Until You Loved Me (Silver Springs #3)(91)

“Hudson King?” the officer said as if he wasn’t quite convinced he could believe what he saw.

A car whizzed by, and a gust of cool air ruffled Hudson’s hair. “Yes?”

“What are you doing on the side of the road?”

“I was trying to make it back to my place in Silver Springs last night to surprise my girlfriend. But I got too tired. Had to pull over. And that’s the last thing I remember.”

The cop pursed his lips as he considered Hudson’s excuse. “You haven’t been drinking, have you?”

“Not a drop,” he replied, but only after Hudson had taken a Breathalyzer test and the result showed zero alcohol in his system did the officer’s attitude improve.

“It’s not safe sleeping out here in the middle of nowhere,” he said. “Anyone could’ve approached you, pulled out a gun, stolen your wallet or even your car.” He whistled as he admired the Porsche. “You wouldn’t want to lose this baby.”

“I didn’t plan to rest as long as I did.”

“How are you feeling now?”

Hudson put his foot on the brake, ready to start the engine. “Fine. I’ll be on my way.”

“Will you do me a favor before you go?”

Hudson hesitated. “Sure. What is it?”

The officer gave him a sheepish look. “My son and I are big fans. Would you mind signing something I could take home to him?”

“Not at all.” While he waited for the officer to bring him a piece of paper from his cruiser, Hudson searched for his phone. He’d turned it off to conserve battery power—he’d forgotten his charger in his truck—but he switched it on now. Bruiser and Ellie had left him many messages. He wanted to call them both, tell them he was okay. But it was too early. He didn’t see any reason to wake them. He could reach out to Bruiser later. And he was only an hour or so away from Silver Springs.

He’d be home before Ellie even opened her eyes.

*

After a good cry while talking to her parents, who were too concerned about what might be going on with Hudson to be very angry at her for not telling them sooner, Ellie finally sank into a deep sleep. She kept dreaming about Hudson, though, so she didn’t believe it was real when she heard him whisper her name, felt his hands slide under her and his mouth against her temple as he lifted her from the bed.

“Hudson?” she murmured, half-awake. “I’ve been so worried about you. Are you really back?”

“Yeah, I’m here.”

“And you’re okay?”

“I’m fine,” he said as he carried her out of the room.

Reassured by his close proximity, she slipped her arms around his neck and pressed her cheek to his solid chest. “God, you scared me. I kept imagining you being too upset to pay attention to the road.”

“I’m sorry.”

She raised her head. “Did you get my messages?”

“I did.”

“We’re going to double-check every detail of what Cort Matisson told you. Make sure it’s all true. And if it is? We’ll deal with it—together.”

“We’ll talk about that mess later.”

“What are we doing now?” she asked as he put her in his bed.

“We’re going to celebrate the fact that I have someone in my life who’s worth hanging on to. That’s what I need to focus on, because that’s what matters most.” He straightened. “If you want me as badly as I want you, that is.”

She smiled up at him. “I’ve never wanted anyone more.”

*

Hudson loved the swell of Ellie’s stomach, the knowledge that she would soon give birth to their son. The three of them would be bound together for the rest of their lives by ties that could not easily be broken. Whether their relationship led to marriage or not, she’d always be the mother of his child, and his child would always belong to him. Barring something tragic, Ellie and their son would both be part of the rest of his life.

The feel of her naked body against his served as a perfect reminder that he was as lucky in some areas as he was unlucky in others. He needed to value the things that made him feel whole and happy, cling to the love she offered him and keep fighting to outdistance his past, regardless of the details of his birth or the humiliation he would suffer if those details were revealed to the public.

Being careful not to push down on the baby, he rested the bulk of his weight on his elbows and knees, then slid her beneath him. “What are we going to name our son?” She had a baby-naming book and had been highlighting ones with potential. She’d mentioned a few.

“We could name him after his father,” she said, reaching up to smooth the hair out of his eyes.

“No, my name is a constant reminder of my past.”

“It should also be a reminder of everything you’ve accomplished despite your past.”

“I don’t want to burden him with my bullshit—especially now.”

“So what do you suggest?”

He kissed her neck, using his tongue so he could really taste her. He’d imagined doing this since he’d made love to her the last time. “Ryan has a nice ring to it.”

“Don’t you think there are a lot of Ryans in the world as it is?”