Page 30

Thirty

Willow

“I love Gamebreakers,” I say, grinning as I flop back on the mattress.

“I think I love you on Gamebreakers too.” He winks at me, and my heart flutters. My man is sexy as hell.

And…I just had the best night in, well, for as long as I can remember.

Chatting with West and Magnus, getting all the insider information and fun behind-the-scenes stories.

Laughing with Briar, Jade, and Aspen as Briar shared all the insider information about Hudson and the rest of the Gamebreakers.

Okay, so it was less just laughing and more cackling , especially when Briar told us the story of the first time the guys babysat Frankie.

Which was also the first time that any of them changed a poopy diaper.

It was a chaotic round of gagging, going through an entire package of baby wipes, three outfit changes for Frankie, and ended with a diaper that was put on backward.

How many Gamebreakers does it take to successfully change a newborn’s diaper?

Apparently, more than Atlas, Royal, Banks, and Hudson.

That had me laughing so hard my stomach and cheeks hurt, but it wasn’t just Briar telling us all the dirty details. She shared stories that filled my heart too.

How Royal held her hand as she pushed Frankie out—because, for a variety of reasons, Hudson, her parents, and the other guys were too far away to make it in time for the birth.

Royal was touring with his former band, happened to be in a nearby city and…

he was there to wish Frankie her first happy birthday.

So, yeah, it’s not a surprise that he, Frankie, and Briar are close.

Atlas wasn’t immune to the stories—we both heard about how he stepped in and offered Briar the job as his assistant and how funny it was that the suave businessman was unusually tongue-tied when meeting pop star, Lily Maxwell.

Considering I was there for that initial introduction, I was able to join in on the teasing.

And, yeah, it was just a little banter, but…it felt good.

Like I was an insider.

Like I’m part of something.

A family I’ve never had before.

Even now, with half of my mind on Hudson as he strips off his clothes and gets ready for bed and the other half going through the evening, the scenes flashing through my mind one-by-one—and not caring that, more than once, I saw phones pointed in my direction—I know that it’s beyond special, what Hudson and the others have given me.

I know I’m beyond lucky.

Privileged.

So fucking in love with Hudson and everyone else that all the painful moments from my past are dulled.

Because the past brought me here .

Because I appreciate that what I have now is so much more than I thought I would have, even two years ago.

“Here you go, princess,” Hudson murmurs.

I blink, realize he’s holding out one of his tees…and that he’s just sporting a pair of tight black boxer briefs.

I think I have a new favorite outfit of his.

The waistband hangs low on his waist, showing the indents by his hips, leaving his gorgeous body on display. Six neat boxes on his abdomen, pecs that I’ve cupped and squeezed, strong shoulders, bulging biceps…and something else is bulging too.

The hard length of his erection is tenting the fabric of his underwear.

He wants me, but he won’t take me, not until I give him the clear green light.

Because he’s a good man.

I smile, allow my gaze to hang there for long moments, appreciating the view, appreciating the pleasure his body brings me, even while knowing it’s not just his body—it’s his heart.

Only then do I continue permitting my eyes to drift down, past that tempting bulge, past the legs of his boxer briefs, stretched taut around his powerful thighs.

“You’re hot,” I announce.

He jerks. Then his mouth curves up into a sexy smile. “And you’re drunk.”

I stretch again, lifting my arms over my head, loving when his gaze catches on the fabric pulled taut over my breasts. “I’m not drunk,” I say, holding tight to one of the metal rails on the headboard.

And getting an idea.

“Princess,” he admonishes gently. “I saw how many Gamebreakers you drank.”

“I didn’t say I was completely sober.” I test the metal, letting the idea percolate through my mind, testing it, seeing if the panic wells up.

I wait…and when it doesn’t, I grin.

He chuckles, one warm hand settling on my ankle, pulling off one shoe and then the other. “What’s that grin for?”

“No reason,” I say, flexing my toes, happy to be out of the heels, then lift up when he unbuttons my pants and tugs them down my hips, my ankles, and off my feet. They land soundlessly somewhere behind him.

“That’s not a no reason grin, baby.” He reaches for the hem of my shirt and I sit up, help him pull it over my head.

“No,” I say, lying back down, “I suppose it’s not.”

“Hmm.” A kiss to my temple, his nose nuzzling at the hinge of my jaw. “My good girl’s thinking naughty things, aren’t you?”

I lift one shoulder in a lazy shrug. “Maybe?” I lay back. “Maybe not.”

One palm lands on my belly, pushing gently, pressing me back into the bed. “Which means yes,” he says humor creeping into his tone, leaning over me. “What sorts of naughty things, baby?”

“Mmm.” God, I love it when he kisses my throat, when he drags his tongue lightly over my collar bones, when he tugs at the fabric of my bra, exposing my breasts, suckling at my nipples.

In fact, I love it so much that I almost forget about my naughty thoughts.

At least, until he murmurs, “Tell me.”

“What?”

“Tell me what you want, princess.” His hand skates down, tracing over my waist, dipping into my underwear. “I’ll give you anything.”

I know that.

Which is why I want to give him this.

“I was wondering…”

A brush of his fingers between my thighs, dancing over my clit. I gasp as pleasure ripples through me, don’t bristle at his smug tone when he says, “You were wondering what?”

Because that feels good. No, it feels incredible.

Still, I gather what feels like herculean strength to say, “I was wondering where your handcuffs were.”

His big body goes statue still. “Princess?—”

I reach up, cup his jaw. “I’m ready, Hudson. I want…” I nibble at my lip. “Well, I want that .”

“I don’t need that, baby. I’m fine with what we’ve been doing.”

“I know.” I smile at him. “But I was kind of hoping we could do a little more.”

Hot hazel eyes. “You sure?”

I nod.

“Okay, baby.” He pushes off the bed, disappears from the room for a minute. I wait for any blip of panic, any sense this might be wrong or too much.

But all I am is certain.

And turned on.

I want to erase that dark memory, want to replace it with something beautiful—because I know that Hudson will give it to me.

He pulls the handcuffs out of the holder and I gulp at the rings of silver. “You sure?” he asks again, putting one knee into the bed.

“I’m very sure.”

A wicked grin. “Definitely loving these naughty thoughts, but—” He moves in a rush, rolling to his back, head hitting the pillow next to me.

Before I can ask what he’s doing, I hear?—

Click.

I gape at him.

Because it’s not me handcuffed to the bed frame.

It’s… him.

“Wh—”

He uses his free hand to cup my jaw. “Someday I’ll do that for you”—he presses a finger to my lips when I open my mouth to protest—“Tonight I need you to let me give you this.”

My heart pulses.

God, I love him.

And I love him when he orders, “Now climb on, princess, and take anything you want.”

Grinning, heart pounding, desire pooling between my legs, I crawl over him.

And I follow those orders to a T.