“Miss. Miss, we've arrived. Mr. James is ready to depart.”

The stewardess shook me awake. I could hardly remember where I was; it was the best sleep I've ever had in my life. Visions of Hudson swirled around in my head, but besides that, it had been a dreamless sleep. I tried to figure out what he'd given me, but, somehow, it didn't matter. “I'm sorry. Where are we?”

The stewardess smiled kindly. “We’re in the South of France. You'll be headed to Mr. James’s chalet shortly. He's already left on a quick business meeting, and then he'll meet you there.”

I shook my head trying to clear it. “He left me on a plane?”

She pursed her lips. “Kind of. I've been flying with Mr. James for quite some time, and this is the first time he's ever had another traveler with him. I don't think he really knows the etiquette.”

She extended her hand, and helped me out of the chair. I rubbed my eyes, and I could hardly imagine what my hair looked like. I asked for a mirror, and she brought it to me. Just as I expected: total bed head. “Is there any way I can get my brush? Something to freshen up?”

She looked a little distraught. “I'm sorry, Miss, but all of your belongings are already in the town car waiting for you on the tarmac. You'll have plenty of time to get ready at the chalet before Mr. James joins you.”

Joins me. Cool, so I was in the South of France by myself. I wasn't sure I liked being Hudson's call girl anymore. I was just another one of his belongings.

“Thank you so much. I guess I'll be going.”

I followed her to the steps, and then I walked down them by myself. There was a chauffeur with a black town car waiting for me, and after I was inside, I felt like I could breathe for the first time since being whisked away. I was alone with my thoughts; it was just what I needed. I sent a quick text to Alexis, telling her that I landed. I knew the fee would be astronomical, but somehow, money didn't seem to be a concern right now. I placed my hand on the leather seat, and moved it back and forth over the smooth fabric. I'd never been in a town car this nice before, not even at the club.

I put down the window, and took a whiff of the salty air as we passed by the ocean. I wanted to ask the driver to stop so I could go walk on the beach, but I knew that I had a job to do, so I continued on our drive to Hudson’s chalet. We drove for over half an hour up and down cobbled streets until we reached the top of the hill at the end of a windy lane. Finally, I saw a small cottage. Not ostentatious like I thought it would be. There was a curved door and beautiful roses on either side. The garden was overgrown, but in a planned way that led you to believe you were in some sort of fairytale. Hudson had made it this way; he wanted me to feel like a princess.

The driver let me out, and then carried my bags up to the door. I didn't know whether to knock or to just walk in; after all, I was still a guest. But, just as I raised my hand to the old wooden door, it magically opened on its own, and there stood a statuesque-looking butler in a tux. It was like a dream.

“Miss Hart, I presume?”

“Yes, that's me.”

“I'm glad to see that you've arrived safely. And this is your luggage?”

I looked at the Louis Vuitton behind me. “It's mine.”

“Wonderful. Mr. James will be pleased to hear that you've arrived. I will phone him at once.”

I nodded. “Do you know when he'll be back?”

“I'm afraid not for a few hours. He had some important matters to discuss with a client.”

So he wasn't just taking me to dinner; this was a business trip. It was probably already planned when he decided that he was going to take me along. So much for a vacation.

The butler stepped to the side, and extended his hand. I stepped up into the main foyer. The floor was tiled with deep blue and white inlay, and the walls were all a creamy color, like vanilla. It was breathtaking; I looked to the middle of the room where a spiral staircase ascended into, what I could only assume was, the second story. “This is like something out of a magazine! And Mr. James live here?”

The butler shook his head. “No, this is one of his three vacation homes. He always stays here when he does business in France, but typically at this time of year, we’re in the New York or Boston office.”

“So, you travel with him, then?”

“Yes, Miss, I've been with Mr. James since he was a boy.”

“Maybe you can tell me some things about him. He doesn't seem to like to talk about himself very much.”

“I'm afraid that's not my place, Miss. Now, if you'll follow me, I’ll take you to your bedroom, and I'll send some tea up while you get ready for your dinner this evening. Mr. James has left a dress for you in the closet.”

“He picked out my clothes?”

He started to walk up the stairs with my bags, and I followed him. “Of course. How would you know how to dress in a place you've never been? I’m sure the dress will be to your liking.”

As I looked at the art on the walls, I had to think that he was probably right. Beautiful impressionist images filled the hallway. I figured they were probably the inspiration for the home.

We entered a bedroom that was no bigger than mine at home, but it had French doors that opened up to a balcony that overlooked the ocean. The doors were already opened, and the curtains were blowing in the breeze. I could smell the salt air wafting in. There was a large canopy bed in the middle of the room with netting hanging on all sides. They were tied back for the day, but I wondered if I would need them at night. The butler set down my luggage, nodded, and then left.

I opened up the wardrobe that was next to the French doors as soon as I was sure he was gone. In it was a single dress; a halter top with white liquid beads the whole way down the front, but practically backless. It was heavy as hell, but it was absolutely stunning. The butler had been right about Mr. James's taste.

I looked around the room again. It was magnificent, but I was still alone. Hudson had left me here. He had treated me like property, and I hated him for it. All I wanted was for him to treat me like someone he cared about. But somehow, I knew that wasn’t the arrangement, and I told myself I’d have to suck it up.

As long as he didn’t do it again.