Free Web NovelChapter 225: Chapter 225 Heated Desires
Christina’s POV
I looked at Gwendolyn’s still form on the hospital bed, then turned to the doctor. "Is she actually dying or just putting on a show?"
The doctor barely looked up from his chart. "Her vitals are stable. Just stress-induced fainting. Keep her hydrated and calm, she’ll be fine in a few days."
Hudson nodded toward the door. "Perfect. This room’s empty now. She can recover here."
He stepped into the hallway to take a call. I followed, curious.
"You’re in Highrise City?" Cassian’s voice came through the speaker.
"Just landed. What’s going on?" Hudson kept his voice low.
"Nothing urgent. Just Rowan Hale being a pain in the ass. Thank god I never signed her."
"What’d she do now?"
I leaned closer, interested.
"She’s dropping your name for deals. Acting like you two have something going on. Got brand meetings and TV spots that way. Some PR people don’t believe you actually married Christina, and she’s playing it up. Dodges direct questions, hints at connections. Now sponsors are asking me about your relationship status. She put out a statement but behind the scenes, she’s working every angle she can."
Hudson and I looked at each other.
"Know which projects she’s going after?" he asked.
"Generally. Can get specifics. Don’t worry though—I’ll make sure nobody signs her."
"Don’t," Hudson paused. "If you have contacts, tell them to keep talking. The deeper she gets, the better."
Silence.
"Are you crazy? You want her pretending to be your girlfriend in boardrooms? That rumor will spread everywhere."
"Just talks. Nobody’s signing anything."
Another pause. freeweɓnovel.cѳm
"Oh... I see what you’re doing. Got it."
Hudson hung up and turned to me.
I gave him a thumbs-up.
"I’m not making a move yet," he said. "Not until I figure out how she’s connected to Gwendolyn."
"Smart," I agreed.
Our driver was waiting at the entrance.
Once we were in the backseat, I decided to deal with the elephant in the room before Gwendolyn’s fake pictures could mess with his head.
"Those pictures were photoshopped," I said directly. "Daniel’s just a coworker from my studio. Not my type at all. We’re just friends."
Hudson nodded, relaxing.
"And I didn’t marry you for your money."
He pulled me against his chest. "I know."
The car moved smoothly through the city streets.
I settled against him, tucking my head under his chin, finding that perfect spot that didn’t hurt my ear.
"We make quite the evil power couple," I laughed softly. "I sent my mother and cousins to jail, and you shipped your father to Africa."
He kissed the corner of my mouth.
"Yeah. Perfect couple, made for each other," he said.
The backseat was dim, but I felt his eyes on me even in the darkness.
We hadn’t stopped moving since we got back from Sunset City. Non-stop crisis management, one problem after another. But here, pressed together in the car with his arm around me, everything just... stopped.
Then he tilted my face up and kissed me again, this time not stopping.
His lips were warm and insistent. My body responded instantly, heat spreading from my core outward.
His hand slid to my neck, thumb tracing along my neckline, sending electric shocks through my nerves. I shivered, parting my lips to let him deeper. His tongue met mine, tasting faintly of coffee and mint.
By the time we got to our house, my legs felt like jelly. His kisses had left me breathless and wanting.
Hudson didn’t hesitate. He swept me up and carried me upstairs like I weighed nothing. The possessive look in his eyes sent another wave of heat through me.
He set me on our bed. Before I could catch my breath, he was over me, pressing me into the mattress.
His mouth moved frantically against mine, not giving me space to think. I meant to push him back, to slow things down, but my hands betrayed me, pulling him closer instead.
The familiar scent of our bedroom,clean sheets mixed with his aftershave surrounded me.
Everything felt right: this room, this man, the rough sound of his breathing against my jaw.
My head spun, but I didn’t want him to stop. I wanted more.
He tugged at the buttons on my coat, teeth grazing my lower lip as he worked. I felt the fabric shift as he pulled it open, his fingers slipping inside to peel it off my shoulders.
Underneath I wore a cream cardigan that I always forgot was so low-cut until moments like this.
"You’ve been driving me crazy in this all day," Hudson murmured, his fingers tracing the neckline before moving to the buttons.
He started opening them one by one. The second one stuck.
I heard his frustrated breath before he straightened up, kneeling above me.
I opened my eyes to find him stripping off his clothes. Coat, sweater, everything tossed beside the bed.
His skin was flushed, muscles tense, abs defined in the dim light.
I stared, mesmerized, as he caught my hand and guided it to his belt.
The metal clasp was ice-cold against my warm fingers.
I flinched and pulled back.
Hudson paused, searching my eyes.
Then he leaned down and kissed me again, slower this time, his mouth moving lazily across mine.
His voice dropped to that tone he used when he wanted something and already knew my answer. "You’re not backing out tonight."
He dragged his thumb over one of my cardigan buttons, pressing lightly, rolling it between his fingers like it was the only thing between us.
"Can I?" he asked, husky.
I barely heard myself respond. "Mm."
That was all he needed.
The button came off with a sharp snap.
Then he grabbed my hand again and pressed something square and small into my palm.
I blinked, confused and frozen.
We didn’t keep protection at home. Hudson hadn’t left my side long enough to get anything.
"Where did you..." I began, wondering if he’d somehow grabbed condoms from the hospital.
"Always prepared," he smirked, his lips brushing my ear. "Rip it open."
The packet crinkled between my fingers as I peeled back the edge with shaking hands.
The cold latex slipped out, smooth against my palm.
