague
trusted the man implicitly, knew Hudson was going to take care of him.

  In turn, Teague wanted to take care of Hudson.

  Which was why he’d moved the events to their bed. After sending Hudson on his way, Teague washed up, brushed his teeth, and stood there, staring at himself in the mirror. No doubt about it, he was a different man than he’d been a year ago. A better man. One who had experienced things he’d never imagined possible. His heart didn’t merely send blood pumping through his body these days, it now belonged to someone.

  Taking a deep breath, Teague stepped out of the bedroom, mentally steeling himself for what he would find.

  There was Hudson, lying on the bed, spread-eagle, looking like a holiday feast.

  Yeah, this was the type of Christmas meal he could get used to.

  He watched Hudson’s face as his gaze trailed over him, head to toe, back up again. There was a hunger in Hudson’s eyes, one that mirrored what was inside Teague as he calmly perused the sexy beast laid out before him.

  Teague crawled onto the bed, pressing his lips to Hudson’s shins. First one, then the other. He slowly kissed his way higher, over the man’s thick, muscular thighs, stopping where his leg met his hip. He savored every taste, cherished every inhale of Hudson’s musky scent. He could get used to this.

  Allowing his breath to fan over Hudson’s cock, Teague slid his hands over Hudson’s chest, feeling the steady throb of Hudson’s pulse throughout his body.

  Knowing Hudson had a tremendous amount of self-control, Teague didn’t worry that he would try to dominate him. The man had handed himself over, placed himself in Teague’s care, and he wanted nothing more than to take Hudson up on his offer, to enjoy every minute of this.

  Of course, Teague had to deal with the fact that he had very little patience himself. He could only tease and be teased for so long before the need became an urgent vibration within him, his body demanding more.

  Working his way up Hudson’s body, Teague found Hudson’s mouth and claimed it with his own. Kissing, searching. When Hudson’s hands wrapped around him, the warmth enveloping his entire body, Teague groaned his pleasure. He loved this, every single thing about it.