What reason could she possibly give Hudson for leaving him alone in one of the world’s most romantic cities? This was their first trip together. Under any other circumstances, nothing could convince her to leave his side. But her circumstances were anything but normal. And as much as she hated the thought of being away from Hudson for half the day, much less lying to him about where she was going, Julian had left her no choice. He was threatening to hurt the man she loved. If delivering a ring to Julian’s chateau would keep Hudson safe, then so be it.
The irony of the location Julian had picked for the exchange was not lost on her. Had she married him as planned, then they would have just been wrapping up their three-week honeymoon. The extensive itinerary had allowed for the last leg of the trip to include a weeklong stay at his chateau, culminating in a second reception her mother planned to host for Julian’s extended family, as well as their European friends who were unable to make it to the ceremony.
While it was true that many on the guest list would have been unable to attend either due to the holidays or the short notice, Allie suspected her mother’s motivation had more to do with impressing Bernadette Beauchene than it did with entertaining Julian’s distant cousins. Bernadette had been her mother’s roommate at Vassar. And while the Ingram name was often said in the same breath as Vanderbilt, Kennedy, and Rockefeller, it lacked the pedigree that came with hundreds of years of nobility and wealth. Hosting a ball at the country estate of her daughter, the new Marquise Laurent, would have no doubt been a means of leveling that field. The idea would have bothered Allie more but her mother’s motivation for planning a party at Julian’s estate paled in comparison to the lengths which her parents had gone to arrange the marriage in the first place. Not that any of it mattered anymore. Her parents were gone, as was her mother’s unspoken rivalry with Bernadette Beauchene.
And then it hit her. Bernadette was the perfect excuse to slip away for a few hours.
Careful not to disturb Hudson, Allie reached for her phone. She typed a quick e-mail to Bernadette, and had just returned her phone to the nightstand when Hudson stirred.
“I know what you’re doing,” he murmured from behind her.
Allie stilled. “You do?”
“Hmm.” He reached for her, one arm sliding around her waist as he pulled her to him, his chest against her back. “You’re checking your e-mail, something I’m quite sure I was told was off-limits while in bed. And besides, it’s a holiday. Nothing urgent to attend to.” He pressed his lips to her shoulder and she felt him smile against her skin. With a shift of his hips, an impressive erection prodded her backside. “Other than this.”
Arousal surged through her body. With no more than a few words and the feel of his skin against hers, she was slick and ready. All it would take was a subtle flex of her hips and he would be inside her, filling her, stretching her. She ached for him the way she always did, her body a slave to his. More than that she craved the connection of being one with him on the most intimate level. But there were arrangements to be made and a plane to meet.
It was just as well. Because as amazing as the night before had been, what lay ahead had weighed heavily on her mind, and she knew Hudson had picked up on it. He had sensed it in her mood, in the tension radiating through her body. And even though he’d eventually broken through and reached that part of her only he could touch, the fact that it had been so difficult brought a sadness all its own. She needed to deal with Julian. Once he was out of their lives, everything would go back to the way it was.
Hudson nuzzled against her neck while he began tugging and rolling her nipple between two fingers. She squeezed her eyes shut, fighting the wave of pleasure and gathering the strength to move away from the man who owned her, body and soul.
“It wasn’t work.”
He nibbled and sucked the sensitive skin beneath her ear. “Well, whatever Harper’s latest man crisis is can wait, too.”
It took every ounce of self-control, but somehow she managed to place her hand over Hudson’s, halting his amorous assault. “Actually, it was a friend of my mother’s. Sort of like an aunt to me.” That was a ridiculous exaggeration, but she had to make the story believable.
Allie sat up, pulling the sheet around her as she moved to the edge of the bed. “She wasn’t able to make it for the funeral, so when Ben told her I was in Europe, she started e-mailing, asking to get together.” Hudson’s watchful gaze made her suddenly aware of how quickly she was speaking. She took a steadying breath, using the time to do a quick calculation. Assuming her flight was on time, Harper was due to land just before nine. Allowing for customs, then the round-trip drive to Julian’s chateau, she should have no problem making it to the station by two. It wasn’t as though she and Julian would be having small talk over tea. “Anyway, I thought maybe I could have brunch with her this morning and meet you at the station later?”
Hudson swung his legs over the other side of the bed. “I’ll go with you.”
“Don’t be silly.” She darted across the room, gathering clothing off the floor as she made her way to the suitcases that sat propped open on brass luggage racks. “I would never dream of subjecting you to brunch with Bernadette. I mean, I love her like family, but she’s my mother on steroids.” She laughed nervously. “Only with a cigarette and a thick accent.”
Hudson stared at her from across the room, looking more than a bit annoyed. “I think I can tolerate one brunch.”
“I love you for offering, but it’s not necessary. Enjoy a lazy morning, go to the hotel gym, read those e-mails you keep sneaking peeks at.” She smiled over her shoulder. “I’ll meet you at the station at two and we’ll be in London in time for cocktails.” Clean clothes in hand, she dashed toward the bathroom, pausing briefly in front of Hudson. “Thank you, though,” she said, pressing a swift kiss to his lips.
Hudson caught her wrist as she turned away. “If you think I’m letting you go without a proper good-bye,” he said, tugging her sharply into his lap. One of his hands cupped her nape, holding her in place as his mouth claimed hers in a passionate kiss. And for one blissful moment, all thoughts of Julian and threats of blackmail left her and she kissed him back. As if nothing existed but the two of them.
“Now you can get ready.” He set her back on her feet and swatted her behind. “I’d join you in the shower, but then poor Aunt Bernadette would be dining on croissants alone,” he added with a knowing smirk.
Allie showered and dressed while Hudson ordered room service. It was being delivered just as she was about to leave, but food was the last thing on her mind. At the moment all she could think about was getting to the airport. According to the airline’s website, Harper’s flight was on time. With any luck she’d breeze through customs and Allie could stay on schedule. Julian hadn’t given her much time, but if all went according to plan, the whole mess would be behind her in a few hours.
“Dining room, s’il vous plaît.” Hudson held the door open for the young man as he wheeled in a linen-draped cart. Allie was by his side before he had a chance to close it.
“I wish you’d reconsider and take Max with you,” he said as she shrugged into her coat.
“I’ll be fine with the hotel’s car and driver.” She offered him a seemingly lighthearted smile. “And this way Max can get you and all of my luggage to the station on time.”
Hudson pulled her coat closed and began to fasten the buttons. “You do give new meaning to the term ‘packing light.’ I think the concierge thought a UN delegation had arrived last night.” His tone was teasing, but his eyes were full of concern. “No detours. Straight to the station after brunch with your aunt.”