The Hudson's: Luc, Jack and Charlotte

“I appreciate your brotherly concern, but I can handle this.”

A long silence followed. “Okay,” Dev said. “Just one more thing. Is she as beautiful as she used to be?”

“More,” Luc said.

Dev chuckled. “Maybe you could talk her into making a comeback with Hudson Pictures.”

“She says she’s not interested.”

“They all say that, but when the right role is offered…”

Luc shrugged. “We’ll see.”

“Okay, you’ll be bringing her back to L.A. in a week or so, won’t you?”

“That’s the plan,” he said but felt conflicted about it. He felt as if he’d just discovered the Garden of Eden, and he wasn’t inclined to leave it. “I’ll talk to you later.”

“Later, hot pants,” Dev said and hung up.

Luc rolled his eyes and turned his cell phone to Silent. He needed to think, and a shower was a good place to start. He walked to the bathroom, ditched his clothes and turned on the shower.

Stepping in front of the hot spray, he did what came naturally to him. He put together a strategy for him and Gwen. She was like honey in his hands, and he had no intention of staying away from her. She must be attracted to him, because of the way she responded to him. Whatever was happening between them felt explosive, but they weren’t kids. This could be controlled.

Gwen rubbed the towel over her wet hair, trying to rub some sense into her head. Had she lost her mind? Literally hitting the hay with Hollywood’s hottest PR man.

Maybe a fling was just what she needed. Except it didn’t feel the same way a fling should. The attraction was too deep. Sure, Luc’s body was amazing, and the way he had made love to her had taken her to a whole new level of pleasure, but…

Swearing under her breath, she dipped her head forward, picked up her blow-dryer and began to dry her hair, her mind spinning a mile a minute. Maybe they should stop now. After all, this entire situation, combined with a fake engagement, added up to pure insanity.

“Crazy, crazy, crazy,” she whispered to herself. She turned her head and her gaze encountered a pair of feet and muscular calves beneath a white towel. Of its own volition, her gaze rose, encountering a white towel slung low over narrow hips, a white scar slashed across tanned skin, a washboard abdomen, breathtaking pecs and well-defined arms.

She met his gaze and dropped the blow-dryer.

“Whoa,” he said, picking it up and turning it off. “Sorry I startled you.”

She pulled her cozy yellow robe more tightly around her. “You did,” she said, her gaze slipping to his chest again. She dragged her eyes to meet his. “Surprise me.”

“I thought you might be backtracking—second-, third-guessing what we did last night,” he said. “Repeatedly.”

“Well, I was thinking,” she confessed.

“Believe it or not, I can do enough of that for both of us,” he said and raked his hand through his hair.

“Really?” she said, surprised.

“Yeah. I didn’t come to Montana with the intent to seduce you.”

She didn’t reply.

“But once I was around you, I wanted you.”

“I wanted you, too, but—”

“No buts,” he said, raising his hand. “We shared something amazing last night. I haven’t felt that way in a long time. Have you?”

Not ever, she thought but wasn’t ready to confess it. “No.”

He put his hands over her arms. “Then I don’t want to miss this with you because of the way it started.”

“You mean as blackmail.”

“You can look at it that way.”

“There’s another way?”

“You need something from me. I need something from you.”

She closed her eyes and inhaled, trying to think. “So is this a fling? An affair?”

“I don’t know. Let’s find out.”

She opened her eyes, and his honesty shook her. He could have made false promises or created a vision of an impossibly happy ending.

“I want you. You want me. It’s more than physical,” he said. “You’re not what I expected.”

She pushed her still-damp hair to one side. “What did you expect?” she asked, unable to deny her curiosity.

He shrugged. “Another crazy actress. High maintenance, with a temporary wild hair about moving to Montana.”

She smiled because what he’d described was a valid cliché. Actresses weren’t known for their stability. “This is my home,” she said. “Any time I spend away from here is temporary. This is home for me,” she repeated.

“I can see that. You’re lucky you’ve found a place,” he said and pulled her into his arms. He gently rubbed his forehead against hers, then lowered his mouth to hers and kissed her.

Gwen felt her pulse pick up and her bones soften.

He slid his fingers through her hair and pulled his mouth from hers. He took a quick sharp breath and swore. “Gonna try to be a responsible adult this time. Are you on the Pill?”

Her stomach twisted at his question. “No, but—” He swore again. “But?”

“But my doctor told me it would probably be hard for me to get pregnant.” She remembered how that conversation with her doctor had been one more blow in a devastating series of events.

He nodded, but to her relief didn’t ask any other questions. “From now on we’ll use protection.”

“Okay,” she said and leaned into his hard, warm chest. His outer strength was just a representation of his inner strength. She rubbed her hand over his chest up to his shoulder. “Can we get started on from now on?”

He immediately pushed open her robe and slid it down her body. “Oh, yeah.”

“One more thing,” she said, surrendering to the spell he wove over her.

“What?”

“You really could pose for that centerfo—”

He covered her mouth with a kiss. “Shut up,” he muttered.

The next three days they fell into a pattern of rising in the morning and taking care of the horses. In the afternoon, Luc conducted business; Gwen did additional work with the horses or went into town. She lived for the evenings. They were better than the best chocolate she’d ever eaten.

She and Luc shared dinner, usually prepared by his chef, sometimes wine and conversation. Sometimes poker, never television, always sex. Gwen couldn’t remember being this happy. Ever.

On Wednesday, she returned from the barn, spotting a different SUV in the driveway. The vehicle looked vaguely familiar and she racked her brain. Walking in through the front door, she found Dane Gibson and Luc squaring off against each other. She winced, immediately recalling the charity event she’d agreed to attend with Dane a month ago. At least the event wouldn’t take place for a few days.

“Hi,” she said when both men turned to look at her.

“Hey, gorgeous,” Dane said. “You’re looking good.”

She couldn’t help but smile. Dane was such a poser. He wasn’t much of a cowboy, but he did his best to project the image. His primary attraction to her was her celebrity status.

“I see you’ve met Luc Hudson.”

“Of Hudson Pictures,” Dane said, clearly impressed. “He was surprised about our date for the annual Montana Charity Event.”

She winced again. “I guess it slipped my mind. I apologize. I’ve had a lot going on.”

“That’s okay,” he said. “We’ve got two days. I just thought I’d drop in with a bottle of wine so you and I could get reacquainted.”

Gwen felt Luc’s gaze burning a hole through her. She couldn’t resist the urge to move from foot to foot. “Um,” she said.

“Yes?” Luc prompted, his expression cool.

She cleared her throat and looked at Dane. “I can’t go to the event with you. I’m engaged.”

She felt both men staring at her, and she raised her chin.

Dane raised a blond eyebrow. “Kinda fast,” he said.

“Yes, it is. Would either of you like some coffee?”

“I’d rather have whiskey,” Dane said.

“I’m not thirsty,” Luc said.

Great, she thought and headed for the cabinet that held a small stash of liquor. Just great. “I don’t keep much around so I can reduce the temptation for Nicki when she visits.” She extracted a locked box from the back of the cabinet, performed the combination and pulled out a bottle of whiskey.

Grabbing two shot glasses, she set them on the coffee table along with the bottle. “All yours.”

Dane took the bottle and spilled some liquor into a glass. “You have to attend the event,” Dane said. “Everyone is counting on you to introduce the keynote speaker. Plus you can plug your horse-rescue program. We had a bargain.”

“Bargain?” Luc echoed.

“Dane has agreed to adopt some of my horses after I rehabilitate them.”

Luc gave a slow nod. “I could go with you to the benefit,” he said.

“Yeah, but that would leave me without a world-class movie star on my arm,” Dane countered.

Gwen couldn’t resist rolling her eyes. Luc must have caught her because she noticed his lips twitched in amusement. “You don’t have a standby?” Luc asked.

“Not like her,” Dane said, pointing at Gwen with emphasis. “We don’t get a lot of gorgeous movie stars here in Montucky,” he added, using a popular nickname for the state.

Luc shrugged. “Will another actress do?”

“Who?” Dane asked, immediately curious.

“She may be too busy, but I could try to pull a few strings. She’s in demand now. She’s been featured on some magazine covers and had some roles in independent movies.”

Dane frowned. “Who is she? Has anyone heard of her?”

“If they haven’t heard of her, they will soon enough. I’m not sure you can handle her, though. She’s a pistol, a redhead.”

Dane puffed up his chest. “I can handle a redhead. Who is it?” he demanded.

“You want to see a photo?”

“Might as well,” Dane said with a shrug.

Curious herself, Gwen watched Luc leave the room and return with his laptop. He pushed a few keys and turned the screen around so that Dane could see a photo of a gorgeous redhead with a killer body wearing a glamorous evening gown.

“She’s easy on the eyes.”

Gwen immediately recognized the woman and smiled. “Do you really think you can get her? She’s very hot right now.”

“I can try,” Luc said. “Her name is Isabella,” he told Dane. “Isabella Hudson.”

Dane raised his eyebrows. “Hudson,” he said. “I don’t suppose there’s any relation?”

“She’s my sister.”

“Humph.” Dane looked at Isabella’s picture again. “If you can bring me Isabella as my date and you and Gwen attend the event, then we have a deal.”

Five minutes later, Dane left the house and drove his SUV out of Gwen’s driveway. Gwen breathed a sigh of relief.

“I thought you said you weren’t involved with anyone,” Luc said.

“I’m not,” she said. “And I wasn’t involved with Dane. He offered some good advice and support when I first started the rescues.”

“But he made a run at you,” Luc guessed.

“There was one night when he tried—” She broke off, surprised at her sudden feelings of self-consciousness. “Dane’s the kind of man who makes a run at every woman. He’ll make a run at Isabella, so you need to decide how you feel about that.”

“Isabella grew up with three brothers. She can handle herself.” He chuckled. “Ol’ Dane must have been disappointed. He took that bottle of wine with him.”

“He’s probably already on the phone with some gossipy social columnist, spreading the news that he has bagged three celebrities for his big party.”

“But he didn’t get you,” Luc said, pulling her against him.

“He didn’t really want me. He wanted Gwen McCord, movie star.”

“Then he’s a fool,” Luc said and took her mouth in a kiss.

Although she wouldn’t admit it to anyone, Gwen cherished the following days. Since turning the guest bedroom into an office, Luc took care of business during the day and burned down her bed every night. It wasn’t all sex, though. He helped her with the horses, played poker with her and put together a Web site for the horse-rescue program. He even mapped out a business plan to help her with the organization of volunteers and financial planning and a tentative plan for the summer camp she wanted to start.

Gwen had been too involved with the everyday needs of the horses to think about the business end of things, but she knew she couldn’t rely on her income and her uncle’s generosity forever to subsidize the program.

Isabella had agreed to attend the charity event with Dane on the condition that she and Gwen enjoy a day at a spa on the day of the gala.

Gwen and Luc traveled to the Bitterroot Valley area where Dane’s grand party would take place. They went to the airport to pick up Luc’s sister, who was arriving via private jet.

From inside the small terminal, Gwen watched as Luc’s sister, her red hair flying in the wind, descended the stairs with an animal clutched to her breast. Her faux-fur coat flapped open, and Gwen immediately felt a shot of pity for the young woman.

“She’s got to be freezing,” Gwen said.

“I warned her,” Luc replied. “And I warned you. Bella is—” he paused and smiled “—a force of nature.”

Bella burst inside the terminal, her mouth forming a perfect O. “What in the world would possess anyone to live in this climate? Are you sure Montana isn’t a glacier in disguise?”

“Good to see you, too,” Luc said, taking his beautiful sister into his arms. “I told you it was colder than freezing. Bitter cold.”

“B-b-but, this is ridiculous,” she said, looking over his shoulder, her blue-eyed gaze meeting Gwen’s. Her lips immediately formed a dazzling smile. “Gwen McCord, it’s you.”

The dog she carried gave a little yip. “You’re mashing Muffin, Luc.”

“One can only hope,” he muttered, releasing his sister. “Bella, this is Gwen.”

Bella threw him a quick scowl before she turned to Gwen. “I’m delighted to meet you. I’ve admired your work.”

“Thank you,” Gwen said, her gaze drawn to the animal in her arms as she tried to determine the breed of Muffin. The dog appeared to be a mixture of shih tzu and terrier. Bulldog? It was so ugly it was almost cute.

“What possessed you to move here? Tell me it’s temporary,” Bella said.

Gwen shook her head. “I love what I’m doing here. I wouldn’t trade it for an Oscar.”

“Wow,” Bella said, her face solemn. She shook her head as if she couldn’t comprehend it. “Well, let’s talk about it while we’re at the spa.” She turned to Luc. “Do you want some pics at the spa for PR?”

“Good idea,” Luc said and glanced at Gwen. “Are you okay with that?”

“As long as I’m dressed,” she said, amazed at how their minds worked in tandem.

Bella waved her hand. “Oh, don’t worry. We’ll just let them take photos while we’re getting pedicures.”

“I’ll be wearing closed-toe heels, but—”

“If you’ve been stuck on a ranch, then I’m sure your feet will appreciate a little pampering.”

Hours later, after a facial and a massage, Gwen sat next to Bella as a photographer took photos of them getting pedicures. “I can’t lie,” Gwen said. “I’ve missed this.”

“I always say pedicures should be mandatory for women. Tax deductible. Insurance should cover them.”

Gwen smiled. “Sounds like a good idea. I saw you in the film Non-Tranquil. You were very good.”

“Oh, thank you. If only Spielberg would notice,” Bella said.

“He will,” Gwen said. “You’re talented and beautiful and you have the fire.”

“I just hope I’m not old and gray by the time I get a lead part. Sometimes being a member of the Hudson family doesn’t work in my favor.”

“You have to be twice as good as other people,” Gwen said. “Luckily for you, that isn’t difficult.”

Bella met her gaze. “You’re right and thank you for the vote of confidence. I can see why my brother is attracted to you.”

Gwen glanced at the photographer. “Did you get enough?”

The woman nodded. “Yes. I’ll e-mail the photos to Mr. Hudson.”

Gwen thanked the woman and turned to Bella. “It’s nice of you to agree to attend this charity event on such short notice.”

Bella gave a little snort. “Luc reminded me that I owed him a favor. Oh, who am I fooling? I would do just about anything for him. He promotes me any chance he gets. I’m very lucky.” She paused a half beat. “The woman who gets him will be very lucky, too.”

“I wouldn’t think he would be the type to settle down,” Gwen ventured.

“That’s where you’re wrong. He has this playboy image, but he’s incredibly perceptive, very intuitive. Once he commits himself, he’s in all the way. He’s been a problem solver since he was born. He needs someone who appreciates those qualities and who doesn’t take advantage of him.”

Gwen nodded. “We live in very different worlds.”

“I noticed the way you look at him, the way he touches you.” Bella met her gaze. “Different worlds haven’t stopped you two from becoming lovers.”

“We’re engaged,” she said, unsure of how much Bella knew. “Of course we’re passionate about each other.”

Bella gave her a searching glance and lowered her voice. “Real passion wasn’t part of the plan, though, was it? One warning—don’t lie to him. Don’t keep secrets from him. You’ll live to regret it.”

Eight

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.”