Vow of Devotion (Vow Series Book 4) Page 13

  Not even Kevin’s obnoxious presence could put a damper on Ava meeting my friends. Ava handled herself with the group perfectly. She fits in like she belongs.

  Because she does belong. To me.

  Every time I looked at her today, I swelled with pride, with the knowledge that she’s mine. We’re building something together. Something I didn’t see coming, but now I’m determined to devote my life to.

  We’ve been moving quickly since deciding to be together, but it feels right. Nothing has ever felt this right in my life. Nothing has ever brought me so much peace. Even with all the shit swirling around at work, having Ava’s warm presence centers me. She keeps me grounded and I can’t wait to sink myself into her warmth and truly get lost in bliss.

  After the move, when we dropped Lilly off, I got out of the car with Ava and walked them to the door. Lilly’s friend’s mom assumed I was her dad. The moment before Ava corrected her, I wanted that. I’ve never felt that before.

  Mom is going to throw a parade when she sees how serious I am about Ava and our future.

  Ava and I spent the rest of the afternoon and night enjoying our first time alone together. After dinner, she fidgeted before we made our way to my bedroom to get ready for bed.

  I feel like a shaken soda bottle, ready to explode at any second. I swear I can hear our heartbeats echoing in the empty space. Without furniture filling the rooms, the house feels empty, but Ava’s presence fills it with something I can’t name.

  My body has been anticipating this all night. I try to calm down and remember that I need to take this at her pace, not pounce on her as soon as she comes out of the bathroom. It may not even happen tonight. She may not be ready.

  If only my hard dick would get that memo.

  A moment later, Ava comes out of the bathroom and there’s no way I’ll be able to calm my dick down.

  She’s wearing a dark blue nightie. The laces covering her breasts barely hide her nipples and the skirt stops at the top of her thighs. My mouth waters as I stare at her.

  “You . . . you’re stunning.” My voice is hoarse and my body is coiled tight, ready to launch off the bed and ravish her. It takes every ounce of will power I posses to let her walk to the bed on her own.

  I move to the edge of the bed. She walks straight between my spread legs and brushes her hands up my naked chest to my neck, then behind my head.

  I crane my neck back to meet her eyes. My hands skim up her silky thighs and skate over her ass. When my hands land on her lower back, I pull her to me. “I’ve never wanted anything more.”

  Ava swallows, wrapping her hands in my hair. “It’s been a long time for me, I’m sorry if I’m . . . rusty.”

  “If you only stood in front of me all night, just like this, it’d be perfect. It’d be the best time of my life.”

  “You’re a lot more experienced than me.” Her eyes cast away from me and her voice softens as she speaks. In some ways she may be right, but on every level that matters, she’s wrong.

  “I’ve never experienced this,” I confess.

  Her brow furrows.

  “I’ve never experienced the way I feel about you. I’ve never made love, and I know that’s what this will be.”

  “Kiss me,” she breathes and tightens her fingers in my hair.

  I bring her closer to me until she’s flush against my chest. My mouth finds hers and my tongue traces her lips until she opens for me. My tongue delves inside of her mouth, savoring her taste.

  Ava breaks our kiss and stares into my eyes for a moment before kissing me again. Our tongues dance together, caressing each other. My hands skim down her back and squeeze her ass. Her fingers trail down my neck and coast over my chest.

  She’s not wearing any panties. My fingers are greeted by wet, warm pussy. Ava whimpers as I tease her clit with light touches.

  She breaks our kiss, breathing heavily, and whips her nightie over her head, tossing it behind her. My mouth immediately descends to devour her perfect tits and rosy nipples.

  I run my teeth over one taut nipple, making her arch and moan my name. I move to her other breast, lavishing it with the same attention as the first. My hand at her side slides down the outside of her leg. I bring her knee onto the bed next to my hip and lean back.

  All of her is exposed to me like this.

  “Please, Hudson.”

  Her lips find mine again. My fingers circle her clit, increasing the pressure with each new pass. Her back bows off the bed and her breasts press high into the hair. I flick the hard nub between her legs with my thumb and run a finger down her slit before pushing inside of her.

  Energy, power, and pure male pride run through my veins as she moans my name against my mouth. My dick is straining against my sweatpants.

  I didn’t lie to Ava. Her standing in front of me clothed was already the best experience of my life, but adding this tops every sexual experience I’ve ever had.

  I work another finger inside of her. Ava rocks against my hand.

  “That’s it, baby.”

  My thumb keeps working her clit. Ava clutches my shoulders as she rides my fingers. My other hand skims her body, finding her puckered nipple. I roll it between my thumb and forefinger, plucking in time with the flicks to her clit.

  Ava’s pussy starts to clench around my fingers. I lean back so I can watch her face.

  “Let me see you, bluebonnet. Give me everything. I want it all.”

  Her eyes open, locking onto mine at the same time I send her over the edge. My fingers continue to pump, coaxing her through every wave and moan.

  I pull my fingers out and graze her clit one last time. My hands rub over her ass and up her back, and I bring her to me. Her lips are hovering over mine and our breaths mix together.

  “Best I’ve ever had,” I whisper.

  Her eyes close and she takes a deep breath, shaking her head. “Can’t talk.”

  I lift her by the waist and lay her down on the bed. Her legs spread open, inviting me to come between them. As I move to cover her with my body, she stops me and pushes down my sweatpants.

  My cock springs free and Ava gasps. A tentative hand reaches out and wraps around me. She moves it up and down a few times, squeezing with a firm grip. Her hand rotates on her slide from root to tip, and her thumb caresses the head of my cock with each pass. I push her hand away so I don’t blow before I can even get inside of her.

  I’ve been worked up all night, and watching Ava come apart under my fingers has pushed me to the edge. I need to get myself under control if I don’t want to embarrass myself.

  As soon as Ava’s hand is off of me, I fall on top of her, and my hands rove over every inch of her delectable body.

  Our mouths are fused together and our bodies are sliding against each other, a sheen of sweat covering us.

  I sit up and lean over to grab a condom from my drawer. “Are you sure, Ava?”

  She nods.

  “Words, baby. We can stop right now. I won’t be disappointed. If you don’t want this right now, tell me.”

  “I need this, Hudson. Please. I need to feel you inside of me. I think I’ll go crazy if you stop this right now.”

  My teeth rip open the condom packet and I roll it on in record time. “You’re mine, Ava.”

  She nods but doesn’t answer. I know there’s still some lingering doubt about us, mostly centered around Lilly. If she only understood how much I want them both in my life, maybe this would be easier for her.

  “Kiss me, bluebonnet.”

  Her dark blue eyes shine with desire as she closes the distance and kisses me.

  I sink inside of her as our lips lock together. I roll my hips, each thrust grinding me against her clit, and her pussy flutters each time I hit her G-spot.

  Ava meets me with every thrust. We’re moving as one and I finally understand what people mean when they call sex beautiful.

  This right here with Ava underneath me is fucking gorgeous.

  Our eyes connect and we wat
ch each other fall off the cliff.

  Chapter 21

  Ava

  It’s been two weeks since Callan moved out. In those two weeks, Hudson and I have been almost inseparable. Lilly and I haven’t stayed at his house yet, but he’s stayed with us a few nights. He’s almost always here for breakfast and dinner.

  This morning when I picked up laundry, some of it was his. We check in with each other multiple times a day. He mentioned in passing that when he sees my name on his screen, it helps with the stress that’s been piling on top of him at work. There still aren’t answers for where the drugs on his site came from. I can’t imagine the pressure he’s under, but he never lets his worry spoil our time together.

  We’re full steam ahead in this relationship.

  So I don’t know why his request takes me by surprise. It’s a normal marker in any relationship.

  “You want me to meet your family?” I ask.

  “Yes.”

  “Tomorrow?”

  “Tomorrow.”

  Surely he’s joking. I push against his chest and lean back so I can see his face. But he’s not joking. Not at all. “Did you already tell them we’re coming?”

  “Yes.”

  I pinch his chest.

  “Ow. What the hell was that for?”

  “Well, you’re asking me if it’s okay, but you’ve already concluded that it is and your family is expecting us. Is Lilly invited?”

  “Of course she’s invited. My mom is really excited to meet her. She’ll adopt her as her granddaughter by the end of tomorrow night.”

  I gulp. “Okay.”

  Lilly understands the concept of a grandparent, but she’s never truly had one. Wes’s parents are still alive, but they couldn’t handle being in our lives after Wes was gone.

  “Why are you worried? Everyone will love you.” His large palm cups my cheek, his thumb smoothing the skin along my cheekbone.

  “The last family I was involved with was my own. You know how that turned out,” I say. I sigh, trying to reassure myself that this will be okay. “I’ve never met anyone’s family.”

  “What about Wes’s family?”

  My heart squeezes. I rub the aching spot over my chest. “Only at his funeral. I spoke to them a few times on the phone while I was pregnant. That’s it.”

  “Why aren’t they in Lilly’s life?”

  My eyes follow my finger as I trace Hudson’s hard chest. I bite my lip and the old pain of abandonment resurfaces. Hudson speaks highly of his family and I’ve never been a part of anything like that.

  “They really struggled with Wes’s death. He was their only child. The reminder was too painful for them, I think. They didn’t want to be around us. I told them that the door is open if they change their minds, but after six years, I think they have pretty firmly shut that door.” I shrug and force my voice to be lighter. “They didn’t want us. It’s their loss. We’re pretty great.”

  When my voice breaks at the end, Hudson’s eyes close. When they pop open, his jaw hardens and his eyes lock with mine. “It is their loss. I can’t imagine how anyone wouldn’t want either of you. Now that you’re mine, I’m not letting go. My family is going to adopt you both today. Mom will be planning our wedding by the time we leave. And I don’t think I’m going to stop her.”

  I swallow a gasp. Not because that sounds bad. But because it sounds wonderful. It’s a heady thing to realize I’d walk down any aisle if Hudson met me at the end. Is he really thinking so far ahead?

  “It’s going to be fun, don’t worry.” Hudson kisses my forehead and brings my head back to his chest. I trace circles along his skin and watch his muscles twitch beneath the surface.

  “Can I bring anything?”

  “Just Lilly.”

  I smile. “Is that enough?”

  Hudson rolls on top of me. My legs fall open, allowing his hips to come between my legs. His hard length is thickening against me. I roll my hips. “You two are always enough,” he says just before he kisses me.

  My hand slides down his naked back into his shorts. I grab his firm ass and roll my hips. The groan that erupts from his throat is so masculine it sends a rush of heat through my body. Every nerve ending stands at attention.

  “Hudson,” I moan when one of his long, thick fingers pushes inside of me.

  A half hour later, once our bodies are sated, Hudson cocoons me against him, my head resting on his hard chest and my arms wrapped around him. Our legs are a tangled mess, and his arms are holding me tight.

  “Thank you for taking a chance on me, Ava. Winning you was the hardest and most important battle I ever fought.”

  “Thank you for not letting me down, Hudson.”

  Every ounce of trepidation I’ve felt since meeting him has slowly been sliding away. When we met, I put him in a category with my mom’s exes. That wasn’t fair and that’s not who Hudson is. He hasn’t lost interest now that we’ve had each other.

  He’s taking me to meet his family.

  His interest is growing.

  We kiss one last time before drifting off to sleep, wrapped in each other. My heart is tumbling faster and faster toward the edge. Since it’s Hudson, I know it’ll be worth the fall.

  My sweaty palms smooth down my dress for the millionth time. I tug down the hemline, trying to bring it closer to knee length. The seatbelt is choking me, so I yank it away from my body, holding it a couple inches away from me.

  “Stop fidgeting.” Hudson drops his hand on my knee, caressing the outside with his thumb. His eyes flick from me to the road and back to me. “It’s all going to be okay, I swear. There’s nothing to be nervous about.”

  “That’s easy for you to say. You’ll never have to meet the family with me.”

  “I had to meet your daughter,” he returns. “Getting a six-year-old to like me wasn’t easy. My family is easy. They’re laidback and fun. Relax, bluebonnet. I wouldn’t take you anywhere I thought would turn into a bad situation for you.”

  I close my eyes and concentrate on inhaling and exhaling. My lids fly open. “The flowers are okay, right? Your mom will like them?”

  “Love ’em.” Hudson’s hand squeezes my knee.

  I turn in my seat to check on Lilly. She’s staring out the window, watching the passing houses and fields. She’ll be okay. She’s outgoing and spirited. She makes friends wherever she goes, but she’s also happy to be by herself. No, it’s only me I’m worried about. I will myself to forego any drinks without a straw. And absolutely no french dressing.

  We file out of the truck and make our way up the driveway to the back gate. Hudson unlatches a large wooden fence door and motions me to go first, but I shake my head and widen my eyes. He chuckles and goes through the gate. Lilly follows him without a second thought.

  I take a deep breath, then go through the gate door into the back yard. Hudson is standing there, turned toward the gate and waiting for me with an outstretched hand. Beyond him, too many blond people to count are staring at us.

  Lilly waves. I take Hudson’s hand and keep my eyes on his approaching family members. “Why do all the groups in your life have to be so big?”

  He laughs, taking his hand out of mine and wrapping it around my shoulder. He leans down to kiss my head.

  “Goodness.” A petite blond woman steps forward. “My dreams are coming true.”

  “Ma,” Hudson says. Ma? This is Hudson’s mother? How did she birth five boys the size of linebackers? She’s tiny and they all tower over her. I can’t imagine any of them being small babies. “This is Ava and Lilly.”

  His mom’s hand is covering her heart as she stares at me and tears fill her eyes. “Oh my God. They’re gorgeous. Hi, girls. I’m Monica.”

  “Hi.” I extend my hand. She swats it away and enfolds me into a tight bear hug.

  “I’ve been waiting for you for a long time,” she whispers in my ear.

  I don’t know how to respond. When our hug slowly breaks, I extend the flowers Hudson and I picked up on
the way over when he bought bags of ice.

  “Thank you so much for inviting me to your home,” I say.

  She takes the flowers from my hand and brings them to her nose, inhaling their scent. “They’re beautiful. Thank you.”

  Her eyes move to Lilly. Her eyes become even brighter.

  “This is my daughter, Lilly. Lilly, this is Hudson’s mom, Monica.”

  “Hi,” Lilly says, opening her arms for a hug. Monica crouches down to Lilly’s level and hugs her while smiling up at me.

  Hudson introduces me to the rest of the brood. They’re just as nice and welcoming as his mother. His brothers are as handsome as he is, though I personally think he has a bit of an edge on them.

  Eli, Hudson’s cousin’s son, comes straight up to Lilly and hugs her tightly. My frown deepens at Lilly’s blush. Eli takes Lilly’s hand in his and they run off into the expansive yard together.

  “That’s the cutest thing I’ve ever seen,” Monica says.

  “It terrifies me,” I confide.

  She throws her head back, laughing. “You’ll have so many of those moments you won’t know how to handle it. She’ll grow up so fast right in front of your eyes and you’ll beg time to stand still.”

  “I’m already doing that.”

  She rubs my back. “I understand, honey.”

  And in that moment, a moment so easy and real, I’m more comfortable with her than I ever was with my own mother.

  “Sit down, honey. Sit down.” Monica sits in a cushy deck chair, patting the one next to her. I take the seat and cross my legs. Hudson picks up a pitcher from the table and pours some iced tea into a glass and hands it to me. No straw. Well, here goes nothing.

  “Thanks, honey.”

  Terms of endearment from me to Hudson are new. But they’re coming more naturally and Hudson grins each time. When he looks at me with that mix of wonder and awe, I turn into a pile of goo.

  “Hudson says you’re a teacher?” his mom asks.

  “Ma,” he says, standing at my back. “Leave her alone. Don’t start asking a thousand questions.”