Page 78 of Playing With Fire
“I needed that more than you know,” she says. My insecurity starts to peer over the fence, still nagging thatmaybe this is just about sex for herwhen she adds, “I needed thatwith youmore than you know.” She grips me to her tightly as ourbreathing returns to normal. “You’re the most amazing man I’ve ever met, Hudson.”
I raise my head to kiss her slowly because this is an unhurried moment, one of the few she and I have ever had.
“And you are the brightest, bravest, most beautiful woman I’ve ever met,” I tell her sincerely before kissing her lips and letting my softening cock slide from her body.
Chapter 31
Shannon
After dinner, which Hudson cooks with me, he helps me assemble Serafina’s new crib. He also helps me with her bath time routine by making her laugh and splash while I pour warm water over her chubby little arms and belly. The task has been much less of a chore recently, but with Hudson playing peek-a-boo and hearing Serafina’s delighted giggles, it quickly becomes one of my favorite parts of today.
Unfortunately, he can’t stay since he has to work tomorrow, but the glass of wine we share once Serafina’s down is a wonderful way to end our evening.
We’re on the futon, my legs draped across his lap, drinking our wine from plastic cups when Hudson laughs in that carefree way of his. “I feel like we’re in college except this wine is decent. My sister will definitely like you if you make a wine drinker out of me.”
“I can’t wait until we’re past the hard part and you and I are just another boring couple to everyone,” I tell him, kissing the corner of his mouth just because I can.
“I can’t wait for my friends to meet you. They’re going tolove you. And we can have days at the lake with all the kids,” he says, casting dreams of his own. “You and Serafina will have to come out on Knox’s boat. It’s so much fun.”
His excitement rejuvenates my soul.
We drag our evening out as long as we can, but at nine o’clock, I tell him to go. He needs to get to bed.
“I have to work at the fire station tomorrow so I won’t see you before you head to the beach, butpleasebe careful. Call me whenever you can.”
I nod and he kisses me in a way that is goodbye and hello all at once.
“By the next time I see you, I’ll officially be separated,” I announce. I already applied for a new driver’s license with the apartment as my address, I’ve had my mail forwarded, and like Monica instructed, I’d called and hired the top divorce attorneys she’d given me the contact information for so I’m finally ready for the next step.
Things are moving along and I’m supposed to meet with one of the attorneys next week and the other two the following week. Once I know that Gregor can’t completely take Serafina from me, I’ll rest easier, but still, I’m excited for the progress.
I almost cry when dropping my baby girl off to my mom—who tries to reassure me that my daughter is in good hands.
This makes me choke out a laugh. “Mom, I know. I’m just really dreading this trip and I’m ready for it to be over. I’m telling Greg on Sunday that I’m filing for divorce.”
She nods solemnly as she bounces Serafina and distracts her with a stuffed animal. “Just be careful, okay?”
It’s a pretty big red flag that everyone is telling me to be careful. The blow to his ego is going to sting, but enough to throw a punch?
I get in the car and shoot Greg a text to let him know I’m on my way—surprisingly, receive a thumbs up emoji—before immediately calling Hudson to let him know the same thing. He replies with, “I checked the traffic and it looks like you have a clear shot down the highway. There’s a nice shopping center about fifteen miles before the Army base, but try not to stop any closer than that if you can. Those guys can get rowdy around women travelling alone. At least, they did when I was in.”
We talk as long as we can, but I can hear the exhaustion in his voice from being on at the fire station last night.
“Just promise me you’ll call if you need anything,” he says emphatically as we get off the phone.
I’d prayed to get stuck in traffic, or even to be involved in a mild fender-bender that would send me to the hospital with whiplash and a mild concussion to get me out of going—how’s that for red flags?
But no luck.
I pull into the parking lot of the resort at seven-thirty, my stomach in knots.
Shannon
Just pulled in. Where should I go?
I wait for five minutes with no response. I figure he’s deliberately not checking his phone to punish me for not coming down with him. Fed up with his bullshit, I grab my bag and head to the front desk.
“Hi, I’m Shannon Hartley, my husband is here as part of the Billings, Wilson, and Cox group. I was wondering if we could have an extra key. I think my husband’s in a meeting and I’m just arriving.”
