Turning my head back to Alison, I frowned. She hadn’t moved. She stood about fifty feet away with a look of dread on her face.
“Go handle your business, Hudson.” Detective Wilkes ordered nudging my shoulder as he laughed.
“Yeah, we got this covered,” Josh added pointing to the crime scene tape around Alison’s front door.
Sending them a grateful smile, I took off at a brisk pace. The closer I got to her the more nervous, she became, and the more emotions began to surface.
I’d almost lost her today, I couldn’t even let myself imagine what would have happened if I had shown up five minutes later. I wasn’t about to tell her that I was holding up a fake gun. Besides a carry-on bag that contained a change of clothes, my fatigues, and a ring, I had no weapon. However, Richard Taggart hadn’t known that. My heart had leaped through my throat when Richard’s arm went across Alison’s throat. Watching her struggling to breathe was an image I never wanted to see again.
Two feet from her and I realized she was crying, tears streamed down my face, but I refused to stop them. She was alive, my Alison was alive, and I was torn between spanking her infuriating ass and kissing the hell out of her.
Matching her step for step as she retreated, I grabbed her face in my hands, and the kissing side won.
As soon as her mouth opened in surprise, I thrust my tongue inside. The kiss started out hard and punishing, letting my anger at how she’d shut me out come through, then I became soft and tender, teasing and lustful as I stroked her tongue with the same rhythm I would stroke her body later. When I finally ended the kiss, she stared up me with an exhausted but lustful gaze.
Feeling too raw and far too emotionally charged, I grabbed her hand and started walking to my car, the car she’d stolen! I felt her stumble at my pace then looked down and realized she had no shoes on. A growl escaped before I could stop it and I swept her into my arms and continued.
As soon as we reached the car, I sat her on the hood and rooted around inside. I smiled when I spotted a duffel bag that had a sticky note on it that read, Courtesy of Synclair- The most awesome of sisters to have ever walked the earth-
I opened the bag and found Alison’s clothes and some socks too. I grabbed a water bottle that was sitting in the cup holder and slammed the door.
Alison nervously slipped off the hood and squeaked when I promptly put her back on. “Matt, I’m too heavy. I’ll dent the car.” She insisted.
Ignoring her protests because, frankly, I didn’t trust myself to speak right now, I grabbed one small foot and cleaned it off with water. I inspected her foot and was relieved that there were only minor cuts that I could doctor later. I pushed one sock over her bare foot and quickly repeated the procedure with the second one.
“Matt, I just wanted to say I’m sorry about the car.” She murmured.
I gave her a hard look. She had to be kidding right? She been assaulted, held at gunpoint, choked and charged at by an angry grizzly bear and she was sorry about the car?
Shaking my head, I grabbed her off the hood and walked to the passenger side of my car. With the exception of a little road trip dirt, it seemed to have survived in Alison’s hands just fine.
As soon as I got her seat buckled, I gave her a quick kiss on her lips and then slid into the driver’s seat. “Matt, I’m sorry I didn’t trust you…I” she began.
“Not now,” I managed to bite out through clenched teeth. I was an emotional time bomb right now, and I could blow and any second. Desperately trying to get my emotions under control, I stared straight ahead, as I started down the mountain road.
Alison’s small sigh drew my attention. I knew I was a jerk. She looked exhausted, her throat was bruised and starting to change to a dark purple and a small trickle of blood came from a wound on her neck. Each injury fueled my anger. Those bastards had hurt her, and she had still protected Richard Taggart from being killed by Baloo.
I knew this wasn’t the time to get wrapped up in my own emotions, and I desperately wanted to tell her everything would be okay. Yet, every time I spoke, asshole spilled out.
I needed to get her to the agency penthouse. Once there I could get her naked and touch every inch of her body until I was sure was okay, maybe them I would stop looking at the world through a red haze.
“I promised myself if I lived through today that I would tell you…” she started, but again I cut her off.
“Later,” I barked and wanted to kick myself as she turned her head and began to stare out the window.
A little over an hour later and I pulled up to the complex where Archangel’s had a penthouse apartment. Pulling up to the valet drop, I looked over and noticed that Alison had fallen asleep. Smiling at her peaceful form, I threw the valet the keys, grabbed the papers that Reece had left me from the back seat and instructed the bellhop, who was hovering next to the valet to have my bags brought up. Walking around to the passenger side, Alison didn’t even blink when I undid her seatbelt and pulled her into my arms. One look at her pale, drawn face told me that she needed sleep. The valet followed me to the elevator and handed me Alison’s purse that he’d found on the floorboard. Knowing her medication was mostly likely inside; I thanked the valet and made a mental note to tip him extra when I came down next time.
Ignoring the stares of people in the elevator and those I passed in the hall, I typed in the code for the suite and used my elbow to press down on the handle to open the door.
Once inside, I set Alison on the plush leather sofa and went straight for a shower. As always, some of my clothes and shoes were hanging in the closet. All the escorts at Archangel’s kept clothes here. It was easier to change here then going home. I walked into the bathroom and reached under the sink for my spare toiletry bag that I’d left here. Jumping into the hottest shower I could stand, I rinsed off the entire stench from earlier and with it all my angst and fear.
By the time I emerged from the bedroom, I was clean, shaved, and dressed in a nice blue silk shirt, black slacks, and loafers.
“Wow, you look so different, like the Matt I met that night in the Venetian,” she said, standing near the marble fireplace.
“I’m going to order us some food, any objections to chicken?” When she didn’t answer, I picked up the phone and ordered two entrees, dessert and the mango tea I had seen her drink on more than one occasion.
When I was finished, I went to the stocked kitchen and pulled out a bottle of water. Alison looked at me with confusion, so I literally held her hand up to the bottle until she finally grabbed it.
“Matthew we should talk,” she said in slightly more irritated tone than last time. She was irritated? All I could see in my head was the moment her eyes had started to close as she choked to death.
“We should bandage your feet,” I replied with a snap of my fingers, completely ignoring her request.
“Matthew my feet are fine. There are some things I need to say to you,” she said crossly. I knew she getting pissed, but I just needed a few more minutes to get myself in check.
I grabbed the Neosporin out of the bathroom medicine cabinet, grabbed her around the waist, and set her on the high counter-top. Her dark eyes flashed with annoyance.
“Trevor’s helping with the transport tomorrow and between Camille and Amber, everything will be ready at your new place when we arrive tomorrow. I figured you would want to help get the animals loaded and follow behind the truck in case you’re needed,” I told her trying to put her mind at ease.
“That’s…uh perfect, I hadn’t given any thought to how and when to move the animals, but I have to tell you something Matt and it can’t wait,” she said, her voice angry and yet, it still got me hard.
“Foot,” I demanded when she moved her foot out of hold and tried to dodge my hand that was trying to grasp hold of it.
“Dammit Alison, give me your damn foot, these could get infected,” I told with a brief glare.
“I’m not worried about an infection Matt, I am going to talk to yo
u!” she shouted and that ticking in my head finally blew
Grabbing her off the counter, I set her gently on the sofa and began to pace in agitation.
“Thanks, I didn’t realize ...” she started.
Like before, I interrupted, “Didn’t realize? What did you fail to realize Alison? Was it the fact that you distracted me last night so you could avoid the marriage topic?” I asked. Before she could answer, I continued, “Didn’t realize a man who has the audacity to put a hit on your parents, could possibly be dangerous? Didn’t realize that you were shutting me out and running off to Mt. Charleston to confront a pyscho ex-husband with a teenager?” Again, she made a move to speak, but I silenced her with one raised palm, “What else didn’t you realize? That maybe had you stopped and just clued me in that you would have had the full support of my family? Did you see everyone who showed up today Alison? They were there for you! Because they love you and you almost got yourself killed,” I clamped my mouth shut when I realized I was shouting.
The annoyance drained from her face, and she gave me a tight smile, “Yeah, I actually realized all that when Ollie was fighting me and I stuck a knife in his forehead,” she mused bitterly.
No, no way was she going there. I had spent every second on that plane planning this all out, and I was following through.
Grabbing her small shoulders, I made a noise of irritation when she grimaced. Apparently, her shoulder was injured too.
“I’m sorry if what I’m about to say sounds too Neanderthal for you, but I can’t help it. Almost losing you today has me feeling very raw,” I told her. When she nodded, I let her have it.
“I love you, and you love me too, admit it,” I demanded.
“Yes, I do. I love you with all my heart.” She replied with no hesitation.
Shaking off her quick answer, I pushed on. “We are getting married, we are living in the house Amber built for you, I am no longer escorting, and when I’m home I’ll help you with the Sanctuary.” When she didn’t respond right away, I blurted, “I’m not worried about a mess because I am going to hire a housekeeper. We’ll ask the doctor if you can safely carry a child or we can adopt, Pepper can make up her classes online and then start school in the fall.” I wiped the tears that were streaking down her cheeks, knowing I was making a total mess of things.
“Yes, yes to all of it Matt,” she promised, but I was so far gone into my emotional meltdown that her words didn’t register. I dropped my hands from her face and strode into the bedroom. Walking back into the living room, I opened the box, took out the Chocolate Diamond in the custom gold setting that was surrounded by rubies, her parent’s birthstones. Without even asking, I slipped it on her finger and watched her eyes get wide with shock and then promptly fill up with tears.
“Alison Collins, I don’t care if you’re messy or can’t even boil water. I love your passion and I love the way you stop at nothing to protect who you love.” She went to speak but I stopped her with a hard kiss, I had to get this out before my heart exploded. “I almost lost it when I saw that asshole choking you, I can’t live without you! There will never be another woman for me, no one can hold a candle to you and every day I learn something new about you, something amazing that just makes me love you more. I don’t care if you’re a few years older, I will never get tired of making love to you, and if anyone needs to be afraid of being ditched it would be me. I am not perfect, Ali! I’m a neat freak, my accounting business makes for boring conversation, but if you’ll have me, I’ll make sure my bedroom adventures will more than compensate!” I rushed out. Her tears kept coming, and I felt like I was going to pass out.
“Matt.”
“No, don’t tell me we’re too different, don’t use your scars, your insecurities or your animals as an excuse to turn me down, Alison Collins. You are going to marry me if I have to tie you and drag you to that altar!” I shouted meaning every word. This woman was not getting away; I was never going to waste one second not loving her.
“Well?” I asked when she just stared at me with big fat salty tears running down her dirt-smudged face.
“Are you done?” she asked softly with a slight smirk.
Okay, not the answer I was going for after I slipped a huge rock on her hand and poured my heart out.
I nodded, only because I was afraid I’d cry like a baby if I spoke. Yeah, okay, my man card is going to get revoked. I didn’t care! Seeing her almost die right in front of me, only strengthened my resolve to spend the rest of my life with this woman!
“Good, because I’d like to say something and I need you shut up for a minute!”
Taken aback by her sudden outburst, I sat back on my butt and stared at her as she knelt in front of me.
“We are different, Matt. You’re a neat freak, bossy, arrogant and entirely way to accustomed to women following you around like groupies that want to hang from your marvelous penis,” Alison said with a smile. “However, maybe different isn’t bad, maybe I can loosen you up in the day to day, and you can help me with a little organization? Maybe you show me all there is know about sex?” This time, she really blushed, and I raised a brow as if to as, everything?
“Yes, you silly, adorable, sexy, loving, intense, stubborn, persistent man! I want to know it all, to do it all and I want to have those adventures with you! You make me feel beautiful, safe and wanted! Your family is amazing and even though Synclair scares me a little, Pepper adores her.”
I had to grin. “Baby, Synclair scares all of us a little,” I said laughing as she whacked my arm.
“I know we have a lot to sort out with moving the animals to the new compound, the fact that my living room is covered in dead bodies, blood and bullets, and everything in between. But I told myself if I got the chance I would beg you to marry me, Matthew. That is what I’ve been trying to say to you since we left the ranch! I love you too, and you’re going to marry me if I have to kidnap you and drag you to Vegas to do it!”
Shocked by her words, I stared at her without blinking for the space of a heartbeat. I felt a smile spread across my face, and I swept her up into my arms and kissed her with all the love in my heart. She squealed when I carried her into the bedroom and tossed her down on the bed. Instead of following her down, I walked into the large bathroom and turned on the tub water. When I walked back in she was scowling at me.
“Hey, we just pledged our undying love and devotion, isn’t this the part when you rock my world,” she whined with a glare.
Laughing I walked to the closet and saw a garment bag hanging there with Alison’s name tagged to it. Grabbing the bag, the box of shoes beneath it and the small Victoria’s Secret bag that I was sure Jessie, the receptionist goddess from the agency had no doubt purchased, I swung back toward the bed and laid everything out.
“What is this?” she asked, her suspicious tone making me smile.
Zipping open the garment bag, I watched as she tore open the shoebox and then fingered the delicate lace in the pretty pink bag. Jumping off the bed, she poked me in the chest. Damn, what is it with women and the poking?
“That’s a wedding dress, Matt! You did it again. You bought me a beautiful dress and just assumed I would be so touched by your thoughtfulness that I would wear it and those gorgeous shoes!” she said with another angry poke.
“No, I wasn’t taking any chances. We are not leaving this suite until we are married, Alison. You want another wedding with all the whistles and bells, no problem. But today I am taking you as my wife!” I argued right back.
“That’s just arrogant, bossy, and...and…” her anger seemed to melt, and she cocked her head to one side and gave me the most beautiful smile.
“And?” I asked waiting for the rest of her statement. Had I screwed up? Did she hate the dress? The ring? Me? Shit!
“And it’s the most romantic thing that anyone has ever done for me,” she squealed reaching up to brush her soft lips against mine.
I blinked, once, twice and then once more just to make sure I
had heard her correctly. I thought I knew women, how they thought, how they reasoned. I used to consider myself the kind of person that knew exactly what to say to a woman. However, I could tell that with Alison it was going to be learning adventure every day! I couldn’t wait!
“So, we’re good?” I asked, feeling the need to double check since it seemed every second with Alison, the rules changed.
Patting my chest, she shimmied out of her jeans, pulled off her sweater, bra, and panties. Once she was completely nude, I reached out and fingered the bruises on her neck, shoulder, and arms. “So, when are getting married, Mr. Wolf?” she teased using the escort name I had introduced myself with when we first met.
Checking my watch, I looked down at her and grinned. “About forty-five minutes!”
That got her sassy grin to fade and a panicked look took over! “What? Seriously? Here? Now? Shit, I have to get ready Matt!” she ran over to the bed and took out the shimmering white dress from the bag. It was gorgeous with a pearl choker that came down to a sweetheart neckline. The body hugging, off the shoulder dress, was covered in lace and small pearls.
“Thank God, it will cover my neck. My shoulder I can cover with makeup,” she said more to herself than to me. Hoping to help out, I went to the duffel bag that the bellhop had brought in while she was sleeping and got out the makeup bag that Sara had packed for her.
Grabbing the bag out of my hands, she smiled brightly. “I gotta admit, I kinda love those women,” she chuckled softly as she ran into the bathroom and shut the door.
Ali
There were moments over the past week when I wanted to pinch myself to prove it wasn’t all a dream. Matt wasn’t kidding when he told me that we were getting married that night! Just as I had slipped on the stunning, white heels, a knock sounded at the door. My first thought was that we hadn’t gotten a marriage license beforehand so nothing we did was going to be legal.
Apparently, there is nothing these Hudsons can’t pull off. Reece had been able to get a marriage license for us and had left it for Matt, in his car, the day all hell broke loose on the ranch.
No Refunds No Exchanges: A Hudson Family Series- Book 4- Matt and Ali Page 40
