Hudson (Anderson Billionaires #4) - Melody Anne Page 0,23
I do. But that doesn’t mean I’m above anyone. I’ve worked hard to get to where I am. I’ll admit I’ve had some lucky breaks in life, but it wasn’t that way from birth. I also really like being with my family more than anything or anyone else.”
The elevator stopped, and they stepped out. There was only one door with a key slot. He moved to it, then pushed the door open. She stepped inside, trying not to show a reaction to how beautiful and luxurious the room was. There were people who lived this lifestyle daily. She couldn’t comprehend it.
She walked through the large living area, straight to the balcony doors. It didn’t take long to open them and step outside. The sea and pier lights were below them, and it was amazing.
“There’s Ghirardelli,” she said with a real smile in her voice. “They have the best chocolate ever.”
He was still inside, but called out to her. “I can’t say I’ve ever tried it.”
“That’s a true tragedy,” she said. “I don’t think I’ve ever met someone who hasn’t had it.”
“Now you have,” he said. “I’m going to order appetizers. We had a large breakfast so it won’t take much to sate us to sleep all night.” There was a wicked note in his tone that told her he didn’t think it would be the food sating either one of them.
“Okay,” she answered. Then she gazed out over the water, seeing the lights of Alcatraz, and watching people as they milled about on the pier. Some cities were beautiful, others were a nightmare. San Francisco was gorgeous. If she had more time, she’d go exploring. But without the funds or a place to stay after tonight, that wasn’t going to happen.
“I’ve never been to Alcatraz. I think that would be fun,” she said after several minutes had passed.
“Cancel your flight and I’ll take you tomorrow,” he said, his voice much closer. She didn’t reply. The offer was so tempting she was afraid she might comply. He moved closer and handed her a glass of wine. “I thought we’d share a toast.”
“To what?” she asked. The entire setting was set perfectly; wine, lights, a view and a breeze, the ultimate seduction.
It was working.
“Let’s toast to happiness, strangers meeting, new beginnings, and enlightened tomorrows,” he said as he held up his glass.
“And to world peace?” she asked with a giggle. He looked at her with a raised brow.
“That goes without saying,” he said.
“It’s from one of my favorite movies, Miss Congeniality. They all want world peace,” she offered. “And since we’re in San Francisco, I thought it was quite fitting.”
“Can you imagine how different it looked back in the sixties?” he asked.
“I think it would’ve been a lot better then. Maybe all of the people didn’t share the same values or ideas, but they certainly shared a lot of love,” she said a bit dreamily.
“And a lot of babies came out of that love,” he said with a laugh.
“I love the sound of your laughter. It’s so joyful,” she said.
She was glad she’d swallowed the last of her wine, because the light in his eyes as he gazed intensely at her would’ve made her choke. It went from lighthearted to heavy in the blink of an eye.
“Say yes,” he suddenly said as he took her wine glass and set it aside.
She wasn’t going to pretend she didn’t know what he was asking for. She gave herself a split second to decide . . .
Chapter Nine
Hudson was shocked at his desire for this woman after less than twenty-four hours. He wanted her body, but there was something else drawing him in even more. He couldn’t figure out what that was.
Shaking his head, he tried to clear the buzz. It wasn’t from alcohol; he was drunk on her. She was an enigma, a puzzle he had to solve. Could he do that in one short night together? If not, could he talk her into staying? Never would he have questioned his ability to get a woman to stay before he’d met Daisy Green.
It wouldn’t be an issue, he reassured himself. They’d have a terrific night, and he would be purged of her, leaving nothing but a fond memory that would soon fade. It always faded, usually quickly. Great sex was a necessary fuel for survival. Relationships weren’t on the horizon though. He’d sworn to his brothers he’d never succumb to the marriage flu three of them had already fallen prey to.