Embrace Me (9 page)

Allie sucked in a sharp breath. “I love having you inside me.”

Holding her tight, he pulled out to the tip, then thrust into her again. Allie's head lolled back and her body bowed in his hands. His breath hissed between his teeth as her fingers curled into the flesh of his back.

“Oh, God,” she moaned as her hips rocked up, trying to get more of him inside her. Gripping the back of her thigh, Hudson hooked one leg over his arm, curled the end of his spine, and pushed deeper. His neck corded and strained as pleasure pounded through his veins. Slow and gentle was replaced with raw lust, and he pulled back, then surged forward, quickly finding the rhythm they both craved. She was slick, hot, and wet, and the sensations nearly short-circuited his brain. Her hands moved down his back to his ass, yanking him farther inside her, and when she scratched him with her nails the sweet lick of pain was a direct shot to his groin.

“Fuck.” His voice was rough and carnal. In the dusk light he watched Allie's back arch and her teeth sink into her lower lip. Her body undulated in waves under him, rolling her hips into each of his downward strokes—harder, faster, deeper. Like every other moment of their honeymoon, he never wanted it to end. In the islands the world belonged to them.

“Hudson,” Allie panted, their lips only inches apart. He could feel her impending orgasm pulsing along his shaft and pumped in and out of her in a perfectly timed glide. Her legs began to tremble and his fingers tightened in her hair, holding her in place. He took her again in a bruising kiss, his tongue filling her mouth. His movement became faster, thrusts more powerful. Bracing his knees, he leveraged against the cushion as his body moved over hers. Her core tightened around him as the spasms of her orgasm squeezed him in an alternating rhythm. Allie cried out and a groan vibrated up the back of Hudson's throat. His head dropped and he started to come, his cock kicking deep inside her as he pitched over the edge into his own release. The aftershocks of her orgasm had her body shuddering against his. Once they subsided, he stilled, bearing his weight on his elbows and breathing harshly against her neck. Her hand pushed through his hair and he lifted his head. Hudson cupped her jaw and kissed her softly, feeling his way across her lips.

“From here on out, April twenty-first is no longer my birthday,” he said. His voice was low and as rough as his breathing. “It is now known as Naked Day. And will be for the rest of our lives.”

The late morning sun filtered through the gauzy curtains that surrounded their four-poster bed, waking Allie from yet another peaceful night's sleep. She kept her eyes closed, relishing in the feel of her husband's body. His head was resting on her chest, he had one arm wrapped possessively around her waist, and his legs were tangled with hers. This was how she'd woken the past thirteen mornings, draped in the man she loved, and she couldn't imagine a more perfect way to start the day.

She lay still for a few moments, focusing on nothing but the easy rhythm of Hudson's breathing and the steady beat of his heart. She'd come so close to losing him in January, and while there were times those memories triggered a sense of panic, she'd worked hard to turn those emotions into a positive. Because as much as she hated to remember the night her husband almost died, it was also the night he survived. They'd been given the second chance they never thought possible ten years ago. This was their happily ever after and that was something Allie never wanted to forget.

Instinctively, she lifted her hand and let her fingers drift over the small scar the bullet had left on her husband's otherwise perfect body. She knew her gentle touch wouldn't wake him. Hudson slept like a rock in the Maldives. At home it was a rare occasion that she was up before him, but this was Hudson in vacation mode. She'd never seen him completely unplug before, and now that she'd experienced it she wasn't so sure she ever wanted to go back to the hustle and bustle of their corporate lives. Yes, they were together most every day—which would only increase now that he'd asked her to join him at Chase Industries as well—but that was work mode. They needed to make quality time like this a priority. A quick getaway to Europe, a few days in the Caribbean, or just a weekend in Lake Geneva, didn't matter so long as it was just the two of them. A slow grin formed on Allie's lips. The idea had definite potential. After all, what was the point of having a vacation home, not to mention a private jet, if you didn't use them? She made a mental note to have Colin clear her schedule at least one weekend a month.

Colin
. Allie's eyes flew open. She'd been so busy basking in honeymoon bliss that she'd completely forgotten about buying souvenirs for him and Harper and Nick. “Hudson,” she said, tapping him on the shoulder. “Wake up. We need to go shopping.”

A low sound, more animal than human, vibrated through Hudson's body as he began to stir. “Words no man wants to hear,” he murmured against her skin. “Ever.”

“But we need to get souvenirs for our friends.”

“I have a better idea.” His arm tightened around Allie's waist as he nuzzled her chest. “Let's stay in bed and just bring them those mini bottles of shampoo you like so much.”

“We cannot come back from two weeks in the Maldives and bring them a few bottles of hotel shampoo.”

He grunted. “Fine. We can take the bathrobes too.”

Allie laughed. “I'm serious, Hudson.”

“So am I,” he rasped. Hudson's voice might have been rough with sleep but his body was wide awake, an impressive erection already prodding against her hip. “This is the last day of our honeymoon, Alessandra. I have far more pressing concerns than traipsing around town while you debate the merits of one sarong over another.” He tugged the sheet away from her body with his teeth and gazed down at her through hooded eyes as his thumb brushed back and forth across her nipple. “And your body seems to be in total agreement.”

Allie moaned softly as Hudson's lips and tongue began to pay homage to the neglected breast, and when he bit down the sweet sting echoed through her core. He made a damn persuasive argument, that was for sure. But they couldn't forget the friends who had been so instrumental in getting them to this point.

Her hands framed Hudson's face, urging him to meet her gaze. “We would never have made it through the last few months without Nick and Harper. And Colin, too, for that matter. I want to bring them a little something to show our appreciation.” She twirled a stray curl of his hair around her finger and flashed him her sweetest smile. “Besides, Harper will never let me hear the end of it if we don't.”

Hudson dropped his head with a sigh. “Even nine thousand miles away that redhead is a pain in my ass. I swear I don't know who is worse, her or that barking squirrel.”

“Oh,” she gasped. “I almost forgot Harley. We better get something for her, too.”

“By all means, wouldn't want to disappoint a dog,” he deadpanned.

Allie grinned. “Thank you.”

Hudson lifted an impatient brow. “One hour. Then you're mine for the rest of the day.”

“I'm yours for a lot longer than one day,” she said, raising her left hand and wiggling her ring finger. “You're stuck with me, remember?”

Hudson smiled as he brought her hand to his mouth. “A fact I am both astonished by and grateful for,” he murmured, turning her hand over and pressing his lips to her platinum wedding band. “But I don't like sharing. One hour.”

One hour was hardly enough time. “How about two?” she asked. Hudson opened his mouth for what was undoubtedly a protest but she kept talking in an attempt to sweeten the deal. “And when we get back, we can revisit Naked Day,” she added with a mischievous grin.

“Ninety minutes,” Hudson countered. “And then naked until we leave for the airport. I intend to make the most of the time we have left on this honeymoon.”

“Who says it ends at the airport?” she asked, biting her lower lip.

Hudson growled his approval as his lips found her neck. “I like the way you think, Mrs. Chase.”

Allie's back arched under his amorous assault. “So do we have a deal?”

He chuckled against her skin. “Yes, Madame CEO, we have a deal.”

“Great.” Allie started to sit up but Hudson pinned her to the bed.

“Not so fast.” The solid weight of his body shifted over hers as he moved lower, leaving a trail of kisses in his wake. “I'm not letting you drag me around town on an empty stomach.” He glanced up from between her legs and licked his lower lip. The mere sight of that wickedly talented tongue had her instinctively clutching the bed sheets. “And I believe I read somewhere that breakfast is the most important meal of the day,” he said, smiling to himself as he lowered his head.

 * * * 

After showering, Allie and Hudson dressed in what fashion designers would describe as “resort casual.” Up until that point they'd spent most of the trip in what Hudson would describe as “naked casual,” which meant Allie had nearly her entire suitcase to choose from. For their shopping excursion she selected a floral halter dress that tied behind her neck—knowing full well the temptation of tugging it free would drive her husband crazy all afternoon—and paired it with a pair of strappy wedge sandals. She pulled her loose curls into a messy bun, letting a few stra
nds frame her face, and finished off the outfit with a stack of bangles Harper had given her as a bridal shower gift. She'd also given her a pair of heart-shaped handcuffs. A warm blush spread over Allie's cheeks as she recalled Harper questioning which would get more use.

“Now there's a devilish grin if I ever saw one.” Hudson strolled up behind her. He wrapped his arms around her waist and pressed his lips to her exposed neck. “Dirty thoughts, Mrs. Chase? I approve.”

Allie giggled as her husband nipped and sucked the sensitive skin below her ear. “What makes you so sure they're dirty?”

“Trust me, you have tells.”

Allie turned in his arms. “Is that so?”

“Yes, and that line of thinking will go perfectly with what I have planned for when we return.”

Allie knew better than to question him further, but the anticipation alone had her pressing her thighs together in an effort to stem the near constant ache she felt whenever her husband was near. She craved him with a desire that went far beyond the physical. And he felt the same. It was as if being together was as essential as the air they breathed.

Reading her reactions as only he could, Hudson slid his hand lower. “Say the word and we can scrap the souvenir shopping,” he murmured. He'd barely touched her and already she was melting. But when she reached up to run her fingers through his hair, the bangles clinked down her arm, bringing her back to reality and the task at hand.

“As tempting as you are, Mr. Chase,” she breathed, “we are on a mission.”

Hudson let out a resigned sigh. “Then let's get going.” He clasped Allie's hand in his. “Because the sooner we get this over with, the sooner I can get you back here.” His tone was meant to convey his displeasure, but the corner of his mouth turned up as he spoke. Of course that smile quickly faded when the concierge informed them that the type of shopping Allie had in mind would require a boat ride to a neighboring island. Hudson tried his best to convince her the resort's small gift shop would suffice, but Allie was determined to find something special for their friends and argued that a day wandering the streets of Male would have the added benefit of allowing them to experience a bit of Maldivian culture. Hudson begrudgingly agreed, but insisted on expediting matters by chartering a sea plane instead of a boat.

Once they reached Male City they were directed to Majeedhee Magu, the Maldivian equivalent of Chicago's Magnificent Mile. Rows of brightly colored boutiques lined both sides of the brick-paved street, offering everything from clothing and cosmetics to electronics and groceries. Allie tried to focus on locally crafted items, preferring to bring her friends something truly representative of their stay versus something they could have just as easily bought at home.

Hudson and Allie strolled arm in arm, amid tourists and locals alike, as they browsed through stores showcasing wood carvings, mat weavings, and coconut shell products. Hudson selected a model dhoni for Nick, telling Allie that the miniature sailboat reminded him of the one their father used to take them out on when they were small boys. Hudson rarely spoke of his late father, but when he did it never failed to tug at Allie's heart. The thought of Hudson and Nick with their dad in a simpler time, before all the tragedy and loss, was a bittersweet image that brought a tear to Allie's eye. But the last thing she wanted to do was dissuade him from sharing his memories, and so she turned quickly, wiping the stray tear and feigning interest in a case of sterling silver jewelry.

“See something you like?” Hudson asked.

Allie scanned the glass case until her gaze fell upon a silver ring. At first glance it appeared to be just a simple band, but on closer inspection she could see it was a dolphin. “That one reminds me of our first day here,” she said, smiling at the memory of the playful mammals that had welcomed them to the resort.

“Then we should get it.”

“I don't need another gift, Hudson.”

“Get used to it, Mrs. Chase. I plan to spend the next seventy or so years spoiling my wife.” He laughed. “Although that trinket hardly qualifies as a proper gift.”

“Well, I think it's perfect. And it continues our tradition of vacation jewelry.”

“Vacation crap,” Hudson said, rolling his eyes as he reached into his pocket for his wallet. “You know I can afford much better now.”

“And you know I cherish that anklet more than anything else I own,” she replied, making reference to the seashell anklet Hudson had won at that carnival so many years ago. It was the first gift he'd ever given her but more than that, it was the night she first realized she loved him. She knew it that night the same as she knew it ten years later.

The young sales girl removed the ring from the case and handed it to Hudson, who promptly slipped it on the ring finger of Allie's right hand.

“I love it,” she said. Then her voice softened as she added, “And I love you.”

“I love you, too,” he said. “Actually . . .”

Allie reared back, curious to see how he'd finished that sentence.

“Would you mind shopping for the redhead on your own?”

“Ditching me, are you?” Allie teased. “And they said it wouldn't last.”

A low chuckle vibrated in Hudson's chest. “Hardly, but there is a quick errand I need to run.”

“Here? Now? What could you—”

Hudson silenced her with a kiss. When he pulled away she was breathless and more than ready to head back to their bungalow, souvenir for Harper or not.

“I won't be long,” he said. “I'll meet you in the café just outside the marina.” He glanced at his watch. “Say, one hour?”

“What happened to getting back to the bungalow as quickly as possible?”

“Need I remind you whose idea this shopping adventure was in the first place?”

“But—”

Hudson pressed his fingertips against her lips. “Patience, Mrs. Chase. I promise it will be worth the wait.” With that he was gone. Left to her own devices, Allie wandered in and out of shops until she found the perfect gift for Harper: a traditional dress known in the islands as a Dhivehi libaas. The one Allie selected was bright red and had silver and gold embroidery woven into the neckline. There was no doubt Harper would love it, and Allie couldn't wait to see how she would accessorize it and make it her own.

When her souvenir shopping was complete, Allie made her way to the small café at the marina. She was greeted by their pilot from earlier in the day. “Mrs. Chase,” he said with a nod of his head. “Mr. Chase asked me to convey his sincere apologies. He's been detained and asked me to see that you make it safely to your bungalow.”

Detained? With what? Allie fished her cell phone out of her straw tote bag. On the screen she saw only the picture of Hudson she'd taken the day they arrived. No texts, no e-mails, no missed calls. Anything urgent involving Ingram would have surely resulted in someone contacting her as well. Was there an emergency at Chase Industries? For the life of her she couldn't imagine anything so pressing as to keep him tied up on the last night of their honeymoon, unless . . . Nick. Allie's heart sank at the thought that something could be wrong with Hudson's brother.