The Violet Widow? (Shattered Heart #1)

by K E Osborn

  I wake up to Hudson wrapped around me tightly from behind. I smile and giggle to myself as I take his hand and interlace our fingers. I turn my head to hear him let out a small snore and I giggle again. I look down at the edge of the bed and Midas is sitting there wagging his tail and smiling at me. I smile back at him.

  “C’mon boy,” I whisper and he stands up and jumps onto the bed and on top of Hudson and licks his face. I laugh loudly as Hudson jumps and tries to push Midas off him while wiping his face.

  “What the hell, Midas? I’m trying to sleep with my woman here mate and you go and ruin the moment?” he jokes making me laugh again. “Hey, shut up you, or I’ll make him jump on you next time you’re asleep,” he threatens causing me laugh again. He chuckles and pushes Midas off the bed and then turns and takes hold of me pulling me underneath him, pinning me to the bed. I raise my eyebrows up and down insinuatingly and he chuckles leaning down to kiss me.

  “Morning little firecracker,” he whispers against my lips.

  “Have I ever told you that I love it when you call me that?” I say as his lips move from mine down my cheek and to my neck.

  “Nope, I don’t think so,” he whispers and then sucks on my neck lightly.

  “Hey, no hickeys mister,” I say swatting at his head.

  He laughs and pulls his face up in line with mine.

  “What? I’m just marking what’s mine,” he says with a giant grin and then leans in to kiss me.

  I swat at him again. “No way Hudson, you are not giving me a hickey and I belong to myself. No one owns me. I thought you knew me well enough to know that?” I say with a smirk and he chuckles.

  “Yeah. I know you are your own woman, blah, blah, blah. I told you I love you. In my eyes, Vee, that makes you mine. Take it however you want baby, but I’m never letting you go. I think you need to get used to the fact that I plan on taking great care of you. So maybe you could let me slip in a hickey here and there, just as a show of good faith,” he jokes and I roll my eyes at him.

  “Oh whatever, go on then if you have to, but don’t make it a big one, I have work to go to you know!” I say and he chuckles rolling off me.

  “Nah, the moments gone now,” he says and goes to get out of bed.

  I scoff and grab his arm pulling him back to me. “Hudson Stone you better give me a hickey,” I say making him laugh.

  “Oh well, if you insist,” he says leaning into my chest and sucking hard on the top of my left breast. I chuckle as he sucks my skin marking me.

  “See that wasn’t so hard was it, little firecracker?” he asks and I look at him raising an eyebrow. “I knew I’d have you begging me for it,” he says and I smack him on his arm and pull him back on top of me. He chuckles and leans in kissing me softly. “You know what?” he asks out of the blue breaking our kiss.

  “What?”

  “I have a day off today. I know you just had a week off from work for the holiday break but have a day off with me. You’re the boss, so call in sick or something. I wanna take you out to celebrate, please?” he asks and I can see that he really wants this. And he’s right I am the boss, and since I don’t have much on today and I figure since he said, ‘I love you,’ that maybe I owe him this, especially because I can’t say it back.

  “Okay, where are we going?”

  “Just you wait and see. Go and put the coffee on and I’ll pack our bags for the day. I want it to be a surprise,” he says excitedly. I laugh and nod, getting out of bed in all my naked glory and head to the kitchen patting Midas on the head on the way out.

  I make our coffee and some toast and then I ring Angel telling her I won’t be in. She already knows why and that I’m spending the day with my Rock. She tells me that everything will be fine without me and that I should enjoy myself. And that’s what I plan to do.

  Hudson comes out of the bedroom and into the kitchen carrying two bags. He places them on the floor near the door and walks in fully dressed in board shorts and a tank top. I smile at him as he wiggles his eyebrows at me.

  “I love seeing you naked in my kitchen. I don’t think I will ever get tired of it,” he says walking across to me and wrapping his arms around me tightly. I smile and lean in to kiss him.

  “So where are we going?”

  “Somewhere.”

  “Seriously, you’re not going to tell me?” I ask and he smiles moving his hand to his mouth and gesturing like he’s zipping his mouth shut.

  “You suck!”

  “No baby. I think you are mistaken. It is you who sucks in this relationship, and very well too I might add,” he jokes and I scoff, throwing a tea towel at him. He chuckles and moves back over to me taking me in his arms. “I really am sorry about last night. I was such a dick to take it out on you,” he says, his face falling like he’s really sad.

  I exhale and pull his face back up to look at me. “Hey, our fight wasn’t nice and I don’t blame you for being annoyed with me. Hell, I’m annoyed with me. I wish I had the courage to let you in and I will one day, I promise. But you made it up to me by telling me you love me. Nothing could’ve made my night more perfect than that, okay? And for the record I am really sorry about your friend. I know what it’s like to lose someone and it’s horrendous and painful and it’s okay to take it out on me. Only next time just yell or something, don’t shatter my heart by breaking it off with me,” I say and he pulls me into an embrace.

  “I can’t believe how good you’re being about this. I nearly fucked everything up and I would be lost without you, Vee. I know that now. And I know you will open up to me at some stage, and to be honest I can’t wait for that day, but for now let’s go have some fun in the sun. It’s a beautiful day out there.”

  We take my car to wherever we are going because it’s too hard to take the bags on his bike. Hudson is driving seeing as I don’t know the location of our destination today. But I’m starting to think we’re going to the beach as we’re definitely headed in that direction. That’s great and all, because it’s such a beautiful day and I’d love to take a swim, however I’m just hoping he doesn’t pull up anywhere near work.

  Then it happens, we pull up right where I was dreading we would. We’re not directly out the front of work, but I can see Cupiditas from where we are. Hudson holds onto my hand as we get out of the car and he walks to the boot and grabs our bags. I feel unease wash over me.

  What if a client walks past and talks to me?

  What if anyone from work sees me or my car?

  This is fucked and I feel really anxious and nauseous being here.

  “Hey, you okay?” he asks grabbing my attention as we walk down onto the hot sand.

  I smile at him and nod. “Yeah, I’m fine. This is great. Thanks so much for bringing me here,” I lie and he smiles.

  “Yeah, I just really wanted an excuse to get you into a bikini,” he says with a salacious grin.

  I chuckle and shake my head. “Well, I suppose I won’t mind seeing you in only your board shorts either. I mean it’s a hard job, but I guess I can do it. I’ll take one for the team,” I joke and he shakes his head and smiles.

  “Okay, well your stuff is in here and there’s a toilet block just over there that you can change in. I’ll meet you back here?” he asks and I nod and take my bag while kissing him quickly before I walk over and get changed into my bikini.

  I step over to where Hudson is lying down on the sand on a towel and another one is stretched out beside him waiting for me. I smile and walk over to him with a strut in my step. He wolf-whistles and raises his eyebrows. I can only just see them wiggling over his aviator sunnies. I giggle and he pats the towel next to him as I place my bag down on the sand.

  “You look smokin’ babe,” he says and I shake my head.

  “Well, you don’t look half-bad yourself there, mister,” I say as I look down at him in his board shorts and his muscles rippling in the hot January sun.

  I glance over at work and I bite my bottom lip while I sit down on the towel a
nd look out at the calm sparkling blue ocean that always soothes me.

  “I love the beach and this is my favourite spot. I try to come here as often as I can, which is hardly ever seeing as I work so much, but I love this spot. Something about it soothes me,” he says.

  I smile knowing exactly what he means. “Yeah, I agree. There’s something about the noise of the waves crashing and the sound of the seagulls that makes me calm. It puts me at ease,” I say and he sits up and takes my hand in his.

  “So, wanna sun bake or swim? Up to you, baby,” he says and I glance back at Cupiditas.

  “Swim,” I reply and stand up abruptly and start to run toward the water.

  “Oh, you better run, little firecracker,” he calls out and gets up running after me toward the cool salty water. I laugh as I try to get away, but he’s so quick that he catches me in no time and he picks me up and I squeal. He laughs as I wrap my arms around his neck and he walks us toward the water.

  “You have to take me in slowly in case the water is cold,” I say and he laughs.

  “Baby, it’s thirty-five degrees Celsius. The water’s not cold,” he states and throws me. I squeal as I land in the sea and then I fall under the waves. I flick my hair from side to side like they do on Baywatch as I come back out of the water, rubbing the salt water from my eyes.

  He laughs and pulls me to him as we walk further out into the water.

  “You have the right tits for Baywatch, you know.”

  I laugh and slap his arm. “Yeah, I remember someone telling me they had no sag in them at all. Pretty good for an old duck.”

  “Baby, you’re far from an old duck. In fact, you look stunning,” he says, pulling me to him while we wade in the chest height water. It’s cool on my skin, but not cold and quite refreshing seeing as the weather is so hot today.

  “Thanks, you really are a sweet talker you know?”

  “I’m just trying to get into your bikini bottoms. Don’t take anything I say to heart, I mean you’re really pretty and all, but I only love you for your sweet, wet pussy.”

  I scoff and he chuckles and leans in kissing me gently.

  “Yeah, you better make it up to me after what you’ve just said.”

  “Oh, I plan on it. Later tonight maybe in the shower, and on the sofa, in the kitchen, maybe out in the backyard and on the pool table—”

  “Okay, okay, I get it, you fiend.”

  He raises his eyebrows insinuatingly. “I’m only a fiend with you, Vee,” he replies and I bite my bottom lip and rest my forehead against his. We swim for a little while, but mainly cuddle and kiss in the clear blue water, until I get wrinkled.

  “I’m going to head in and start on this tan. You wanna come with?” I ask and he smiles and shakes his head.

  “Nah, I might stay for just a little longer, but I’ll meet you back on the beach in a bit.”

  “Okay.” I swim back to shore and leave Hudson in the sea while I walk up the hot sand toward where we left our towels and bags. I pick up my towel and dry myself down. I’m having a really good time and I’m glad he brought me here, even if I am a little on edge.

  “Boss?” I hear and I momentarily freeze.

  I slowly turn around. “Star, hey,” I say as she and Papi walk over to me. My heart starts to pound and I feel a little breathless and lightheaded.

  “What are you doing here on your day off? Shouldn’t you be at home relaxing?” she says as Papi holds on to her hand.

  “Yeah probably, you guys got a break in between clients?” I ask and Papi nods.

  “Yeah, don’t worry we’re not bludging, just going to get some lunch. I’m shouting sushi for everyone,” Papi says making me laugh nervously.

  I look back quickly just to check on Hudson’s whereabouts, but I can’t see him. I exhale and look back at Papi.

  “That’s nice of you. Why don’t you do that when I’m at work?” I ask. My mouth is going dry and I’m starting to panic, I really don’t want Hudson showing up right now.

  “I will when you come back. Will you be in tomorrow?” he asks and I nod.

  “Yeah, should be, just having a day off today but will be back in the swing tomorrow,” I say glancing over my shoulder again.

  “In the swing? You back working on call again, Boss?” Papi asks.

  I open my eyes wide hoping no one heard that comment. Star laughs as she shakes her head at him.

  “Not that swing, you idiot,” Star says making me laugh again nervously. I love Papi, but sometimes he’s as dense as Rosie.

  “Star, we should buy a swing like that for us,” he says and she blushes and opens her eyes wide at him.

  I laugh and shake my head. I love, how even though she’s an escort, talking about her sex life can still make her blush.

  “Well, I guess you better go and get sushi before Sheila knocks your heads off for not bringing her food on time,” I say and they both laugh. I turn around again, briefly checking but seeing nothing.

  “Yeah, we all know how feisty she can be without her sustenance,” Star says.

  I nod and wipe my sweaty palms on my towel. “Exactly, now get back to work you two,” I joke and then some arms wrap around me from behind as I feel a kiss on my neck. I freeze and my body goes rigid while Star and Papi’s eyes widen in shock. My heart starts to really thud in my chest as I look sideways to see his handsome face.

  “Hey,” Hudson says as he looks at Star and Papi. “I’m Hudson,” he says putting his hand out for Papi to shake. Papi looks at his hand and shakes it while looking at me and smirking.

  “So, I’ll ah… see you guys tomorrow. Have a good lunch,” I say and hinting with my eyes for them to leave.

  Papi smirks and looks right at me. “Hey, I’m Carlos, nice to meet ya, dude. I had no idea Boss was ah… seeing someone?” Papi says making me open my eyes wide at him while Star continues to look at me with a dirty big grin on her face.

  “Boss?” Hudson asks.

  “Yeah, we work for her. Hey, I’m Sarah, nice to meet you. Anyway we’ll see you tomorrow and have a good day off, Boss,” Star says and I close my eyes and exhale in relief that she understands my facial expressions. My heart rate decreases slightly and my breathing is slowing down. She grabs Papi’s hand and starts to pull him away.

  “He’s hot,” Papi says to Star making me laugh nervously as I turn to look at Hudson, putting on a straight face.

  “Nice to meet you guys,” Hudson says as Star walks off dragging Papi behind her while he continues to watch me with a smirk on his face.

  “So they work for you, hey?” Hudson asks and I smile and nod.

  “Yeah, they’re just out getting some lunch,” I reply and move us to sit on the towels as I lay mine back down.

  “So you work around here then?” he asks and my breath catches.

  “M-hmm,” I murmur and sit down. He sits down beside me and takes my hand in his.

  “So that’s why you were a little weird when we pulled up. It’s okay I won’t ask anymore, but they seemed like a nice couple. They are a couple, right?”

  “Yeah, they tried to hide their relationship from me, but I knew anyway. They only confirmed it a little while ago, around the time I met you actually,” I say and he lays down on his towel moving his arm out making room for me to lay down next to him. So I do and I cuddle into his side.

  “Well, they seem nice,” he says kissing my head.

  “Yeah, they are. Good workers too,” I say and he nods against my hair.

  “Did Carlos say I was hot?” he asks and I laugh out loud.

  “Yeah, I think he did.”

  “Okay, fair enough,” Hudson says and I look up at him.

  “What? Don’t like another man finding you attractive, babe?” I ask teasingly.

  He smirks and raises his eyebrows. “Well, I guess if I get sick of you at least I know there are other options for me out there,” he jokes and I roll my eyes and cuddle back into him feeling relieved that Star understood me. I’m also grateful
that Hudson doesn’t push for more information. Maybe he really is trying hard to not let the fact that I’m so closed off bother him. Well, I hope so anyway. I’m just glad that it was Papi and Star and not Rosie and Sheila - that would have been a total disaster!

  Hudson and I cuddle for a while just soaking in the sun rays. It’s mid-afternoon and it’s really starting to get hot out here, and even though I’m so relaxed in the arms of Hudson, I need to get back into the water to cool off.

  “Babe, you think we could go for another swim?” I ask pulling up my sunnies and looking at him. He smiles and nods.

  “Sure thing. Is my firecracker ready to explode in the heat?” he asks and I nod my head and chuckle at him.

  “Yeah, something like that,” I say and he sits up taking me with him and then we both stand up. He wraps his arms around my shoulders and I walk alongside him down toward the ocean and he leans in kissing my head. I look up at him and smile just as his attention is taken away from my face.

  “How cool is that?” he says looking past me.

  I turn to look and notice a Naval Cadet Unit setting up to take out their sailing boats for a spin. My body tenses as I see the teenagers rigging up their boats ready to launch them into the ocean.

  Hudson holds me tighter and kisses my head again. “You okay? You seem tense?” he asks, pulling my eyes from the Cadets.

  “Yeah, I’m fine,” I say as we arrive where the gentle sea water is caressing the soft sand beneath my feet. “I might just sit in the shallows for a bit. I’m feeling a little groggy, must be from the heat. I just want to sit in the water for a while.”

  He looks at me furrowing his brows with concern. “Baby, if you’re not feeling well I can take us home?”

  “No, I’m fine, just wanna sit for a bit,” I say and he nods and goes to sit down.

  “Hey, if you want to go for a swim, then please go, don’t let me stop you.”