Текст книги "Reclaim Me"

Автор книги: Ann Marie Walker

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Текущая страница: 12 (всего у книги 17 страниц)

Chapter Twenty-two

Allie kept her head down as she made her way to the back of the conference room. Since they’d returned from Paris there had been plenty of occasions where she’d had to pretend Hudson meant nothing more to her than any of the other board members. But this time it was her husband who had just strolled into the room. The sight of him dressed in a navy pinstripe suit and wearing her favorite crystal blue tie hit her like a brick wall. Every instinct told her to go to him, to touch him, to kiss him, or hell, to even just talk to him. But she couldn’t, not without raising suspicion. So instead she turned on her heel, seeking refuge at the small breakfast buffet Colin had ordered for the morning’s meeting.

She felt Hudson’s presence as he drew closer, and by the time he was standing next to her, every nerve in her body had sprung to life. In a subtle move his fingers brushed the back of her hand as he reached for a coffee cup. “I missed my wife this morning,” he murmured, his voice caressing her heated skin.

Allie’s lips parted on a sharp intake of air. Hearing Hudson call her his wife was bittersweet, a double-edged sword that both warmed her heart and pierced it. Her gaze met his for the first time, but Ben Weiss walked up behind them before she could reply. Not that it mattered. The look in Hudson’s eyes told her he knew exactly what she was thinking.

“I believe we’re ready to begin,” Ben said.

Hudson and Allie took their seats at the opposite ends of the conference table. At times it felt as though they were in a scene from an old Western, locked in some sort of standoff at high noon; but Allie loved every minute she spent sparring with Hudson across the glossy mahogany. He would grumble about how she was the proverbial thorn in his side, but she knew he loved it, too. They challenged each other, brought out their best, and then took it to an even higher level.

If only the other board members saw it that way.

While Allie had enjoyed a sweet victory when it came to preserving the print edition of their flagship paper, most other votes hadn’t gone her way. For that she had two people to thank. One was Duncan Wentworth, a man with money older than most anyone else in the Chicago. Wentworth wielded an undeniable influence despite never having worked a day in his life, and he never missed a chance to patronize Allie’s efforts.

The other member blocking her at every turn was Melanie McCormick, a woman who’d earned her seat on the board through a string of successful divorces. To Melanie, the climb up the corporate ladder had come in the form of wedding vows spoken to men with ten times her net worth. Previous targets had been twice her age, but if her unabashed appreciation for Hudson was any indication, this time she’d set her sights on a much younger man.

Melanie slithered up to Hudson the moment the meeting ended. Having seen the same less-than-subtle maneuver played out at nearly every gathering, Allie had expected nothing less. But there was something different this time. Allie could see it in her eyes. Melanie was upping her game, and Hudson Chase was the coveted prize.

Allie took her time gathering her belongings until she and Hudson were the only two who remained. “What was all that about?” she asked as he strode across the now empty conference room.

“It seems our fellow board member has found herself without an escort for the Ingram Gala this weekend. She asked me to do the honors.”

“She asked you out on a date?” Allie squeaked.

“Don’t look so horrified, Alessandra.” Hudson smirked. “I’ve been told I’m quite a catch.”

“You’re a married man.”

He chuckled. “She doesn’t know that. But I doubt in her case it would make much difference.”

“That’s not making me feel any better.”

“I’m sorry.” His eyes were lit with amusement. “Although jealousy is quite becoming on you.”

Allie glanced down at her bare left hand. When she spoke her voice was barely a whisper. “I hated taking my ring off this morning.”

His gaze softened. “As did I.”

For a brief moment the world around them fell away and they were back in the candlelit barn. The intimacy that passed between them made her chest tighten to an almost unbearable ache. Hudson lowered his head, his lips inching closer to hers.

Behind them someone cleared his throat. “Sorry to interrupt,” Colin said.

Allie stepped back. “It’s fine. Just going over a few additional items,” she turned, giving him her full attention. “What’s up?”

Colin’s eyes darted to Hudson then back to Allie. Her assistant was far too perceptive to have missed what was going on. But he was also proving to be fiercely loyal. She felt confident he would never breathe a word of what he now surely suspected. “Detective Green is here to see you.”

“Show her to my office and offer her something to drink. I’ll be there in a minute.”

“Will do.”

“What’s that about?” Hudson asked once they were alone. The frown that creased his handsome brow revealed his unease.

“No idea. This meeting wasn’t scheduled.”

He gave a tight nod. “She has news then. She wouldn’t stop by to tell you things were status quo.”

“Do you think they’ve connected Julian to all this?”

“Don’t get too far ahead of yourself. See what the woman has to say first,” he cautioned. “And call me as soon as she leaves.”

“Absolutely.”

They stared at each other for a moment more until Hudson blew out an exasperated breath and ran a hand back through his hair. “These platonic good-byes are growing tiresome.”

Despite her agreement, his frustration actually made her smile. “And if people knew we were married you’d what, push me up against the wall? “

“For a start.”

“I think I’m going to like working with my husband. With any luck this charade will be over soon.”

“One can only hope.” Hudson’s words echoed in Allie’s head as she made her way back to her office. Hope. It was what got her through the past few weeks. Hope they would finally be free of Julian’s threats; hope her parents’ murderer would be brought to justice; and most of all, hope that she and Hudson would finally have the future they never thought possible.

But when she stepped into her office, all hope faded. Detective Green sat in one of the chairs in front of Allie’s desk, her back straight and her expression grim. As had been the case every other time they’d met, the middle-aged woman was dressed in a conservative suit, and her sandy brown hair was pulled back in a tight bun. Her green eyes still cataloged every detail of her surroundings, but when she met Allie’s questioning stare, her gaze no longer possessed the confident reassurance that had carried Allie through the darker moments of the investigation. This time her gaze was filled with nothing but apologetic disappointment.

She stood the moment Allie entered the room. “Thank you for seeing me on such short notice.”

“Not a problem.” Allie shook the detective’s outstretched hand, then rounded her desk. “I was hoping your visit meant there’d been a break in the investigation. But judging by your expression I’m assuming that’s not why you’re here.” She gestured toward the empty chair. “Please sit.”

“I wish that were the case.” The detective’s suit jacket split open as she sat in one of the leather chairs, offering Allie a glimpse of the badge she wore clipped to her waist and the gun she kept holstered at her side. She drew a deep breath through her nose. “There’s no easy way to say this, Miss Sinclair, but we’ve hit a dead end.”

Allie’s heart pounded in her chest. This couldn’t be happening. Julian wasn’t going to get away with murder. “I thought you identified the shooter?”

Green nodded. “Yes. But we can’t find anything to link him to a third party. No bank deposits, no calls or recent trips out of town.”

Then you’re not looking in the right place, she wanted to scream. But she couldn’t tell the police what she knew, not without incriminating Hudson.

“At this point all indications are he was working alone.”

“With what motive?”

“It could have been a robbery as we first suspected. But without any further information, we may never know if he was working on his own or not.”

Allie’s eyes drifted shut as she took a moment to compose herself. When she opened them, the detective was standing in front of her desk.

“There are no victories in my line of duty, Miss Sinclair; nothing I can do to bring back lost loved ones. But I work hard to try and bring them justice, and a sense of closure for their families. I’m truly sorry I haven’t been able to do that for you.”

“Thank you, Detective Green. I know you’ve dedicated a lot of time and effort to this investigation.”

“If there are any new developments, you’ll be the first to know. But for the time being, at least, the department considers this case closed.”

Allie waited until the door clicked closed, then rested her elbows on the desk and dropped her face into her hands. That fucking bastard. Without a doubt there would be no further developments. Julian had covered his tracks too well. The team Hudson had assembled was the only remaining hope. If they could find something, anything, she could use as leverage against Julian . . .

The shrill ring of a phone cut through the quiet office and Allie jumped. At first she ignored it, hoping Colin would pick up, but then she realized it was her father’s direct line. Who even had that number? Allie had certainly never given it to anyone. She reached for the handset and answered with a tentative “Hello?”

“Bonjour, Alessandra.”

Speak of the devil. Literally. Allie grit her teeth. “Julian.”

“So tense, ma cherie.” A short, harsh laugh came across the line. “What’s the matter, still chafing over your loss?”

“My what?”

“Today’s vote.” A lighter clicked near the mouthpiece of his phone. “Couldn’t quite convince them.”

How the hell did he know that so quickly?

“No matter. Once I’m in control, I would have reversed it. Terrible idea.”

“Are you spying on me?”

“Keeping an eye on my company.” He blew out a harsh breath that was undoubtedly a plume of smoke.

“It’s not yours yet,” she muttered.

“You’re losing too often to that mongrel.”

“You called to tell me I’m not winning enough battles in the boardroom?”

He snorted his derision. “I have better things to do with my time than spend it hurling insults, Alessandra. Not much sport either. As you Americans say, shooting fish in a barrel.”

“Then why did you call?

“Because your litany of failures is altering my timetable. I fear the board will oust you before they convene in March. If they appoint your former lover as the permanent CEO, he’ll never sign over his shares, no matter how wide you spread your legs.” The lascivious tone of his voice sent a cold chill down her spine. “I’m returning to Chicago on the first of the month. I want this mess resolved by the time I’m back.”

“But that’s only—”

“Eleven days. Use them wisely.”

Chapter Twenty-three

Enough of this bullshit, Hudson thought. Nick was late. Again. The sun had set and the last of the hazy orange rays reflected off the surrounding skyscrapers, making the Magnificent Mile look like a fiery planet. Which was deceptive since the chill that descended barged in like an unwelcome houseguest.

Hudson’s living room became as dark as his frame of mind when the last of the light faded. The cavernous room felt more like a cell made of glass than a luxury penthouse overlooking the urban sprawl of Chicago. A cell, a cage, a prison—all adequate terms to represent the grip Julian had on his balls; the one that had him in a constant state of revisit and revise.

He stood in front of the Art Deco bar in a black, custom-tailored Brioni tux and a motherfucking bow tie, dressed for yet another goddamn event. The silver lining of the night was that he would be in the same room as Allie. The bad news? He wasn’t going to be able to touch his own wife. But the thing that dumped his mood even further into the shitter was not being introduced as her husband. He knew the situation was only temporary, but that didn’t mean he had to like it. And to make matters worse, he was escorting a woman he could barely tolerate in a professional setting.

Hudson glanced down at the crystal decanters gleaming like jewels in the low ambient light. A stiff three fingers would go a long way toward taking the edge off of an evening with Melanie McCormick. That or ear plugs.

“Yo, Hudson.” Nick called out from the foyer. “Where ya at?”

So much for that drink. Hudson slipped the wedding band off his finger and tucked it into the breast pocket of his jacket. “In here. You’re late.”

“I couldn’t work this fucking piece of shit into anything resembling a bow. It’s like navigating a pussy; do you start from the bottom or the top? It’s different every time.”

“Nice, Nick. But the similarity lies in that it takes practice. And it’s not a piece of shit, it’s a Tom Ford.” Hudson turned and his eyes shot to . . . “What the hell is that under your arm?”

“This?” His brother had a shit-eating grin on his face as he hitched the furry creature up. “This is a Yorkie. Her name is Harley.” Nick waved the tiny dog’s paw. “Say hi to your Uncle Hudson.”

“Are you shitting me? And what kind of name is that?”

“It was Harper’s idea.”

“The name or this . . . thing?”

“Nah, the name was my idea. She needed a big name to rep her personality. The dog was Harper’s idea. She thought it would be good for me to have something to take care of.”

“A plant would have been an excellent start. Animal control doesn’t get involved if you forget to water it.”

“Yeah, but plants don’t talk to you, they just sit there.”

Hudson lifted a dark brow. “And the dog?”

“Talks in her own way.” Nick dipped his head toward the pooch. “Don’t you, pretty girl?” Harley wriggled in his arms and her little tongue flicked out, frantically licking his face.

“By pissing and crapping on the floor.”

“Don’t be such a grump, bro. She’s cute.” Nick nuzzled the puppy. “Aren’t you a cutie? Yes, you are.” The more his brother progressed with the godforsaken baby talk, the faster the little thing’s tail swished back and forth.

“For fuck’s sake, put the dog down and get over here so I can choke you with that tie for bringing that creature over to ruin my hardwood.”

“Puppy pads, dude. Kind of like diapers for the floor.” Nick put Harley down and pulled the ball that was his tie out of his pocket.

“This way.” Hudson turned on his heel and strode down the corridor to the master suite. Nick followed, and right behind him was Harley, clumsily working her tiny legs as fast as she could to keep up.

Hudson came to a halt in front of the full-length mirror, and at the same time the tap-tap of puppy nails stopped. “Stand here.”

“Damn, you’re in a pissy mood tonight.” Nick moved to the spot Hudson had pointed to and forked over the strip of fabric.

Hudson eyed the wrinkled mess. “What did you do to it?”

“Can you just tie the frickin’ thing on me, please?”

Hudson popped his brother’s collar and slung the tie around his neck, positioning the ends so the left side hung about two inches longer than the right.

Nick watched in the mirror. “This is where the train went off the tracks for me.”

Harley began to paw at Hudson’s leg. He shot the dog a look. “Down.”

She sat immediately and cocked her head to the side.

“Damn, you’re like the dog whisper. I’ve been trying to get her to do that for days.”

Hudson’s lips curved into a smug grin. “It’s all about the delivery.”

“Nah, you’re just a bossy motherfucker.”

“That too.” Hudson crossed the ends over one another, then threaded the longer piece through and pulled.

“Dude, not so tight.” Nick made a choking sound for effect. “Hey, can I ride with you, limo and all?”

“Are we picking Harper up on the way?”

“I’m meeting her there since she’s working the event.” Nick lifted his chin higher. “You going stag?”

“I have a date.”

“No shit?” Nick dropped his chin. “With who?”

“Melanie McCormick.”

“Details?”

Hudson pushed Nick’s chin back up. “Not much to tell. She’s on the Ingram board. Attractive, older.” He had to force the words out of his mouth. She wasn’t unattractive, and in practical terms they were a match made on paper. But he hated this. Loathed it. There was nothing redeeming about what he was going to subject himself to that night. “She asked me to escort her to the event.”

“Code word for sleep with her.”

“That wasn’t agreed upon,” Hudson said tightly.

“Yeah,” Nick snorted. “Whatever you say. Sure you want me to tag along in the limo? Ya know, in case you want to hit it on the way? ’Cause you seem wound a little tight, bro.”

Wound was an understatement. His skin was tight and his blood was heated to a near boil. And now he was attending a geriatric festival where prestige was granted in exchange for cash. All for a good cause, of course, and with a woman on his arm who wasn’t his wife. Though logic and her track record would indicate she considered the evening a dry run. Yeah, he was an asshole. Stag would have been honorable, but the charade had to be maintained.

Hudson swung the dangling end of the tie counterclockwise and threaded it through the loop he’d created at his brother’s neck. He pulled the tie tight, then straightened it. “There, done. Looking sharp, Nicky.”

“Damn, bro.” Nick admired his reflection. “You’re good at this knot-tying biz.”

Hudson smirked. “Another thing that takes practice. Let’s go,” he said when his cell vibrated. “Max has the car ready.”

Nick crouched down and picked back up with the baby talk routine. “You’re going to be a good girl while I’m out kickin’ it with Uncle Hudson, aren’t you?” The dog’s butt moved to the fast beat of her tail.

“Tell me you’re not planning on leaving that thing here?”

“She’ll be fine. She’s got the whole pee pad thing down.”

“Christ,” Hudson muttered as he strode back into the living room.

Nick caught up to him at the elevator. “If she pisses all over the place, I’ll clean it up,” he said as they stepped inside.

“I’ll hold you to that.” Hudson punched the button for the garage and put on his best game face. Tonight he needed to be Chicago’s most eligible bachelor; the womanizing playboy he used to be instead of the devoted husband he now was.

Chapter Twenty-four

Allie’s first public appearance with her new husband was far from how she’d imagined. Not that she’d really ever given the idea much thought. Or even considered any future where she was Mrs. Hudson Chase, for that matter. Just as it had ten years ago, a life with Hudson had seemed like an unattainable fairy tale. At least it had until she’d turned around to find him on bended knee. In that moment she believed anything was possible. And when he slipped the diamond and platinum band on her finger and vowed to love her for the rest of his life, she knew she never wanted to spend another day without him. Which was why she’d found herself saddened by the fact that he wasn’t there to zip up her dress, why her heart sank as she rode without him in the limo, and why her fingernails dug into her palm as she’d watched him stroll into the Palmer House with Melanie McCormick on his arm.

Allie sipped a glass of champagne as she took in the sight of the ballroom, aglow with the flickering light from dozens of floral-wrapped candelabras. She smiled to herself. Harper and Colin had done a wonderful job with the event. Her eyes darted to where the two of them huddled with the auctioneer. Nick stood a few yards away, tugging on his bow tie and looking like he would rather be just about anywhere but a black tie event.

Not unlike his brother.

Almost involuntarily she sought out the man she loved. He was standing by the bar, a squat tumbler of scotch in his hand and Melanie at his side. The conniving witch was all over him, although not in the obvious way Sophia would have been. While her agenda was the same, Melanie’s approach was more subtle. And if her string of marriages to powerful men was any indication, it was quite successful as well.

Hudson took a sip of the amber liquid, and as he did, his eyes met Allie’s. They narrowed almost imperceptibly and she could have sworn she saw a smug grin curve his lips just before he lowered the glass. She watched as he bent closer to Melanie’s ear, whispering something to her before making his way across the ballroom, weaving through linen-covered tables while cleverly avoiding unwanted conversations with a curt nod of his head.

Allie sipped her champagne, and for a moment her gaze shifted back to Melanie. Her frustration and disappointment were evident even from the other side of the room, and Allie had to fight the smile that tugged the corner of her mouth. But the satisfaction she took from the scowl on Melanie’s face cost her. By the time she turned her attention back to Hudson, he was gone.

“Excuse me,” she said, stepping out of the circle that had formed around her. She handed her empty champagne flute to a passing waiter and lifted the hem of her silver gown as she hurried in the direction Hudson had been heading. But when she pushed through the ballroom doors, he was nowhere in sight.

“Looking for someone?” Hudson was suddenly behind her. His voice was a seductive purr that under any other circumstance would have turned her into a puddle. But Allie held her ground.

“My husband. Have you seen him? Tall, dark, gorgeous, reveling in the attention of Chicago’s most notorious gold digger.” She turned and smirked at him. “Enjoying your evening with Melanie?”

Hudson frowned. “No, not particularly.” He grabbed her by the elbow and guided her toward the coat room.

“You could have fooled me,” she said as he pulled her past the velvet curtains. “Looked like—”

In one swift move he had her pressed against the wall, and then his mouth was on hers, silencing her with his untamed lust. Allie’s mouth fell open on a gasp and Hudson took full advantage, his tongue stroking hers with expert skill. On instinct her body went lax, surrendering to the moment, and when he finally broke the kiss she could hardly catch her breath.

He pulled back just enough to see her face. “As much as I enjoy you in this shade of green,” he said, his finger stroking her cheek, “you have no reason to be jealous.”

Her fingers curled in the hair at the nape of his neck. “I hate watching her fawn all over you.”

With a roll of his hips he ground the thick ridge of his erection against her. “You are the only one who does this to me.” He took her mouth again, his taut body pinning her, and she moaned with a desperate need. She loved it when he was like this, so raw and untamed in his desire for her. It made her entire body come alive.

But they were only steps away from hundreds of guests. “We can’t be seen together,” she reminded him, though her voice lacked conviction.

Hudson loomed over her, his mouth just inches from hers. “Julian is expecting me to try to convince you to take me back.” His lips curved into a grin that was somehow both sinful and playful all at once. “Consider yourself being convinced.”

Allie returned his smile with one of her own. “In the coat room at a company party? Rather cliché, wouldn’t you say, Mr. Chase? One step up from nailing me on a copy machine at the office Christmas party.”

Hudson chuckled. “Not my style, but multiple copies of my wife’s ass are tempting. I simply thought you might need a reminder of—”

Now it was Allie’s turn to interrupt. “Then remind me already,” she said, her voice taking on a more serious, seductive tone. She knew she should stop, straighten his tie and smooth her dress and get back to the three hundred patrons mingling in the ballroom. But hearing Hudson call her his wife was like an incendiary device to her already overheated skin. All she could think about was how desperately she wanted him.

His eyes grew dark as he pressed a key card into her hand. “Meet me upstairs in five minutes. Room 2305.” With that he turned, parted the curtain, and was gone.

Allie waited several beats before stepping out into the corridor. In the distance the hum of quiet conversation mixed with the strains of a string quartet. They had twenty, maybe thirty minutes until dinner was served. Once that happened, their two empty chairs would no doubt raise suspicions. Anticipation thrummed in her veins as she quickly made her way to the elevator bank, glancing over her shoulder every so often to ensure no one saw her leaving the event.

Within minutes she was standing in front of the door to Hudson’s suite. She slid the card in the lock and stepped into the room. A sliver of moonlight streamed in through the partially drawn curtains, casting a cool glow across her skin, but other than that the room was engulfed in near-total darkness.

“Strip for me,” Hudson ordered from somewhere in the shadows. His voice held that hard authoritative edge that never failed to send a jolt of pleasure straight to her core. “I want to see what’s mine.”

Her mouth went dry as she reached for the zipper that ran the side of her gown. The fitted bodice was tightly ruched from breast to hip, but when she lowered the zipper it fell away easily, the silver fabric gently billowing to a puddle at her feet. Beneath the gown she wore nothing but a white lace thong.

In the distance she heard Hudson’s sharp intake of air. “Everything but the shoes,” he said.

Slowly she peeled the scrap of material down her thighs. Her breathing grew shallow as she stood waiting for his next command. Knowing he was watching her, his eyes raking over every inch of her bare skin, made her feel beautiful and sexy and wanton. In moments like these his hold on her went far beyond the physical. She was his, body and soul.

The stillness in the room seemed to stretch on for an eternity until the sound of a chair skidding across the marble floor finally broke the silence. Hudson was on her in a heartbeat, shoving his hands into her hair and tilting her head to the angle he wanted. His mouth covered hers, his skilled tongue invading, exploring, dominating. But instead of stating his claim on her, he offered the reverse.

“You own me,” he said. The roughly spoken words caused everything below her waist to tense with need. “Just because I’m not wearing my ring tonight doesn’t make it any less true.”

He stepped back and she heard the faint sound of a zipper. “I’m going to fuck you now for as long as it takes to remind you of that, and I don’t give a shit who notices we’re gone.”

Grasping the back of her thighs, Hudson lifted her legs, wrapping them around his waist.

He took her mouth again, his tongue thrusting between her lips. Allie kissed him back, one hand fisted his shirt while the other tangled in his thick, wavy hair. The fact that she was naked while he was still fully dressed ratcheted her desire to an almost debilitating level, the rough fabric of his tuxedo brushing against her bare skin in testament to their unquenchable desire.

With a flex of his hips he pressed her against the wall, the head of his cock laying hard and hot at her entrance. Allie whimpered, her body moving of its own volition as she tried to get more of him inside her.

“Are you ready for me?” he said. His voice was low and hoarse. “Because I can’t wait any longer.”

“Yes,” she panted, needing the connection as much as he did. “Now, Hudson. Please.”

He surged forward, and in one lithe movement thrust inside her with the full force of his body. Allie’s head fell back against the wall on a loud moan. He pulled back, and with a shift of his hips pushed even deeper. “So good,” he growled.

Then he was fucking her, pounding into her with slick, relentless drives until all thoughts of the party below them left her. All that mattered was this man, this moment, and how perfectly they fit together.

“Oh, God.” Her breath caught on a particularly skillful stroke and her eyes closed, relishing the feel of him as a white-hot rush began to consume her.

“Look at me,” he ground out.

Her hazel eyes met his fiery blues. The intensity that burned in his gaze as he moved inside her was too much. Her fingers clutched the shoulders of his jacket as she spiraled into an orgasm that had her entire body quaking in his arms. Hudson drove to the hilt once more and stilled, emptying himself deep inside her.

“Forever, Allie.” He let his forehead rest against hers as he struggled to catch his breath. “Forever.”

*   *   *

Allie stepped off the elevator and right into the Irish Inquisition.

“For a minute there I thought you were going to skip dinner,” Harper said. “Can’t say I would blame you, really. If I saw the man I loved with that viper, I’d drag him off for a quickie, too.”

Allie tried her best to keep her face impassive. Harper was fishing. Maintaining an air of indifference was her only hope. “Don’t you have work to do?” she asked.

“There you are.” Colin rounded the corner as if on cue, and immediately began giving Harper the run down. “The entrees are being served, the manager found the extra case of Bollinger, and the band is ready to roll as soon as they begin serving dessert,” he said, ticking the items off on his fingers. “Do you want to go over the thank-you speech now?”

“Sure.” Harper’s gaze shifted to Allie. “Unless you or Hudson would rather say a few words?”

Allie smiled at her friend. For as much as the woman could talk, Harper was still so uncomfortable with public speaking. “You got this,” she told her as they made their way back to the entrance of the ballroom.

She waited until Colin and Harper had disappeared into the crowd before scanning the room for Hudson. He was seated at one of the round tables near the bandstand. Melanie had resumed her post at his side, chatting away about God knew what, but Hudson only had eyes for Allie. He kept his gaze locked on hers as the waiter poured a sample of cabernet into his glass. Allie stood transfixed, watching as he swirled the liquid in the glass before bringing it to his nose. Satisfied, he took a small sip, then his tongue darted out to lick his lips. The gesture was small, but the look in his eyes told her it was her taste he was imagining on his tongue.

A warm blush spread across Allie’s face and a small gasp escaped her lips. Needing a moment to gather her composure, Allie looked away. When she turned back, Julian was standing directly in front of her.