“A pleasure, Ms. Withers,” Martin said, taking my hand. After he released it, he spoke to Hudson. “Mr. Pierce, I’ll set your bags in the guest suite in the west wing.”

Hudson frowned as he handed Martin the keys to the car. “Is everyone in the west wing?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Then set us up in the master of the east wing.”

With his hand still at the small of my back, Hudson escorted me through the double doors into the entryway of the house. The entry was bare except for an ornate table set into the curve of the wide staircase.

“Hudson, we’re in the kitchen,” Mirabelle’s voice called from the back of the house.

“I know it’s late,” Hudson said to me, his tone full of apology, “but we should at least say hello. Do you mind?”

I wasn’t tired in the least. This was my time of day. If we hadn’t left town, I’d just be starting my shift at the club. “It’s not late for me.”

For some reason, this made Hudson smile. “Good.”

The sensual promise in his tone made my thighs tense. God, with his endless flirting in the car and the intimacy of our get-to-know you game, I was more than seduced. All I needed was a bed and Hudson alone. And the bed was optional.

Hudson directed me through the back hallway of the entry toward the back of the house, his fingers at my hip not providing nearly enough contact. At the kitchen, he dropped his hand, and I sighed at the loss.

Fortunately, I was able to disguise the sigh as one of awe at the room we’d entered. The kitchen was larger than my apartment. Hell, the entryway had been larger than my apartment. The walls were a light yellow cream, and the counter tops a brown and white flecked granite. All the appliances were stainless steel, a striking comparison to the hardwood floors. Even as someone with no interest in kitchens, I admired its beauty.

We found Adam and Mira leaning over the center island, scraping out what seemed to be the final crumbs in a pie dish.

“I’m pregnant,” Mira said before anyone could ask. “I don’t know what Adam’s excuse is.”

“Was that one of Milly’s pies?” Hudson asked.

Mira nodded.

“Then there’s his excuse right there. No one makes better pies than Milly. I can’t believe you didn’t save any for us.”

“There’s more for tomorrow,” Adam piped up. “We were strictly forbidden to touch them. Milly’s our cook,” he said for my benefit. “She’s amazing.”

“Now that the little one’s been fed,” Mira said, rubbing her belly, “I can give a proper greeting. Laynie!” She wrapped her arms around me. “I’m so glad you came!”

“Thank you,” I said, stunned by her exuberance.

“How was the trip? Did you get anything to eat?”

“Are you offering to fix them something?” Adam put his hand near his mouth and mock-whispered, “Mira doesn’t cook.”

She narrowed her eyes at him, playfully. “I know how to use the microwave, though.”

“No need to prove anything. We stopped in Sayville,” Hudson said.

“The clam bar? Ooh, I’m jealous.” Mira moved to her brother and hugged him, giving him a light peck on the cheek. “I’m still glad you’re here. It’s been ages since you’ve come out.”

Hudson slipped out of her grasp, but smiled. “I am too. Did Dad come?”

Mira took the empty pie plate to the sink and filled it with water before leaving it to soak. “Yeah, he’s already gone to bed for the night. Or he’s hiding from Mom. He’s in the guest house.”

I exchanged glances with Hudson, remembering our earlier conversation about his parents’ loveless marriage.

“Where is Mother? And Chandler?”

“I’m here.” I looked behind me to see Sophia Pierce leaning against the arched doorway. She wore a dressing robe and had a glass of something light brown on ice. “Chandler’s out with the Gardiner girl. I don’t expect him until late.”

“Hello, Mother.” Hudson walked over to her and kissed each of her cheeks.

“You made it.” Sophia glanced at me. “Both of you.”

“Alayna and I are seldom apart,” Hudson lied, pulling me to him.

“Good evening, Mrs. Pierce.” I had been dreading seeing her again, but I made my greeting as warm as possible. Hudson’s arm around me helped. “Thank you for the invite. Your house is lovely.”

She nodded. “I’m sure you want to get settled. I chose a room for you in the west wing.”

Hudson straightened. “I told Martin to set up the master suite in the east wing.”

Electric tingles spread from my lower belly throughout the rest of my body. Hudson and I sharing a master suite…the thought made me squirm. I’d tried not to dwell on how we’d spend our nights in the Hamptons—whether they’d be filled with sex or considered on-duty hours, I didn’t know. But now that the idea had been firmly planted, I couldn’t stop thinking of the carnal possibilities.

Sophia obviously didn’t feel the same way about her son and me sharing a bed. “Hudson, that’s so far away from the rest of us.” Her ire was evident. Like Hudson, I had a feeling she rarely had anyone oppose her. I imagined the shared trait made for some pretty uncomfortable family meals.

And I was about to share several of them before the trip was over. Lucky me.

Hudson knew how to handle his mother. “We need the distance, Mother.” His tone was final.

“Why? We don’t bite.”

“Alayna does,” he grinned wickedly. “And she can be quite loud.”

I turned ten shades of scarlet. Did he actually believe every pretend girlfriend wanted their sex life discussed with the mother? Though, I really could be quite loud.

It was Sophia’s shocked look that Hudson responded to, her expression likely the intended outcome of his scandalous remark. “Oh, Mother, don’t look at me like that. Neither Alayna and I have been virgins since we were sixteen.”

Sophia pursed her lips and walked past us, finishing her beverage before placing it in the sink.

Hudson leaned into whisper in my ear, the warmth of his breath sending a shiver down my spine. “Well, what do you know? That virginity fact did come in handy.”

I elbowed him in the ribs, exasperated at being the victim in his poke at his mother.

“Don’t get pissy, Alayna.” He pulled me in front of him and wrapped his arms around me, my backside to his chest. “Trust me—we want a room away from them.”