Hudson (22 page)

One more kiss and he left the room and the hospital.  The
moment he was settled in the backseat, he dialed one of his business contacts
from
Trois
. 

The phone was picked up on the third ring.  “Robert
Fitzgerald…and this better be an emergency.”

“This is Winters.”

There was rustling on the other end of the line.  “What can
I do for you, Winters?”

“Will you be at the club later?”

The older man laughed.  “It’s Melody’s birthday, there isn’t
a chance in hell I’d miss it.”

“I’d like to show you something.  Get your professional
feedback on it.”

“As a publisher?”

There was a heavy pause.  “Unless you recently became a
plumber…yes, as a publisher.”

“Winters, you can be such a spectacular bastard.  How
fortunate that everything you touch turns to gold.” 

“I’ll see you at the club.”  Without another word, he
disconnected. 

He spent the next half an hour handling business on Brie’s
behalf.  Lola was happy to set up an office for Izzy.  “It’s going to be
fascinating to have another person around who talks.”

“I
talk
.” 

“My
desk
is more talkative.  Your will shall be done,
my liege.” 

“Have I told you lately that you can be a bitch?” 

“Mm, compliments are unnecessary.  Alright, I have no time
to play with you.  My boss is downright cranky if his plans aren’t implemented
instantaneously.  I’m out.”

Lola hung up on him and he couldn’t help but grin. 

At his penthouse, he changed into the clothes Natalia left
for him that morning.  A ribbed tank top, dress shirt, retro pinstriped suit,
and suspenders.  He wore classic wingtips on his feet and slicked his hair back
with gel as requested. 

Laughing at himself but more excited about an event than
he’d been in a long time, he carefully folded the copies of Brie’s sketches and
tucked them in his pocket. 

As he slid into his car once again, he idly wondered what
Natalia would be wearing.

The valets were turned out in classic 1930’s wear and Hudson
told Leonard to take the rest of the night off since Natalia had her own car at
the club. 

“I’ll call you tomorrow after twelve.”

“Yes, sir.  Thank you, sir.” 

Trois
was impressive in burlesque style for Melody’s
fortieth birthday bash.  Beads, satin, and lace decorated the space in deep
burgundy and black. 

Natalia turned to speak to one of her staff as Hudson
entered and he stumbled to a stop.  She towered over the young server who was
similarly dressed but currently barefoot. 

“Was Etta able to fix the strap?”  The woman nodded. 
“Excellent.  Remind me to order you a new pair.  You’re damn lucky it didn’t
give way coming down the stairs.”  They chatted for a moment and she walked
away with a smile.

His best friend was costumed for the evening in a blue and
black lace-up corset and satin tap pants with thigh-high stockings on garters
that lead to retro black heels.  Her legs looked a mile long.  As breathtaking
as the outfit was, it was not what caught and held his attention. 

Natalia was blonde.

Her natural color was accompanied by the curls he hadn’t
seen since they were twelve.  Tiny, jeweled clips pulled it back to frame her
face and made the blue of her eyes radiate. 

At that moment, she glanced up and their gazes locked. 

She self-consciously touched her tresses and he assumed the
look on his face as he walked toward her told her exactly what was on his
mind.  He didn’t stop until they were close enough for the fabric of her corset
to brush his chest with every breath. 

It had been many years since Hudson had seen his best friend
unsure of her appearance.  Clothing and style was armor she used to insulate
herself from the rest of the world.  Something he’d come to realize in their
past months together. 

“Hudson, I…”

“Ssh.  Let me look at you.”  He reached up to stroke his
fingers through the honey blonde hair he’d all but forgotten.  “You look
beautiful.  You always look so fucking
beautiful
.”

In the main foyer of her club, in front of her employees, he
kissed her.  It was the first time anyone close to them had seen them touch
intimately and he heard more than one gasp. 

His heart made the same sound as he publicly claimed the one
woman who had held his heart in her competent hands for the majority of his
lifetime.  Any doubt, any hesitation in putting their friendship on the line,
fled as if it had never existed.

One hand slid beneath her silken hair to cup her nape and
hold her in place, taking her breath and giving it back.  His arm circled her
waist and he distantly heard the clipboard she’d been holding hit the marble. 
Delicate hands moved over his chest and wrapped around his neck as Natalia
stole every rational thought from his mind. 

When he broke the kiss at some point that time didn’t
matter, the air around them was still. 

“I love you.  With every cell in my body, with every ounce
of emotion I possess, with all my strengths and my flaws.  You are
mine
. 
I stake my claim, Natalia.  Do you accept me?”

There was a slight pause as she stared deeply into his
eyes.  Then she whispered, “I love you and offer you my most precious
belongings.  My body, my mind, my heart, and my soul.  To do with as your will
and passion dictates.”

To people such as them, the words were as serious as wedding
vows.  The importance was not lost on her staff and as he scooped her into his
arms, they clapped and cheered behind them. 

He carried her to her office, kicked the door closed behind
them, and set her on her feet.  He pinned her to the wall as he reached behind
her to turn the lock. 

One long leg wrapped around his hip as he ground his cock
against her.  Touching his forehead to hers, he worked to steady his heart and
his breathing. 

“I’m sorry I waited so long.”

“You waited just the right amount of time, Hudson.”

“Natalia?”

“Yes?”

“It might take time to get used to the blonde.  You’ve never
sucked my cock as a blonde.”

“We should correct that oversight then.”

He smiled and took a step back.  Shrugging off his jacket,
he dropped the suspenders from his shoulders as his hands went to the closure
of the slacks.

“On your knees.”

Keeping reading
for a sneak peek of the next book set in “
The
Barter System
” world!

Gabriella Hernandez grinned up at her companions for the
evening and she knew her excitement was a
physical
thing.  She was so
grateful that her release from the hospital came in time for her to attend the
Bishop Foundation theater benefit. 

She’d seen several rehearsals of
Not that Desperate
months ago and when one of her best friends told her he had tickets to the
exclusive charity event, she almost swooned like a Victorian maiden. 

After almost four months within the confines of one floor,
she was practically drunk with freedom.  Her physical therapy would continue
for another year but there would come a day that she would be able to walk on
her own without the pain and fatigue she experienced now. 

She could use a walker for short distances but a wheelchair
was required if there was a chance she’d be on her feet for more than ten or
fifteen minutes. 

Hudson Winters was stunningly turned out in a classic tuxedo
and his black hair was swept back from his face.  He was being his typical
overprotective self and she adored him for it. 

“Stop frowning.  You are so much
prettier
when you
smile.” 

He laughed.  “You are the only woman on the planet that
would ever call me pretty, Brie.” 

A small growl issued from his chest as he gently maneuvered
her chair around people in the lobby who didn’t move fast enough for his
liking. 

Natalia Roman winked at her.  “Darling, you know he likes to
be considered
fierce
and
terrifying
.” 

The statuesque – now
blonde
– woman could have
appeared on the cover of any magazine in her sleek Valentino gown.  In her
strappy stilettos, she and Hudson were the same height. 

“I know.  I try to remember but…I can’t.  He has so many
teddy bear-like character traits.”  She felt him tug on one of the black curls
that her sister Isabella fashioned into an up-do a mere hour before they
arrived to pick her up.  It made her laugh.  “See?”

Brie gave a little clap and said breathlessly, “Let me see
it again.  I want to be dazzled.”  Natalia held out her left hand and Brie
squealed for the third time as she took in the princess cut diamond set in
platinum with black diamonds around it. 

“You are
the man
, no shit.  You totally nailed it with
this ring, Hudson.”

“You and Izzy designed the fucking ring, Brie.  I already
told her.”

“Yes but you had the good sense to
listen
and that
makes you
the man
.”  She pitched her voice low and both of them
laughed.  “I’m so happy you invited me to this.  I’m like a fat kid with a
table full of cake.”  To Natalia, she whispered, “Are you sure about the dress?” 

“Ask me
one
more time.  Friends make sure friends get
the spanks they deserve.”

“I just…”

“You look spectacular.  With the procedure and months of
hospital food, we’re going to have to cram you full of carbs to get your
previous curves back.”

“No thanks.  I don’t think I’ve been this light since sixth
grade.” 

Natalia and Izzy had taken her measurements as she stood
carefully with her walker in the bathroom.  Then her sister worked her magic to
find what she considered an event-appropriate gown. 

It was a blue so dark that it appeared black without direct
lighting.  Thick straps tied around her neck and the scoop of the bodice bared
more cleavage than she ever dared before her breast reduction surgery.  The
boning hid the fact that she was soft from weight loss that happened far too
fast and the flared chiffon layered bottom made the wheelchair less
noticeable. 

Hudson brought her chair to a stop as they exited the elevator. 
He came around and crouched beside her. 

“Brie.  You are aware that we love you.”

“Yes, Hudson.”

“You are aware that our friendship will continue until our
last breath.”

She smiled.  “You and Natalia are
death before dishonor
kinds of friends.  I’m well aware.”

“You are a
beautiful
woman, inside and out.  I would not
lie to you.”

“Your integrity is one of the things I find most attractive
about you.”

“One day, you’re going to be back on your feet in every
way.  Then we will work on building you up again.  Your confidence has taken an
understandable hit but the accident does not change the fact that you are
gorgeous and talented.”

On her other side, Natalia bent to kiss her cheek.  “The man
– or
men
if Tawny and Riya have anything to say about it – who snags you
will know how lucky he is and he will spend his life showing you how fucking
wonderful you are.” 

“I hear what you’re saying and I love you for it.  I’m in
no
rush.  I love hanging out with you guys, Tawny and her hotties, or Riya and the
oh-so-British M’s.  I’m not in any condition to look now nor would I be capable
of anything even remotely fun if I happened upon some perfect person anyway. 
I’m focused on myself until further notice and I feel incredible on the
inside.  I
would
like to say that is the prettiest bra I’ve ever seen,
Natalia.”

Hudson snorted and Natalia blinked. 

“I’ll buy you the set tomorrow.  Brat.  Your new boobies
will be perfect in it.”  She fluffed Brie’s skirts and stood to the side so he
could push her into the box he’d purchased for the evening.

“I’m sorry we’re here so early.  I know it isn’t usual but…I
felt nervous about being in the chair around so many people.”

“Hush.  You are one of the few people I like to talk to so
we will talk.  The restaurant we want you to try is open until three in the
morning and we will feed you after the play and the party.  Izzy and my mother
are meeting us.”

“Did I ever tell you the story about the play?  How it came
about and what happened once the theater was found?”  Hudson and Natalia shook
their heads.  “I heard the whole thing from the Johannson twins’ mom.  The
girls filled in the dirty,
dirty
details.”

Natalia rubbed her hands together in anticipation.  “I once
dated the Zelders…separately.  They’re wonderfully fun and extremely close. 
They are stalked by reporters but manage to remain surprisingly private.  You’ve
earned their trust if they’ve allowed you any access at all.”

“I redesigned the marketing for their second season – which
they still use – as well as the new websites for each of the girls and the
brothers.”  She grinned.  “I charged them a mint.” 

“Good girl.  They can fucking afford it.”  Hudson crossed
his hands over his stomach.

“Speaking of being able to afford it, I was stalking your
corporate website last week because I was bored out of my goddamn mind.  It’s
fine for what it is but I can do it better.”  He raised his brows in surprise. 
She winked at Natalia.  “For the ridiculous spa day you treated me to, I’ve
already started re-working yours for the club.”

Natalia tilted her head.  “You’re designing a new website?”

“Oh yeah.  You need to think bigger.  I can’t wait to show
you the Members Only section I’ve been tossing around in my rather scattered
brain lately.”

“You will do both websites and I will put you on retainer.”

“Bossy.  I’m charging you a fortune and you’re going to love
cutting the check.”  She stared off into space for a moment then touched her
temple.  “Where was I?  Oh, yes…the backstage story about the Zelders and the
Johannsons.” 

Her companions watched her anxiously.  “I’m fine.  You know
the smack on my noggin causes a little disconnect sometimes.  The doctors found
no long-term damage.” 

A waiter interrupted them to ask if they wanted
refreshments.  Hudson ordered two bottles of wine and two bottles of sparkling
water with lemon for Brie. 

At her pout, he said gruffly, “Too many medications.  You aren’t
allowed alcohol.”

The drinks arrived and she sipped hers happily.  Giving
Hudson fits gave her the giggles.  Natalia gave her a knowing smile and she
cleared her throat. 

“It all started when Madeline Johannson wrote this naughty
little play based on the sisters’ dating history.  It was wonderfully flip
about love in general.  They knew they wanted to perform it in New York.  They
had to find the
perfect
place…” 

“Backstage” coming
in 2014!