Hold Me Closer (Sea Island Brides Book 1) (13 page)

“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 engagement.

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 within 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.

He
paused for just a moment to grab a condom from the bedside table, and
she watched with hungry anticipation as he sheathed himself.

Her
forwardness seemed to rid him of his restraint, and to her amazement
and pleasure, he took her hands in his and lifted them high above her
head, clasping them in one hand as he reached down with the other to
guide himself into her. Annabelle opened to him and stared into his
eyes as she felt the tip of him slip inside. Her muscles clenched
tight around him as he filled her and she lifted up to meet him.

Instinctively,
her legs wrapped around him as they slowly began to move together in
an increasing rhythm, pleasure spreading out from her center to the
ends of every nerve in her body. Their hands clasped together on the
bed above Annabelle’s head, fingers intertwined as Hudson
pushed inside of her again and again, deeper and harder with each
thrust, filling her completely. She cried out his name as the heat
within her rose higher and higher, gathering to a single focal point,
then erupting through her body like an explosion. She felt him grow
harder as he reached his climax, slowing to a few final, powerful
thrusts before collapsing on top of her, their bodies damp from the
frenzy of their love-making.

Hudson’s
heartbeat pulsed against her own as they clung to one another,
neither of them willing to let go as their breathing gradually
slowed.

“So
much for my amazing self-control,” Annabelle said with a laugh
as Hudson rolled over to lie beside her on
the bed.