Lost in Silence (The Lost Series Book 1)(23)

I smile and cover my mouth to hide a silent giggle. He tilts his head and looks at me. His eyes are suddenly far away, deep in his own thoughts. I put my coffee cup down on the counter, the sound brings him back. He shakes his head and turns towards the doorway.

“The living room is through here,” he takes large steps and I nearly have to run to keep up with him. I follow him into the next room, which is cozy, filled with large pieces of furniture and throw blankets. A large fireplace sits center along the main wall, a flat screen television right above it and floor to ceiling windows on either side. The room is dark and warm, very masculine. A well worn leather chair sits in one corner, stacks of books surround it. I walk towards the area hesitantly, wondering if he’s read all of them.

“I like to read, helps take my mind off of things,” he explains. He seems a bit embarrassed by it. I browse the titles and notice a trend. “Yes, I like biographies and historically accurate books.”

I’m surprised. This man isn’t what I expected. The more I see, hear and learn about him, the harder it is for me to keep my guard up. They’re just books but I never once saw Erik pick one up, except maybe to throw it at me.

I walk over to the fireplace and notice a few photos in frames sitting on the mantle. The first is a photo of three smiling faces bunched together. Two I recognize instantly as his own and Missy’s. The other face looks similar to Hudson’s but younger. I assume he is their younger brother, Ten. The other photo that catches my eye is one I think he holds dear. The photo itself looks worn, like it had been kept folded in a pocket for a long time. It’s a group photo, taken somewhere in the desert. At least a dozen faces smile at me, some are shirtless, others are full dress fatigues. Most wear sunglasses. One, I peg instantly. Hudson. A much younger version though. The man standing next to him has his arm thrown over Hudson’s shoulders and his head thrown back with laughter. I know these men are important or else Hudson wouldn’t have them on his mantle.

“My team,” his voice is tight, his body tense. Something about these men are a piece of the sadness I see locked inside his eyes. I want to ask about them but I don’t. I don’t think he’ll talk about it anyways.

Instead I walk towards him. He tenses tighter, puts his hands in his pockets and pulls back from me. I stop. He doesn’t want pity, I can read that but I have none for him. I move past him and walk towards the hallway. I hear him shift on his feet and follow at a distance.

The first door I come to, I open.

“The guest bathroom. There’s an en suite connected to the master,” he says. His voice sends chills down my spine. “Towels are in the cupboard behind you. There should be a toothbrush in the medicine cabinet if you need it.”

The bathroom is beautiful. There is a huge garden tub tucked into one corner and a standalone shower in the opposite corner. A double sink vanity sat bare and sterile. The woodwork is amazing and definitely handmade.

“The bedroom is this way,” he moves cat like down the hallway and opens the door. “I’ll make you some space in the closet for you, but there are extra blankets on the top shelf. It gets cold at night here.”

The room is in word, huge. Large furniture fills up the space nicely. Again the colors scream Hudson.

“I’ll be on the couch in the living room,” he pulls out a blanket and few pillows from the closet.

I shake my head. No, I can’t take your bed!

“Yes, you can,” he looks at me and smiles. “The couch folds out into a bed.”

I shake my head again. I can sleep on the couch!

“I’m not going to argue with you precious,” he turns to the door and carries his stuff down the hall. I’m hot on his heels. I couldn’t possibly put him out.

I stop and bang on the table next to me for his attention, flailing my arms. I will not take your bed!

“I’ll tell you what,” he crosses his arms, sets back on his heels and smirks. Shit, I am not going to like this. “You open your fucking gorgeous mouth and say the words with that angelic voice of yours and I will let you sleep on the couch.”

I gasp and cover my mouth with my hands.

What. The. Fuck.

His smirk turns into a full blown grin and all I want to do it slap it off his smug face.

Fine. I’ll fucking show him.

I open my mouth to say the words but nothing comes out. I shut my mouth, take a deep breath and try again. Still nothing.

I stomp my foot and try again. Nothing.

“Alice, please take the bed,” Hudson’s voice is softer and it shocks me back. I had somehow forgotten he was there. His once smug face is watching me carefully, observing my mood and reactions.