Read Online Release Me by Ann Marie Walker, Amy K. Rogers - Free Book Online Page B

His show films here and the cast is very involved in local charities.”
    An audible gasp escaped his lips. “You don’t think Gaga is here with him, do you?” Colin’s eyes darted around the room, no doubt looking for a blonde in a sheer beaded gown and elaborate headdress. Allie took the opportunity to steal a glance over his shoulder. The last of the guests were filtering into the atrium and she scanned their faces, making a mental note of who she’d need to greet before making her escape. Despite Colin’s best efforts at distracting her, she was anxious to accept the award, shake a few hands and get the hell out of there. Allie knew this was an important event, not only for honoring her mother’s memory, but for establishing herself and her new title within the business community. Still, after everything she’d endured the past two weeks, it would have been nice to catch her breath before diving in headfirst. The thought of yoga pants, ice cream, and a late-night movie was the only thing getting her through the next hour of high heels, catering food, and networking.
    By the time the song came to an end she’d added three more “must sees” to her list.
    “Thank you for the dance,” she said. “And the rescue. Now go check out the Seurat before they announce dinner.”
    Colin backed away with an exaggerated bow, and for the second time that night Allie laughed. But when she turned to the mingling crowd her smile slipped from her face. Her breath caught and her steps faltered.
    Hudson.
    Allie stood motionless, unable to look away as he entered the reception area and shook hands with several people. The expression on his face was all business, and yet there was something so inherently sensual about the way he moved. He wore a black tuxedo, Ralph Lauren if she wasn’t mistaken, that fit the contours of his body in a way that made it impossible not to imagine the hard planes of muscle that lay beneath. But it wasn’t the sight of Hudson Chase in a tuxedo that caused an unwelcome tightness in Allie’s chest. It wasn’t even his dark wavy hair, perfectly messed with that sexy, just-rolled-out-of-bed look that made her fingers flex with an instinctive desire to touch it. It was the voluptuous brunette draped on his arm.
    Sophia.
    Allie recognized her immediately from the event at the Field Museum the night she and Hudson had first become reacquainted. She looked as stunning as she had that night. Her dress wasn’t red this time, but instead a champagne color a few shades lighter than her flawless bronze skin. And her long dark curls were piled loosely on top of her head, not cascading over her bare shoulders, but the effect was no less devastating. The woman had the curves of a centerfold and a face worthy of the cover. Hudson had insisted they hadn’t been seeing each other, but Allie got the distinct impression their arrangement was more than just a few casual dates. It was obvious the way Sophia’s hand stroked Hudson’s forearm, she was under that impression as well.
    He flicked his gaze briefly to her hand, then back up. When he did his eyes met Allie’s and he stilled. A crowded ballroom stood between them, but in that moment it felt as though they were the only two people in the room.
    Then Sophia shifted in front of him, her perfectly manicured fingers reaching up to straighten his already immaculate tie, and the spell was broken. Allie let out the breath she hadn’t even realized she’d been holding and quickly scanned the room for the nearest exit. She needed to get some fresh air, touch up her makeup, or even just wander through an exhibit. Anything to put enough distance between the two of them for her to regain her focus.
    She’d barely made it ten yards when someone stepped in front of her, blocking her way. Instinctively she knew who it was and her heart hammered inside her chest. She looked up and met Hudson’s steely glare. He moved quickly, catching her by surprise. His hand wrapped