“Don’t be nervous.” Hudson’s chest pressed against her back, warm and inviting, as he took her hand in his and squeezed. “Just remember everything we talked about last night and you’ll be fine.”
Last night. How could she forget? The image of his solid form on top of hers flashed in her memory and she shivered.
“I’m not nervous,” she said, straightening her shoulders and releasing her hand from his grasp. She summoned a confident smile and flashed it at him with a laugh. “I couldn’t be more excited.”
“Liar,” he whispered in her ear. His warm breath and the closeness of his mouth caused her heart to flutter wildly. She turned away and started down the stairs, kicking off her sandals once she reached the bottom. The cool sand squished between her toes as she made her way toward the bonfire. The sun was just beginning to set, and Annabelle wondered if the end of this evening would also bring the end of their arrangement.
Hudson caught up to her and put his arm around her shoulders. Instinctively, she pulled away.
“Are you sure you’re ready for this tonight?” he asked.
“Of course,” she quipped, walking a touch faster, as if she could outrun her own fears.
“Wait a minute.” Hudson jogged a little to catch up to her, then grabbed her arm gently, turning her to face him. “Slow down.”
“We’re late,” she said, glancing toward the gathering crowd down the beach.
“Annabelle, stop.” His voice had an edge to it that told her he meant business. “It doesn’t take a genius to understand why you’ve been avoiding me all day, but tonight is a different story. For this plan to work, I have to know that you’re with me, one hundred percent. Regardless of your personal feelings, you’re playing the part of my girlfriend tonight, and it had better be convincing. People need to believe we’re in love, or they’ll never believe our engagement in a week.”
“I know,” Annabelle muttered. Of course he was right. This is what she’d agree to, but the secrets she’d been keeping from him were weighing on her.
“Are you up for this?” he asked again. “Because after tonight, there’s no turning back.”
That’s exactly what Annabelle was most afraid of, but for different reasons entirely. Last night, he’d somehow managed to break through all of her carefully constructed walls. She was scared that next time, she might not be strong enough to resist him.
And yet, part of her was scared that after she told him the truth, there would never be a next time.
It was too late to be worrying about all these things. Everyone was waiting, and she was in too deep to back out now. “Okay, let’s do this.”
Once again, Hudson’s arm circled her shoulders, but this time, instead of pulling away, she gave in and pressed her body close to his. Her arm went up around his waist, and as they made their way down the beach, they looked like the perfect couple.
The sunlight had faded into a spectacular array of reds and purples on the horizon by the time they reached the bonfire. Annabelle nuzzled closer to Hudson as a breeze lifted off the ocean and raised chills across her flesh. She regretted not bringing a sweater. It was so hot in the sun, she never imagined she would get chilly out here in rolled up jeans and a tank top.
Hudson unbuttoned his long-sleeved shirt, and offered it to Annabelle. Touched by his thoughtfulness, she put each arm through the sleeves and pulled the shirt around her body. It swallowed her thin frame, but she didn’t care if it made her look ridiculous. She pulled the collar up to her face and inhaled. It carried his scent, strong and masculine, and she felt fireworks take off below the belt of her jeans. There was no way she could excuse what was going on inside of her as just “part of the act”.
The feelings growing inside her were dangerous, but to pull away from him now would mean throwing her entire plan down the drain. She would just have to take her chances. As long as she never acted on those feelings again, everything would be fine.
A few feet away, the bonfire blazed high into the sky. People from all over Sea Island were beginning to arrive. As Hudson introduced her, she smiled and did her best to remember names and make polite conversation. She scanned the crowd for anyone she might recognize, but in the gathering darkness, she saw only the faces of strangers.
“Can I get you something, sweetheart?” Hudson asked, his use of a new term of endearment not escaping her notice. “A glass of wine, maybe?”
“Oh, yes, thanks, baby,” she said, adding her own new term and smiling.
To her surprise, he leaned down and kissed the bridge of her nose. A woman standing nearby let out an audible sigh, and Annabelle overheard one lady say, “Wow, I’ve never seen him act like that with anyone before. Have they been together long?”
She knew the island had been buzzing about her presence ever since her first night at Cottonwood. After tonight’s very public appearance, the buzz would graduate to a full roar of island gossip. Everyone would want to know where they met and how they first started dating. Their make believe story would circulate and eventually end up on the front page of magazines like The Informer, which is exactly what Hudson wanted to happen.
As a couple, she didn’t recognize approached to introduce themselves, Annabelle caught sight of a familiar face in the distance. Mark?
Suddenly, it was difficult for her to swallow, and Hudson’s shirt seemed ridiculously large and hot. She pulled the shirt from her body and wrapped it around her waist, tying the sleeves together and doing her best to smile at the new couple. It was tough to concentrate on anything they were saying, but she didn’t want to appear rude in front of Hudson’s friends. As they spoke, she occasionally scanned the crowd near the fire.
Maybe I imagined it.
Her hands felt clammy and her toes started tapping nervously on the sand. What would Mark be doing on Sea Island? As the only person who knew the truth about her original blackmail scheme, Mark was the most dangerous obstacle to her plans. She’d never had time to confront him for selling the photographs out from under her, but now was not the time nor the place for that.
She desperately searched the faces around her, wondering if the stress of the day was causing her mind to play tricks on her.
“Everything okay?” Hudson was back with a glass of Chardonnay. Annabelle thanked him, doing her best to give him her full attention. Maybe she just saw someone who looked like Mark. How would he have gotten on the island, anyway? Only residents and select members of the press were allowed here tonight, and surely Mark hadn’t gotten such a prestigious job at a new magazine or newspaper this quickly?
She put her arm around Hudson as he introduced her to a few more residents of Sea Island.
“Do you feel ready to do a quick interview? I saw Andrea from Georgia Weekly magazine over by the bar and she asked about you. I promised her a few minutes.”
“Of course.” Annabelle decided to forget about Mark and concentrate on her phony relationship. She quickly downed her glass of wine. “Let’s go.”
Andrea from Georgia Weekly was just the first of ten interviews Annabelle gave that night. The Sea Island end of summer bonfire was a grand tradition in the area, but it had never been so well documented by the press, and everyone knew that Hudson Montgomery’s mysterious new girlfriend was the reason. All in all, she felt really good about her performance with the press and with the locals.
Her story of how they’d fallen in love at first sight one day at a coffee shop in Atlanta came off more sincere and convincing than she could have anticipated. She told them how they’d kept their relationship secret since she was a bit camera shy, but that now everything was out in the open, she was ready to shout her love from the rooftops.
Adding in little details about Hudson’s childhood and his hopes and dreams when she spoke of him went a long way in convincing everyone of their love. Even to her own ears, it sounded like she was talking about someone she knew thoroughly, and loved completely. She didn’t doubt that people were already talking about a possible engag
ement.
Hudson told her he thought the evening went off without a hitch as he walked her back to her cottage later that night. Annabelle agreed, and except for searching for Mark’s face in the crowd all night, she’d actually had fun.
It was nearly midnight and even though she was exhausted, Annabelle knew the night wasn’t over.
She wanted to forget all about her plan to tell him the truth. She wanted him to drop her off at her cottage and kiss her, instead, as if their relationship was real.
That wish was the most dangerous thing Annabelle could imagine. She had to keep her guard up from now on if she wanted to make it through this engagement with her heart intact. When they reached her door, she paused, her hands trembling at her sides.
“I had a lovely evening,” Hudson said, reaching for her hand.
She pulled away and backed against the door. “Hudson, there’s something I need to tell you,” she said.
He placed his fingertips against her lips and leaned closer. “It can wait until tomorrow,” he said. “It’s been such a perfect evening. Let’s not spoil it with arguments or doubts, okay?”
She nodded, totally and completely under his spell. Hudson leaned down, his lips brushing hers in the cool night air.
She wanted more, but he didn’t push this time. He simply ran the back of his hand softly down her cheek and kissed her forehead. The gesture brought tears to her eyes.
“Goodnight, Annabelle,” he said.
Before she could stop him, he walked away, taking the stone path leading back to the Big House.
Annabelle watched after him for a moment, an ache growing in her heart. She couldn’t tell him the truth. It would destroy everything they had, and no matter how wrong it was, she didn’t want to let him go.
She opened the door of her cottage and stepped inside.
A shadow moved through the darkness and she froze, hardly able to breathe.
“Hello?”
She listened, anticipating the next bump or hint of movement in the dark room.
Annabelle wasn’t sure whether to turn on the light or to open the door and try to catch up with Hudson. In the still quiet, she wondered if her mind was still playing tricks on her.
It’s probably nothing but the wind, and here I am acting like a big baby.
Convinced she was just being typical-dramatic-Annabelle, she laughed nervously and shook it off. But as soon as she reached for the light switch, she felt a set of hands lock on her wrist and twist her body around, slamming her back against the wall.
Annabelle screamed, but the man did not let go. He pressed his hand against her mouth in the darkness and whispered in her ear, his breath hot and tinged with the smell of liquor.
“If you know what’s good for you, you’ll shut your mouth and listen.”
She knew his voice instantly, and wished she had been more diligent in looking for him earlier in the evening. When he finally took his hand away, she spoke softly, careful not to make him angry.
“What do you want, Mark?” She tried to sound confident despite the fear that shook her body. She couldn’t believe how badly she had misjudged him. If she’d had any idea he was capable of such hostility, she would have never asked him to take those photographs.
“I want a story, Annabelle, and so far, this entire place looks clean as a whistle. I can’t tell you how disappointed I am. That’s a lovely little act you and the rich boy were playing tonight, but I know better.”
“There’s nothing here for you,” she said, her voice trembling. “Don’t you think you’ve done enough harm already?”
“I’m just getting started.” He laughed and leaned closer. “Girls like you always think that by flirting and showing a little cleavage, you can get guys like me to eat out of your hand. But I showed you. I never had any intention of giving you those pictures back, and I was planning to sell the rest of them before you and your little boyfriend turned this into a real relationship. You and I know both know there’s not a shred of truth to that story.”
Annabelle tried to move away from him, but he pinned her to the wall, his forearm pressed hard against her neck. “You’re hurting me,” she gasped.
“The way I see it, you owe me. And you’re going to pay me back one way or another.” The pressure of his arm against her throat was choking her, and she struggled for air. Panic raced through her as she scratched at his arms, digging her fingernails deep in his flesh.
A knock at the door echoed through the cottage. Mark’s head snapped up, his grip on her loosening slightly.
“Annabelle?” Hudson asked. The sound of his voice sent a rush of relief through her body.
She opened her mouth to respond, but Mark’s hand clamped hard over her mouth, and he shook his head. If Hudson walked away, there was no telling what Mark might do to get the story he wanted so badly.
“Annabelle, it’s me,” Hudson said, his voice raised in concern. “Is everything okay in there?”
What if she didn’t answer? Would he assume she was asleep and walk away, not wanting to wake her up? She had to do something!
With all her might, she kicked Mark in the shin and pushed him, sending him stumbling back against the couch. Annabelle heard the sound of shattering glass and a cry of pain. She scrambled toward the door, but before she could reach it, Hudson kicked through and ran into the room.
In the dim light, she saw Mark run across her bedroom and disappear through the patio door. Hudson ran after him, but Mark was fast and had a head start. Annabelle heard him curse as he reached for his cell phone and relayed the events to his security team. In shock, all she could do was watch as Hudson systematically went through the cottage, flipping on lights and checking for intruders.
When all the lights were on, he came to her. She practically fell into his arms, her body trembling.
“What happened? Are you okay?”
Hudson held her at arm’s length as if scanning her for injuries.
“I’m okay,” she managed through her sobs. Now that the danger was gone, she was finding it difficult to control her emotions. “When I came in, there was a man in here. He grabbed me. Thank God you came back.”
“It looks like he went out through the bedroom,” he said. ”I have the security guards looking for him now. Are you sure you aren’t hurt?”
All Annabelle could do was nod. She was still in shock, her body shaking as he held her. New worries crept into her thoughts. What if the security guards found Mark? What if he got a chance to tell Hudson the truth about the photographs? She felt trapped in her own deceit, unsure which outcome scared her most.
“I was passing by the pool in the back, about to go inside when I could have sworn I heard you scream,” he said. “I’ve never been so scared in my life.”
“Thank you for coming back.” She looked up into his blue-green eyes, now clouded with worry and concern.
Before she knew what was happening, Hudson’s lips were against hers. She leaned into his body, wrapping her arms around his neck. Her mind reeled, unable to decide between wanting him and protecting herself.
“You can’t stay here alone anymore. I knew the press would be interested in us, but I never thought anyone would stoop to breaking in. Annabelle, I’m so sorry. I won’t ever let anyone hurt you.” Hudson scooped her up into his arms and carried her through the busted doorway of her tiny cottage. He made his way down the stone path, through the back door of the Big House, and up the stairs.
Annabelle was expecting him to deposit her in one of the mansion’s many guest rooms, but to her surprise, he took her straight to his private suite on the second floor. When the door was shut behind them, he lowered her onto his bed. He didn’t bother turning on the light, but she could see him clearly with the brightness of the moon streaming in through the French doors that led out to the balcony.
“Hudson, I—” she began, but before she could finish, he seized her mouth with his own. Any lingering feelings of protest died as his kiss deepened, a fire withi
n her grew hotter with every second that passed between them.
She leaned her head back and arched her body toward him as his lips traveled down her bare neck to her breasts. He pushed aside the flimsy strap of her tank top and she cried out as the warmth of his tongue flicked across her exposed nipple. Pleasure surged through her as he freed her other breast and covered it with kisses.
“I need you,” he groaned, his hands unbuckling her belt and sliding it from the waist of her jeans. “If anything had happened to you...” His voice trailed off and Annabelle’s arms encircled his body, pulling up the edge of his shirt so that she could feel his bare skin underneath, his taut muscles rippling under her fingertips. She dug her nails into his skin and he groaned, his mouth returning to hers for another taste.
She couldn’t deny him any longer. She didn’t care if this was right or wrong. She just wanted to be with him. All other thoughts and fears faded away.
Impatient, Annabelle pushed him from her and sat up in the king-sized bed, pulling her tank top over her head and throwing it across the room. Her jeans soon followed and she trembled with anticipation as she watched Hudson’s shirt go flying toward the door. There was no time for sweet exploration and shy introductions. Instead, there was only passion and heat and the burning need to be joined together.
The rest of their clothing was soon strewn across the floor as their naked bodies pressed together on the bed, her hands hungry to touch every inch of his magnificent form. When her fingers closed around him, she felt his body tremble. She bit into his shoulder as she massaged him, aching for more.
His knee slipped between her legs and urged her to open to him, which she did willingly. She felt his hand run down the length of her body, shivering as his fingertips passed the side of her breast and down her stomach. Urgent, he squeezed her hips and seemed to beg for entry. Taking his hand in her own, Annabelle guided him to the spot between her legs that pulsed with need for his touch. Surprise flashed in his eyes, and Annabelle could tell he wasn’t used to a woman who was so eager to show him what she wanted.
Hold Me Closer (Sea Island Brides Book 1) Page 9
