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And then he stops kissing me. Hudson lets go of me and pulls my hands from him, taking them down and he holds them by the wrists, behind my back.
His hair is mussed and I’m breathing hard. I don’t have to look to know my clothes are in disarray, and my skin is hot everywhere. His eyes glitter hard as he rakes his gaze over me.
“Seduction isn’t going to work, Scarlett, no matter how pretty your package. And I’ve meant everything I’ve said.”
Like his threat. I haven’t forgotten that. Of course I haven’t. Promise, threat, call it what you will, we both know what it is. Exactly. And I’m playing with fire and my brother’s future by playing Hudson.
Even if that’s not my intent.
“I’m trying to help.” The words are slightly breathless as I say them.
“By upping the ante?”
“Yes.”
I’m still pressed against him and I know what I have to do.
He’s not asking for me upping the ante like this. He knows we have that already. He’s asking me for the truth.
I dig in.
I’m going to dive down into my white lies with more, pepper them carefully, so they don’t seem as big as I think they’re becoming, but I know I can get through all this. There isn’t that much time and then after the meeting, after Hudson gets what he wants and he pays out, I spend the rest of the year rolling along until we split up.
What’s a handful of lies and months between friends?
Not that we’re friends, and I’m not under any illusions we’ll be doing anything much except perhaps make appearances after he says he’s in love and wants to marry me. They just want to see he’s found a bride. It’s not like he’s inheriting a family fortune. He has his own. I just have to play my role and show him I’m trustworthy.
Dangerous games, I know, but I’m not out to hurt him or anyone.
I’m going to have to take him to my place in Brooklyn. And I know I discussed this with Amber, but what if she lets something slip?
That’s if she’s home.
But I have to do this. Take that risk.
And—
“Scarlett, you’re plotting, I can see that.” He sighs and releases me, then puts me from him and leans back in the seat. “I don’t need plots. Just honesty.”
“I know. And I’m going to give it to you.”
He sits up and looks at me. “You are?”
“Yes.”
“How?”
“I’ll show you where I live.” I pause. “In Brooklyn.”
“When?” It’s that dark note in his voice, like I’m playing for time that really does it.
And I look at him, and I smile. “How about now?”
Chapter Twenty-One
Hudson
She’s playing games. And I’m not sure why I’m going along with it.
