Allie had spent the entire night staring at the ceiling of their penthouse suite. She knew every detail of the ornate cornice moldings and exactly how many crystal teardrops hung from the chandelier above the bed. But when the sun began to peek through the silk curtains, she was still no closer to coming up with a plan.
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.”
“I’ll be fine, Hudson. Try not to worry so much.”
A deep frown creased his brow as he gazed down at her. The intensity of his scrutiny was unnerving, and for a moment she feared he’d seen right through her flimsy excuse. “I will worry until you’re back in my arms,” he finally said. He leaned down, his lips gently touching hers. “You’re my life, Alessandra. I would do anything for you. All you need to do is ask.”
Allie’s chest tightened. “I know,” she murmured against his lips. “I’ll see you soon.”
She kept her eyes trained on the elevator as she made her way down the long hall. Hudson was watching her from the doorway of their suite. She could feel it. If she stole even so much as a glance over her shoulder, she knew she’d run back into his arms and tell him everything. But Julian had been adamant she handle this alone, and so that was exactly what she had to do.
Whatever it takes to keep them safe.
Over and over the words played in her head during the ride to the airport, and as she waited in the concourse, anxiously checking her watch. When Harper finally came through the doors, Allie pushed her way through the exiting passengers and threw her arms around her friend.
“Whoa, glad to see you, too,” Harper laughed.
Allie squeezed her tight. “Thank you.”
“No problem. Never celebrated New Year’s Eve at thirty-five thousand feet. Not exactly the mile-high club I had in mind, but . . .”
An overwhelming sense of gratitude collided with the tension coiled deep within her, and a strangled sob escaped Allie’s lips.
Harper leaned back to look at her. “Oh hey, it’s okay.” She wiped the tear that slipped down Allie’s cheek. “Although, can I say for the bazillionth time, that I think meeting with Julian is a terrible idea?”
“I know. But it has to be this way.” People surged past them, rushing to meet family members or connecting flights. “Come on, let’s get out of this mess.” Looping her arm though Harper’s, she lead her to a cluster of chairs near the windows. “Did you have any trouble finding it?”
Harper shook her head. “No, it was right where you said it would be. But it was terrifying traveling with this rock.” She pulled a leather box out of her carry-on bag and pressed it into Allie’s trembling hands. “How in the world did you walk around wearing it? I’d be afraid someone would chop my finger off to steal it.”
The image Harper conjured only added to the nausea rolling in the pit of Allie’s stomach, but she kept her focus on the task at hand. “I have a driver from the George V waiting for you downstairs, but he’s going to drop you at the Ritz Carlton. I booked you a room there because with my luck you’d run into Hudson in the lobby.”
“Where does he think you are now?”
Allie frowned. “I told him I was visiting one of my mother’s friends.”
“I’d point out the many ways this whole thing is a bad idea, like how lies are what tore you two apart the first time, or how Julian is a snake in the grass, or how Hudson is going to flip when he finds out . . .” Harper paused and her expression softened. “But I’m guessing you already know all that.”
Allie nodded and swallowed past the lump in her throat. When she spoke, her voice was barely a whisper. “He’s threatening to hurt Hudson. And Nick.”
Harper’s eyes grew wide. “All over that ring? I mean, it’s a freaking monster, but couldn’t he afford, like, a dozen more?”
“He could, but according to him, this one is priceless.”
“Jeesh, glad I didn’t know
that
part on the flight over.”
“Good riddance to both of them, as far as I’m concerned.” She tucked the ring box into her purse and handed Harper a large manila envelope. “Everything you need is in here. The hotel registration is under your name but I gave them my credit card, so raid the mini bar, go to the spa, order room service, whatever you want.”
Harper peeked into the envelope. “You didn’t need to do all this.”
“Yes, I did. You dropped everything and flew to Paris on literally a moment’s notice. The least I can do is make sure you enjoy yourself while you’re here.”
“So what’s the plan?”
“Not much, really. I’m going to grab a cab to take me out to Julian’s, then stop by Bernadette’s on the way to meet Hudson at the train station.” Allie was a horrible liar. If she had any hope of pulling this off, she’d have to actually sit down for a quick cup of tea with her mother’s friend. “With any luck this will all be over in an about two hours.”
“Call me on your way to the train?”
“Will do.” After one last hug, Allie hurried through the crowded concourse to the nearest taxi stand. During the drive she gazed out the window as the scenery changed from bustling urban to scenic vista, bracing herself for the inevitable. She’d hoped to never lay eyes on Julian Laurent again, and for a short time it seemed like that might be possible. But now she was not only going to see him again, she was going to be alone with him.
Her heart rate spiked and her skin broke out in a cold sheen of sweat as memories of the last time they were together flooded her mind. She could see his face, contorted with anger, his nostrils flared with rage. She could smell the sour stench of alcohol mixed with the sweet scent of his cologne. She could feel his hands on her and the blood that dripped down her face. But most of all she could hear him. The snarls and grunts and harsh breaths as he bent her over the couch and forced her legs apart.
“We’re here, Mademoiselle.”
Allie startled. “Pardonnez-moi?”
The driver nodded to the iron gates in front of the car. “This is as far as the car can go. The road is too narrow.”
“Too narrow?”
“Oui, Mademoiselle. It was built for horses, not automobiles.”
She peered through the window. Beyond the gates was a cobblestone bridge that stretched across . . .
a moat
? Allie couldn’t believe her eyes. She knew the chateau had been in Julian’s family since the sixteenth century, but an actual moat? While she’d expected it to be as ostentatious as everything else in Julian’s life, she had to admit that took her by surprise.