“I know.” His rough fingers stroked her cheek. “I trust you, baby.”
Her heart soared when their lips met again, and this time the kiss was not fleeting, but endless. It warmed her belly and curled her toes, wrapping around her until her surroundings faded and the only thing she was conscious of was Connor’s hot, eager mouth. His wicked tongue. His big hands sliding to her waist, then lower, caressing her bottom and —
“Hey, assholes, can we speed this up?” Pike called.
“Seriously,” Rylan agreed. “Either get to the sex, or stop, because watching you suck each other’s faces is kinda nauseating.”
Hudson’s laughter was muffled against Connor’s lips. “Should we get to the sex, or stop?”
“Let’s save the sex for later. I’m gonna want to take my time with you once I get you naked.” Chuckling, he reached for her hand. “Are you ready to go home?”
Hudson planted one last kiss on his lips. “Never been more ready in my life.”
Epilogue
Connor stood on the lodge porch, stifling a sigh as he watched Rylan and Lennox unload an ornate vanity table from the back of Lennox’s pickup truck. Jamie was monitoring their every move as well, hands on her hips as she ordered Lennox to be careful with her prized possession. Which brought a wry smile to Connor’s lips, because it seemed like everything she’d asked Lennox to bring over from their former residence was her “prized possession” – Connor had never met a woman who owned so much stuff.
A soft laugh came from behind him as Hudson stepped out of the lodge and joined him at the railing. “They’re really making themselves at home, huh?” she remarked.
Connor slung an arm over her shoulder and pressed a kiss to the top of her head, breathing in the coconut scent of her shampoo. “Ha. Like this isn’t exactly what you wanted, to turn this camp into one big happy community.”
She grinned at him. “I won’t lie – it’s nice having other women around. You know, some estrogen to temper that testosterone fest you guys had going on.”
He chuckled.
She rested her head on his shoulder, her tone becoming serious. “So what are you going to do about Reese’s summons?”
His good humor faded at the reminder. When they’d gone to Foxworth to ask to borrow Reese’s chopper, they’d given the woman one of the sat phones, since Lennox didn’t need it anymore now that he was living at camp. Connor had told Reese to contact him when she decided what she wanted in exchange for the use of her helicopter, but she’d remained radio silent for the past couple weeks. He’d hoped that meant she’d forgotten about the favor.
But that was hoping for too much.
“What else is there to do?” He let out a breath. “I’ll head out there next week like she asked and find out what she wants.”
Hudson bit her lip. “What if it’s something dangerous? Or insane?”
“We’ll cross that bridge when we get there.” When her worried expression didn’t ease, he pointed out the silver lining. “Hey, at least the roads will be safe. Your brother is making sure to keep the sweeps away from us, remember?”
His words had the opposite effect – she looked even more worried now. Shit. Maybe reminding her of Dominik hadn’t been the best move. Hudson’s brother had contacted them the day after they’d returned to camp, sending a message to the phone he’d given her to tell them that he was all right, still in charge, and doing everything in his power to keep their area Enforcer-free. Connor wasn’t sure how long that would last, but for the moment he was grateful for Dom’s efforts.
Christ. Never in a million years had he thought he’d ever be grateful to Dominik.
“I wish he’d just leave the compound,” Hudson said softly.
“He’ll be okay, sweetheart.” But Connor was in no way confident of that.
“Hudson!” Jamie’s excited voice interrupted them. The woman hurried over when she spotted Hudson on the porch. “Do you want to help me and Layla decorate our cabins?”
For once, Connor was grateful for Jamie’s obsession with making herself at home, because her question succeeded in relaxing Hudson’s tense shoulders.
“Sure,” Hudson replied, and then she linked her arm through Jamie’s.
Footsteps sounded from the door again, and this time it was Xander who sidled up to him, his dark eyes focused on the commotion in the courtyard: Rylan and Lennox lugging the table. Hudson and Jamie walking down the path. Pike appearing in the clearing with the wolf in his arms.
Xander sighed, but when he spoke, he sounded more amused than annoyed. “It’s the dawn of a new era, huh?”
Connor’s gaze rested on Hudson’s sexy backside, her long blond hair cascading down her back, the ease and confidence of her gait. She stopped suddenly, turning to toss a smile at him over her shoulder, and his heart overflowed with emotion.
“Yes,” he murmured. “It is.”