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Normally, I might be excited to see all of my friends surrounding me at a party meant for me, but tonight I’m keyed up. Hudson looks heartstopping in his finest Armani suit, silver cufflinks at his wrists. For a man who is always in designer clothes, he somehow manages to up the ante in these. I was already dressed in my silvery satin gown so I got to watch him put on his tie and do his finishing touches, and it left me wanting more.
If the party weren’t for us, then I might have firmly persuaded him to let us be fashionably late. But since our friends are throwing us this engagement party, I muster up all the responsibility I have in me to not get too overwhelmed in him. Of course, he sees right through me. I’m pretty sure that those last few seconds he spent studying his appearance in the mirror before we left were not for just his benefit at all.
We manage to arrive at the venue on time, an elegant ballroom at an upscale hotel by the ocean that’s tastefully decorated. No balloons or streamers like I might've expected, but a live band in the corner on a small parquet and large banquet tables draped and decorated in arrangements of flowers and artificial tea lights. The whole room is glowing and upbeat and classy . Not a word I usually use for myself, but this just feels right. And the room is full with dozens of our closest friends wearing beautiful dresses and suits and it hits me all at once that people have dressed up to spend time here, celebrating Hudson and me. My heart feels so full that it could explode.
—
My mind is torn in two directions. Part of me is engaged in this conversation with Eden, listening intently as she describes her surprising love of astrology, but part of me is watching Hudson as he moves on the other side of the room, a huge grin on his face as he listens to whatever Jaxon is telling him. It’s no longer surprising to me that his smile is not antagonistic at all and looks downright adoring. My heart swells again. I can’t keep my eyes off him, surreptitiously glancing at him over Eden’s shoulder every couple of seconds. After a few minutes and going over my moon and rising signs, Eden takes notice. She looks behind her to see what keeps grabbing my attention and barks out a laugh. “I don’t think he’s going anywhere, if that’s what you’re worried about.” She knows I’m not and I’d be embarrassed if she didn’t have a slightly sappy look on her face from the general mood of the party. By now, I have the good sense not to bring that up to her or else I’ll end up regretting my words. I grin back at her and shrug, feigning nonchalance, and take a sip of my icy Dr Pepper. “You both look very lovely tonight, by the way,” she adds, eyeing the waterfall of my gown with approval.
“Don’t tell him that,” I laugh, “he’s vain enough as it is.”
“Scout’s honor,” Eden deadpans. “Seriously though, I’m so happy for the two of you. Your relationship is honestly kind of inspiring.”
Now the sappy look is on my face and I know it and I don’t even try to hide it. “I’m very lucky.”
She gently bumps my shoulder with hers before giving me a look that says Go get your man and frankly? You don’t have to tell me twice. She moves away, expecting me to go to him, but I end up staying right where I am. I sway a little bit to the music that is playing in the background and finish my drink, this time watching Hudson openly. And if there’s one thing I’ve learned about him, it’s that he watches me just as much as I watch him. I’ve laid the bait, now it’s time to catch him.
It takes longer than I expect. After a minute, I turn to go put my glass down and pop a cheese cube in my mouth. I’m about to turn back around when I feel his strong body against my back, his chin resting on my left shoulder.
“Still hungry?” He ribs, referencing the full plate I already ate when we got here a couple hours ago. And I’m not, not really, but when you see a pepper jack cheese cube sitting there, you must eat it. There are rules, and who am I to break such a sacred one?
I could pretend to be upset at his words and we could laugh about it, but I decide to tease him instead, test the waters. Perhaps I’m feeling bold tonight. “I’ve been hungry all night,” I answer, turning my head so that our noses touch.
Instead of responding like I think he would, he straightens up and goes into Caregiving Fiance mode. “Well, let’s get you a plate and go sit down.” He moves like he’s going to start loading up fruits and crackers and desserts onto a plate before I place my hand on his arm and shake my head.
“I actually wanted to go look at the view, now that the sun has set. Come with me?” Perhaps I should be more direct, so I take his hand and lead him over to a window that doesn’t currently have anyone talking by it. And I really do want to look at it, because it’s beautiful. The venue is right on the water facing north, and the city lights are starting to twinkle. But I do have other things in mind with getting him away to a more private spot.
Hudson moves to stand behind me again, wrapping his strong arms around my torso and dropping a kiss onto my bare shoulder. “It’s lovely,” he says quietly.
I start to sway a little to the music again, keeping his arms around me. He moves with me, humming along quietly into the swirly updo my curls are currently pinned into. I close my eyes, feeling the movement of my mate with me, his gentle voice in my ear, the warmth of his hands intertwined with mine at my front. My mind begins to wander again as I think about the joy I feel with him and let out a small hum of happiness. My face starts to get warm and I lean back into his embrace, feeling the length of his body against mine. And suddenly it isn’t enough. I want to feel all of him against me, with me. I take a glance to each side of us, making sure there’s not an immediate audience, and embolden myself to wiggle my ass a little more forcefully up against him, but otherwise keep swaying innocently.
Hudson purrs in my ear, his face dropping down to leave a long, open mouthed kiss on my shoulder again before turning to press a long kiss to the side of my neck. I gasp a little and squeeze his fingers where they’re still curled with mine and he tenses slightly, letting his fangs tease my neck before he pulls his face away to rest on my shoulder again.
I’m hoping that, to someone looking over, we would look like we’re just having a tender moment by the window, and not that we’re building tension until one of us breaks. To be honest, I’ve been at my breaking point since he pulled on his waist coat before we left, but I’m not about to show all my cards just yet. One of the best parts of being with Hudson is watching him unravel. Sometimes it feels like he has iron control over every situation. He’s smart, and he knows it, and usually chooses his words carefully with others. Even when he’s playing the role of bored, smarmy prince, he’s in control. So getting him to a point where he’s struggling to maintain that hold has become a game for me. A game where we both win, at least. And we’re playing it now, here in this upscale venue by the ocean, the sun dipping behind the horizon as all of our friends mingle around us to celebrate our engagement.
I feel him start to harden against me and my heart races. I want and need so badly that it feels like I won’t be able to get him to unravel the way I want him to. But it turns out I’m competitive so I will try my best not to break the spell. I can’t tell if I’m frustrated or grateful when Macy comes over to the window to observe next to us.
“Hey, Macy,” Hudson greets without turning us. “Isn’t this view great?”
He’s good, I’ll give him that much. He barely sounds affected, but the feel of his thumb brushing back and forth at the underneath of my breast says otherwise.
“It’s so beautiful!” She responds enthusiastically. “I’m so glad Jaxon found this place, it’s perfect!” She sighs, watching the darkening waves from the window. The three of us watch quietly for a moment, and Hudson and I have stopped swaying to the music. After a peaceful minute, Macy turns to face us fully and we straighten up. “Hudson, you’re making a speech right?”
His eyes widen for a split second, so quickly it would be easy to miss if you didn’t already have a habit of looking at him at all times the way I do. He gives a smirk and looks down at me before responding, “of course I am!” And even I’m convinced for a moment that he has something prepared. But I don’t think he does, or else he should be nominated for an acting award.
Luckily Macy doesn’t think anything of it and claps her hands in joy. “Oh great, let’s do that soon!” She proposes, though I’m not sure that anyone else is planning on saying anything. Maybe they are, I haven’t been to that many engagement parties before.
As Macy moves back away from the window, I take the time to turn in Hudson’s arms so we’re facing each other. I keep one of his hands in mine and he brings it up to his lips and places a long kiss on my knuckles as he keeps his eyes on mine. The warmth in me explodes again. This man is dangerous. This man is mine .
I’m still holding onto whatever last semblance of control I have, though, so I take the opportunity to tease him a little. “You have a speech prepared?” I ask. With the hand that’s still holding his, I reach down between us and brush against the front of his trousers. I trace the nail of my thumb along the front of his belt, never taking my eyes off of his. “Should I be scared?”
He gives me a contemplative look, and I’m worried that I’m going to lose the game I started. “I didn’t have anything prepared, strictly speaking, but something just came to mind.”
“Oh boy,” I tell him in the most even voice I can muster. “I can’t wait to hear the romantic musings of the great Hudson Vega.”
“Who said anything about romance?” He shrugs, and I have to laugh at that. Given, it’s a shaky laugh given my heart is still racing at the feeling of his body so close to mine, his eyes alight and boring straight into mine.
I give up. I’m waving the white flag. I’m burning for him and suddenly want to be anywhere else. “If you’re worried, we could always just go home and say I got sick from eating too many cheese cubes?” I offer, snaking my arms around his neck to bring myself closer to him. If I could, I would will him into taking me home right now.
Like the gentleman he is, he lets me kiss him once, and a second time before he pulls away from me, leaving me wanting more. And then not like a gentleman at all, he willfully ignores my hint. “Nonsense, I want them to hear what I have to say. When else am I going to have the opportunity to give my romantic musings?”
I almost groan, but I’m not defeated. Not yet, at least. Now that I’ve gotten a reprieve, I go back to my original plan of getting him to unravel. I haven’t broken him this time. I take a deep breath and walk back to our table with him.
We sit down next to each other, the white linen of the tablecloth draped delicately at our knees. As we sit, my Uncle Finn notices and takes the opportunity to clear his throat and get the room’s attention, the sound of glass tinkling around us without any actual glasses being tapped. Hudson and I look at each other.
“Everyone, I’d like to say a few words for our couple,” he announces to the room. Everyone has either returned to their tables or is standing nearby to hear what he has to say. I can feel eyes on the two of us. I angle my body so my knees are touching his and he reaches out and grabs my hand underneath the table cloth. Even just having two small junctures between us cools my nerves and anchors me. I give him a small smile and he returns it, lacing our fingers together.
Uncle Finn starts to talk about family, and love and devotion and an abridged version of how Hudson and I came together, but I barely register the words. Because as he waxes poetic about the mating bond, Hudson has pulled our linked hands onto his lap, far enough up that I can feel this heat of him through his trousers. He slowly pulls my hand up and I can feel his hardening member, and I stroke it lightly with my pinky.
He’s doing better than I am at keeping himself composed, because he pulls my hand away and leans over to give me a chaste kiss as everyone starts to raise their glass for a toast. I’m not even sure when Uncle Finn stopped his speech and proposed the toast in the first place. My ears are red hot, and I hope that people just think it’s the reaction to being the center of attention. Hudson and I raise our opaque glasses for the toast.
“To thousands of lifetimes of joy, love, and devotion. To Hudson and Grace,” he says simply before taking a sip from his glass.
My eyes are threatening to tear up just from that, but I turn to Hudson and clink my glass with his and we take a drink.
I almost think we’re in the clear until Hudson stands up, adjusting his suit jacket and sleeves. I scoot my chair back to look at him, surprised that he really is going to say something. For a moment, I’m worried that we actually are going to get romantic musings. Not that I would complain, of course. Hudson is incredibly romantic and sentimental, but mostly in private. I’d be shocked to see him drop the facade in front of so many people. But if not now, when? I look up at him and smile when I see he’s already looking down at me, watching.
Everyone is quiet, ready to hear whatever Hudson has to say. As am I. He picks up his glass and raises it, prompting everyone else to do so as well. “Thank you all so much for coming tonight. It means the world to Grace and me, to see and feel so much love in one space. I may not be as good with words as Foster,” he pauses, and I chuckle. I doubt anyone is as good with his words as Hudson is. “But,” he continues, “I wanted to say one thing before we toast to my beautiful fiancee.” He looks down at me and I swear his eyes look mischievous. Not exactly a soothing thought when he currently has a captive audience waiting to hear what he has to say about me. Before I worry too much, he continues speaking. “What I want to say here to all of you is that you all want to go back to mingling and that you won’t notice either Grace or me for the rest of the night.”
Well that’s not what I was expecting at all. He sits back down, pleased as punch, and taps his glass against mine before taking a drink. I follow suit, confused. Around us, our friends go back to chatting animatedly like Hudson’s toast didn’t end so abruptly. I glance around, seeing if anyone is as confused as I am. Hudson doesn’t seem bothered though, he just finishes his glass and sets it down on the table before standing up and offering his hand to me.
I must look as confused as I feel because he grins as he pulls me to my feet. “Come dance with me?” he asks. And who am I to refuse an offer to dance with Hudson?
“If I ever say no to that, something is wrong,” I shoot back.
He pulls me onto the parquet where the band is still playing, the string quartet cover of a top 40 hit I remember from a few years ago. I can’t remember the name, but I like it. And Hudson must like it too because he pulls me back into his arms so that my back is to his front again so we can move our hips to the rhythm together. Jaxon and Flint are on the other side, doing a little side step dance with each other as they talk. I decide I want to see Hudson’s face so I start to turn around, but he holds me still with his hands on my hips.
“Do you like this song?” He nearly growls into my ear. His voice is strained, bordering on angry, and now I really want to see his face. But his hands are strong and they keep me in place.
So in the end, I give a hoarse “yes, do you?” Nice, Grace, I chide. What happened to my seduction technique? That whole thing about making him unravel? It’s not going to happen as long as I’m asking him about the song playing. Perhaps next I should ask him about finals, or whether he prefers Chicago style or MLA for citations.
But he surprises me by not answering my question, and instead grinding his hardening length into my backside. “I like anything that makes your body move against mine like this.” And then as if to further punctuate his statement, he moves his hands up to cup both my breasts over my dress.
Shocked, I push away from him immediately. I can tell I’m red from head to toe, there’s no doubt that at least the live band just saw that. Not that I’m not still burning for Hudson to touch me like that and more, but to do so in front of other people? That’s too much for even me. “What are you doing?!” I hiss at him.
The bastard doesn’t even look concerned. In fact he looks cocky, like he’s the cat that ate the canary. “I’m burning for you, Grace. I want to feel you,” he says, moving closer to me again. Like a predator hunting his prey. His very very willing prey.
“You stole my line,” I mutter. “But in front of everyone? We could still go home, you know,” I offer once again.
“I want to stay right here,” he responds, pulling my mouth to his. And I’m weak to resist because kissing in front of other people is at least a little bit more acceptable. Especially at our own engagement party, surely? And so I kiss him, let him kiss me, until I almost don’t care that we’re not alone. But we aren’t, and the reality comes back to me again.
“Please, take me home,” I croon.
He looks down at me with an amused smirk again. Probably because it’s not often I have to beg. But instead of taking me off the dance floor, he asks, with a raised voice to be heard over the music, “does anyone mind if I kiss my fiancee here?” He dramatically puts up a hand behind his ear to listen for a response as we both look around. I’m sure at least Jaxon or Uncle Finn will have something say about that, but neither of them even look in our direction. “Does anyone mind if I touch my fiancee here?” He calls again, this time even louder. And still, no one even bats an eye. No conversations stop, the music doesn’t even miss a beat.
And then I finally realize what he’s done.
It’s not often that he uses his power of persuasion over others. He likes to keep that card close to his chest, almost as close as his more destructive ability, so I haven’t seen it in play more than a handful of times. So it’s no wonder that I didn’t realize he did it this time. In retrospect, his toast makes a lot more sense. And then I realize that maybe I have won the game. He persuaded a banquet hall full of our friends to ignore us just so we could, what? Make out and grope each other in front of them?
Hudson interrupts my musings and calls out again, “does anyone mind if I drink from my fiancee here?” and this time his eyes are intent on mine.
And I become jelly.
It’s a good thing he’s already holding onto me because the thought of Hudson drinking from me here sends electricity from my scalp all the way to my toes, making it hard to stay standing. “Yes,” I plead to him. “Please, yes.”
He eyes me for a long moment before leaning forward to press our foreheads together for a brief second, then kisses me. It’s gentle and teasing, and after a couple of songs it becomes a little bit more frantic. He nips at my lips, one hand squeezing my breast before rubbing my puckered nipple through the satin of my dress. He opens his mouth to me and I dart my tongue in to touch his fangs, and he moans into my mouth. The fire I’ve been stoking for the last couple hours has turned into an inferno by now. I reach down between us and undo his belt so I can easily open up his trousers. His mouth never leaves mine as I feel him spring free, as swollen and needy as I feel like I am.
Finally he pulls back, his breathing hard and his pupils blown wide. I watch him as I stroke him, using my thumb to spread the wetness over the head. He gasps and squeezes his eyes shut. I take a moment to glance around us and see that still no one is paying any attention to us. We might as well not be here at all. And the thought of it spurs me on more, makes me want to drop to my knees right here on this parquet in front of my beautiful, powerful mate.
Before I’m able to do so, he opens his eyes up and reaches for me, bending down slightly so he can get one of his hands underneath the length of my dress. It slides up as his hand moves up, and I can’t help the moan that escapes at feeling his hand tracing the line of my panties. My hand is still grasping him, and now he’s pushing aside the front of my underwear so that his fingers can find my wet, swollen center.
He hisses, his fingers spreading the wetness before he circles in on my clit. My knees are shaking, standing here, but I don’t want to move at all. I just want Hudson, right here. With my free hand, I grab hold of his hair and bring him back to my mouth as we kiss each other breathlessly, our hands on each other bringing pleasure in this room.
I pull back for a moment and still my efforts on his hard length and look into his eyes. “Please, Hudson,” I beg again. I tilt my neck towards him and watch and he looks at my rapid pulse with great interest. His hand has stilled as well, though it still rests against me. He kisses me again and I take the opportunity to poke my tongue against the tip of his fang, hoping to prick it enough to encourage him.
He whimpers softly and looks into my eyes, the same way he always does when I offer to let him drink from me. The tenderness melts my heart all the while the anticipation of it becomes fire in my veins.
“Please,” I repeat once more.
With that, he takes his free hand and places it on my shoulder and kisses down the column of my neck, holding me in place. His other hand returns its ministrations while he kisses and sucks at my shoulder, my collarbone, my neck. His lips glide back up towards my ear before finally, finally he sinks his fangs into me.
I see stars immediately. I lose focus on stroking him, my mind blank with pleasure with the feeling of his mouth on my neck, drinking from me, and the feeling of his fingers working through my slick folds at the same time. It’s maddeningly delicious. It’s exactly what I needed tonight. I realize after a moment that I’m gasping and moaning, being too noisy considering we're not at our home in our bed, but I can’t even bring myself to care enough to look around. The only mental faculties I have left are spent on stoking Hudson as consistently as I can manage, wanting to bring him pleasure as well.
For a moment, I’m interrupted by my haze by the sound of Jaxon asking, “blood? Is someone bleeding?”. I freeze for a moment but Hudson doesn’t seem concerned at all. He pulls away from my neck for a moment to turn towards his brother and say, “you’re not smelling blood right now.” That seems to ease Jaxon’s qualms because he goes back to dancing with Flint, and Hudson sinks his fangs back into my neck, sending a new wave of pleasure through my body.
We’re both making noise, so wrapped up in the pleasure of each other, that when we both reach our releases, it’s all I can hear over the sound of the band still playing. He licks at the puncture marks on my neck before dropping his head onto my shoulder, his hand coming out from under my dress to let the smooth fabric drop down straight again.
For a long moment, we just breathe together, the aftershocks of pleasure still racing through us. He looks up at me with a tenderness in his eyes, a fondness so great that it nearly makes me cry. “Grace,” he whispers.
My throat feels tight, I can’t speak. Instead, I lean forward to capture his lips with my own again so that we can say everything we need to in our embrace.
And when we leave the party, no one notices. No one even mentions their suspicions in the days following, merely sending additional congratulations and positive remarks on a great party.
Unraveling Hudson also unravels me, but it’s a game I’m more than happy to be collateral damage for.