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He realized that he had been short with her, distracted by his own grief and concerns about the plane crash. Nora was there to help him, and she already had, after barely a few weeks of moving in as Hannah’s aid. He wanted to thank her and, at the same time, apologize for his distant behavior. He and Nora were both important to Hannah, so they should try to make an effort to work together.
He knew how he could be, which, unfortunately, wasn’t unusual for alphas or shifters of his ilk. It was in their nature to be protective, which often translated into seeming aggressive or straight-up rude. But Nora was there for him and Hannah when they were at their worst. The least he could do was figure out a way to make sure Nora was comfortable.
So the very same day that she had shown him how to massage Hannah’s tense back, he decided to have his chef make a special dinner for the both of them. They barely had any private time together, and he wanted to get to know the woman who was doing so much for him and his adopted daughter.
It was what Frank would have wanted.
He didn't know what Nora would have preferred, so he asked the chef to make an assortment of selections. Kobe beef sautéed in ginger and spices and a luxurious ham sprinkled with dazzling white truffles. Just in case none of that was to her liking, he also had Matsutake mushrooms bathed in tasty soy sauce and Japanese rice.
It was a rather luxurious meal, but part of him wanted to impress her. It wasn't something he could easily admit, even when he was lighting candles at the dining room table and making sure the utensils were properly aligned.
He had informed Nora earlier in the day to not eat dinner, that he was planning something for the two of them once Hannah went to bed. He didn't want to make it appear too formal, although he did wear his most pleasing slacks and form-fitting polo to the table.
Hudson waited for her, his leg jostling up and down until she came through the kitchen door. He nearly leapt to his feet at the sight of her in a gray-knitted sweater and tight jeans, her blonde hair pulled back into a comfortable ponytail.
“Oh,” she said, blue eyes beaming up at him. “I didn't realize this was going to be so…”
“It's not,” Hudson interrupted, gazing down at the lit candles and the extravagant-looking kitchenware. “I just wanted to make you something that was nicer than a ham sandwich."
Nora’s look of alarm faded as her eyes flickered, a cute smile tickling her lips.
“How do you know I eat a ham sandwich?"
Hudson chuckled much more freely than he’d planned. He tried to act nonchalant, shrugging as he spoke.
“There's never a lot missing in the fridge at night. And you're very stealthy about it all. I figured you weren't making anything elaborate."
“Bad habit, I suppose,” she said, eyeing the chairs.
Hudson moved into action, pulling the chair next to him out for Nora to sit. She let out a puff of laughter but quickly sank down next to him. Hudson returned to his own seat, clearing his throat and trying to veil his apprehension.
“I have heard of much worse habits,” he said, cocking an eyebrow.
Nora began to blush, turning her head away from him and running her fingers through her ponytail. It was hypnotizing watching her do anything at all. He caught himself studying the slender curve of her neck, the slightly exposed collarbone peeking out from her knit-gray sweater.
Hudson had the chef bring the meal in, asking Nora if she required any dietary alterations and that they would be made hastily. She merely stared with astonishment at the filled plates as they arrived at the table, her mouth hanging open.
Hudson was proud. There was no doubt about it. He adored the look of pleasured shock on her face, and it made him think of other ways he could summon it, like forcing her legs apart and diving in headfirst.
He shook himself out of the reverie. Then, once all of their food was dished out, and the wine poured, he took the glass by the stem. He raised it, and Nora followed suit, that bewitching smile on her face.
“Here’s to you, Nora, and your commitment toward Hannah's recovery. I couldn't be doing any of this without you.”
Nora tilted her head bashfully, then clinked their glasses together. Once they began to eat, Hudson spoke up again, unable to keep his apology hanging.
“I wanted to say that I am sorry for being so distant. I know that it makes our collaboration harder when it comes to Hannah’s recovery. So, for that, I apologize, and I thank you again for what you have done. I’m sure it’s awkward to be here in a house with two strangers, and I certainly haven’t made it any easier.”
She sliced up pieces of the Kobe beef, listening to him intently. He tried not to stare at her when she spoke, but it was difficult to peel away from her natural beauty.
“I appreciate your awareness,” she said, allowing the beef to sit on the prong of the fork. “I know where it is coming from, though. We’re all projection machines, we humans."
Hudson blinked down at his plate, feeling abruptly exposed. He made a small sound in response, keeping his eye on his own mushroom and rice blend.
“How so?”
“Well, I know Hannah has her parents’ loss to deal with. But you also lost a dear friend. It can be hard to embrace having me here because it’s still ultimately all a reminder of everything that happened, you know? It’s not your fault or my fault. It just is.”
Hudson felt even more vulnerable. She was reading him like a book, and though it felt strange, a part of it was nice.
