AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“That depends.”
“On what?”
“On whether you do or not. I’m certainly not going to make you sit here all by yourself for an eight-hour flight. Not when we can both stay up and,” he paused. “Talk.”
I smiled. “Talk. Is that all you want to do?”
“We said no strings. I'm fine with that. If all I get out of this weekend is dinner, then that's all I get.”
Somehow, I didn't believe that that's all he was going to get. Hudson just doesn't seem like the type of guy who only took a woman to dinner. He was in it for more. Deep inside me, I wanted him to be.
“Well, actually, I could definitely use some sleep. And eight hours is an awfully long time.”
He stood up and offered me his hand. I kept my water, but obliged. He walked me towards the back of the cabin, and pulled a curtain back to reveal a first-class recliner that laid out into bed. “Then you stay back here, and I'll be in the front if you need anything.”
I sat down in the chair, and set my head back to rest. I was about to take my final sip of water when I opened my eyes, and saw his hand in front of me. There was a little white pill in the middle. “Just a little something for the nerves. I promise it’s legal.”
I took the pill from his hands, and under his watchful eyes, I put it in my mouth, and pushed it down with the water. I watched him walk away in his black suit, and then everything seemed to go fuzzy and dark.
Chapter Ten
“Miss. Miss, we've arrived. Mr. James is ready to depart.”
The stewardess shook me awake. I could hardly remember where I was; it was the best sleep I've ever had in my life. Visions of Hudson swirled around in my head, but besides that, it had been a dreamless sleep. I tried to figure out what he'd given me, but, somehow, it didn't matter. “I'm sorry. Where are we?”
The stewardess smiled kindly. “We’re in the South of France. You'll be headed to Mr. James’s chalet shortly. He's already left on a quick business meeting, and then he'll meet you there.”
I shook my head trying to clear it. “He left me on a plane?”
She pursed her lips. “Kind of. I've been flying with Mr. James for quite some time, and this is the first time he's ever had another traveler with him. I don't think he really knows the etiquette.”
She extended her hand, and helped me out of the chair. I rubbed my eyes, and I could hardly imagine what my hair looked like. I asked for a mirror, and she brought it to me. Just as I expected: total bed head. “Is there any way I can get my brush? Something to freshen up?”
She looked a little distraught. “I'm sorry, Miss, but all of your belongings are already in the town car waiting for you on the tarmac. You'll have plenty of time to get ready at the chalet before Mr. James joins you.”
Joins me. Cool, so I was in the South of France by myself. I wasn't sure I liked being Hudson's call girl anymore. I was just another one of his belongings.
“Thank you so much. I guess I'll be going.”
I followed her to the steps, and then I walked down them by myself. There was a chauffeur with a black town car waiting for me, and after I was inside, I felt like I could breathe for the first time since being whisked away. I was alone with my thoughts; it was just what I needed. I sent a quick text to Alexis, telling her that I landed. I knew the fee would be astronomical, but somehow, money didn't seem to be a concern right now. I placed my hand on the leather seat, and moved it back and forth over the smooth fabric. I'd never been in a town car this nice before, not even at the club.
I put down the window, and took a whiff of the salty air as we passed by the ocean. I wanted to ask the driver to stop so I could go walk on the beach, but I knew that I had a job to do, so I continued on our drive to Hudson’s chalet. We drove for over half an hour up and down cobbled streets until we reached the top of the hill at the end of a windy lane. Finally, I saw a small cottage. Not ostentatious like I thought it would be. There was a curved door and beautiful roses on either side. The garden was overgrown, but in a planned way that led you to believe you were in some sort of fairytale. Hudson had made it this way; he wanted me to feel like a princess.
The driver let me out, and then carried my bags up to the door. I didn't know whether to knock or to just walk in; after all, I was still a guest. But, just as I raised my hand to the old wooden door, it magically opened on its own, and there stood a statuesque-looking butler in a tux. It was like a dream.
“Miss Hart, I presume?”
“Yes, that's me.”
“I'm glad to see that you've arrived safely. And this is your luggage?”
I looked at the Louis Vuitton behind me. “It's mine.”
“Wonderful. Mr. James will be pleased to hear that you've arrived. I will phone him at once.”
I nodded. “Do you know when he'll be back?”
“I'm afraid not for a few hours. He had some important matters to discuss with a client.”
