Embrace Me (4 page)

Soft moans shattered through Hudson's deep sleep. Busting up off the pillows, Allie gasped in a deep breath that seemed to be biting down on a scream.

Hudson shot up with her. “What's the matter?” He slipped an arm around her shoulders and he could feel the cold sweat that had dampened every inch of her skin. The penthouse heater was blowing on full blast—not to mention she was sleeping next to him, a living furnace as Allie frequently pointed out—yet she was ice-cold and shivering.

“Are you okay?” He gently swept her blond hair away from her face.

“I'm fine.” Allie wiped at her eyes before meeting his concerned gaze. Her words were meant to reassure, but what he was seeing didn't jive with what she was selling.

Hudson lifted a brow and scrutinized every nuance of her face.

“Really, I am,” she said again. But this time she didn't look at him, focusing her attention instead on the bedding. She smoothed out the blankets and rolled them back in a thick fold. Yeah, he wasn't buying this bullshit. His beautiful, perfect, and downright brilliant woman didn't sound right. In fact, the tone in her voice was all wrong.

“Talk to me, Allie.”

Allie closed her eyes and sagged as she blew out a breath. He'd been through the sleep-time PTSDs and knew from experience that she was trying to shake off the remnants of whatever images had been playing on repeat in her head. And he'd bet a million to one that it wasn't some far-flung nightmare conjured from fantasy. Not when reality had been so much worse than any horror movie. So many times after pulling himself out of the night terrors, he'd wished it had all just been a bad dream and not segments of his reality burping its way through his psyche. Because that's the shit that stayed with you. Like a bad stain on your favorite shirt.

“It's just sometimes . . .”

Hudson dipped his head to catch her eye. “Sometimes?”

“Really, it's nothing. Just a dream.” Allie gave him a half-assed smile. “Let's go back to sleep.”

She tried to pull away but Hudson wasn't having it. “Alessandra, you're evading. And if I recall, that crap didn't fly when I attempted to pull the same routine with you.”

Allie refocused on him, then hesitated. Sadness from one hell of the nightmare was in her eyes. He pulled her against his chest and leaned back against the pillows. Holding her tight, he felt her finally relax into him.

“Take your time, baby. What was it about?”

She swallowed hard as if the blackness was still closing in on her and retelling the horror of it all was grabbing at her throat.

“Mostly images from that night.” Allie paused and drew a deep breath through her nose. “I close my eyes and I see it all over again.” She didn't specify which night and she didn't have to. Hudson knew she was referring to the evening she'd arrived at her childhood home to find her parents lying in pools of their own blood. “You know, when I was little I used to sneak down that hall to my dad's office. He'd be in there most nights and nearly every weekend, but when I would peek my head around the door he'd smile and wave me in.” She was looking at him but her gaze was distant. “I'd sit in one of those big leather chairs, swinging my feet back and forth while he talked on the phone, and when he was done he'd ask me about school or my dolls or dance class.” The corner of her mouth turned up ever so slightly. “And he'd always have a butterscotch candy for me when I left.”

Allie looked down at her hands. Her fingers were clutching a section of the bed sheet. “I used to hate the way my mom obsessed over every detail of that gaudy dining room. But she loved it. Her own mini Versailles, she used to say. Then Julian's shooter riddled those mirrors with bullet holes. Now whenever I think of either of them, all I can picture is the . . .”

Her voice cracked as it trailed off. Hudson reached up and stroked her hair with his hand. He'd seen the crime scene photos. There weren't any words that could erase those images from a daughter's mind. As for that French fuck, he couldn't imagine a hell that was punishment enough for him.

“And it's not just my parents that haunt my sleep. It's Julian,” she said, as if reading Hudson's mind. “I know he's gone and he can't hurt us anymore, but it seems so real that sometimes I swear I can actually smell the stench of his cologne.” She shook her head. “It's like he's figured out a way to torture me even from the grave.”

“It's not surprising that you'd experience nightmares given all you went through this winter. The losses and the trauma you sustained were significant. And it's only natural that Julian plays into them. He's the one who took your parents from you.”

Tears started to pool in Allie's eyes. “And he almost took you, too. If I'd lost you that night—”

Hudson pressed his lips against hers, silencing her with a tender kiss. “You haven't lost me. I'm right here. And I always will be.” He kissed her again and tasted the salt from the tears that had streaked down her face. When he pulled back he held her stare with his, willing her to feel his love and concern. “But I think it would be a good idea if you spoke to someone more qualified than me.”

Allie opened her mouth for what Hudson knew was going to be a litany of objections. He immediately cut her off at the pass. “Why Mrs. Chase, you aren't about to balk at seeing a therapist when you practically dragged me by the short and curlies to have my head shrunk.”

A small laugh escaped Allie's mouth. “You have a point, Mr. Chase, not to mention a way with words.” She reached up and ran her fingers through Hudson's hair. “I'll make an appointment for next week.”

Hudson caught her hand in his and pressed his lips against the center of her palm. “I'm afraid your calendar is completely booked next week. The week after as well.”

“What?” A frown creased Allie's delicate brow, then faded as a genuine smile curved her lips. Bingo. Just the reaction he was going for. “What are you up to?” she asked.

“I promised you I would take care of everything and that's exactly what I've done.”

“For our wedding?”

Hudson meant to give nothing more than a nod but he couldn't hide his proud grin.

“But what? When? Where?” Allie hit him with questions at rapid fire.

“That is top secret information. Strictly a need-to-know basis.”

“Well, can you at least tell me when we leave? I'll need to pack and you know how long that takes me.” There was his girl. She was back and the remnants of the nightmare were no longer present in their bedroom.

He glanced over his shoulder at the clock. “In about an hour.” In a swift move he rolled her beneath him. “Which means we have plenty of time to rehearse the honeymoon.”

“Wait.” Allie pressed her hands against Hudson's chest and pushed. “I want to wait.”

Undeterred, Hudson dipped his head and dragged his lips up her throat. “Wait for what?”

“To have sex—”

“Make love,” he corrected as he swept a hand up her ribcage, pushing the silk fabric of her nightgown out of the way as he did.

“— until after the ceremony.”

Hudson froze, then reared back, hoping like hell he'd find a teasing smile on his wife's face. No such luck. “Sweet hell, Alessandra, you imposed that ridiculous rule before our first wedding. Now we're already married. The cat's out of the bag.” He grinned. “Although I'm fairly sure you're still allowed to wear white.”

Allie let out an exasperated breath. “Hudson.”

“I'm playing. I don't give a damn what color you wear, Allie. Red, white, and blue for all I care.” He dipped his head again. This time his target was the hardened nipple straining against her nightgown like a beacon calling him home.

“So you want me to wear a Wonder Woman costume?”

Hudson lifted his head. “Hey, now we're talking.”

“Hudson, I'm serious.”

“As am I. Although truth be told, I'd be happy with the gold Princess Leia bikini as well.”

“No, absolutely not.” She framed his face with her hands and fixed him with that look of hers that never failed. “Nothing about our courtship has been traditional. You've given me so much, but can you humor me with this? Please?”

“Fine. I'll agree to this preposterous sex embargo, but only once we reach our destination. Deal?”

Allie pulled her nightgown over her head and tossed it to the floor. “Deal.”

Hudson growled his approval. “I like the way you negotiate, Mrs. Chase.”

There was no doubt in Hudson's mind that his driver would be waiting for them in the basement garage of the Palmolive Building. While he and Allie might have been running a few minutes behind schedule, he'd have bet dollars to shit piles that Max was running a few ticks of the clock ahead.

Every detail of their trip had been planned down to the letter from location and staffing, to flowers and desserts. Hell, he'd even selected which crystal they would use for their toast. And with all of his contacts well utilized, he had been able to pull it off in record time. True to his word, he had relieved Allie's stress and taken care of everything. He might have sent a few wedding coordinators into early retirement in the process, but as if he gave a flying fuck. This was for Allie. He would deliver her the stars if she wanted them, but in this case all she wanted was an intimate evening to celebrate with family and friends, and that's exactly what she was going to get. He'd just upped the stakes by hosting the little soiree in one of the world's most exclusive locations.

Of course the ceremony and reception were nothing compared to the honeymoon he'd been planning pretty much since the moment he'd woken up in that godforsaken hospital. The gunshot wound he'd sustained in January might have kept him bedridden a bit longer than he would have liked, but his ability to use his laptop and phone were all he'd needed. And on some of the tougher days, thoughts of two weeks in paradise with his beautiful wife were all that got him through the endless stream of doctors and nurses who took turns poking and prodding him.

But it would all be for nothing if they never made it out of Chicago. Hudson checked his watch. Again. His wife gave new meaning to the phrase, “I'll just need a minute.” And thank fuck for private planes, because one hour and forty-six minutes later they were finally rolling onto the tarmac.

“Now will you tell me where we're going?” Allie asked as she wrapped her hand around his bicep.

Hudson smirked at the inquisitive nature he knew would never change. Not that he would want it to. “Patience, baby.”

“Stubborn man.”

A chuckle vibrated deep in his chest. “I'll own that. But trust me, it will be well worth it.” Max eased the car to a stop in front of a jet with
CHASE INDUSTRIES
emblazoned on the tail.

Hudson curled his fingers around the door handle. “Ready?”

“To know where we're going? Yes,” Allie said in a second attempt to squeeze him for the answer. Twice in as many minutes. That was an impressive rate even for her.

“You'll know soon enough. I promise.” Hudson swung the door open and unfolded himself from the limo. He buttoned his jacket as he turned back toward the car, then offered his hand to Allie.

“Yeah, yeah, yeah,” she said, smiling as she placed her hand in his palm and slid out of the car. “Where have I heard that before?”

Hudson waved his hand at the stairs. “After you, Mrs. Chase.”

Allie gripped the handrail, then glanced over her shoulder at him. “You're really not going to tell me, are you?”

“Nope.” Hudson sliced his head to the left as his lips twitched in a smirk.

“Fine.” Accepting the temporary defeat, Allie turned around and began to climb the stairs.

The pilot was waiting for them at the entrance. “Welcome aboard, Mrs. Chase, Mr. Chase.” He nodded to them both. “I adjusted the manifest and we're cleared for departure whenever you're ready, sir.”

Hudson shook his hand. “Thank you, Patrick.”

“Good afternoon, Mr. and Mrs. Chase,” Natalie, the flight attendant, said as she came through the polished wood door that separated the small kitchenette from the main cabin. “Pleasure to see you both again. Your guests are here and comfortably seated.”

Allie's eyes shot to Hudson. “Guests?”

He cocked his head toward the rear of the plane. “See for yourself.”

She stepped through the doorway and within seconds there was a litany of girlish squeals that likely had dogs howling for miles. Sweet hell. Hudson shoved a finger in his ear and gave it a wriggle before following Allie into the cabin, where he found the two women hugging it out like a couple of teenage school girls. Nick was there, too, kicking back on the leather sofa that flanked the side of the plane.

“S'up, bro?” Nick lifted a black mug that had steam curling out of it and little marshmallows floating on top.

“Nick.” Hudson nodded. “Hitting the hard stuff, I see.”

“Need something to ease the pain of the migraine giving birth in my frontal lobe.” He took a sip. “Harper, babe, scale the volume down.”

“Can't help it,” Harper said, giving Allie another squeeze. “This is amazing!”

“I'll second that,”Allie said, turning and throwing her arms around Hudson.

“Surprise, baby.” He dropped a kiss onto her mouth. “You like?”

“Very much. How in the world did you have time to arrange all of this?”

“I'm a man of means, Alessandra.”

“And a full staff.” She gave him a playful nudge, then raised up on her tiptoes to press a kiss to his lips. “Thank you.”

“More of that later,” he whispered.

“What about Colin?” Harper asked. “His text this morning made it seem like he was joining us.”

“He'll be there. He's flying commercial, as are the rest of the guests”

“But there's plenty of room and Colin would love the private jet.” Allie reached for her phone. “Let me try his cell. We can hold the plane, can't we?”

“He had a few items to wrap up at the office.” Hudson took the phone out of Allie's hands and powered it off. “Trust me, he won't be uncomfortable in first class.”

“True that,” Nick chimed in. “Unlimited cocktails.”

“And he'll probably spend the entire flight chatting up a cute flight attendant,” Harper added with a giggle.

“Win-win if you ask me, cause now there's even more room for us.” Nick stretched his legs out on the sofa. “I gotta say this plane is the shit, bro.” His brows shot up. “Hey, can I see the cockpit?”

“By all means.”

“Hell yeah!” Nick set his cup of steaming chocolate down and jumped out of his seat. “Think they'll let me fly this tin can?”

“No. And don't touch anything.”

“Simmer, Captain Grumpy. I'll keep my hands in my pockets like a three-year-old in a china shop.”

Hudson unbuttoned his jacket and handed it to Natalie to hang up for the long flight. He lowered himself into the chair next to Allie's and instinctively reached for her hand. As he leaned back into the plush leather seat, he tried to remember the last time they were all together in a situation that didn't involve personal tragedy of epic proportions. They had been through a significant amount of drama since Christmas, drama along the lines of a French fuck kidnapping his wife, blackmail, and, oh yeah, that little gunshot incident that had left him hanging between earth and the heavens with a hole in his gut. But life had eventually calmed down and slid into a semblance of a routine. They were damn lucky to have gone through hell and broken through to the other side with everyone still in one piece.

Hudson leaned closer to Allie, and with a gentle finger turned her face toward his. He brushed his lips over hers and lingered there for a few seconds.

“Get a room,” Nick hollered as he strolled out of the cockpit.

“I plan to,” Hudson said with a devilish grin.

“About that.” Nick took a seat in one of the recliners and started to pin on a set of wings the pilot must have gifted him. “How come you get a hotel-size bedroom with a fat-ass king bed and we're left to catch some z's in chairs?”

“Perks of owning the jet.”

“Well, chair or not, I plan on being asleep as soon as we're in the air.”Harper scooped a handful of warm nuts out of the china bowl Natalie had placed on the table. “I mean, after dinner, that is.”

Patrick's disembodied voice came over the PA system. “Good afternoon and welcome aboard. The tower has cleared us for departure. Flight crew prepare for takeoff.”

Natalie made the rounds to ensure that all seat belts were fastened, then buckled herself into the jump seat. The plane began taxiing to the runway and a few moments later it surged forward. Hudson felt the G's as the jet became airborne and the landing gear was retracted with a notable thump. They climbed steadily, and once they'd reached cruising altitude Natalie served a dinner of chicken breasts in a light marsala sauce. Forks clinked and crystal glasses chimed. The conversation was easy, with random interjections from Nick that left Hudson shaking his head and the rest of the group laughing.

When Allie finished eating, she wiped her mouth with the linen napkin, folded it, and set it to the side of her plate. Hudson watched as she stared out the small window. He could practically see her brain running on all four pistons. No doubt she was calculating coordinates in an effort to decipher their projected destination. It was only a matter of time until she asked him again, but until then . . .

Hudson took a sip of wine and set his glass down. “Did you enjoy dinner?”

Nick leaned back and rubbed his belly. “Hell yeah, bro. Even better than those snooty five-star restaurants you like.”

“How about you, Alessandra? Did you enjoy your meal?”

“Of course.” Allie turned to look at him. “But more importantly, now that you have us all trapped,” she glanced out the window again, “somewhere over the Atlantic, will you please tell me where we are headed?”

Hudson pulled her closer and dropped a quick kiss on her mouth. “I see my wife has an excellent sense of direction to go with her beauty and brains.”

Allie smiled at him. “Don't try and distract me with flattery, Chase. I want to know where we're going.”

“I wouldn't mind knowing that myself. The suspense is killing me,” Harper said. She finished off the last of her wine, then added, “Not that I object to your kidnapping us all, mind you.”

“He wouldn't even tell me and I'm his brother. What happened to blood being thicker than water?”

Hudson smirked. “Not applicable here due to your inability to keep secrets.” There wasn't a chance in hell he'd have trusted his brother or his blabbermouth girlfriend with the details of this trip. Not when Allie was in full-tilt detective mode.

“Well, your ability to keep them is getting old. Spill, bro,”

Ignoring his brother, Hudson turned his attention to his wife. “The last time I tried to whisk you away, our trip was cut short by he who shall not be named.” He felt Allie tense against him and he tightened his hold. “So I thought we would have what Ms. Hayes would so eloquently refer to as a ‘do-over'.” Their previous attempt at a romantic vacation had taken a straight shot to hell. Hudson wanted to wipe the slate clean and provide them with nothing but good memories this time, both together and with the people closest to them.

“Using my lingo, Chase?” Harper reached under her seat to retrieve a small bag, then pulled out an eye mask that was detailed with embroidery of closed lids and lashes. “Careful, your like for me is showing.”

Realization dawned, and Allie sat up in her seat. “We're going to Italy?”

Hudson nodded. “The north this time, though. Foothills of the Alps.”

“Really?”

He chuckled. “Yes, but that's all the information you get for now.” He pegged her with an amused grin and cross his leg at the knee.

“What do you know, the Muscled Mogul has a sentimental heart,” Harper said to no one in particular. She slid the mask over her eyes, rested her head on Nick's shoulder, and burrowed into the leather seat. “For the record, I approve,” she mumbled.

Nick covered Harper with the blanket Natalie had provided and within a few minutes they were both asleep, leaving the cabin quiet but for the low drone of the jet's engines.

Hudson lifted his phone from his pocket and sent Allie a text.

I don't think I've ever seen the redhead this quiet.

Allie's phone vibrated against the small lacquered table in front of them. She reached for it, and when she read the brief missive, smiled.

I need an eye-rolling emoji
she texted back.

What you need is to get your pretty little ass to the bedroom. And FYI—There is an eye-rolling emoji with the latest update.

Allie tilted her head.
But I'm not tired.

We won't be sleeping.

Forgetting the rules so soon?

The deal was no sex once we reached our destination.

Allie frowned at the screen, then looked up at Hudson, confused.

We have yet to arrive.

She smiled and bit her tongue as she typed.
A loophole?

Bedroom, Alessandra. Now. I won't ask again.

Allie's breath caught at his command. Her thumbs were still hovering over her phone as she looked up at him—lips parted, cheeks flushed, and pupils dilated. Christ, he'd had her only a few hours ago, but that wasn't enough. He wanted her now; it was the only thing that made sense in his mind and to his cock. To practice any semblance of restraint was agonizing. So why set himself up for failure?

Hudson leveled his stare. Alessandra slowly rose from her seat with her phone gripped tight in her hand and, doing as she was told, moved toward the bedroom at the rear of the plane. A few seconds later Hudson heard the distinct click of the door, quietly shutting so as to not wake up Nick and Harper, who were now out cold.

He swirled the remaining scotch and the cubes rattled against the crystal glass. As he watched the liquid cascade around the spherical chunk of ice, he couldn't help but recall the first time he and Allie enjoyed the luxuries of his private jet. Her perfect naked body had been stretched out on the king-size bed, waiting for his commands. He hadn't hesitated and took her on all fours in the most primal way—hard and raw. His cock had surged in and out of her while his hands had been locked to her hips. Damn, he thought, the sex that night had been out of control, and according to his cock and balls, he was ready to go again. Inhaling through his nose, he felt another wave of need course through his veins, his muscles tightening and his dick pulsing.