Читать книгу The Hudson's: Luc, Jack and Charlotte - Emily McKay - Страница 15

Luc couldn’t keep his eyes off Gwen as they entered the ball. She gave her wrap to the woman in the coatroom and pushed her golden hair behind her shoulder. Her black velvet dress skimmed over her creamy shoulders, dipped low to reveal a hint of her delicious cleavage and hugged her curves like a lover. Her lips were crimson, her eyes dramatic; she looked like the definition of the term heartbreaker.

It was as if she’d adapted a different persona. Perhaps she had. Every head turned as she walked through the entrance of the ballroom.

“You look beautiful,” he whispered in her ear. “But you also look damn good naked in a barn.”

Her lips tilted in a secret smile. She met his gaze and stood on tiptoe to press her lips against his. “You just said something perfect.”

Cameras flashed, but Luc just drew her closer, his fingers enjoying the sensation of velvet over her waist and hips. The moment was magical.

“I can’t believe it,” Bella said, interrupting Luc as she nodded to the left. “Look who’s here.”

Reluctantly pulling his gaze from Gwen, Luc caught sight of the woman Bella was referring to and shook his head. “Leslie Shay.”

“Who is it?” Gwen asked.

“Paparazzi. She lives to dig the dirt on Hudsons,” he said.

“What I want to know is when does it cross the line to stalker?” Bella asked.

“Unfortunately, when it’s the press, that line is pretty muddy,” Luc said.

“I’ll say,” Gwen said and slid her hand under Luc’s chin. “Let’s give her something to talk about.” She pulled his head down and kissed him full on the mouth.

He heard a roar of applause and peripherally noticed the flash of cameras. He pulled back slightly and laughed. “You know how to work the room without moving from one spot.”

“I’m just like you,” Gwen confided. “Fifteen minutes and I’m done.”

“Then we’d better get moving. Let’s face the bearded dragon first.” He led her toward Leslie Shay.

Leslie immediately motioned for her cameraman. “Luc Hudson and Gwen McCord, you pulled a fast one on us. We never saw you two as a couple until you announced your engagement. How did you manage to keep your relationship secret?”

“Montana is very cold,” Gwen said with a smile. “It discourages the paparazzi, who are accustomed to the warm weather in L.A.”

“It’s ironic that your engagement coincides with your sister Nicki’s visit to rehab, Gwen. Care to comment on that?” Leslie asked.

Watching Gwen’s face turn pale, Luc stepped forward. “Gwen is naturally very concerned about her sister. We both are. Nicki has experienced some deep pain in her life, and she hasn’t always handled it well. We’re both proud of her for getting the help she needs.”

“Still, this can’t be convenient for Hudson Pictures with the summer release on the horizon,” Leslie said.

“I can tell you’re a sensitive woman,” Gwen said. “I so appreciate your interest in my sister. She’s very dear to me. More than anything, I want her healthy and happy.”

Leslie nodded. “Always a class act, Gwen. Is there any chance we’ll be seeing you in a project with Hudson Pictures soon?”

Gwen laughed. “I’m retired and engaged.”

“A loss for the rest of us,” Leslie said. “I can’t help but believe your ex-husband isn’t kicking himself up and down the street. He hasn’t had a true hit since your last film.”

Luc stepped in again. “Sorry, Leslie, they’re motioning for my fiancée. Enjoy the party,” he said and guided Gwen away.

With his arm around her, he felt her take a deep breath. “You okay?”

She nodded. “She’s a regular badger, isn’t she?”

“And then some. I think she had a crush on my uncle that never panned out. Unrequited passion, or something like that.”

“Maybe it’s good that we’re making this appearance tonight. Prep for L.A.” She gave a cryptic smile. “The same way kindergarten is prep for medical school. This is looking like a long night.”

“Afterward you get a hot tub,” he said. “And me.” Her lips curved in a sensual grin. “That’s motivating.”

Gwen and Luc made the rounds, and when it came time to introduce the keynote speaker, Gwen captured and held the attention of everyone in the room. She spoke with such passion and conviction that even Luc felt himself holding his breath.

Bella touched his shoulder. “She’s amazing. Are you sure you can’t talk her into coming back into the business?”

As Gwen finished, he watched her walk down the stairs and saw a flicker of vulnerability cross her face. “Not now.”

Throughout the evening, people approached Gwen and Bella and asked for their autographs and to have pictures taken with them.

Luc pulled her away. “How’s it going?”

“I’m about done,” Gwen said. “Even though it’s a friendly crowd, it’s wearing and I’m out of practice.”

“Could have fooled me,” Luc said. “I’m all for saying our goodbyes.”

Luc shook hands with Dane and hugged his sister.

“You owe me,” Bella said.

“You’re a glutton for attention. You loved every minute of it,” he chided.

“Except the freezing temps. She’s different,” Bella said, nodding toward Gwen. “I mean that in a good way. But not your type, right?”

“Fishing,” Luc said. “I know better than to bite.”

“Okay, be that way. Love you,” she said and hugged him again.

Extracting Gwen from a group of fans, he led her toward the coatroom. Just after he helped her with her coat, a woman approached them.

“Everyone else may be fawning all over you, but I know the truth. You left your husband high and dry after agreeing to do his movie, then welshing on the deal. When he couldn’t get the backing he needed for the movie, your husband had to fire a lot of people. My husband was one of those people. You have no idea how many people’s lives you ruined with your—”

Refusing to allow this woman to continue to blast Gwen, Luc stepped in front of her. “That’s enough. You have no idea what went on between Gwen and her ex-husband. She doesn’t deserve your wrath because of Peter Horrigan’s poor planning. Excuse us,” he said and led Gwen away.

He bundled her into the waiting limo, where she leaned her head back against the seat and sighed. “And this is just the beginning,” she said.

Exhausted and raw from the exposure to invasive questions, Gwen entered the suite reserved for her and Luc and headed straight for one of the bedrooms. She immediately began to ditch her jewelry and accessories. She pulled off her earrings and necklace, kicked the designer shoes from her numb feet and reached for the zipper on her dress.

Luc’s hands covered hers, provoking a different set of emotions. “I can handle this,” he said.

Conflicted, she let him slide the zipper all the way down to the base of her spine. Cool air rushed over her bare skin, but his hands quickly replaced the dress.

“You did very well tonight. Between Leslie Shay and that crazed woman who approached us at the coatroom, I would have expected you to crack, at least a little, but you didn’t.”

A feeling of suffocation closed over her. Hating that she was being forced to live a lie again, she stepped away from Luc. “I was hoping people wouldn’t be asking questions about Peter.”

“You had a very public relationship,” Luc pointed out.

“Not by my choice,” she said, feeling a trickle of bitterness slide through her like acid.

“From the outside looking in, it appeared you enjoyed the attention as much as he did.”

“It was novel in the beginning, but very quickly I wanted to keep our relationship more private. Peter didn’t agree. He always said it was silly not to use our relationship to further our careers. I think it was more about his career.” She broke off, remembering the arguments they’d had. “I’m sure I don’t have to tell you how different a relationship can be on the inside from how it looks on the outside.”

“You haven’t talked about your marriage much,” he said.

“And I don’t want to now,” she said. “I think I could use a good night’s sleep.”

“Your bath is waiting,” he said with an unreadable expression on his face.

She blinked in surprise. “How did that happen?”

“I called ahead.”

Gwen’s conflicting feelings swelled inside her again. On one hand, she deeply resented that Luc had been the one to put her in the position of leading a public lie. On the other hand, she couldn’t help feeling protected when he sprang to her defense.

“I hate living a lie,” she said.

“It’s not my favorite thing either,” he said.

“How can we be involved? Having an affair in this situation? It’s insane. Is it just convenience?”

Luc gave a rough laugh. “I’d say my feelings for you are damn inconvenient. Maybe yours for me are, too. Do you really want to turn your back on them?”

“Yes,” she said. “Yes, I do.”

He stood there, looking at her, making her feel as if he could read her like a book, making her feel as if he knew the truth about how much she wanted him.

“I do want to turn my back on my feelings for you,” she admitted. “But I can’t.”

After the charity party, Luc and Gwen spent five days in near seclusion and Luc loved every minute of it. He was surprised at how much he liked being away from the insanity of L.A. Both he and Gwen knew, however, that the time was coming when they would need to go to L.A. and make appearances.

Luc conducted a conference call with his father and two brothers, along with his assistant so he wouldn’t need to duplicate his efforts. The call lasted until 6:00 p.m. He expected to find Gwen in the kitchen, thawing and reheating a meal his chef had sent, but she was nowhere around.

Pulling on his jacket, hat and gloves, he walked to the barn and found her in a stall with an elderly gelding. She stroked his neck and spoke to him in a soft, sweet voice.

He felt an overwhelming desire for more of her. He wanted more of her sex, more of her laughter, more of her trust. The strength of his passion seemed to ratchet upward with each passing day. At some point it would abate. It had to. Until then, he was determined to have her in every way possible.

Watching her pet the horse for a moment longer, he moved closer to the stall door.

She must have heard his movement because she looked over her shoulder at him. “Hi,” she said.

“Hi. Who do we have here?”

Gwen looked up at the black gelding. “Fred. I’ve spent more Friday and Saturday nights with this guy than any other since I moved to Montana. He was my first rescue, and he’d been so abused that the vet didn’t think he would survive. But he did.”

“Does he know all your secrets?” Luc asked.

She smiled. “Quite a few. Fred’s an excellent listener. No judgment, just nods and snorts every now and then.” She met Luc’s gaze. “We have to go to L.A. soon, don’t we?”

Hearing the note of dread in her voice, he nodded and entered the stall. “What are you afraid of?”

She bit her lip. “Being asked questions I don’t want to answer.”

“That’s easy,” he said. “You just practice a prepared response and change the subject to what you want to promote.”

She watched him silently as if she didn’t believe him.

“You’re worried about questions about your ex-husband and your marriage.”

“They keep digging. No matter what I tell them, they keep digging.”

He heard an undercurrent of pain, and his instincts went on alert. “Is there something I should know?”

“No,” she said quickly and turned away from him.

She was hiding something. “You should tell me,” he said. “It’s always better to be prepared.”

“It’s not that easy,” she said. “And it’s not something I discuss with anyone.”

He inclined his head toward the horse. “Including Fred?”

“Fred won’t tell,” she said, her lips twitching slightly. “And he always takes my side.”

He walked to her and pulled her against him. “Thank goodness Fred can’t do everything. You’ll enjoy this trip to L.A. Shopping, massages, spa rituals, all that girl stuff. Good food and most importantly…”

“The press junket,” she said miserably.

“No,” he said. “Me.”

She smiled. “Are all the Hudsons as insufferably secure as you are?”

“It helps when you’re born into the family,” he said, guiding her out of the stall. “You understand your place and purpose.”

“And yours is?”

“Problem solver,” he said.

She stopped, raising her hand to his jaw. “Mr. Fixit,” she said. “Do you ever want to take a break from it?”

“I’ve done that here,” he said. “For the first time in what feels like forever.”

“But you haven’t taken a break,” she said. “You rescued Pyrrha twice, and you’ve made appearances.”

“It didn’t feel the same,” he said, still figuring out what that meant for him.

“So maybe you’re not Mr. L.A. after all,” she teased.

“We’ll see,” he said. “You and I have one more night in no man’s land. Then it’s off to the ‘City of Angels’ and massages and great food. Tell me what you miss about the hood and I’ll make sure we hit everything.”

The following afternoon, they left for the airport and flew via private jet to L.A. Gwen had to admit that flying on a private jet was so civilized compared with commercial air travel. She sat across from Luc and ate fresh fruit and sandwiches. Chocolate truffles were waiting.

Luc worked on his laptop computer and chugged mineral water. “Our first appearance is two days from now,” he said, narrowing his eyes at the screen. “Charity for homelessness. Then the next day we’ve been asked to appear on a morning show.”

“If we’re not appearing for two days, why did we leave so early?”

He looked up from his computer. “So you can do a little shopping, get a massage and hopefully we can work in something else.”

“What?” she asked and ate another grape.

“I’ll tell you if I can make it happen.”

“What is it?” she demanded.

He shook his head. “I don’t want you to be disappointed. If I can pull it off, it will happen tonight.”

Gwen glanced down at her jeans, boots and sweater. “Should I be dressed differently?”

He shook his head again. “You’re dressed perfectly for this. When we land, be prepared for a shell game.”

She shook her head. “Oh, my. Luc Hudson, man of intrigue.”

He shot her a mocking look of threat. “This once, just trust me. If this works out, you’ll be pleased.”

“Now you’ve got me dying of curiosity.”

“Eat some chocolate.”

She ate several chocolates. After they landed at the private terminal, Luc told her to remain seated, and she watched the airline attendant and copilot get into a limo.

“Nice ride,” she murmured, watching as a hybrid vehicle approached the jet. “Who is riding in that?”

Luc shot her a mysterious grin. “We are.”

Before they descended the steps, Luc donned a pilot’s cap and the jet lights were dimmed. “Careful on the steps,” he said.

“A masquerade,” she said.

“Not totally,” he said. “I’m licensed to fly, but the car is borrowed. I don’t want it traced to either you or me.”

“Good grief,” she said as he helped her into the small car. Seconds later, he climbed in and pushed the driver’s seat back to allow him to stretch his legs. “Are you sure you haven’t ever worked for the CIA or FBI?”

“The CIA and FBI could take lessons from Hudson Pictures. Relax. This is going to take a while,” he said.

An hour and a half later, after a circuitous route through a residential Beverly Hills neighborhood, a drive down the freeway and another windy ride that seemed to backtrack, Luc pulled into a gated facility.

“New Beginnings,” she said, reading the sign. “Nicki is here. I get to see her!”

He gave his identification to security and nodded. “For a few minutes.”

Her heart squeezed tight in her chest. “Oh, Luc, I can’t tell you how much this means to me. I thought you said they wanted to keep the patients away from everyone, including family.”

“They do for the first week or so. She’s doing well, and her physicians agreed that a visit from you wouldn’t hurt her progress. In fact, they thought it would help. But for her protection and Hudson Pictures’, we didn’t want to publicize your visit.”

She nodded, amazed at the measures Luc had taken to make this happen. “I don’t know what to say. Thank you just isn’t enough.”

Luc pulled up to a side door of a building. “Go see your sister,” he said. “She’s waiting for you.”

Gwen’s eyes burned with tears, and she wrapped her arms around him. “Thank you,” she whispered and reveled in his strength for a moment before she got out of the car.

A male attendant was waiting at the door to allow her inside. “Miss McCord,” he said. “Your sister is waiting down the hall to the left.”

Anticipation growing inside her, she walked quickly down the hallway. Turning the corner, she looked into a parlor and saw Nicki sitting in a chair with her hands folded in her lap. Her blonde hair tied back in a ponytail, her face scrubbed free of makeup, Nicki looked like the little sister Gwen remembered from years gone by.

“Nicki,” she whispered.

Her sister’s head turned and Nicki met her gaze. Her expression was at first cautious, but when Gwen approached her with open arms, Nicki jumped up to meet her.

Nicki flew into her arms and burst into tears. “Gwen, I’m so sorry. I’ve made such a mess of things. I should have listened to you. Do you realize I almost k-k-killed that family—” Her voice broke and she sobbed.

“Hush,” Gwen said, cradling her sister. “The important thing is you realize you got offtrack and you’re getting the help you need.”

Pulling back, Nicki looked up at Gwen, her expression full of guilt. “And I’m so sorry you had to be dragged into this.”

“It’s just for a few weeks,” Gwen told her. “If that’s what it takes for you to find your way again, it’s a small sacrifice.”

“But I know how much you hate L.A.,” Nicki said, sniffling.

“But I’ll eat well,” Gwen said.

Nicki gave a shaky laugh. “You always try to find the good in the bad.”

“Survival skill,” Gwen said.

“Luc Hudson’s a tough one,” Nicki said. “But you know, he was so protective of me when all this happened. I was stunned. Before that, I could feel his impatience every time there was a memo from his assistant. But when I did this incredibly stupid thing, he was there and he got me where I needed to be. He was compassionate. I would never have expected that. I hear he’s tough with the actors and wields a glove of velvet steel with the press. I believe it now. Has he been a total pain in the ass?”

Gwen blinked. “Uh, no. He actually helped rescue a mare. He’s a horseman. Who knew?”

Nicki searched Gwen’s face. “You’re sure?You’re not lying? I don’t want you to take any abuse on my account.”

“Not if you count meals flown in from his chef and chocolate on the private flight to L.A.,” Gwen said with a smile.

Nicki chuckled. “So you’ve been in heaven,” she said.

“I wouldn’t say that,” Gwen said and took Nicki’s hand. “We don’t have much time. Tell me what’s going on with you.”

“I’m learning to be my own mom,” Nicki said sheepishly.

“Oh, you’ll be a great mom. And what a great daughter you have.”

“I’m so lucky I have you in my life,” Nicki said. “So lucky.”

“I feel the same way,” Gwen replied.

“I’m going to be better when I get out of here,” Nicki said.

“You already are,” Gwen said and hugged her sister again.

An hour later, she slid into the seat beside Luc. “You have officially become the superhero for the McCord women.”

He gave a noncommittal glance. “How is she?”

“Great. I can already tell this is exactly what she needed. I’m so grateful that you took her here. She is too.”

“Over the next two weeks, hold that thought,” he said grimly.

Gwen nodded. “It’s worth it. Anything is worth Nicki getting better.”

“Are you ready for the roller-coaster ride?”

“Probably not, but I’ll do what needs to be done,” she said, starting to come down after the high of seeing her sister.

“We’re staying at the family beach house tonight,” he said. “I thought you would enjoy the morning view. As far as the press is concerned, we’re at my bungalow.”

“When does the insanity start?”

“The day after tomorrow.”

“You’re pretty amazing,” she said, feeling the walls around her heart begin to crumble.

Moments later Luc drove through another security gate and up a winding road to a two-story cottage, where the lights and a middle-aged man dressed in denim welcomed them.

“Good evening, Mr. Hudson,” the man said and nodded toward her. “Good evening, ma’am.”

“This is Wilfred, but he goes by Fred. He’s been with the family since before I was born. Fred, this is Gwen McCord.”

“Pleasure to meet you, Miss McCord,” Fred said, pulling their luggage from the back of the car. “You’re more beautiful in person than your photos, if you don’t mind my saying so.”

“Fred’s a flirt,” Luc muttered.

“Thank you very much, Fred. You’re too kind. I’m partial to Freds,” Gwen said, shooting Luc a sideways glance.

“Is that so?” Fred said, swaggering a bit as he led them inside the cottage. “All that airbrushed hogwash. There’s nothing like the real thing. Real skin. Real beauty. And that’s what you’ve got. Now where should I take the luggage?”

“To my room,” Luc said. “My fiancée will be staying with me.”

Gwen blinked at his possessive tone.

“You finally found one worth keeping,” Fred said. “My congratulations.” He offered his hand to Luc and shook his hand, then turned to Gwen. “I believe it’s customary to give the bride best wishes.” He took Gwen’s hand and lifted it to his lips. “In this case you may need them,” he muttered.

Gwen laughed.

Luc scowled. “If anyone except you had said that—”

“Off with the head,” Fred finished for him. “Truthfully,” he said to Gwen. “He’s a good man.”

Gwen stood silently for a moment and nodded. “I know.”

The three climbed the stairs to a beautiful master suite that awaited with a bottle of champagne and flowers. Gwen walked to the shuttered front window and stared out at the sea below, white crests beating against the shore. She inhaled, wanting to smell the salty scent.

As if he sensed it, Luc cracked the window and she inhaled again. “It’s delicious,” she said, closing her eyes for a second. “I haven’t been back in over a year and I still love Montana best, but the ocean is a close second.”

“Speaking of delicious,” he said, and she felt the cool glass lifted to her lips. She opened her mouth and allowed the bubbly champagne to slide down her throat.

“This is too wonderful,” she whispered, knowing she was treading on dangerous ground. Being with Luc was so marvelous she never wanted it to end, but she knew it had to end sometime.

Not tonight, though, she told herself as she raised her mouth to his. Not tonight.