Felony Ever After

by Helena Hunting

  And even though this was the first time she’d felt like this about someone, loving him didn’t seem weird or scary. In fact, it seemed more natural and right than anything else.

  Smiling as she admitted that to herself, Verity was overwhelmed by the need to tell Hudson about her revelation. Right the hell now. She grabbed her phone and quickly dialed his number. It rang three times before he picked up.

  “Hey. Can’t talk—on a delivery run. I’ll call you later, okay?”

  She barely had time to open her mouth to reply before the line went dead.

  Her shoulders slumped. “Okay. By the way, I’m in love with you.”

  She sat and stared at the phone for few seconds, disappointed she wouldn't get to shower Hudson with her epic declaration of love until later. Still, she had zero time to wallow. It wasn't like a job was going to throw itself at her. With a final sigh, Verity shoved her phone in her purse, took a last whiff of Hudson's pillow, and left the apartment.

  ***

  Four hours later and back at her own place, Verity’s eyes were drier than the Sahara from leaning over her computer and desperately searching job sites for something she might be qualified for. The more she’d thought about it, the less she wanted to call on her dad for help. She'd introduce him to Hudson when the time was right, but that wouldn't be until she could prove how well her New York life was going. Hence the need to find a new-and-improved job ASAP. However, it seemed that in order to secure a job that paid her anything close to Lay’s generous wage, she’d either have to magically come up with a master’s degree, or be open to a position in the adult entertainment industry. Well, various positions, really.

  She was about to give the entire internet the finger when her phone rang.

  A shiver of excitement ran up her spine as she snatched the device and checked caller ID.

  Dammit. It was only Angie.

  “Hey,” she said with a level of enthusiasm in the negative digits.

  “Wow,” Angie said. “Did someone die? Has alcohol been banned? Why do you sound so morose?”

  Verity rubbed her eyes. “I’m fine. Sorry. I’ve been looking for a job, which is a demoralizing process, and I thought you might be Hudson. We haven’t spoken today.”

  Angie chuckled. “Oh, man. You’re like a junkie craving her next hit. Girl, you have it so bad for this guy.”

  There was no use denying it, and yet, Verity tried. “No, not at all. I’m just—you know, he left this morning before I woke up, and I haven’t been able to contact him since.”

  “He’s a big boy, honey. He can take care of himself.”

  “I know that, but—”

  “You’re twitching like a tweaker because you haven’t heard his voice in a few hours?”

  Verity sighed. “I’m not twitching. Much.”

  Angie laughed again. “So forget about him and come out with me and Joseph tonight. We’re meeting at our usual spot. We’ll hang out, have some laughs, and if Hudson ever pulls his head out of his ass and reappears, he can come join us. What do you say?”

  It was tempting. Between her craving for Hudson and a complete lack of viable job prospects that allowed her to pay rent and keep her clothes on, Verity could use a drink. Or five.

  “Let me try Hudson one more time, and if he doesn’t have plans for us, I’ll come.”

  “Cool. Text me.”

  “Will do.”

  After she signed off with Angie, Verity sent Hudson a text.

  Hey. I’ve missed you today. Want to get together tonight? I have something I need to tell you.

  After a couple of minutes, her phone vibrated with his reply.

  Tonight’s one of my inconveniently busy nights. But have fun without me!

  He ended it with a smiley-face emoji. Verity frowned. Now that she had something to say, it seemed she might never get to say it. She closed her laptop and texted Angie.

  It seems I’m available to grace you with my presence tonight. Let’s hope I don’t screw anyone in the VIP room this time.

  Angie replied:

  Wait, you fucked Hudson in the VIP room? WHY AM I ONLY HEARING ABOUT THIS NOW? See you at 8.

  Verity answered:

  The funeral seemed like a bad time to bring it up. Can’t wait to see you.

  Verity smiled and opened Twitter:

  Verity Michaels @VerityPics03

  Happiness is being happy with who you are. Then you find the other half of your heart as a reward #RewardIsAlsoSex

  Chapter 23

  New Kickass Verity

  Leisa Rayven

  That evening, as Angie and Verity made their way through the crowd to the bar, a tall guy with a beard stepped in front of them.

  “Hey, sweetheart,” he said, leering at Verity. “What happened to your outfit from the other night? I liked it better than this look.”

  Verity smiled at him. “Yeah? Well, I liked your personality better before you opened your mouth. And newsflash: I don’t choose clothes to please you. So back off.”

  Verity pushed past him, and Angie followed, smirking openly.

  “I’m not sure if it’s your liberated job status, all the sex, or your frustration over missing Hudson, but I’m enjoying this new Verity. She’s kickass.”

  “Yeah?” Verity said. “Maybe I’m finally getting myself some New York attitude. Hudson is rubbing off on me.” She sighed. “Or I could be delirious with unemployment paranoia. Man or no man, I have no idea what I’m going to do.”

  “Well, I have something that will help with that.”

  Angie leaned over and got the bartender’s attention. “Six shots of tequila, Jonah. Wait…” She turned to assess Verity, then turned back. “Better make that eight.”

  Jonah nodded knowingly, then set a row of shot glasses out in front of them, along with some salt and lime wedges, and filled them up. “Have a good time, ladies.”

  Angie turned to Verity. “If you’re still tense after all of these, there’s no hope. Off you go. Lick, sip, and suck your way to happiness.”

  Sometimes it’s almost that simple. Verity giggled to herself before downing the first shot. She hissed as the tequila burn hit her. “So, where’s Joseph tonight? I thought he was coming.”

  “He is,” Angie said. “He just had to finish up some work.”

  After another shot, Verity studied her friend. “So what’s going on with you two, anyway? You’ve been spending a hell of a lot of time together.”

  Angie shrugged. “I like him.”

  “Are you sleeping with him now? I seem to recall a hazy discussion of that the other night.”

  Angie’s expression dropped. “You know, I still have no idea how to answer that question.”

  “Uh, you don’t know if you’re sleeping together? Because… ew.”

  “No!” Angie leaned in and lowered her voice. “Okay, so I haven’t told you about this because I don’t know what to make of it, but…” She looked over her shoulder before turning back toward Verity. “Joe and I went to high school together, and I had the biggest crush on him, but I had a boyfriend at the time, so nothing happened. Then he went off to college, and we lost touch, but since he’s moved back here for his swanky new job—he’s some kind of design and engineering consultant—we’ve been hanging out again.”

  “Yeah,” said Verity. “I’ve noticed. So where’s the weird part?”

  “Well, we’ve been making out for weeks now, and he always goes down on me. I mean, he’s down there a lot. But whenever I try to return the favor, he bails. That’s weird, right? A guy who doesn’t like his dick being sucked is about as rare as a unicorn that plays hockey. Am I right?”

  Verity nodded. “In my limited experience? Absolutely.”

  “So what the hell? I mean, like Baby in Dirty Dancing, my vag has had the time of her life, but Joe doesn’t want to do anything else? Honestly, if he didn’t have the world’s most talented tongue, I’d kick him to the curb.”

  Angie handed Verity another shot, and the
y knocked them back. Angie was still sucking on her lime when her phone beeped with a message.

  “Speak of the devil,” she muttered. “He’s just arrived.”

  Angie did their last two shots by herself, which was fine, as Verity had already arrived at the line between pleasantly buzzed and sloppy drunk and come to a hard stop. Angie, however, ordered another row and had conquered one more shot before Joseph arrived and leaned on the bar beside her.

  “Ladies. What did I miss?”

  “Nothing,” Angie said, looking at him with bleary eyes. “But these are our shots. You’ll have to get your own.”

  Joseph smiled at her. “Sweetheart, you’ve already hit your limit. I’m going to have to confiscate these for your own safety.” He downed two shots in quick succession and shook his head. “That’s better.”

  “Bad day?” Verity asked.

  Joseph pulled out his phone and quickly scanned an email. “You could say that. Just some unexpected complications—someone trying to hack my internet. Nothing life threatening.”

  Angie took his phone from him and slid it into her impressive cleavage. “Well, you’re here now, so forget work and dance with me.”

  Joseph downed another shot and slid his arm around her waist. “Yes, ma’am.” He winked at Verity as they pushed through the crowd toward the dance floor.

  Verity watched them for a while, partly because drunk-Angie dancing was funny as hell, but also because Joseph had some surprisingly cool moves. When Verity was hit with a sudden pang of missing Hudson, she took out her phone to check Twitter. Her heart skipped a beat when she saw she had new mentions.

  Hudson Fenn @tatwhiteknight

  When did tweets about a chick finding her heart become so hot? Torn between staying away to inspire more, or giving her what she wants. @VerityPics03

  “Give her what she wants,” Verity whispered to the phone. “For the love of God, put her out of her misery.”

  Hudson Fenn @tatwhiteknight

  FOUND: One horny-as-hell boyfriend. Looking for GF. All information can be directed to my pants. #BonerInWaiting

  Oh, as soon as you show your face, I’m all over your pants, mister, Verity thought. Have no doubt.

  Hudson Fenn @tatwhiteknight

  “I Want To Know What Love Is,” is on the radio. Appropriate.

  #IWantYouToShowMe #PSILoveYou

  Verity stopped breathing. What was… I mean he didn’t just…? Seriously?

  With shaking fingers, she replied:

  Verity Michaels @VerityPics03

  You did NOT just tell me you loved me over Twitter?

  Hudson Fenn @tatwhiteknight

  Didn’t I? I thought I did. My mistake #ILoveYouVerity #OopsIdidItAgain #ThoughtYouShouldKnow

  Verity Michaels @VerityPics03

  HUDSON FENN!

  Verity nearly jumped out of her skin when warm lips grazed her ear and a deep voice whispered, “Yes?”

  She turned to find him, smirking and gorgeous. She threw herself at him and claimed his mouth like he’d claimed her heart.

  He grunted at her unexpected attack, but within seconds he was pressing her up against the bar as he kissed her back.

  “How did it go?” Verity asked between kisses.

  “Quiet, woman,” Hudson ordered. “You can’t talk and have my tongue in your mouth at the same time, and right now, I need that second thing to happen.”

  He kissed her again, deeply, and every ounce of oxygen in Verity’s lungs disappeared as he stroked his tongue against hers, the smooth ball making her shiver. His strong arms encircled her, crushing her against him.

  Oh, Lord. The feel of him. The smell. The storm of electricity that fired between their bodies. All of it, combined with the alcohol in her system, made her giddy and breathless.

  She pulled back and closed her eyes as she regained her breath.

  “You okay, Honeybee?” he asked. “I didn’t hurt you, did I?”

  “No.” Verity opened her eyes and smiled. “I’m amazing. More than amazing. And for the record, I’m in love with you, too.”

  A breathtaking smile lit up Hudson’s face. “Yeah?”

  “Yeah. I mean, I don’t have your romantic flair for broadcasting it on social media or anything, but—”

  That’s as far as she got before Hudson was kissing her again. One of his hands slid down to her ass, and Verity moaned as he pressed his very obvious erection into her leg.

  “Let’s get out of here,” he said, his voice low and breathy. “Because I need to be inside you right the hell now, and there’s no way I’m risking my genital health in the VIP room again. That’s just asking for gonorrhea.”

  Verity rested her hands on the hard muscles of his chest. “Seconded. But let me find Angie. I should tell her.”

  Just then, Angie appeared beside them.

  “Well, what do you know?” she said, looking Hudson up and down. “If it isn’t Hudini.” She leaned into him. “See what I did there? Hudini instead of Houdini? ‘Cause you keep disappearing.”

  Hudson chuckled. “Yeah, I got that. Very clever.”

  “So whass the story, morning glory? Where have you been, big guy?”

  Angie stumbled against him, and Hudson steadied her. “Clearly not at the bottom of a tequila bottle like you, Ang. How about you sit down before you fall down?”

  Angie scowled. “I’m not drunk, I’ll have you know. I’m serfectly pober.” She frowned. “Wait, that didn’t come out right.”

  Verity touched her friend’s shoulder. “We’re going to bail, honey. You probably should, too.”

  Angie swayed a little. “Yeah, my work here is done. Joe just needed to see the bar manager about some function he wants to organize next week, so I told him I’d meet him outside.”

  Verity nodded. “Cool. I’ll meet you guys out the front after I run to the ladies’ room.”

  Hudson gave Verity a soft kiss. “Pee fast. You have no idea what kind of pain I’m in right now.”

  Verity grazed her hand over the bulge in his jeans. “Oh, believe me, I do.”

  Hudson hissed as she made her way to the back of the club.

  After the world’s most satisfying pee, Verity washed up and was about to head back through the crowd when she heard groaning.

  She cocked her head and listened more closely. It was masked by the rest of the noise from the bar, but it was definitely there. She moved down the hallway toward the sound, and as she reached a supply closet, it got louder.

  Oh my God! Are there people actually screwing in there? Anything can happen in Manhattan, apparently.

  The door to the closet was open slightly, and when she peeked through, her heart jumped to her throat. Leaning against a set of shelves that held toilet paper and cleaning supplies was Joseph. His pants and underwear were around his ankles, and in front of him—on her knees—was one of the bartenders, deep throating him like a pro.

  Dear God. That girl really will do anything for a good tip. Verity pulled back, her mind racing. So Joseph won’t go all the way with Angie because… he’s a cheater? But then why all the lady head? It doesn’t make sense.

  Her stomach churned as she headed out of the club. She had to tell Angie, didn’t she? She couldn’t let her friend carry on with a dude who was getting sexed up by other women in broom closets. That was all kinds of unacceptable.

  Verity was still pondering her options when she reached the parking lot. She saw Hudson leaning against his car and headed over.

  When she got there, she looked around. “Where’s Angie?”

  Hudson opened the back door to reveal Angie passed out on the cream leather. “Princess Tequila has fallen into an inebriated slumber. Guess I’m the designated driver, huh?”

  He was about to say something else when his phone rang. He pulled it from his pocket and checked caller ID before holding up one finger to Verity. “One second. I have to take this. I’ll be right back.” He turned his back on her. “Hey, Daniel. What’s up?”

  As
he walked out of earshot, Verity sighed and checked her phone. Seemed the thing to do.

  Hudson had sent her another tweet:

  Hudson Fenn @tatwhiteknight

  Just so you know, 140 characters isn’t nearly enough space to tell you how amazing I think you are.

  Hudson Fenn @tatwhiteknight

  So later, I’ll write an essay. On your body. With my tongue.

  Verity was still beaming like an idiot when she heard footsteps behind her.

  She turned to see Joseph, slightly red-faced, but smiling.

  No, not smiling. Grinning—like a man who’d just blown his load into the mouth of a particularly attractive member of the hospitality industry.

  “Everyone ready to go?” he asked.

  Verity grimaced. She had to tell him she knew. “Joseph, listen, I—”

  Out of nowhere, Hudson stormed into view, and before Verity even had time to register the murderous expression on his face, he’d grabbed Joseph by the front of his shirt and thrown him into the side of the car.

  “You piece of shit!”

  Hudson slammed his fist into Joseph’s jaw, and when Joseph collapsed onto the pavement, Hudson stood over him, fists clenched. “Hand over your phone, you fuck!”

  Joseph looked up at him in shock. “The hell are you doing, Fenn? What’s wrong with you?”

  Hudson disappeared to the back of the car and opened the trunk. A few seconds later, he reappeared, holding a tire iron. He glared at Joseph with barely contained fury.

  “Give me your phone, right the fuck now, or I start breaking bones. Your choice.”

  “Hudson—” Verity placed a hand on his shoulder. He shrugged her off.

  “Stay back, Verity. This is between me and this man-shaped piece of shit.”

  Joseph stared up at Hudson. He looked about ready to pee himself.