Looking for You (Oh Captain, My Captain #1) (13 page)

Chapter Twenty-One

Hudson

Making it to the Final has been tough whirlwind. We’re matched against the Indiana Mustangs, their red and white uniforms a contrast to our navy blue and gold. It’s come down to Game 7. Ellie’s starting to get the hang of the sport, but every now and then, we’ll say something like hat trick or sniper and she’s completely lost. She’s here tonight, so winning is even more important. I mean, I want to win for the team, the fans, my family, and myself, but for her too.

Once the season is over, I’ll be able to put her passport to good use. Yeah, I’m going to take her to Canada, but my main motive is something different. All I can hope for is that Ellie loves it while I secretly make plans. Right now, it’s game time.

Brody Ross, their captain, is across from me as we prepare for the face-off. Everyone in this arena wants the Cup, but only one team will win. I’m about to ensure that it’s my team. Losing on home ice isn’t about to happen tonight. The puck drops and we’re off. Tensions are high, more intense than ever. If our fans are normally loud, they are deafening tonight.

First period ends with the Mustangs on a 1-0 lead.

Second period ends with us leading 2-1, with a complementary goal from yours truly.

Two minutes into the third and it’s tied. Brody Ross is determined, but so am I. I push the score to 3-2 midway through the period. Then with four seconds left, the Vikings light the lamp with another goal.

The buzzer sounds.

We’ve won!

We’ve won!

~ ~ ~

Craziness follows. That’s really the only way to explain it. From lifting the Cup, celebrating, a parade, and everything else that comes with being champions. It all happens so quickly, I can barely grasp what’s happening half the time. It’s still hard to believe sometimes, but it’s been amazing so far. This evening, we get to relax a little as Ellie and I are in Vancouver with my parents.

“Everyone is here except Ethan’s wife and kids. Ready?” I ask, standing outside the front door.

“I think so.”

We walk in, my mom the first to come over and hug us. “How is my Hudsy and Ellie?”

“We’re good, Mom.” We follow her into the living room. Dad stands to hug me first and then Ellie. “Ellie, this is my old man, Darryl. Dad, this is my girlfriend, Ellie.”

“It’s so nice to finally meet you. I’ve heard a lot about you from my wife and Hudson, of course. Ethan and I are the normal ones around here, so if they start giving you trouble, come find us.” He smiles and winks good naturedly at her.

“Good to meet you too. Thank you.” She smiles.

Ethan comes next, slaps me on the back with his hug, and then hugs Ellie with the same formalities. We take a seat in the loveseat once Whit says her hello as well. I smile slightly when I put my arm on the back of the seat and Ellie leans into me a little.

“Don’t get too comfortable, boys. You’re on dinner duty tonight. Should probably get started on that,” Mom suggests with a sly smile.

“All right, you heard your mother. Let’s go.”

Dad and Ethan start to get up, but I say, “You’re going to make me cook too?”

“Yes,” she tells me simply.

“Fine.” Turning to Ellie, I kiss her cheek and whisper, “Don’t forget to come find us if she gets crazy on ya.”

She laughs softly, nodding. “I’ll be fine, I think.”

I follow the guys into the kitchen. Once we get started preparing the food, I ask Ethan, “How are the wife and kids?”

“Good. Thanks for the boys’ packages, by the way. Looks like things are going well with you and Ellie?”

“She seems like a sweet girl,” Dad adds.

“She is. Things are going really well.” Laughter from the living room makes me glance over my shoulder, although I can’t see them. “Sounds like they’re having fun, eh? Better to hear laughter than silence, right?”

“When it comes to those two girls, you bet,” Dad answers. After a moment, he says with a chuckle, “You know, she’s probably in there talking about a wedding and grandkids. I think your mother misses having you kids around, especially after Whit left. It doesn’t help that you’re all scattered across the States.”

Ethan clears his throat. “That’s one reason I decided to come up for a few days. We’re thinking about moving back, but I haven’t mentioned it to Mom yet.”

It would be cool to have Ethan closer to the rest of us. Mom’s going to be thrilled to hear this. Maybe then she’ll slow down on the baby kick. Just then, Ellie pops into the kitchen, her cheeks slightly flushed, but she’s smiling as she comes next to where I’m chopping some veggies.

“Hey,” I kiss her cheek, “have they reached crazy already?”

“No,” she laughs. “I was thirsty and your mom told me to get you to make me something. Said that just because you were a Stanley Cup Champion and all doesn’t mean you can’t cook dinner and fix your girlfriend a drink.”

I set the knife down, chuckling. “What would you like?”

“Water.”

While I’m fixing her a glass of iced water, Ellie asks Ethan about his little boys, even remembering how old they are. Then she says, “You’re actually an architect, right?” It’s a little funny, and I can’t help but laugh as they talk about that for a bit. I hand her the glass and she gingerly takes a sip, watching me.

“Thank you, Hudson.”

“It was my pleasure.” Before I can ask her if she’s having fun, my mother calls for her and Ellie smiles before disappearing again. “When do you plan on telling Mom?” I ask Ethan, referring to his moving back home.

“Whenever I find a place. I want it to be a sure thing before I tell her.”

We make small talk while we cook, sometimes staying silent for minutes at a time. But finally it’s time to eat and I’m happy to see Ellie still has a smile on her face. Dinner is pleasant as well. Mom is surprisingly behaving, as is Whitney. The girls offer to clean up since we cooked and once they finish, I drag Ellie away for a few minutes alone. Mom has a porch swing out front, so we go sit out there. She’s curled into my arms.

“Have you had fun?”

“Yes. I love your family, Hudson. Thanks for bringing me, so I could meet everyone.”

“Of course. You’re part of our family now.”

She looks at me, smiling. Ellie places a hand on the back of my neck and pulls me in for a sweet kiss. “Thank you,” she whispers. “We should probably get back inside.”

I shake my head. “They’ll be fine for now. I’m keeping you to myself for a little while longer.” After a moment, I say, “Do you have about a week’s worth of vacation time still?”

Ellie leans away from me, turning in the seat to look at me better with suspicion in her eyes. “Yeah...why?”

“Every summer, I go on vacation and I want you to come with me. We need to expand the list of places you’ve been.”

She started shaking her head before I even finished what I had to say. Apologetically, she says, “Hudson, I can’t. You’ve already brought me to Canada and I can’t keep taking off. I need to work.”

“Oh, c’mon, Ellie.” I reach for her hand, kissing the inside of her wrist. “Are you going to make me go alone?” When I fake a frown, she laughs.

“Where are you going anyway?”

I shrug. “Still thinking about it. Will you go with me?”

“You’re a hard person to say no to, you know.” She pauses and tries not to laugh as she adds, “But I’m good at saying no.”

That wasn’t what I was expecting her to say, and I can’t help my laughing. I could try to seduce her, but I don’t want to do that. Instead, I ask, “Well how can I change your mind?”

Ellie tilts her head, thinks about it, and says, “Get creative.”

“So you do want to go?”

“Of course, I would love to go. I just think I should work like a normal person.”

“Normal people take vacations,” I tell her.

“Two in one year? Because I’m counting this as one.”

Pulling her to me, I hold her close and make her look at me. One way to change her mind is to get Lacey to pack her bags and trick Ellie into riding with me to the airport. That might be too much though. Before I think of more ideas on getting her to say yes, I kiss her softly. “Please?” I mumble against her lips.

“Since you said please, yes, I’ll go.”

My victory is stolen as my mother peeks outside, Ellie immediately leaning away from me. “It would be nice to visit with you, Hudsy. It’s not like we live in the same country.” Mom laughs at herself. “C’mon. It’s time for dessert.”

Chapter Twenty-Two

Ellie

“Okay, I know that we are in New York, but where are we going?” I ask as I sit down in the terminal.

“Can I please have this secret?” Hudson fake whines. “Besides, the moment they announce the flight, you’ll know where we are going.” He sits the bags in front of us.

“Oh, okay.” I feel kind of bad, because I know that he has tried to keep this secret from me. I had to convince Jeffrey that I really needed this week. Let’s just say that he wasn’t happy, but he did give me the time off.

I can’t believe what has happened the last six months. Hudson has treated me like a princess, and I love him more every day. Spending the time in Canada was the icing on the cake. Being with his family was the greatest time I’ve had in forever. His mother treated me like one of the kids, and I haven’t had a mother figure in my life for a while.

“
Flight 1875 to Paris is now boarding first class,
” the announcer said.

“Okay, that’s us.” Hudson stood up. “Ellie?”

I can’t move. My mouth is hanging open, and I’m staring at him. He’s taking me to Paris. Hudson, my boyfriend, is taking me to the one place that I’ve always wanted to go to.

“Ellie, baby, what’s wrong?” Hudson kneels down and cups my face. Tears build behind my eyes as I look at him.

“Hudson,” I choke out. “You’re taking me to Paris?”

“Well, it’s the ‘City of Love’. Where else would I take the love of my life?” He kisses my lips. “However, we have to get on the plane to go there.” He winks. I giggle at him and nod.

~ ~ ~

“I thought I was in shape,” Hudson says as he collapses on the bed. We have been in Paris for two days, and I’ve dragged him to every place I can think of. Of course, we had to go the Eiffel Tower first. I couldn’t help but stare at the details of the iron and steel. There were a lot of people, but Hudson made me feel l was the only person there.

Today, we got up early and headed to the Louvre. There are no words to describe it. I think I took a thousand pictures of every angle of it. Hudson just followed along. I asked him several times if he was bored, and he said that he wasn’t at all.

Then we headed for a tour at Notre Dame Cathedral. It’s hard to imagine how old it is, and that it’s still standing in beautiful condition. Again, I took a bunch more pictures of everything, and Hudson just smiled at me.

“I’m sorry, Hudson. Tomorrow, we can do whatever you want.” I lay next to him on the bed.

“Nah, I’m just happy that you’re happy.” He leans over and kisses me. “I’m going to go take a shower.” He gets up and heads to the bathroom.

I quickly jump up and grab my phone to call Lacey.

“Do you realize what time it is?” She grumbles at me.

“I’ve been trying to call you all day since yesterday. Where were you?”

“I was in a guy’s pants.”

My face flamed red. “Lacey,” I hiss.

“Hey, you asked.” She laughs. “How is Paris and Mr. Perfect?”

I clear my throat and whisper. “I think I’m going to have sex.”

“What?” Lacey exclaims.

“Long time ago, when we first started see each other, I made the joke of losing my virginity in Paris. Well, I’m in Paris, so I guess he wants sex?” I almost start biting my nails in nervousness. I start to pace the room. Hudson hasn’t said anything, but I know that he has got to remember me saying that.

“Look, I’m surprised you two have lasted this long. I mean, Hudson’s right hand has got to be killing him by now, but if he isn’t pushing you into it, then what’s the problem? Do you want to have sex?”

I stop pacing. “Yes, but I’m so scared.”

“Hey, it will be okay. Hudson isn’t going to push you into anything you don’t want to do. If that was the case, he would have left a long time ago.”

“You’re right. I’m just nervous.” I can feel my hands shaking, thinking about what might happen.

“Look, everyone has their first time, but you have an advantage that others don’t have.”

“What’s that?” I have no clue how I can have an advantage. I’m a twenty-four year old virgin.

“You’re not some awkward teenager in the back of a Jeep. You’re not with some guy who has braces. You’re in Paris with a Stanley Cup Champion and captain of the Portland Vikings. On top of all that, he loves you. Now, go put on some sexy lingerie and get laid.” She hangs up.

I roll my eyes at the phone. As much as I hate to admit it, she’s right. Hudson won’t force me to do anything that I don’t want to do. I hear the bathroom door open, and Hudson comes out. He’s wearing a pair of boxer briefs, and they’re hanging low. I feel my mouth go dry. This isn’t the first time I’ve seen him in them, but something is different. I’m different.

Being with Hudson has given me confidence. Even though I still blush, and Hudson and I have only touched each other, but gone no further, I still feel like I’ve grown.

“Baby, you okay?” He asks softly, taking my hand, and kissing the inside of my wrist. I love the shiver that goes through me when he does that.

“I’m fine.” I kiss his lips. “I’m going to get ready for bed.” I grab my small bag and head to the bathroom.

I stare at myself in the mirror. My hands are shaking a little, but I manage to strip out of my clothes. I put on a pair of lace boy shorts and matching bra. They are hunter green, and bring out the color of my eyes. I fluff my hair and spray a little bit of perfume. I close my eyes, counting to ten. I say a silent pray that I won’t pass out. I slip on one of the hotel robes and open the door.

Hudson is sitting at the end of the bed, flipping through the channels of the TV.

“There is nothing on TV,” Hudson says before turning off the TV. “Ready for bed?”

I nod. He stands and turns down the covers. I haven’t moved from my spot.

“Ellie, are you sure you’re okay?”

I stare at his chocolate brown eyes as he comes closer to me. I step up to him and gently kiss his lips. I push my fingers through his hair, and he moans. He grips my hips, pulling me closer to him.

“What was that for?” He asks breathlessly.

“For being amazing. I know we started off rocky, but thank you for loving me.”

“Shouldn’t I be thanking you then? You gave me a second chance.” He kisses my lips. His tongue dances with mine. I can feel my body heat rising as he runs his hands up and down my back. Once we break the kiss, we stare at each other.

I love him. I smile at him as he looks at me, like I’m the only person in the world. He heads over to the bed and slides in.

“Ellie, are you just going to stand there all night?”

I shake my head as I head to my side of the bed. He’s lying on his back, not really looking at me. I don’t know where the confidence comes from, but I untie the robe and let it drop. I crawl into the bed next to him.

He rolls over and turns the light off. We kept the curtains open and the city lights dimly illuminate the room. I don’t know how to start this. I don’t know what to say. Lacey says that I have the advantage, but I think she is wrong.

“Ellie, baby, um, what are you wearing?” I see Hudson prop up on his elbow. I look at him and touch his face.

Lacey’s right, I do have the advantage. Hudson loves me. He would never force me into anything, and I know that. I’ve never felt this comfortable around a man before. I lean up and kiss him. I kiss him hard and push for him to lay down. I climb on top of him, straddling him. The heat of his body and mine is like a fog around us. I begin to rock against him, and I can feel his hardness between my legs. Hudson flips us back over, moving from my lips to my neck. I wrap my legs around him, pulling him closer.

“Hudson,” I pull him back up to my face.

“What?”

“I don’t want you to stop tonight.”

“What?”

“I want you to make love to me tonight.” Through the dim lights, I can see Hudson’s face, but can’t read his expression.

“I told you I wouldn’t ask you to do anything that you don’t want to do,” Hudson says quietly.

“You’re not asking me. I’m telling you that I want to, and I want you.”

“Ellie,” he whispers.

“No, Hudson I mean it.” I touch his face and run my hands through soft, shaggy hair. “I’m with the man I love, and in Paris. I don’t think it could be any more perfect. Please Hudson.  Please make love to me.”

“Baby,” he pecks my lips, “you never have to beg for me to make love to you. If you’re sure, then we will, but you can say stop at any time, okay?”

“If I mess up, let me know,” I say quietly.

“You could never do anything wrong. I love you.” He kisses me.

I feel his hand creep up my side. He cups my breast and plays with my nipple through my bra. He breaks our connection and kisses down my neck. He pulls down my strap, nipping my collarbone.

He stops and looks at me. He sits up on my haunches, and pulls me up. His fingertips lightly trace under my bra, then to my back, and he unhooks it. This isn’t the first time he has removed my bra, but I know what is coming next.  He lays me back down. He kisses down my stomach to the top of my lace boy shorts. He hooks his fingers around the band and pulls them down.

I can actually feel the ache for him. I want him. I want to feel all of him. Once I’m completely naked, I sit up, pulling him to me. I wrap my legs tightly around him. I can feel him, but I need more. My hormones officially take over. I pull at his boxer briefs, taking them off. I hear him groan, as I stroke him. The feel of his heat in my hand, turns me on more. Hudson removes my hand and pushes me back down to lay on my back. He gets out of the bed, and I see him go to his bag. I hear the wrapper, and I assume that it’s a condom that he is putting on.

“So, I guess you predicted that this would happen?” I giggle when he crawls back in bed.

“Nope. However, you taught me to be prepared.” He hovers over me and looks at me deeply. “Are you sure?” His voice is soft, and I know that he truly cares about me.

“I’m sure that I love you and care about you.”

“I’ll go slow, he whispers. With his words, my legs open further, as he gets closer to me. I feel my heart race in anticipation of what is about to happen. “Relax,” Hudson orders softly.

Instantly, I slow my breathing. He kisses the side of my neck. I shiver under his lips. I feel him closer to my middle. My breath catches as he pushes in. The pain shoots through me, and I dig my nails into his biceps. He pulls back out, and then pushes in again. The pain is still there.

“Do you want me to stop?”

I shake my head. Lacey had told me long time ago the pain doesn’t last. Hudson repeats his move, and I know that he is fully in me. The pain isn’t as intense as the first push, but I can still feel it. Hudson rocks again and again. Slowly, the pain leaves, and I feel the pleasure. I relax around him.

“Ellie,” he moans, and I arch my back. He pushes deeper, and I moan his name. I can feel myself tightening up around him. My breath becomes more ragged as Hudson says my name again and again. I dig my nails deeper into his arms, as I say his name.

Hudson loses the control that he has and slams into me two times, and I feel my body release with his. Hudson slows his movements and looks as me. There is a thin sheet of sweat between us. His eyes are full of love, as he grins.

“Are you okay?” He pulls out of me, and there’s a small shot of pain again.

I nod. Even though there was a little pain, I feel sore. A strange feeling comes over me. I just had sex.

I had sex with Hudson King, the love of my life.