The Hudson's: Luc, Jack and Charlotte

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.

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