Bruiser (Seattle Sharks 7)

“Over you? Definitely.” I smirked up at her shocked expression and then set my mouth on her. Our eyes locked as ate her, using my tongue, my teeth, and my lips to drive her higher and higher.

She tasted like the sweetest wine, and I drank her up, lapping at every ounce of desire she gave me. I sucked her clit and her hips bucked.

“God! Hudson!” she cried, her pussy riding my mouth, grinding down on me, seeking the pressure and rhythm she needed. I held her still with my hands, drawing it out, keeping her on the verge.

Her thighs tightened around my head, the muscles in her stomach clenched.

She was winding tighter and tighter.

“So fucking sweet,” I growled against her pussy before thrusting my tongue inside her tight passage.

I pressed my thumb against her clit, rubbing it in circles as I thrust my tongue into her again and again, fucking her with my mouth.

Then I flicked her once, thrust deep, and she came, her body convulsing as she screamed out my name.

“Hudson!”

I kept at her, sliding my tongue in and out of her pussy as my fingers stroked her clit, until her body coiled into a second, more powerful orgasm.

She came again, her head thrashing on the couch, her voice breaking at the peak.

It was my name on her lips.

My mouth between her thighs.

My fingers and tongue bringing her to climax.

And yet, she was the one who owned me in that moment.

I licked her clean, savoring every second I had while she was open to me.

She was every fantasy come to life, and better than I could have ever imagined.

“You were right,” she mumbled with an orgasm-drunk smile, her fingers toying with my hair as I slid back up her body.

“Oh?” I asked, telling my dick to deflate.

Yeah, right.

The pain was so fucking worth it.

She kissed me lightly, then licked her lips, no doubt tasting herself.

“So much better than chocolate.”

Chapter 8

Shea

“Mom let me bring the skates you got me!” Elliott said by way of greeting when the elevator doors opened.

Hudson watched her glide into his penthouse apartment like she owned it, holding the door open for me as well.

I shifted my weight in the elevator, unsure if I should accept his invitation to come inside or not. The man had devoured me both body and soul—the images from my couch burning my mind every second we’d been apart. I wanted more. I wanted him. More so, I wanted to give myself to him completely, and that scared the hell out of me.

“I won’t bite,” he said, his voice low, gravely. “Unless you want me to,” he said even quieter.

My eyes flashed wide before searching out Elliott inside the massive apartment, but she’d already settled herself on the oversize couch near his mounted flat screen.

“Come on,” he said. “Elliott has been here a handful of times. It’s time you see the place, too.”

I sighed and gave him a soft smile, walking past him and inside. Our arms brushed as I entered his home, and chills raced across my skin.

A simple contact and I was right back where I’d been after dinner last week.

Him on his knees before me.

His mouth undoing me.

His lips, delicious and perfect and doing their best to send me into orbit.

The way his tongue danced between my thighs, teasing and flicking before sliding inside with such…claiming.

“Want something to drink?” he asked, strolling to his kitchen.

“No, thank you,” I said, my voice a bit breathless from the memories. “I’ve got to be at work soon.”

He nodded from behind his kitchen island, his hands on the marble.

I took in the penthouse—the hardwood floors, the clean lines of gray that decorated the sleek cabinets, the crisp marble of his kitchen island. The penthouse had an open floorplan, with the kitchen leading right into the family room, which was decorated in similar smooth tones, with a lush couch and custom built-ins bordering his flat screen. A corridor off the family room held a few doors, as well as a staircase that led to more rooms, all of which I assumed were bedrooms and bathrooms, and knew I should not explore those under any circumstances.

Because there was something that happened to me when Hudson and I were alone—some kind of…unleashing. A magnetic draw that pulled taut and seared until I spanned the distance between his body and mine.

Not that I couldn’t feel that connection now.

I could, and maybe that is what scared me most. That I enjoyed the man’s company just as much as I enjoyed his mouth on me.

If it were purely physical relief, then maybe I’d feel somehow more in control.

But it wasn’t.

I liked him.

And I hadn’t liked anyone in that regard in a long time.

I blew out a breath, my pumps clicking against the hardwood as I made my way over to the wall of windows that peppered his kitchen and living room. Elliott had already slipped her skates out of her bag, her socked feet sliding on the floors as she rounded the corner and disappeared to where I knew Hudson had a room filled with synthetic ice. She looked so relaxed and at home, I was shocked she hadn’t already claimed a room here for herself.

“Some view,” I said, my eyes wide as I stared at the Space Needle that filled the skyline. The sky was crystal clear, a blue that almost matched Hudson’s eyes.

“That’s why I bought the place.” He was right next to me, close enough to touch but refraining.

Bought.

He’d been able to buy this penthouse, own it, without a second thought.

No doubt the place cost three times what it was worth because of its stellar location. Right in the heart of the city. We could walk to Pike’s Market if we wanted.

I could work every day for the rest of my life and never afford a place like this.

I kept my eyes on that skyline, my mind reaffirming my worth. I was proud of the life I’d carved out for Elliott and myself. Proud that I’d earned my degrees, secured a position ahead of my time, and managed to ensure Elliott wanted for nothing throughout it all.

Sure, I could marvel at this place. Wonder at the way Hudson was able to live his life—a well-earned life at that. I could acknowledge that Elliott fit right in amongst the luxuries only a lot of zeros on each paycheck afforded, but I wouldn’t feel ashamed.

I refused to.

Because I could still remember—with painful clarity—what it was like to be hungry. The nights that were too long because my stomach was hollow. Because I’d had to choose to feed my baby over myself. Or choose diapers over clothes for work.

Ten years were the only thing that separated me from the scrounging girl I’d been to the self-reliant woman I’d become. Did I wish I could give Elliott a life like this? Sure, who wouldn’t?

But we were happy.

We were fed.

We were safe.

Though, I wouldn’t mind her enjoying herself and Hudson’s company as long as he…stayed with the program.

Which is exactly why the heat between us was dangerous.

“I know I’m quiet,” Hudson said, jolting me away from the view I’d lost myself in. I turned to look up at him, staring down at me. “But sometimes you seem like you want to outdo me.”

A soft smile played on my lips, and I shrugged as I clicked over to his kitchen island, running my fingers over the smooth marble. “Admiring your life, is all,” I said.

He followed me after taking a quick peek around the corner to check on Elliott—an action that made my heart melt.

“Admiring,” he said when he stopped on the other side of the island. “Or hating?”

I furrowed my brow. “Why on earth would I hate your life?”

It was his turn to shrug, those massive shoulders rippling each muscle beneath. “Some people hate the life. Sometimes I do. The paparazzi, the med

ia in general, the way it draws unwanted attention at the wrong times.”

I nodded. I’d learned as much from working Connor’s case. He’d almost lost everything because of one cold paparazzi with an agenda. Of course, Hudson had been wrapped up in it too, but he hadn’t had as much at stake. Not that his career was a small stake, but nothing compared to a child. Luckily, Hannah had gotten her happily ever after. Ivy too.

I wondered how they managed it, the women who dated or married the Sharks. The life seemed pitted against smooth relationships, and yet watching them? It was like they were this huge family, stronger than blood and more passionate than fire.

A longing ached in my chest—the idea of having that kind of support system, a band of brothers and wives there to help you no matter what.

“It’s beautiful, too,” I blurted, and he tilted his head. “I mean,” I said, realizing he couldn’t see inside my head, thank God. “The family you have. The bond. It’s a beautiful thing to watch, to experience. The way you rallied around Hannah and Connor. The way you clicked into place with these guys even when you’d just transferred over. It’s…beautiful.” I chuckled at my overuse of the word.

Hudson’s lips twitched into his barely perceptible smile as he slowly came around the island to stand directly in front of me. The heat from his body was like a drug, and with it so close? God, it was hard to think of anything else but wanting to touch him, feel him.

“It’s not always like that,” he said, his voice softer somehow. “I wasn’t as close with my previous team.”