Speechless (Pier 70 #3)

by Nicole Edwards

And they were stupid. Epically stupid.

  Like, he found himself thinking about Hudson for absolutely no reason. Not how he was going to get fucked by Hudson, more along the lines of whether or not Hudson wanted to have dinner together.

  Stupid.

  And that shit lasted all night and through most of the damn day.

  By the time the afternoon rolled around, he was more irritable than he’d been in days. Several times he had considered texting Hudson to tell him that they needed to call this thing off. It was getting too complicated. Teague was beginning to crave more than just the sex, and that would only lead to other things.

  He didn’t want those other things.

  Yet with Hudson, they seemed unavoidable.

  Every time they were together, something happened between them. Something Teague damn sure didn’t understand and certainly wouldn’t be trying to figure out. So what if they ate dinner together from time to time? Over the four years he’d been at the marina, he’d had din—no, lunch—with Cam or Dare or Roan countless times. They’d gone out to the clubs on occasion, out on the water, sat on the pier and drank beer… That was no different than what he and Hudson were doing.

  Well, except for the fucking part.

  But still.

  Teague wasn’t looking for all the extras. He preferred his sex without the bells and fucking whistles.

  “Hey, Teague!” Roan called out from the other side of the shop.

  “’Sup?” he hollered back, getting to his feet in time to see Roan turning back out of Hudson’s office.

  “Hudson’s not here today?”

  Teague shook his head, wiping his hand on a towel. “He said he was taking the day off.”

  “Oh, shit, that’s right. He said he needed to spend some time at the gym.”

  The gym? All day?

  What the hell did that mean? Who spent the entire day at the gym?

  Teague shook off the thought. “Something I can help you with?”

  Roan shook his head. “No big deal. He was telling me about a rehab center he’d heard about. Wanted to get more information from him. I’ll catch up with him later.”

  “Why the hell would Hudson know about rehab centers?” Oops. Teague hadn’t meant to say that out loud.

  Roan seemed oblivious to Teague’s outburst. “His mother was an alcoholic, and at one point, he thought AJ was having issues with alcohol, so he started looking into them. From what he says, his mother suffered from depression and was known for her destructive behavior. He still goes to group sessions for people who lost someone to suicide. I think he’s interested because he doesn’t want to see it happen to anyone else.”

  Well, that explained Hudson’s no drinking rule. But what about—

  “Anyway. I’ll catch up with him later.” Roan glanced around. “You need any help? I’m not good with engines, but I’m willing to try if you need me.”

  “Nah. I’m good.”

  Teague’s mind was still processing what Roan had said about Hudson. His mother was an alcoholic and she had killed herself. Roan had mentioned destructive behavior. Was that why he’d interfered with Teague’s life? Was this pity? Was Hudson worried he would do something stupid?

  Some people might’ve been happy to know someone was looking out for them, but Teague didn’t need Hudson’s pity. Or anyone else’s, for that matter. If Hudson was simply doing this because he thought Teague was going to do something stupid…

  Fuck Hudson.

  “HOLY SHIT, MAN. You’re gonna kill me,” Calvin grumbled after the second set.

  They still had one more to go.

  Don’t be a pussy.

  Calvin barked a laugh, glaring at Hudson, which made Hudson smile. They’d been at it for about four hours, taking a few breaks in between. Hudson had woken up that morning in desperate need of a good workout. One that would push him further than he’d ever pushed before.

  In simple terms, he had needed something to take his mind off Teague for a little while.

  “I hope you know you’re buying me lunch after this.”

  Hudson smirked. Last one. Make it count.

  Calvin shook out his arms and followed Hudson back over to the weight bench. They’d spent the majority of their time on chest today, but Hudson had worked in a few leg workouts in between. No doubt they’d be sore tomorrow, but Hudson welcomed the burn. He welcomed anything that would give him a reprieve from all the crazy nonsense circling in his head.

  What the fuck had Teague done to him?

  Lying on the bench, Hudson waited until Calvin got into position to spot him. He worked his hands onto the bar, getting them in position before hefting it off the rack and lowering it to his chest.

  He ticked off the reps in his mind.

  One.

  Why couldn’t he stop thinking about Teague?

  Two.

  When had this gotten so damn complicated?

  Three.

  How the fuck was he going to tell Teague…

  Four.

  That he’d gone and fallen in love with him?

  Five.

  Worse. What would Teague say?

  Six.

  Or would he simply run? Leaving Hudson with nothing but a broken heart?

  Seven.

  Calvin grabbed the bar and helped Hudson put it back on the rack. His muscles screamed, but it did little to keep his mind from wandering back to places it shouldn’t. He forced himself up, stretching his chest, shaking off the pain, then went to stand where Calvin had been so he could spot his buddy.

  Once Calvin was done, he dramatically fell onto the floor, causing people around them to look their way.

  You’re an idiot.

  “And you’re a slave driver.”

  Maybe so. I’m sure you’ll live.

  “I don’t know about that. I probably won’t be able to pick anything up for a fucking week.”

  The mental image of his buddy trying to lift his toothbrush and not being able to do it made him grin.

  Calvin pushed himself back to his feet and followed Hudson into the locker room so he could grab his stuff. While he spun the numbers for the combination, he felt Calvin staring at him.

  “So, what brought this on, anyway? You still having trouble with the kid?”

  Hudson hadn’t talked to Calvin about Teague, but he’d wanted to. He had considered talking to AJ, but he knew what AJ would tell him. His older brother would tell him to go for it, let love win this time. Hudson wasn’t sure that was the advice he wanted to hear.

  Calvin was a bit more hardened. He wasn’t as free with love as Hudson’s brother.

  Hudson yanked the lock open, pulled it off, grabbed his stuff, and shoved it in his pockets before turning to Calvin.

  I’ll tell you about it over lunch.

  “Sounds like a plan. Where’re you taking me?”

  Half an hour later, Hudson was sitting across from Calvin at Thundercloud Subs. The place was his absolute favorite, and he generally ate there at least twice a week. Sometimes three.

  “All right,” Calvin prompted. “Lay it on me. What’s the deal with you and Teague?”

  Hudson went on to explain with his hands. He told Calvin about Teague’s destructive behavior, about catching the kid at his place with two guys, about having to chase after him to the club. He told his best friend damn near everything, leaving out the sexual encounters because he wasn’t willing to share all the intimate details. What happened between him and Teague in those moments was between them. He wanted it to remain that way.

  “If I didn’t know you better, I’d think you went and fell in love with the kid.”

  Hudson met Calvin’s dark eyes.

  “Oh, fuck,” Calvin choked out, grabbing for his drink. “You did. You bastard. You went and fell in love with that kid.”

  He’s not a kid.

  No one got to call Teague that but him. And he would never actually call Teague a kid to his face. He merely referred to him as one.

  “Yep
. You did it. You fell in love with him. Gettin’ all defensive and shit.” Calvin’s grin widened. “So what’s the problem?”

  He’s not looking for love.

  “Hell, is anybody? Seriously. How long have y’all been doing this?”

  Doing what?

  “This little dance y’all do. I’ve seen the way you look at him and how he looks at you. It’s been going on for a long damn time. And this arrangement you’ve got with him. When did that start?”

  About a month ago.

  “And you see him every damn day. No wonder you fell for him. How does he feel about you?”

  Hudson took a bite of his sandwich, trying to deflect for a minute. He didn’t want to answer that because, honestly, he didn’t know. Teague was different now than he had been. Sure, he still had some abrupt mood swings, and Hudson never knew when he would possibly set the kid off, but he was more social, less destructive.

  Or maybe that was what Hudson wanted to see. Maybe Teague hadn’t changed at all, and this was only about sex for him. Not that Hudson blamed him. The sex was a-fucking-mazing. Never had Hudson experienced anything like it. Hell, just thinking about fucking Teague made his dick come to life.

  “You’re thinking way too hard over there,” Calvin noted, wadding up the paper when he was finished with his first sandwich.

  Hudson shrugged.

  I’m not sure Teague’s capable of loving someone.

  “Everyone’s capable. With the right person.”

  Hudson opened his second sandwich and stared down at it.

  Was he the right person?

  Or was this all in his head?

  Twenty-Seven

  TEAGUE HAD PURPOSELY slipped out of his apartment when Hudson had come home a short time ago. He’d even left his phone inside, so he wouldn’t be tempted to answer it should the man choose to summon him. That disappearing act Hudson had pulled rubbed Teague the wrong way, and he didn’t trust himself around the guy right now.

  There were a million things on his mind, all of which were better left unsaid, so rather than risk running into Hudson, he decided to spend some time by himself.

  And here he was, sitting on the deck of the marina’s boat, his feet dangling off the edge as he watched the water rippling beneath his feet. It was nice out tonight. Still humid, but the breeze had taken the bite out of the afternoon heat. The marina had long ago closed, the dock and pier locked up for the night. Anyone who wanted to come out on the lake would have to do so on the opposite side, which left Teague completely alone.

  He didn’t mind it so much right now. Some days he hated the feeling, others he welcomed it.

  The sound of footsteps had him turning his attention to the dock. He made out the silhouette of the man moving his way long before he made it to the boat.

  So much for trying to get away from the guy.

  Teague turned back to face the water as Hudson boarded. When a couple of minutes passed and Hudson didn’t come over, he turned to see Hudson sitting in one of the chairs. He was leaned back, hands behind his head as he stared out at the night sky.

  He didn’t need to ask Hudson why he was there. From the look on his face, he hadn’t come to find Teague. He’d probably come out here to be alone, the same way Teague had.

  Figuring he could give him that time, Teague got to his feet and headed back into the boat so he could move to the dock. As he passed by Hudson, he expected the man to ignore him. When Hudson’s arm snaked out and grabbed his wrist, Teague stopped and stared down at him.

  “What?”

  Hudson’s eyes locked with his, but he didn’t make a move to sign anything. Teague didn’t know what to think about that. Hudson’s eyes were heated, but there was something else there. Something Teague wasn’t used to seeing, but he didn’t know what it was.

  When Hudson tugged on his arm, urging him closer, Teague resisted. He was still pissed at Hudson for disappearing the way that he had. Maybe he didn’t have a right to be, but that didn’t change the fact that he was.

  Hudson tugged again and this time Teague wavered, stepping closer.

  They never broke eye contact as Hudson got to his feet, pulling Teague against him.

  Hudson’s mouth claimed his softly, gently. It wasn’t one of those dominating, controlling kisses, yet it affected Teague the same as if it had been. Teague wasn’t sure what to do, so he kissed Hudson back, keeping his hands at his sides. He wanted to wrap them around Hudson, to pull him close, to feel the man’s body, but he didn’t dare.

  Then when Hudson’s hands trailed down and unbuttoned Teague’s shorts, he started to pull away, but Hudson’s arm slipped around him, holding him close. Unable to resist thanks to the undeniable force pulling them together, Teague relented once more. The kiss continued until Hudson had managed to strip them both.

  Teague straddled Hudson’s legs when Hudson sat back down, pulling Teague with him while continuing to gently thrust his tongue inside Teague’s mouth.

  He should’ve argued, he should’ve turned and walked away when he’d had the chance, but it was too late now. Hudson finally pulled his mouth away, and Teague stared into those mesmerizing green eyes while he tried to catch his breath.

  Hudson took Teague’s hand, then pressed a condom and lube packet into his palm before releasing him. Once again, Hudson leaned back and put his hands behind his head, staring back at Teague. It was clear he was giving Teague the choice as to whether or not they moved forward from here. Since they were naked, it only made sense.

  Or that was his excuse, anyway.

  Swallowing hard and resigning himself to giving in to this man—even though he wished he was strong enough to resist—Teague eased backward on Hudson’s legs so that he could reach the thick, throbbing cock that was waiting for him, teasing him.

  Rolling the condom down, then greasing Hudson’s dick, Teague continued to stare at Hudson’s face, never breaking the eye contact. He wanted Hudson to see the frustration he felt, see that he wasn’t happy about this.

  Only he realized he wasn’t as frustrated as before.

  This wasn’t terrible. They were outside, under the stars. Hudson wasn’t trying to ask questions or talk, which was a plus.

  In fact, it looked as though Hudson was giving himself to Teague.

  If Hudson wanted to offer up his body for Teague to use, who was he to argue?

  HUDSON HAD INITIALLY come down to the boat for some peace and quiet. He had wanted to spend some time thinking before going to Teague’s place. His intention wasn’t to find Teague out here, nor had he planned to strip them both, but it’d happened, and Hudson wasn’t going to change the direction they were headed now.

  Especially not after Teague suited him up, slathered his dick with lube, then lifted himself up and lowered right onto Hudson.

  Hudson’s hands immediately went to Teague’s thighs as the kid’s ass choked his dick.

  Ahh, fuck. It was so good.

  After the mental war he’d had with himself today, Hudson was all tapped out. He wanted nothing more than to sit here and watch Teague ride his dick until he came. He didn’t even care if he got off, but he did care that Teague did.

  But it felt so good. He closed his eyes while Teague rocked forward and back, taking Hudson’s cock deeper and deeper.

  “So good,” Teague moaned softly. “Open your eyes, Hudson.”

  Hudson forced his eyes open, meeting Teague’s gaze. It was dark, but not too dark that Hudson couldn’t see every expression on the man’s face. He looked both angry and content, which made no sense at all.

  “Is this what you want me for?” Teague asked, increasing his pace.

  Hudson couldn’t tell the kid the truth. He couldn’t tell Teague that he wanted so much more from him. It wouldn’t matter. Teague wouldn’t want to hear it. If Hudson thought they could solve this by talking, he would’ve told Teague exactly how he felt. But he knew better.

  So he would settle for this.

  Sitting up straight, Hudson
wrapped his arms around Teague’s waist and pressed his face into Teague’s chest, holding on while Teague continued to ride him. Hudson never wanted this to end. He wanted to spend the rest of the night lodged deep within Teague. It felt so good, the way Teague’s ass clenched around him when he lowered back down.

  Hudson was surprised when Teague wrapped his arms around Hudson’s head, holding him in place while he continued to shift and move, fucking himself on Hudson’s cock. Minutes passed as they remained just like that, lost in the pleasure.

  “Need more,” Teague mumbled.

  Hudson reluctantly released him, sitting back to give Teague more room. When Teague stilled, Hudson met his gaze head on. He could see the determination there and he understood it. Whatever this was, Teague was denying it. It was evident that he knew something was at work, something far stronger than sex, but he wasn’t willing to accept it.

  Exactly how Hudson had expected it to be.

  His own frustration bubbled up inside him. He didn’t want the kid to fight this, but he had known this going in. Hudson had known that sex was all Teague was willing to offer, so he had to make do with that.

  Wrapping his arms around Teague once more, Hudson surged to his feet, holding Teague on his dick. He moved over to the controls, propping Teague on the edge before he began slamming his hips forward, driving into Teague deep and hard while Teague’s fingers dug into Hudson’s shoulders as he tried to hold on.

  Hudson pummeled him hard, fucking him deeper, faster… He wanted to send Teague over the edge, wanted to make him cry out his name. Not once had Teague moaned the way he usually did. He’d been verbal, but only when he wanted something else.

  This wasn’t how it was supposed to be. Teague was clearly pulling away, and Hudson didn’t want that. He wanted to bring Teague closer.

  “Fuck me,” Teague bit out. “Fucking make me come.”

  Hudson drove his hips faster, sweat coating his entire body as his muscles strained.

  Gripping Teague’s hips, Hudson jerked him down with every upward thrust, going deeper. When Teague took his cock in hand, Hudson watched as his hand blurred, he was jacking himself that fast.

  “Hell yeah…”

  Hudson kept his eyes riveted on Teague’s dick while he continued to thrust into Teague. When he saw the first spurt of cum shooting out, he let himself go, filling the condom while Teague came all over them both.