20. Hudson

HUDSON

“Are you freaking out? Because I’m freaking the hell out, Rome,” Chaney whisper-yells, his leg bouncing in his seat as we wait for departure on the team plane.

Reed rolls his eyes, leaning across the aisle. “You are so fucking dramatic. The only one who’s worried about anything… is you, rookie.”

Well, not entirely true, but I’m not making a big deal out of the fact that Caroline will be riding with us to Atlanta and attending tonight’s game. At least I’m not making a big deal of it externally.

Am I slightly freaking out?

Fuck yes.

But the guys don’t need to know that.

On the outside, I’m the epitome of cool. Everything’s fine.

Pulling out my phone, trying to distract myself, I pull up Wren’s text and quickly type out a message to him. He texted earlier that he got honor roll at school, and I’m proud as fuck of him.

Hudson: Proud of you kid. Going to take you to dinner as soon as I’m home. Keep up the good work!

I notice the time as I close the message and realize that Caroline is still not on board.

We’re taking off in the next fifteen minutes, and if she doesn’t get her ass on this plane, it’s going to leave without her.

It wouldn’t be the first time that our captain, Williams, left someone behind. He’s a stickler for punctuality, and if any of us are late, then we have to figure the fuck out how to get there on our own… and then get our asses reamed by Coach for missing the plane.

Fastening my seat belt, I lean back against the seat and close my eyes, drowning my friends’ conversation out.

“Hudson, are you listening to me?” When I look up, Chaney’s practically an inch from my face, his eyes wide. “Do you have a plan? You need to figure this shit out.”

“Chaney, chill the fuck out and sit back. Buckle up. Relax. You’re giving me a headache.”

Huffing, he flops back against the seat, mumbling to himself.

All the guys just laugh, except for Reed, who’s grumbling to himself about having to deal with Chaney for another year.

A few minutes later, just when Chaney’s finally calmed down, Coach walks through the door with Caroline behind him, her overnight bag on her shoulder as she tries to catch her breath.

Her eyes meet mine, and I feel Chaney tense beside me.

“For god’s sake,” he says entirely too fucking loud, but I slap my hand over his mouth to shut him up and offer her a small smile, then purposefully start scrolling on my phone. The way to not draw attention to ourselves is to go on about our business and act like we’re just acquaintances. Like I wasn’t just fucking her from behind in the shower, pulling on her long blonde hair before coming inside of her as she screamed my name.

That’s partially why she’s late, if I had to guess, since she was just putting on her makeup when I walked out of the door.

We agreed that an Uber would be the best idea since we couldn’t just show up at the airport together.

I see Coach look our way before shaking his head, hands on his hips before turning back to smile warmly at his daughter, guiding her to the seat next to him. With one quick glance at me, she sits beside him and disappears out of view, leaving me to spend the next three hours desperate to get off this plane so I can touch her again.

* * *

We won,and as amazing as it felt to bring home the win… it feels like nothing when I think about how good it felt to have my girl in the stands during the game, wearing an Avalanches jersey and screaming at the top of her lungs.

My eyes found hers every time I looked up from the ice to the stands, and that sweet-as-fuck, secret smile she gave me made me want to walk right off the ice, take her into my arms, and kiss the fuck out of her in front of thirty thousand people without a care in the goddamn world.

“Fuck yes, that’s what the hell I’m talking about, Rome!” Grant, our right wing, claps me on the back in the locker room once we’ve changed back into our suits.

We’re staying overnight in Atlanta, then will head out to Denver tomorrow. And while most of the team will be going out tonight to celebrate, there’s only one way I’m going to be celebrating, and it’s between my Bubblegum’s thighs.

I’m a pussy guy, and I have no fucking problem admitting that.

“Thanks, man,” I smirk, tossing the damp towel I used to dry my hair into the bin by the door.

“You coming out with us tonight?” he asks, eyebrows raised.

I shake my head. “Nah. Had a late night last night, and I’m beat. Gonna get some sleep.”

“You never come out with us anymore, man. You’re always tired, always hanging back when we go to the bar. What’s up?”

I steel my jaw, knowing that he’s only asking because I really have changed over the last year, and it’s not his fault for calling it out. Bars, going home with different women every night… that shit doesn’t do it for me anymore, and it hasn’t for a while.

Even before Caroline.

But now that I have her?

I can’t see anything else but her. After a long day, she’s the person I want waiting for me at home. The one I crawl into bed and wrap my arms around, telling about my day. The one I want to celebrate my wins with and even lament the losses with too.

Shrugging, I hoist my bag up on my shoulder. “Not really my scene anymore, I guess. Trying to keep to myself and stay out of the media.”

Mostly the truth, minus the part where I’m falling for our coach’s daughter. And when he finds out, my entire career is going to go up in literal flames. Not to mention… if the media gets wind of our relationship, they’ll spin it as something it’s not, like I’m creeping on my coach’s college-aged daughter.

Grant nods, his shoulders dipping slightly. “I can respect that. If you change your mind, you know where to find me. Shoot me a text.”

“Sounds good. Have fun.”

With that, I walk out of the locker room, fishing my phone from my pocket to pull up my messages, seeing three unread from Caroline.

Caroline: I’m convinced there is nothing sexier than seeing you on the ice. I’ve been wet all night and it’s entirely your fault.

Another one a few minutes later.

Caroline: Congratulations, Romeo. Let’s celebrate with me on my knees.

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. I chuckle, scrolling to the next one, trying not to get a hard-on as I walk to the hotel shuttle.

Caroline: I can’t wait to see you.

I quickly text her back.

Hudson: Hey Bubblegum. On the way to the hotel. I can’t wait to fuck your throat, and watch you swallow my cum.

She must have had her phone in hand because I see the response bubble moving along the screen, and then her message comes through.

Caroline: What’s your room number? I’ll be waiting on you.

I start to type it out, and then I remember.

I have a fucking roommate for tonight, and that puts a damper on the plans I had for her.

Hudson: Fuck, I forgot I’m rooming with Reed tonight. My room is out.

Caroline: Come to mine. I have my own.

Hudson: It’s risky, Bubblegum… Worried I might get caught sneaking in and have a repeat of that night in your room.

Caroline: I guess that means I’ll just take off your jersey and go to bed all alone and horny then…

Seconds later, she sends over a photo with her lips in a pouty frown and her hand resting on her stomach under the jersey, her fingers ghosting along the waistband of her pink panties, dipping in slightly.

Hudson: Fuck. You little minx. No risk, no reward. Be there in twenty.

Caroline: 405.

After I drop my bag off in my room, I all but sprint to her floor.

I’m on edge the entire ride down the elevator and from the moment I step foot onto her floor. There’s a reason she’s not on the same floor as us. Because Coach wants to keep her locked away in an ivory tower.

If he only fucking knew.

Glancing behind me more than once, making sure no one has seen me, I sneak to her door and knock quietly. Seconds later, it swings open, and my mouth runs dry because she’s still only wearing my jersey and a smile.

“Hey, Romeo.”

I smirk. “Hey, Bubblegum.”

Thick, heavy tension fills the air between us as a beat passes, our eyes on each other.

Suddenly, her hands fist into my shirt, pulling me toward her into the room, the heavy door swinging shut behind us.

“Fuck, how can I miss you this much when I just saw you this morning?” I ask her as I bring my hands to her jaw, cradling her as my mouth moves over hers. I sweep my tongue inside her mouth, drinking her in, tasting the sweet, fruity flavor left on her tongue that lets me know she’s just finished a piece of Hubba Bubba.

My Bubblegum.

Fuck.

Reaching down, I lift her off her feet, and her legs wrap around my waist, locking around me.

I’m already hard, straining against the fabric of my slacks and desperate to get inside of her. It was the most bittersweet torture knowing she was in the stands watching me play. And now, my plans for the rest of the night include making her come as many ways as possible before I have to slip out and back to my room.

“I think I kind of like this being on the road with you thing.” She smiles against my lips.

I pull back and grin. “That so?”

She nods, her eyes shining with adoration. “You were incredible out there, Hudson. Every time I see you on the ice, I’m in awe.”

“It’s only because I saw you in the stands, cheering me on. I think I’ve made you a real hockey fan.”

Her fingers brush along the short hair at my nape, causing me to shiver slightly. I can feel her warm, wet center against me through the fabric of my pants as she rubs her panty-clad pussy over my hard cock, and it’s taking every bit of restraint I have not to rip my pants off and immediately thrust inside her.

“Mmm… or maybe I’m just a real Hudson Rome fan. Charming, ridiculously large co—”

I silence her with a laugh and a kiss, my tongue swirling along hers, swallowing the soft moan that she mews. Within seconds, I peel the jersey off her body and pull back to admire her, my eyes roaming over her soft curves.

She’s fucking perfect.

Every curve, every inch.

I want to memorize it.

Her hand palms my cock through my pants as I shrug off my suit jacket and unbuckle my pants, shucking everything I have on as quickly as possible.

Gently pushing her back on the bed, I climb over her body, my size even more noticeable as I tower over her. I dip my head to her chest and drag my nose along her tits, pausing over her tight, erect nipples. The shiny metal of her barbells gleam in the light, her hands flying to my shoulders.

“Want you, Bubblegum,” I mutter as I suck her nipple into my mouth, tugging on it gently.

My eyes meet hers, and she nods. “Need you, Romeo.”

I give her tits my full attention, sucking, biting, nibbling at the creamy skin before kissing down her stomach. The taste of her skin only makes me more frantic.

My fingers tangle in the waistband of her panties. Before I can help myself, I drop my head and run my nose along the wet spot in the center of the red satin, inhaling her luscious scent. My craving for her overtakes me, and with one hard tug, I rip the panties right off, unapologetically tossing them aside without a second glance.

All I can focus on now is her sweet, little pink pussy, just inches from my mouth. She’s already glistening and wet for me. I want to devour her.

I use my fingers to spread her pussy lips open so I can look at all of her. So I can see her desire leaking out of her, beckoning me to have a taste.

“Hudson,” she begs, her hands flying to my head and pushing me toward her waiting pussy.

“Please what, Bubblegum?” I ask, a wry grin on my lips as I gaze up her body and look into her heavy lidded, lust filled eyes. “What do you need?”

I blow on her pussy lightly, the cool air causing goose bumps to erupt on her inner thighs.

She squirms and flexes her hips up toward my mouth, groaning in frustration when I pull back.

“Say it, Caroline. If you need it, tell me what you want.”

She sits up on her elbows to gaze down to where I’m lying between her creamy thighs and traces her foot along the expanse of my shoulders playfully. “I want you to eat my pussy, Hudson Rome. Eat it until I come on your face.”

When I don’t move, she gives me a saucy pout. “Please.”

My grin widens into a full-blown smile that you couldn’t wipe off my face even if you fucking tried. I ghost the pad of my finger along her clit.

“Please,” she begs again.

Happily, I oblige, only because my girl asks so nicely. And because I’m desperate to get my mouth on her pussy. Flattening my tongue, I drag it through her wetness, groaning the moment I taste her.

I’m torturing her with how slowly I’m dragging my tongue along her, circling her clit, and I know she’s getting frustrated that I’m not moving quicker.

I can tell in the way her nails begin to dig into my shoulders, biting into the skin, and how she arches closer to my mouth, moaning my name.

When my teeth graze her clit, nipping at her, she cries out. “Oh god.”

I love that she’s so fucking responsive.

Dragging my tongue lower, I circle her entrance and push it inside, lapping at the creamy wetness before I start fucking her with my tongue, spearing her tight hole until she’s writhing.

“Yes, right there, Please…” She pants, thrashing on the bed. “I’m…”

My mouth latches onto her clit, sucking hard, and my fingers thrust into her, hooking upward to set off the orgasm building inside of her.

“That’s it, Bubblegum. Good girl. Come for me.”

Knock, knock.

I halt at the sound and pull back from her pussy to look at her. She groans quietly, dropping back onto the bed with a frustrated sigh.

“Keep going. They’ll go away,” she whispers in desperation.

Can’t have my girl unsatisfied, and I want to taste her cum on my tongue, so I lean down, spreading her with my fingers, and begin lapping at her p—

Another knock.

She groans. “Ugh, eventually, they’ll go away.”

I laugh, dragging my teeth along her clit gently, her back arching as she pushes her pussy against my mouth.

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK.

“Caroline, it’s Dad.”

We both freeze, and I scramble up so quickly that I get tangled up and trip in the sheets around us, barely catching myself on the wall next to me, causing a loud thud to echo around the room.

“Fuck,” I hiss quietly.

Caroline is biting back laughter, her hand covering her mouth as she gets up from the bed, searching for her jersey.

“Uh, one second, Dad.”

I find her jersey by my feet and toss it to her, pocketing the panties since they’re fucking shredded.

Fuck, this is bad.

What if he finds out I’m in here?

My chest begins to tighten in my panic, my dick deflating by the second. Nothing kills your hard-on like the possibility of your coach finding you in his daughter’s hotel room while you’re in the middle of eating her pussy.

Goddamnit.

Caroline turns to face me after sliding on a pair of cotton shorts from her bag. “Hudson, breathe. It’s okay. I’ll get rid of him.” She whispers it quietly, but it’s too fucking late. I’m panicked as fuck, and I can’t just pretend that I’m not.

The consequences of being here are too fucking great.

I scamper to the bathroom, swiping my slacks off the floor in the process, and shut the door behind me. A few seconds later, I hear her swing the door open and greet Coach.

“Hey, Dad.”

“Hey, Care Bear. What took you so long to answer the door? Everything okay?”

I crack the door open slightly and watch the interaction through the small sliver.

She clears her throat. “Nothing. I was just in the shower and had to throw some clothes on.”

He’s not believing that shit.

We’re fucked.

“Oh, okay. Well, I thought I heard a commotion in here. Anyway, I wanted to see if you had dinner, and if not… we could grab a bite? You don’t have to spend the whole night in your hotel room alone, you know?”

She nods. “I just have a headache. If it’s okay, I’ll take a rain check? I kind of want to just crash. I’ll probably just order room service and catch up on sleep.”

“Of course, sweetheart. Get some rest—I know you’ve been working really hard. I’ll see you in the morning. Call me if you need anything.”

I hear him kiss her head. “Thanks, Dad. Oh, and good game tonight. The team looked great.”

“Thanks, Care Bear. Night.”

“Night.” She visibly sighs once she gets the door shut, and I let out the same breath I’ve been holding since he first knocked on the door. Stepping out of the bathroom, I head back into the room and sit on the edge of the rumpled bed.

I just freaked the fuck out. But as I was panicking in the fucking hotel bathroom, hiding from Coach, I realized that I was actually more afraid of whatever is happening with Caroline ending than Coach actually finding out we’re together.

It wasn’t even that there was a huge chance he’d ask for me to be traded; it would be what would happen to Caroline and me if that happened.

I wouldn’t be able to have her waiting for me in my bed.

I couldn’t take her around the city I love and show her my favorite food spots.

I’d miss her laughter, how light she makes me feel.

How whenever we’re together, I feel like we’ve known each other forever.

I would lose her, and there wouldn’t be a damn thing I could do to stop it.

That’s what has my chest feeling tight right now, what has my stomach in knots.

“He’s gone,” she says softly, sitting down next to me.

All I can do is nod as I stare blankly in front of me. Fuck, my hands are still shaking, and there are so many thoughts flitting through my head so quickly that it feels like it’s actually spinning.

“Hudson?”

When I lift my head, my gaze meets hers.

“What’s wrong?” she asks, reaching out to take my hand.

“I just… that was so fucking close, Bubblegum.” I swallow, my throat feeling tight. “I guess I haven’t really wanted to say this to you because I don’t want you to feel like you’re caught in the middle or to make shit worse with your dad…”

“Tell me. Whatever it is.” She squeezes my hand in hers reassuringly.

“Your dad fucking hates me, Caroline. Like, really doesn’t like me,” I tell her honestly, and when she opens her mouth to say something like “oh I’m sure he doesn’t,” I shake my head, stopping her. She needs to know that this is more than just her dating one of his players.

“No, he hates me. There’s been tension between us since he became our coach. Listen, when your dad came on, I was younger, a cocky rookie who liked the fame and liked to party. My reputation, especially as reported by the media, has always been a fucking mess. When he first started coaching the team, I was in the headlines a lot, partially because I was being careless, not giving a shit what they had to say about me. Even if all of it wasn’t fully true, it still didn’t look good. So we kind of had a rocky start to our relationship that never left.”

Pausing, I blow out a breath and run my hand over the short hair on my scalp.

“Surely, my father doesn’t hate you because of that. Plenty of players end up in the headlines for silly reasons,” she says, disbelief lacing her tone.

“He came down hard on a few of us. He really fucking hated that we were making the Avalanches look bad with our behavior, that we were distracting from what we were all here to do: play hockey. Being in the headlines, the whole ‘Playboy Playmaker’ shit, reflected badly on his team, and he was a new coach walking into that shit. I was more of a hothead then. We argued a lot early on, once in front of the team, which I shouldn’t have done… because it undermined his authority.

“Honestly, it’s a miracle that he didn’t recommend me for a trade back then. But I’m an asset to the team—then and now. I’m the best damn goalie he’s had in ten years. Things have been a little less tense between us since then, but he’s never forgotten those days, and I don’t think he’s ever fully trusted me. But as long as I keep my shit straight and keep playing like I have been, he doesn’t say anything to me.”

Caroline shakes her head, digesting what I’m saying, her eyes widened with her hand clasped tightly in mine.

I hold her gaze as I continue. “So, imagine if he found out what was going on between us? He would lose his fucking mind. You thought I was overreacting that day in the locker room, and partially I was, but only because I know how much he hates me. Out of any guy on the team, I’m the one he’d never want to touch his daughter.”

Standing from the bed, Caroline puts her hands on her hips and shakes her head. “I mean, did he even try to get to know you before making these assumptions? Hudson.” She pauses, dropping to her knees before me, taking my face in her hands. “You’re amazing, and he’s being an absolute idiot if he doesn’t see that.”

I chuckle, pressing my lips to hers. This fucking girl. Her response makes me feel like a god, but it also reminds me how young she is. Because sometimes the way people see us isn’t fair.

But it’s life.

If she only knew that I want to throw every fucking bit of it away to be with her, to make her fucking mine. That I want her more than anything else.

She’d tell me I’m crazy, as crazy as I fucking feel.

But it doesn’t matter because it’s the truth.

I’m falling for her. I’m crazy about my Bubblegum, and tonight feels like the catalyst for… something.

And that something?

Fucking terrifies me.