Free Web NovelChapter 85: Chapter 85 The Rehearsal
Christina’s POV
"I admit nothing," I crossed my arms, staring Violet down. "When I choose to return to work has absolutely nothing to do with you. Whether Eliza Black gets her jewelry on time is your problem, not mine. Stop projecting your insecurities onto me."
Violet gave a smug little laugh. "Fine. Even if you decided to come back, it’s too late anyway. I’ve already solidified everything with Eliza. Once she wears my designs at the festival and tags me on social media, I’ll be the star designer everyone wants. You’ll be begging to carry my handbag."
I turned away and walked back to my desk, letting her self-congratulatory monologue fade into background noise. freёwebnoѵel.com
What Violet didn’t realize was that her rushed modifications and last-minute changes virtually guaranteed disaster. I almost felt sorry for Eliza Black. Almost.
***
After our verbal showdown, Violet actually backed off. She was too absorbed in fantasies about becoming a "world-famous jewelry designer" to bother antagonizing me. Several blissfully quiet days passed without her dragging me into another childish argument.
Not that I had mental space for her drama anyway. Something much bigger loomed ahead,Hudson’s grandfather’s birthday celebration.
The night before Edouard Laurent’s 80th birthday gala, Hudson called me into the living room after dinner.
"We need to talk," he said, sitting stiffly on the couch in full business mode. "We’ve both been too busy lately. Tomorrow’s the big event, so we should practice our couple routine one more time tonight."
"Fine," I agreed immediately, trying to sound casual.
We’d barely crossed paths these past few days while I focused on Octavia’s jewelry commission. He’d been completely absent, not even bothering to explain where he’d been or what he’d been doing. Just vanishing and reappearing like some mysterious ghost Alpha who thought explanations beneath him.
Akira stirred inside me. "You seem irritated he didn’t check in."
"I’m not," I mentally shot back. "I just expect basic communication from someone I’m supposed to pretend to be mated to."
"Sure," she replied skeptically. "That’s why your heart rate increased when he called you in."
"Pure professionalism," I insisted silently. "I’m annoyed he expects me to perform perfectly without practice."
I approached Hudson and naturally slid onto his lap, surprising even myself with how easily my body responded. My thighs bracketed his, and the electric current that shot through me was impossible to ignore.
Hudson’s hands found my waist immediately, his palms scorching through my thin blouse.
I’d tried so hard not to think about our kiss in the car, but pressed against him like this, the memories came rushing back.
His eyes captured mine.They’d always been blue, but tonight they gleamed like polished sapphires, deep and seductive.
Anxiety fluttered in my chest. This "practice" suddenly felt like playing with fire. One misstep and I’d plunge straight into something I couldn’t joke away or dismiss.
"See? I’ve got this," I smiled artificially, trying to lighten the atmosphere. "Muscle memory’s intact. No one will question our relationship tomorrow."
I attempted to lift myself from his lap. "We don’t need more practice. I’m exhausted anyway. Trust me, I won’t embarrass you at the party."
I’d survived countless black-tie events and cutthroat design competitions. Snobbish elites, harsh critics, passive-aggressive compliments—nothing I couldn’t handle. Plus, my appearance certainly wouldn’t detract from his image.
Just as I moved to stand, Hudson’s hand slid to my nape, fingers applying gentle pressure to keep me in place.
"I believe in thorough preparation," he murmured.
Before I could formulate a witty response, his grip tightened slightly, and I tumbled forward against him. Chest against chest, thigh against thigh, every point of contact igniting sparks.
Then his mouth claimed mine, firm but gentle, instantly wiping my mind clean of all rational thought.
"Mmm..." My attempted protest dissolved into his kiss. ƒree𝑤ebnσvel.com
Reality seemed to suspend itself. Only Hudson existed—his taste, his touch, his scent overwhelming my senses. His tongue swept against mine, exploratory at first, then deeper, more demanding, as if he couldn’t get enough.
The heat between us intensified, our bodies pressed together with mounting urgency. My fingers clutched his shirt, drawing him closer, wanting to dissolve into him completely.
As the kiss deepened, everything spun faster until suddenly Hudson shifted, laying me back against the sofa cushions with his body covering mine.
The firm pressure of his chest against mine made breathing difficult, but I welcomed it. His weight felt like an anchor, a shield against the outside world.
When he finally broke the kiss, my entire body felt liquefied, boneless and warm. I gazed up at him, dazed and wanting more.
Hudson’s eyes locked onto mine, darkened with unmistakable hunger. His gaze traced from my lips down to my neck, his jaw visibly tightening with restraint.
I recognized the struggle for control written across his features—he was fighting against instincts that wanted to claim more.
His arm tightened around my waist, pulling me closer while adjusting our position. The movement brought the hard ridge of his arousal directly against my center, making me gasp.
He exhaled a satisfied sigh and unconsciously rocked his hips upward, the friction sending shockwaves through me even through our clothing. I could feel myself growing wet, my body responding instantaneously to his touch.
"Hudson," I whispered, my voice embarrassingly breathy.
Lust and desire flashed in his eyes. In one fluid motion, he lifted me up and flipped our position so I straddled him directly, facing him. Caught off guard, I instinctively wrapped my thighs around his waist, the new arrangement pressing us together even more intimately.
His hands gripped my hips, guiding me to settle perfectly against his hardness. The thin fabric between us did nothing to disguise how aroused we both were. My core throbbed, aching for more friction.
"You feel incredible," he murmured against my throat, placing open-mouthed kisses along my neck.
His hand brushed under the hem of my blouse, fingers skimming the bare skin of my lower back, sending electric pulses straight to my core.
"Do you feel what you do to me?" he asked, voice rough with desire as he lifted his hips slightly.
I bit my lip to suppress a moan, my body betraying how desperately I wanted this to continue. His thumb traced small circles on my hip, each movement inching closer to where I secretly wanted him to touch.
Hudson’s breathing grew ragged, his self-control visibly slipping.
