Darkest Hour Before Dawn (THIRDS 9)

Hudson nodded. He sighed contentedly and sank back into sweet slumber. When he woke, it was to the sound of the front door opening. Yawning, Hudson sat up. He rubbed his eyes with the back of his hands and frowned.

"Seb?"

Seb grinned widely at him as he stepped into the living room. "Hey, sweetheart." He sat down beside Hudson and pulled him onto his lap, inhaling his scent. "God, I missed you."

"Did you just get home?" Hudson blinked at him.

Seb chuckled. "Wow, you really are out of it. Just walked in. You were looking right at me." He placed a kiss on Hudson's temple. "Sleepyhead."

"I could have sworn...." Hudson shook his head. "Must have been dreaming."

"Of me, I hope," Seb said before capturing Hudson's lips in a gentle kiss. Hudson shifted, straddling Seb's lap and slipping his arms around Seb's neck. Seb released a low groan that rose from his chest. He buried his face against Hudson's neck, wrapping his arms tight around Hudson. When he spoke, his words were a whisper. "I was so scared."

"Me too," Hudson admitted, running his fingers through Seb's hair as he held Seb to him. He smelled of shower gel and his own delicious scent. He'd showered and changed at work, dressed in jeans and a long-sleeved T-shirt. His hair was damp, and his jaw clean-shaven. They were quiet, soaking in each other's warmth, holding on as if afraid to let go. Hudson certainly had no intention of letting go, not now, not ever.

Seb was strong and solid beneath Hudson, and he could feel Seb's heart beating. Sebastian Hobbs was a gift, and Hudson would never take him for granted again.

"Darling?" Hudson ran his fingers through Seb's silky hair.

"Hmm?"

Hudson placed his lips to Seb's ear. "Ask me again."

Seb straightened, his brows furrowed together. "Ask you what--" His eyes widened. "You mean.... Um...." He cleared his throat. "Will you marry me?"

Hudson climbed off Seb's lap and peered at him. "That depends."

"On what?" Seb sounded as though he was holding his breath.

"On whether you ask me properly." Hudson sniffed and folded his arms over his chest. "I've been waiting a bloody long time for this."

Seb laughed softly. He got down on one knee, and Hudson's heart was ready to burst from the love he felt for the man in front of him. He smiled down at his beautiful mate.

"Hudson Colbourn, will you do me the honor of being my husband? Marry me?"

Hudson cocked his head in thought. "I suppose someone needs to make an honest man out of you."

"You're killing me here, Lobito." Seb poked Hudson's stomach, making him laugh. "Stop stalling already. I've been waiting a long time for this too. Marry me. Let's be jinxes together."

Hudson laughed. Seb's dazzling green eyes grew glassy, and Hudson nodded. "Yes, Sebastian. I'll marry you."

Seb stood and grabbed Hudson, then lifted him off his feet, sniggering when Hudson flailed before bursting into laughter. Hudson was going to do his damnedest to make Seb happy each and every day. They'd lost so much time. He wasn't going to lose any more. He cupped Seb's face and kissed him, a part of him afraid this was all a wonderful dream. So long he'd been without his mate, without his beautiful, amazing man.

Hudson pulled back, his smile so wide it hurt his face. "Let's not wait."

"Are you serious?" Seb placed Hudson on his feet. "Don't you want a wedding? You've been so excited about Dex and Sloane's, I thought you'd want the same thing."

"I have everything I want right here," Hudson assured him. "Of course Dex is going to have a big wedding. That's his style. I believe his last words to me on the subject were, and I quote, 'If I don't get at least a six-tier wedding cake with enough sugar to power the next shuttle launch, I'mma cut a bitch.'"

Seb laughed at Hudson's impression of Dex. Hudson's American accent was far better than Dex's English one, or what he attempted to pass off as one. If Dex was going to be a spy, he was going to need some lessons.

"Yeah, that sounds like Dex."

"Please, darling. After all these years, after everything we've been through, I don't think I can wait another day."

"Whatever you want, Lobito. Only problem is, it's almost ten in the evening."

Hudson walked to the coffee table to pick up his phone, a wicked smile on his face. "You seem to forget who our friends are." Hudson tapped away at the screen, then placed the phone to his ear. "Dex? I need your help."