Radiance Read Online Free Page B

so easy for someone like me to fall in love with both of you, Hudson.  I knew early not to get attached romantically.  I was careful because I knew I had to be.  No two people belong together like you and Natalia.” 
    She closed her eyes.  “I don’t know why it seems harder already to maintain the same detachment in this.  Harper seems to barely like me but Elijah…good lord.” 
    “Darling, he’s Hudson without me .”  Natalia closed the door quietly and walked across the room to sit on the coffee table.  She held Brie’s other hand.  “Hudson is everything you need in your life and you admire him, love him , deeply.”
    She nodded.  “It sounds bad, I know.” 
    Her best friend’s fiancée stroked her face.  “Not even a little.  You think I don’t understand?” 
    “It’s hard for me to understand.  I don’t know how you do.” 
    “There have been times over the past twenty years, periods when Hudson was otherwise occupied, when I felt his draw, Gabriella.”  Shocked, she processed the information.  “He’s the only other man who ever could have tempted me.” 
    Staring at Hudson, Brie realized the confession came as no surprise to him.  His black eyes held hers resolutely. 
    Tilting her head, she considered before looking back at one of the smartest women she’d ever known. 
    Gathering her courage, she said, “I want my own Hudson.” 
    “Naturally, darling.  Who wouldn’t?” 
    Frowning, she asked, “That…doesn’t make me seem like an awful person?” 
    “You know exactly what you want.  You allowed yourself to gain the knowledge that will keep you from settling for less than you deserve.  You’re well ahead of the majority of the female population.”  She winked.  “I’ve always found Hudson to be an outstanding example of the male species.  I never understood why he wasn’t tackled in the street.” 
    The imagery made Brie laugh.  “He’s so good with women.  Can you imagine his conflicting reaction?”  One side of his mouth lifted in a smile.  “Hudson?” 
    “Yes, Gabriella?” 
    “You set the bar really high in regards to men.  If he doesn’t meet your level of awesome, I’m going to fuck him up.” 
    Standing, Hudson bent to kiss the top of her head.  “You’re not the only one.”  Straightening, he announced, “You need to eat.  We’ll talk more at dinner.” 
    * * *
    An hour later, they were settled in a quiet corner of one of her favorite little bistros. 
    When their drinks were delivered, she murmured, “He kissed me.”  Glancing up, she inhaled carefully.  “Harper kissed me.”
    Natalia sat back with a smile.  “To be honest, I’d be surprised if he hadn’t.  You have incredible lips and he’s not a man to allow such an opportunity to pass him by.”  Brie giggled nervously.  “How did you feel after?” 
    “Like a demolition site.” 
    “Hmm.  That’s promising.”  Folding her hands in her lap, Natalia asked carefully, “What about Elijah?” 
    “He’s more dangerous but the gentler of the two men, I think.  That doesn’t seem exactly right but…I feel as if he’s been instructed to manage me somehow.” 
    Thinking back, she added, “Kind of like the way you soothed me after my first Christmas here in New York.” 
    Glancing away from the table at a painting across the way, she let her mind play over her interaction with the two men.  “Elijah said h-he’d…wait for me.  It made me feel amazing.”
    Hudson met her eyes.  “He wants you badly.” 
    She nodded.  “Harper told me he couldn’t love me.”
    “Such an unmitigated ass ,” Natalia murmured.
    “Elijah admitted that he could and I believe him.  I’m drawn to him in an almost agitated way.  I can’t figure out what it is.”  Frowning, she mused, “The love of one wouldn’t be enough and it would cause a rift between them.  I’m sure of it.” 
    “Women have never received the love of either man.