Page 12 of Caged

I don’t get nervous like this.

Not anymore.

And I really don’t like that I’m doing it now.

Pull it together, Madison.

I’m stronger than this. He’s just a man, like any other man. But that’s the problem. Hudson Kingston isn’t like anyone I’ve ever met. Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea after all.

Ten minutes later, Hudson has another bag of peas on his knee and a protein shake in his hand.

“Hey, Hud?” I ask as I walk back into the family room. His head tips back, and it really isn’t fair how good this man looks first thing in the morning. I just looked at myself in the bathroom mirror and cringed—full-on cringed. And he looks like he’s ready for a photoshoot or something. Totally unfair.

“Where’d you go there, sunshine?”

Good question. How about to a place I’m never going to tell him about. “What’s your Wi-Fi password? I’ve gotta get some work done today.”

The front door slams against the wall behind it, setting off the alarm as Imogen storms in. Hudson grabs his phone to turn off the obnoxious beeping, then watches the fiery red ball of anger that’s his best friend as she storms into the room.

“Hudson Kingston. Why did I not know you stopped a goddamned burglar last night and got hurt doing it? And why the hell didn’t you call me when you needed help?” Imogen might be yelling, but I know her well enough to recognize the hurt in her voice. These two are tighter than most siblings I know, and she’s not even one of his sisters.

She stands in front of him, her arms folded over her chest, glaring at him, and fortunately, ignoring me.

I grab my bag from the floor where Max left it last night, and wave when Hudson looks over at me and mouthshelp. “Sorry, dude. You’re on your own.”

Imogen never takes her eyes off her best friend. “Are you okay, Mads? Cade said you were fine.”

“Good as gold, Gen. Just going upstairs to get dressed.” I hold in my laughter when Hudson grimaces, like he’s bracing for more yelling, and slip upstairs. I know better than to get in between those two when they fight.

Instead, I’m grateful for the reprieve while I pull myself together.

It’s going to be a long week.

* * *

Hudson

Once Maddie goes upstairs, I pull myself up from the couch and stretch out my sore muscles. My knee is throbbing in tune to my fucking heartbeat already. Great sign for how the day’s gonna go.

I hobble into the kitchen on the crutches the hospital sent home with me, tuning out Imogen, who’s still grumbling behind me. I should have already run five miles around the damn lake this morning instead of sleeping on the couch with my leg in the fucking air.

Who the fuck can sleep like that?

Not me, that’s for sure.

On top of the ridiculous position, it’s hard to fall asleep with a beautiful woman next you. Her sweet scent invading my senses didn’t help me any. And that was before she fell asleep with her head tucked against my shoulder. Before she managed to slide down until her face was using my quad as a damn pillow. Inches from my dick. Sighing those sweet little sighs. Sounds I want to hear while my tongue is buried in her pussy.

Fucking hell. This woman.

I don’t do this. I don’t obsess over women.

Especially during training camp.

They’re a distraction.

And I learned a long fucking time ago that distractions are dangerous.

She’s my friend. Like Imogen...but not. Imogen has always been like a sister. From the day I met her, she was like Scarlet, Lenny, and Amelia. I’d do anything for her, but I’ve never fantasized about seeing her naked. Something I may or may not have imagined about Maddie more times than I’d ever admit while spanking it in the shower.

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