Chapter 16

Chapter Sixteen

Hudson

My alarm trilled into the dark bedroom, piercing the stillness of pre-dawn. Whitney stirred next to me, her warm body shifting against mine as she let out a soft, sleepy groan.

"Make it stop," she whined, snuggling her head deeper into my shoulder. I couldn't help but chuckle at her adorable protest.

I slid my arm out from underneath her and silenced the annoying phone on my nightstand. I settled back onto the mattress with a sigh, laying my head on my pillow next to Whitney's.

Whitney's delicate lavender scent surrounded me in a comforting embrace. My chest tightened with longing as I resisted the urge to pull her closer and kiss her deeply, as if we had all the time in the world, and spend a leisurely morning taking her to the heights of pleasure. But that wasn't part of our agreement.

Not yet, anyway.

Her cuddling at night gave me hope that maybe she wanted more than just public displays of affection. Maybe she wanted to explore our desires just as much as I did.

But not this morning. Gramps needed me. Groaning at leaving Whitney's warm side, I adjusted my morning wood discreetly and carefully climbed out of bed so I wouldn't disturb her. Grabbing a T-shirt from the end of the bed, I pulled it over my head. Mr. Darcy jumped down and followed me into the kitchen, where we ran through our feeding drill like synchronized teammates.

I ran a hand through his long, silky fur. "I have your back, boy," I whispered.

After a quick infusion of caffeine and a rushed shower, I emerged from the bathroom wearing nothing but a towel around my waist. Whitney had already gotten up and made the bed, fluffing the pillows and neatly folding the throw at the end of the bed. I dressed in a simple T-shirt and jeans and found her at the kitchen island, popping her pill and downing it with orange juice.

"Morning." I smiled. "Did I wake you?" Grabbing my wallet from the counter, I tucked it into my pocket.

"No. I thought I'd better get up and organized before Beck and Hope come over this afternoon to help me move."

"Sorry I'm leaving you."

She waved a hand. "It's fine. Go take care of Gramps. He needs you. I'll see you after practice."

I snagged my keys and held her gaze. My eyes dropped to her rosy mouth. The hunger for a goodbye kiss tugged at my heart.

She licked her lips, and uncertainty crossed her face.

I took a step forward.

"Tell Gramps I hope he's feeling better," she said, her voice husky.

Damn. Was she brushing me off? I couldn't read her. But even the duke sneaked in more kisses with the wallflower than I enjoyed with my wife.

I'd have to study his techniques.

"Will do. I'll see you after practice." My keys jangled in the air as I tossed them up and snatched them in my fist. I grabbed my duffel and beat a hasty retreat from my longing for Whitney.

The streets were quiet and deserted for an early Sunday morning, and I arrived at Gramps's apartment before eight. I let myself in and called, "It's me!"

The toilet flushed, water ran, and Gramps hobbled out of the bathroom, leaning heavily on his cane. "Morning." He narrowed his eyes. "Where's my Whitney?"

I raised my eyebrows. "Am I second best now?"

He shrugged. "She's growing on me."

My heart warmed, and a weight lifted off my shoulders. Whitney seemed to be working perfectly as my fake wife. I'd been grateful when she had suggested taking dinner to Gramps and watching the game with him. When I'd arrived the previous night and discovered Whitney had been nursing Gramps's knees—and he'd allowed it—my chest had been light. Whitney was kind to Gramps and took care of him like he was her own grandfather. They were becoming close, which made me like her even more.

But I had to be careful and guard my heart. Liking Whitney could lead to loving her, and I'd never be so vulnerable again. It never ended well. I lost my mother, my father had abandoned me, and Juliana had crushed me.

Gramps shuffled into the bedroom and groaned as he sat heavily on the side of the bed.

I surveyed him from matted hair to dirty socks. "No offense, Gramps, but you need a shower. You can sit on the bench, and the warm water might relieve the pain in your knees. "

He grunted. "I don't need a damn shower. I took one…"

I cocked an eyebrow.

He slumped. "Help me?"

After I assisted Gramps with his shower and getting dressed, I settled him into the recliner with cold packs on his knees. It was moments like this that I cherished: taking care of the man who had raised me, even if it meant overcoming some grumpiness. I loved his crotchety ass.

With my phone tucked between my ear and shoulder, I deftly stirred a pot of oatmeal on the stove. The warm, comforting aroma of cinnamon and brown sugar filled the kitchen as I arranged for Corazon, a home health aide who'd helped us before, to meet me at Gramps's apartment after practice.

The morning's practice was a light, post-game skate, and I returned to Gramps's around noon. I unlocked the door. "It's Hudson!"

A snore, cut off by a snort, greeted me. Gramps blinked blearily at me from the recliner. "You're back already?" His voice was rough with sleep.

"It's lunchtime, and Corazon will be here any minute."

"Oh, I must have dozed off." He scrubbed a hand along his scruffy jaw, and I bit back a grin.

By the time I'd helped Gramps to the bathroom and we'd eaten sandwiches, Corazon had arrived. I gave her instructions and a spare key. "Call me if you have questions."

"We'll be fine, won't we, Mr. Merriweather?" She nodded at Gramps.

Gramps grunted.

"Behave." I shook my finger at him. "She's here to help and get you back on your feet. You've only got three days before playoffs start."

Gramps raised his chin. "I'll be there. "

"I'm counting on it. But I have to go. We're moving the rest of Whitney's things into my apartment this afternoon."

Gramps's eyes lit up. "Well, it's about time! Go! Move your wife into your apartment." He shooed me with a knotty hand.

I chuckled, leaned down, and hugged his shoulders. "I'll call you tonight."

I left Gramps's with a light chest, eager for Whitney to fully settle into my apartment. Her presence brought warmth to my bachelor pad, and I savored her company. And her snuggles.

As long as I kept my emotions in check and raised walls around my heart.