“Untilwhat?”
“Until I met you. Untilwemet you.” Hudson takes in a shuddering breath and I have the sudden urge to reach across to him, to pull him into my arms. But I don’t. I still don’t know whether this is all a game, another ruse to get me into bed. Isn’t this what he does, what they alldo?
“How do I know this is not one of yourtricks?”
“It’s not. I know you may find that hard to believe after what you’ve heard about us, what you’ve seen, experienced. But this is me being honest. Completely and utterly honest. You’ve got under my skin. I know Max and Bryce feel the same. They were gutted to have upset you lastnight.”
“All three of you? But there’s only one of me, do you always share?” I laugh, and even though I’m pretending to be relaxed about it, really my stomach is full of butterflies that I don’t want toacknowledge.
“Never, but we’d be willing to share you if you’re willing to have us. We wanted you to come here to Petite Cabane, so that we could just be with each other without distraction, without everything else getting in the way. Does that make sense? This is alien to ustoo.”
I can see the raw emotion on his face. I consider Hudson’s words. If this is all an act, then he’s a damn fine actor. “It’s hard for me to trust people, Hudson. I’ve been let down over and overagain.”
“I can see that,” he says. “Perhaps that’s why we’re all drawn to you, we understand what it feelslike.”
“Truly, I am sorry about the money. I feel sick every time I think aboutit.”
“I don’t care about the money.” Hudson presses his finger and thumb against his eyes. “I never did. I would have given that money to you in a heartbeat. I was a prick for using it as an excuse to get youhere.”
I consider Hudson for a moment. “I can’t promise anything to you, Max or Bryce. For now, all I have isfriendship.”
“We’ll take whatever you can give,” hesays.