Fixed on You (25 page)

Maybe Hudson and I could be
strength for each other. It was a dangerous thought, putting too much
importance into our solely physical relationship, but whom was I kidding? I’d
long passed the moment when my emotions had entered into the picture. What was the
point of fighting it longer?

Maybe we could be...more.
                I’d missed some of the conversation, lost in my own head, but
Sophia’s raised voice drew me back. “—can’t understand how you could tell her?
What if she exposes you? Exposes us? Our family doesn’t need that kind of
scandal.”

“My life is more than a scandal
waiting to happen, Mother.”

“Your life is a series of
scandals. Scandals that your father and I are continuously cleaning up. Your
bartender whore is just the next scandal.”

Even though I’d promised myself
to not let her get to me, Sophia’s insult was a punch in the gut. My eyes
stung, but before tears could form, Hudson’s defense softened the blow.

“Don’t you dare talk about Alayna
like that again. If you do, I—“

“Finding out anything good?”
                I jumped away from the door, the unfamiliar male’s voice behind
me both startling and shaming me for being caught eavesdropping. I forced my
eyes to his and blushed even deeper. The chiseled face was more attractive in
person than in the pictures I’d seen on the Internet, and the resemblance to his
son so striking it was almost eerie, as if I were viewing Hudson thirty years
in the future. He looked younger than the sixty years I knew him to be, his
frame trim with only a slight paunch, and his features striking against his
goatee and long salt and peppered hair. 

Hudson’s father cocked his head
and stroked his goatee, a gesture that seemed so natural I imagined he
frequently employed it. “I’m judging by the look on your face that you already
know who I am.”

“Yes. You’re Jonathan Pierce.”

“And you…hmm…don’t tell me…” He
looked me over in such a way that I knew he appreciated what he saw, yet I
didn’t feel ogled. “You’re a little old for Chandler, and Mira doesn’t ever
pick friends who are prettier than her. That leaves Hudson. I’d heard a rumor he
was dating someone, but I never imagined it was true.”

His tone was charming and easy, a
hint of a drawl revealing his Texas roots. His manner relaxed me even though
I’d been caught in an embarrassing situation. “I’m Hudson’s girlfriend, Alayna
Withers.” I held my hand out to him. “But please call me Laynie, Mr. Pierce.”

He took my hand with both of his
and held it as he spoke. “My friends call me Jack, and I have a feeling we’re
going to be great friends.” He patted my hand, the action managing to stay just
on the right side of the okay/creepy line. When he let go, he nodded his head
toward the kitchen. “Who’s in there anyway?”

A guilty smile lined my lips.
“Hudson and your wife.”

Jack rolled his head
dramatically. “Please refrain from reminding me I’m married to that woman.” His
eye twinkled mischievously. “We obviously don’t want to go in there. Have you
been given a tour of Mabel Shores?”

“Mabel Shores?”

“If Hudson hasn’t told you the
name of this house, he’s certainly not given you a tour. How lucky that I’m
available to do the honor.” He offered me his arm. “Shall we?”

I hesitated only a second, Jack’s
charismatic demeanor impossible to turn down. Besides, Hudson had said our sham
was meant to convince both his parents. Spending time with his father could
only be beneficial to the cause. And the truth was, though I knew Hudson
expected me, postponing my next face-to-face with Sophia sounded like an
excellent idea.

Jack leisurely led me through the
house, providing historical and architectural trivia spattered with the
occasional humorous anecdote. The main floor featured a spacious living room,
library, gym, and a media room as well as two guestrooms. The décor remained
traditional throughout, but very up-to-date and stylish.

He ignored showing me the upstairs,
stating that there wasn’t much to see besides the bedrooms. We also avoided the
dining room and kitchen, slipping out the French doors in the office on the
opposite side of the house to explore the grounds instead.

We talked easily throughout the
tour, Jack’s charm never faltering. Though he was more than twice my age and
the father of my lover, I adored him and his shameless flirting. He was
harmless and fun and much more pleasant than I’d ever imagined a renowned
businessman could be. I began to piece together the Pierce family,
understanding Mira’s welcoming personality now that I’d met Jack. I could even
spot what Hudson had inherited, recognizing his magnetism and sexual prowess
came from his father. And the playfulness that Hudson occasionally adopted—that
was his dad.

When we’d circled most of the
east gardens and were headed back toward the house, Jack grew somewhat serious.
“So you and Hudson…that’s a pleasant surprise.”

“I’m not sure that I want to know
what’s surprising about us.”

“Nothing bad. Hudson doesn’t date
much. I’m glad to see that the girl he finally brought home is someone as
delightful as you. I hope it sticks.”

I smiled. “Thank you.” I savored
my next words as I said them, relishing the sweetness of their honesty. “I’m
quite stuck on the man. I’ve fallen for him pretty hard.”

Jack stared at me, reading my
face. “Yes, I believe you have. That’s wonderful. Truly.”

His sincerity was touching, and a
rush of emotion surged in my chest. It felt good to have someone rooting for
our fake relationship. It validated my growing belief in the possibility of
more. 

My confidence was short-lived,
however, Jack’s next words reminding me of the barriers lying between Hudson
and myself. “What was Sophia saying about you? I’ve been dying to ask.”

“When? Oh.” I turned away,
pretending to admire the purple grapelike flowers lining the cobblestone path.

He pushed gently, understanding
lacing his words. “It had to be not very nice. You were ashen when I found
you.”

I sighed, thinking how best to sum
up what I’d overheard and how it made me feel. “She doesn’t like me.”

Jack shrugged. “Sophia doesn’t
like anyone.” He didn’t bother to hide his own disdain for the woman, and I
wondered how he had ended up with her in the first place. “But I imagine she especially
doesn’t like you. Which is why it’s so delicious that I do.”

Shaking my head, I ignored his
teasing. “Is it because of me or because of Hudson?”

“The reasons I like you have
absolutely nothing to do with Hudson.”

I leveled a stern look in Jack’s
direction. “I was talking about Sophia—your wife. Why does she especially not like
me?”

Jack stroked his goatee and
resumed walking toward the house. “It isn’t you.”

Bartender whore.
I
followed him, Sophia’s earlier remarks resounding again in my head. “Really? I
bet she’d welcome Celia into Hudson’s arms.”

“Because she adores Celia. Always
has.”

We’d reached the veranda at the
back of the house where Jack gestured to sit. I sank into a cushy loveseat and
curled my feet up underneath me. “Doesn’t she want Hudson to be happy?”

Jack took the chair across from
me, a small wooden table separating us. It was his turn to sigh. “She doesn’t
want anyone to be happy. Particularly Hudson. They’ve had many battles in a
lifelong war, and she’s not a forgiving woman.”

Again I thought of my
relationship with Brian. As much of a pain in the ass that he’d been lately, I
couldn’t say I didn’t understand why. He and I had suffered our own battles and
the wounds ran deep. And I wasn’t Brian’s child. I imagined the dynamic between
us would be so much worse if I were. Also, though my brother could be
domineering, neither he nor I could compare to the battle of wills demonstrated
by Hudson and Sophia. 

I rested my head back against the
loveseat and stared at the rough textured concrete ceiling. “Then there’s no
way to win her over?”

“No.” His answer was firm, final.

If that were true, then the job
I’d been paid to do was doomed to fail from the start. “Your son seems to think
there is.”

Jack shook his head sadly, taking
a long moment before responding. “That’s too bad. I thought he was long past
caring.” His expression was raw, and I could see that though he hid it well,
he’d been deeply affected by the bad blood between his wife and son.

Then the mask went back up, the
pain on his face replaced with his earlier easy-going character. “Now, I on the
other hand, am very easy to win over. I can give you some ideas if you need
them.” He winked.

I laughed, letting go of the
serious thoughts and emotions weighing on me. “I’ve already won you over.”

He feigned disappointment. “Damn.
I’ve never had a good poker face.”

“But I bet you still win plenty
of hands.”

“Shall we play later and find
out?” He leaned toward me, his eyebrows raised suggestively. “Alone? In the
guest house? Strip?”

I laughed again. “I’ll play in
the main house, you dirty old man. With others present and all our clothing
on.”

“You just killed all the fun.”

We were both laughing when Hudson
appeared in the doorway of the house, his features appearing anxious at the
sight of his father. “There you are.” He came behind me, and laid a firm hand
on my shoulder. “I was worried and now I see I should have been.”

“I’m fine.” I placed my hand over
his and craned my neck up to meet his eyes. “Jack’s been showing me around
Mabel Shores. I’ve had an amazing time.”

Hudson’s tone was skeptical.
“Then he hasn’t tried to come on to you?”

“No, he has.” I smiled over at
Jack. “But we’re all good.”

Hudson moved around to sit next
to me on the loveseat, resting his hand possessively on my knee.

As if challenged by his son’s
marking of his territory, Jack said, “I’m telling you, Laynie, with age comes
experience. If you really want an amazing time…”

Hudson’s grip tensed. “I don’t
like this.”

Jack laughed, confirming my
suspicion that he enjoyed toying with his son. “Relax, Hudson. It’s all in fun.”

I uncurled my legs and leaned
into Hudson’s side, secretly thrilled with Hudson’s jealous show. “We’re fine,
H. He knows I’m hopelessly devoted to you. Don’t you, Jack?”

“I do.” He paused, eyeing Hudson.
“I wonder if my son does.”

Hudson didn’t respond, not with
words anyway. But he gazed at me for several long seconds, perhaps attempting
to discern exactly what had transpired between Jack and me. Or maybe he sensed
that his father knew something he didn’t—that my emotions were genuinely
growing deeper. That my fondness for him was real.

Whatever he decided, he pulled me
closer into him and nuzzled his cheek against my head. He’d promised his
actions in public would all be for the benefit of our audience, but this one
felt different. Almost like he wanted to believe our relationship was real,
too.

 “Lunch is ready. Should I serve
it out here?”

 I twisted in Hudson’s arms to
see who had spoken and saw an older woman in the doorway of the house. Her hair
was completely gray, and her face had more wrinkles than Jack or Sophia, but I
suspected she was near their age. She wiped her hands on the white apron she
wore over her plain navy dress.

“Millie, you’re an angel,” Jack
said. “Out here is a terrific idea.”

“I’ll let Adam and Chandler know
they should join you.” It wasn’t quite a question, but I understood her
statement gave the Pierce men a chance to object, which they didn’t.

A short time later, Adam and Chandler
sat with us on the veranda enjoying a lunch of cold meat sandwiches, fruit
salad, and lemonade. Even though it was simple, it was one of the best lunches
I’d had in ages.

I waited until my curiosity
couldn’t be contained any longer to ask why Sophia and Mira weren’t eating with
us. Not that I wanted Sophia’s company, but I would have loved to spend time
with Hudson’s sister.

“They’re out shopping for baby
stuff,” Adam said in between bites of ham sandwich. He took a swallow of his
lemonade. “Mira wanted to invite you. She looked for you before she left, but
she couldn’t find you.”

“Darn. That must have been when
we were touring the grounds. Sorry, Laynie.” Jack didn’t look at all
remorseful.

My own response to the idea fell
out unfiltered. “Fuck that. Like I’d go anywhere with Sophia, let alone
shopping.” I covered my mouth with my hand. “Sorry!” 

Chandler was the first to burst
into laughter, joined a moment later by Jack and Adam. Even Hudson let out a
chuckle.

“I’m totally with you there,”
Adam said when he could speak.

“I think Mom feels the same way
about you,” Chandler said, putting his feet up on the edge of the table. “She
seemed to be glad when Mira couldn’t find you.”

“Chandler.” Hudson’s tone was a
warning.

“It’s okay, H.” I put a hand on his
thigh, careful not to let on everyone see how much I enjoyed feeling his tight
muscles through the material of his slacks. “Your mother and I are a long way
from friendly. It’s not a secret.”

Hudson nodded, but his brow
furrowed. Did he really care that much about his mother’s opinion? Jack was
right—that was too bad.

After lunch, Adam and Chandler
corralled me into playing X-Box 360 with them in the media room. Hudson spread
out on the couch near us, his thick reports and folders taking up most of the sofa
while he worked on his laptop. Eventually Jack brought out a deck of cards and
we played poker using pistachios for chips. As I’d suspected, Jack won a great
deal of the time, though Chandler also had a surprising knack for the game.

After losing all of my pistachios
in a bluff that Chandler called me on, I stretched and looked over at Hudson.
Even though he hadn’t participated in our games, I never forgot he was near,
his presence invading every part of my body like a constant electric pulse. Occasionally
when I glanced over at him, which happened often, I saw he was already staring.
It was our own game of secret foreplay—looking at each other, undressing each
other with our eyes. Later, I knew, he’d make good on the promises in his sexy
stare.