“You’ve come to read me well in a very short time,” he said on a low chuckle. “I do have an issue to deal with while I’m home.”
She reached out and clasped their hands together. Her palms felt better now that it had been a few days since she’d fallen, and the bandages made it easier to do things. Like hold hands. “I’m a good listener … if you want to unload your problems.”
He hesitated, obviously weighing his words. “You know the plans for the clinic Braden mentioned the day he walked in on us?”
She nodded. In the rush of her sudden trip, buying a dress, packing, and making sure her clients were covered by another PR person if she wasn’t reachable, she’d forgotten to ask either man about it since.
“Braden and I want to renovate and remodel the clinic into a state-of-the-art place where people who don’t have access to insurance or good care can still come in and get treated. As it stands now, the equipment is old, the building run-down, and it’s hard to entice professionals to come work there.”
“I love that idea!”
“Obviously so do I. Braden’s going to talk to Paul Dare about funding, and I need to have the same conversation with my father. My grandfather left me money in trust, but he also made my father the trustee, and it’s at his discretion whether or not to let me have money from the principal.”
She realized he’d begun tapping a foot against the floor, his knee bouncing up and down with every contact. “You’re really wound up about this, aren’t you?”
He nodded. “My father, Martin, isn’t known for his altruism unless it makes him look good within his social or business circles. He’s not going to easily fund a clinic just because I ask him to. It would be so much easier if my grandfather had released that money when I hit a certain age.” He shook his head and groaned. “But he didn’t, and that’s that.”
“I’m sorry.” She couldn’t imagine what a hit to his pride it would be to have to ask his father for anything. “It sounds like you have a difficult relationship.” She bit down on her lip then asked, “Why is that?”
He groaned. “Because I had no interest in the family business, and as long as Evan was alive, that didn’t matter. He let me to go medical school and live my life on my terms because Evan was filling the requisite oldest-son role.” His hands squeezed tighter around hers. “Now he wants me to give up my life, come home, and pretend to be someone I’m not.”
Now she understood why asking his father about releasing funds on a new business venture that kept Hudson in Florida and not in New York, where the man could pressure his son into doing his bidding, would be even more difficult.
The flight attendant’s voice sounded on the loudspeaker, letting them know to prepare for landing.
Bri checked her seat belt and glanced at Hudson. “At least I’ll be there for backup or a distraction,” she said with a cheeky grin, unsure of what else to do or say in the moment.
Lifting her hand, he pressed his lips against the top of it, and her skin tingled, her body responding to that small gesture.
“Let’s not dwell on it,” he said, shaking off the black mood that had descended while he explained his situation. “I’m in New York City with a beautiful woman. We came to have fun, and that’s what we are going to do.”
She beamed from his compliment and looked forward to what the weekend had in store.
* * * *
Hudson waited in the outer room of the suite while Bri changed and put herself together in the bedroom and bathroom area. Though she’d all but warned him he didn’t know about women and travel, he was stunned when she unpacked everything in her carry-on. Thank God the bathroom had a sitting area, because the woman had more makeup than he’d seen in a department store as he walked through to find the Men’s Department.
He’d had relationships, but none had reached the point where he’d wanted anyone’s clothing or toiletries stashed at his place. To him, that sent the wrong signal, and until Bri, there’d been no woman who’d tempted him to take things further than a date or two or a one-night stand. So here he was in a luxury hotel suite, surrounded by feminine bottles, makeup, and clothing, and he didn’t mind one bit.
He straightened his black sport jacket he’d paired with black slacks and a light blue dress shirt, forgoing a tie. His father might be in a business suit, but that wasn’t Hudson’s way, and he wasn’t going to bow to his father’s rules just because he needed something from the man that was rightfully his to begin with.
He passed by the room bar, deciding not to drink before he had to deal with his parents, no matter how much he wanted to take the edge off first. Striding to the window, he looked out over Central Park and the Manhattan skyline, the view always stunning, and wished any time he visited the city he could relax and enjoy it instead of being stressed and uptight.
After confiding in Bri on the plane today, he’d immediately felt lighter for sharing the heavy burden he carried, wanting to meet Braden on equal ground when they began work on the clinic. Her presence went a long way toward calming him, and he decided to look at her any time his father twisted the guilt-laden knife.
The sound of Bri clearing her throat alerted him to her presence, and he turned to see her standing in the center of the room, waiting for his reaction. No question, she knew not only how to make an entrance but how to make a statement.
She wore a white sleeveless sequined pantsuit that fitted her perfectly but remained classy. A V-neck bared her tanned skin but not the breasts he’d yet to see in person or feel in his hands. The bottom of the pant legs were wide, her silver shoes high, and she clutched a matching sparkling bag beneath one arm, a silver shawl hanging over her other one. Her dark hair flowed in perfect waves around her face, and her makeup was flawless.
She simply took his breath away. “Jesus, Bri. You’re gorgeous.”
Smiling and eyes twinkling, she said, “Thank you, but you haven’t seen the best part.” She slid her hair over one shoulder and pivoted, turning her back to him. Thick straps crossed her tanned back, and the material came to a V at a low but modest point where the pants began.
“How the hell do you expect me to concentrate on what anyone says at the dinner table?” All he’d be thinking about was bringing her home, peeling that pantsuit off her perfect body, and burying himself deep inside her wet heat.
She spun back to him. “I told you I’d be your distraction, didn’t I?”
He let out a low groan, resigning himself to a long, uncomfortable night, both with his parents and thanks to his now hard dick, before they returned here to make use of the king-size bed in the other room.
* * * *
Bri hadn’t been raised in a wealthy home, but between Uncle Paul and the athletes she now represented, she knew how to handle herself. Neither status nor people with attitudes scared her, yet she had a feeling Hudson’s parents would test her resolve. Once again in a town car with a driver, she and Hudson pulled up to a home in Greenwich, Connecticut, hidden by dense trees, at the end of a long driveway that was nearly invisible off the main road.
“Did you grow up here?” she asked of the mansion in front of her with ivy growing over the brick façade.
He nodded. “I did.”
Though he looked extraordinarily handsome, she noted he’d grown more and more silent as they approached their destination, and she’d left him to his brooding thoughts. There would be time enough to coax him back to his smiling self when they returned to the hotel.
The car came to a stop at the front of the house on a circular driveway, and the driver opened the door for her to climb out.
“I’ll be here when you’re ready to leave,” the man who’d introduced himself as Tom said.
“Thank you. I’m not sure how long we’ll be.” Hudson nodded at the driver.
Placing a hand on her bare lower back, he led her up the steps and rang the doorbell. If it was her mother’s house or even Uncle Paul’s, if they knew she was coming, the door would be unlocked and she’d
let herself inside.
She drew a deep breath just as the door opened and what she assumed was a maid greeted them. Middle-aged, hair pulled back in a bun, she was the stereotypical greeter one would see in a movie except this was real life. Hudson’s life.
“Hello, Dr. Northfield. Welcome home.”
“Hi, Maggie. And please call me Hudson. I ate milk and cookies in the kitchen and told you about my day after school.”
The woman’s expression softened. “Yes, you did. And who is this beautiful young woman?”
“Brianne Prescott, this is Maggie. Maggie, meet Brianne.”
Brianne treated the woman to her warmest smile. “Hi, Maggie. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“The pleasure is mine. I don’t see Dr. … Hudson often anymore, and it’s nice to know he’s not alone.”
“Maggie, is that Hudson?” a woman’s voice called out.
“If she was so curious, she could have met me at the door,” Hudson muttered, and Bri placed a hand on his arm to calm him.
Maggie stepped back, and they walked inside. Marble floors, a winding staircase to the left, and heavy dark wood décor and equally dark drapery on the windows surrounded them.
“Hudson, it’s about time you came home!” His mother, an attractive woman with dark hair and a Chanel skirt and jacket, came forward to greet him. She possessed glowing skin and a perfect bob surrounding her made-up face.
“Hello, Mother.” Hudson duly offered up his cheek, which she air-kissed. “And you must be Brianne.” She offered her hand, and Bri took it.
“So nice to meet you. Hudson’s told me such nice things about you and the family.”
“Has he now?”
Hudson cleared his throat, and Bri did her best not to poke him in the side.
“Come. Your father’s waiting in the study. We can have drinks before dinner.” She turned and walked away, fully expecting them to follow.
“Do you want to run yet?” Hudson’s lips twitched in a grin.
“Nah. It’ll take more than a cool breeze to scare me. Let’s go. I’m curious about your father.”
Hudson rolled his eyes. Hooking his arm in hers, they headed the way his mother had gone, and soon Bri found herself in a wood-paneled room with built-in bookshelves and what appeared to be old books lining the shelves. An antique clock hung on one wall, and a large mahogany desk took up one side of the room.
A man in a suit stood beside a bay window, turning when they entered. Bri stared at an older version of Hudson. Martin Northfield’s salt-and-pepper hair extended to his beard, giving her a glimpse of Hudson’s appearance in the future. Even their dour expressions were similar. She much preferred his laughing persona and the sexy grin that tempted her to sin. She doubted she’d see that smile on his father’s face tonight. Hudson’s, either.
“Hello, Dad.” As Hudson spoke, he pulled Bri closer to his side.
“Hudson. It’s good to see you.” He stepped forward and shook his son’s hand.
Bri did her best not to react, although at this point, she really wanted to cry for the cold atmosphere in which Hudson had been raised. She applauded him for managing to escape and become the kind, caring man she knew him to be.
“Dad, this is Brianne Prescott. Brianne, my father, Martin.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Brianne.” His father looked her over and, seemingly satisfied, gave her a nod. “Can I get either of you a drink?” he asked.
Hudson glanced her way, but she shook her head. “No, thank you.” Alcohol made her tired, and she wanted to be wide-awake for Hudson later.
“None for me, either, thanks.” Hudson declined as well.
His father shrugged. “Well, then. Shall we go straight into dinner?”
If it meant getting this stiff, formal evening over with, Bri was all for food.
The rest of the night proceeded as she’d expected once meeting the Northfields. There were more courses than she could eat in one sitting served by a man and woman in uniform. Martin didn’t ask about Hudson’s career or how he was enjoying his new jobs; instead he bragged about the family trading business and deals he had in the works. He pushed for Hudson to give up jobs that barely earned him a living and instead come home, where he belonged, to which Hudson adamantly put his foot down.
There was something sexy about a man who knew what he wanted and refused to bow to anyone in order to achieve his goals, but this conversation told Bri how difficult the request for investment money was going to be for Hudson. A talk he planned to have on Sunday morning before they flew home later that afternoon.
Nobody asked Bri what she did for a living, nor did they seem interested in her at all, so she ate in silence and grew angry on Hudson’s behalf.
When they were blessedly on dessert and coffee and leaving for the hotel was finally in sight, Lucille spoke up for what seemed like the first time.
“Hudson, darling, I mentioned to Corinne that you would be in town this weekend, and she’s hoping you’ll give her a call. Find time to get together?” She glanced at Bri. “Hudson and Corinne go way back,” she explained, daintily patting her lips with a napkin.
At least Bri hadn’t taken a sip of coffee or a bite of pie, because her mouth opened wide. His mother was actually matchmaking while he sat at the table with another woman by his side.
“You know, I assumed since I was bringing a date, you’d have enough class not to mention this ridiculous request again. Apparently I gave you too much credit.”
“Hudson!” his father said in a warning tone.
Ignoring him, Hudson yanked the napkin off his lap and tossed it onto the table. “Bri is sitting right here, and you’re being rude.” He rose from his seat, taking her hand and helping her to her feet.
She managed to lean down, grasp her purse, then take her shawl off the back of her chair.
“For the record,” Hudson said, “Corinne and I do not go way back. We aren’t even friends. You just keep giving the woman false hope that she can marry into this family, and you need to stop. Now.”
“But … Hudson, don’t leave. I won’t bring her up again. I just thought…”
“You thought you’d try and run my life in your own way, just like Dad is trying to do in his.” Anger vibrated through him, and Bri felt his fury.
She reached for his hand, but her touch did nothing to calm him.
Martin rose from his seat. “Sit down, son.”
Hudson shook his head. “I put up with you both pushing me. I’m used to it, but Brianne is my guest, and I won’t have her dismissed the way you did tonight. We’re leaving, and we’ll see you at the wedding.” He eased out her chair and guided her toward the arched entry and exit.
“Umm, thank you for dinner,” Bri said as he all but pulled her from the room.
She rushed alongside him, waiting until they reached the front door before she came to a halt. “Hudson, go back and make peace. You need something from your father, and this isn’t the way to get it.” Softening the man up would have been a better angle.
“Actually it was exactly the right move. My father respects a man who stands up for himself. I’ll deal with the clinic funds on Sunday. Right now I want to get the hell out of here.”
He pulled open the door, and they stepped outside. Hudson sent a text for the driver, letting him know to pull around to the front of the house because they were ready to go.
On the ride home, she gave him space, allowing him the time to lose his anger and refocus his energy. Meanwhile, Bri went over the evening in her mind. And she couldn’t deny how much she appreciated Hudson sticking up for her and refusing to let his parents treat her badly. He’d put up with it for himself because they were his mother and father, but he’d drawn the line when it came to Bri. And that fury on her behalf turned her on.
He wouldn’t want to hear it now but later? When they got back to the room, she’d let him in on that secret and show him exactly what his protective behavior meant to her.
Cha
pter Five
Hudson ground his teeth the entire ride from his parents’ house back to the city, surprised he hadn’t destroyed his molars by the time they reached the hotel. Clearly sensing his anger, Bri remained quiet during the trip, just as she had on their way there. He felt bad enough his mood had been shit, but she’d been dismissed by his mother, and he’d had enough. He’d dragged her out of there as fast as he could and had taken the time since to get himself under control before he did something stupid. Like turn their first time into a release of his frustration instead of making it about them.
Once they returned to the hotel suite, he kicked off his shoes and tossed his jacket over a chair in the outer room. She’d done the same with her heels, then padded on bare feet to where he stood.
Somehow he had to make things right, but after that dinner disaster, he wasn’t sure how. He met her gaze and said the first words that came to him. “Tonight never should have happened, and I’m–”
She cut him off by throwing herself into his arms and sealing her lips against his. Obviously she didn’t need an apology, though he’d make sure he gave her one. Later.
Right now he had a beautiful woman in his arms who had made her desire for him clear. He shoved his parents’ behavior from his mind and turned his focus to Bri.
He pulled her tight against him and took control of the kiss, his tongue thrusting into her mouth and capturing her moan in his throat. Her hands came to his chest, fingers fumbling with the buttons, and he let out a low growl, then broke the kiss and pulled at the sides, sending buttons flying.
“That was sexy.” An approving light lit her eyes. “But if you try to rip off my outfit, we’re going to have issues,” she said with a laugh. “I paid good money for this pantsuit.”
“And it was worth every penny.” He shrugged off his shirt, pulling his hand through the buttoned sleeves.
“Look at you. Tanned, muscled, hot.” She set her palms on his chest, the bandages still there, but the rest of her hand felt warm on his skin. Leaning forward, she pressed her lips to the patch of skin below his throat, licking his flesh with her tongue.
Dare to Tease: A Dare Nation Novella Page 5
