Co-workers.
The thought hit Allie like a cold bucket of water. She’d been so busy basking in the glow of their newly professed feelings, she hadn’t even stopped to consider the ramifications their reunion would have at Ingram.
“Hudson, we need to talk about . . . ,” she began. But a commotion on the far side of the room interrupted her midsentence. A waiter backed through the door pulling a cart laden with dome-covered plates.
“I hope you don’t mind, but I took the liberty of preordering.”
Allie tried to feign righteous indignation but couldn’t pull it off. “Looking to forgo a lengthy ordering process?” she teased.
“Perhaps.” He wore a sheepish grin. “You do have a tendency to, how should I put it, complicate the process.” When her mouth popped open Hudson reached across the table and took her hand. “And I wouldn’t change a thing.” His thumb stroked the back of her hand, the simple gesture sending a tingle down her spine. “But yes, I’d like to get you home and beneath me before midnight if at all possible.”
Allie glanced over her shoulder. The waiter was busy arranging platters.
“He didn’t hear. And once the dinner is served, he won’t be returning.”
Every muscle below her waist clenched in response to the seductive tone of his voice. Forget about privacy once the dinner was served. The way she was feeling, she was likely to spontaneously combust before the man had even poured their wine.
She reached for her water and took a calming sip.
“I decided to forgo the first course, so we’d be sure to have room for dessert.” Hudson winked. “I know you have an insatiable appetite for guilty pleasures.”
She choked on her water.
“Are you alright, ma’am?” the waiter asked, suddenly beside her.
“Yes, yes, I’m fine.” As ladylike as possible, she wiped the water off her chin while Hudson watched, clearly amused.
The waiter poured a tasting of wine into Hudson’s glass, and after being given the go-ahead, filled both their glasses. He returned a moment later pushing the cart.
“So what’s on the menu for the evening?” Allie asked. Hudson’s eyes widened infinitesimally and she knew at once her innuendo hadn’t gone unnoticed. Good. She smiled to herself. Two can play this game.
“Perhaps you’d be so kind as to do the honors?” Hudson asked their waiter.
“Of course.” He began to uncover plates of food, describing them in detail as he placed them on the table. “Tonight the chef has prepared a surf and turf featuring a petite filet and lobster tail, served with a pink peppercorn buerre blanc, toasted farro, and haricot verts, as well as a sautéed salmon prepared with a Parmesan risotto and a tomato relish.” He reached for several smaller plates. “We also have a side of roasted mushrooms, cauliflower with a bacon crust, and Lyonnaise potatoes.” After arranging the side dishes around the entrees, he asked, “Can I bring you anything else?”
Anything else?
Could there possibly be anything left to order?
No, thank you,” Hudson said. “That will be all.”
Allie took in the spread with wide eyes before meeting Hudson’s curious stare.
“Expecting a few more guests?” she asked.
“Hardly.” His lips curved into a lascivious grin. “I might be a kinky bastard at times, but I’m not about to let someone watch you.”
Allie swallowed hard.
Watch? Watch what?
“I simply wanted to make sure I ordered something to your liking.” He reached behind him and lifted the silver dome from the only plate remaining on the cart. Allie’s mouth watered at the decadence beneath. “Although for dessert I knew you’d want the chocolate mousse cake.”
She shifted her gaze to Hudson and all thoughts of chocolate mousse left her. “I’d rather have you.”
He narrowed his eyes. “Are you sure I wouldn’t be a close second? I know how you feel about chocolate, Alessandra.”
“A tie, perhaps. So how about a compromise—you, covered in chocolate mousse?”
He chuckled. “I’m not sure Ernesto offers that on the menu.”
Allie matched his mischievous grin, “Well I’m quite sure he could arrange for dessert to go.”
“Eat,” he said, setting the plate with the filet and lobster tail in front of her.
“How do you know that’s the one I wanted?”
“I know your body, Alessandra.” His voice was low and seductive. “Let’s just say your reaction when he set that plate on the table was vaguely familiar.”
She rolled her eyes, but there was no denying he was right. And as much as she would have rather ordered takeout and eaten it while lounging in Hudson’s bed, now that the food was in front of her she was acutely aware of just how hungry she was.
The setting in front of Hudson remained empty. Instead of eating, he was merely sipping his wine, gazing at her over the rim of his glass as she cut into the tender beef. “Oh no, none of that ‘I like watching you eat.’ You need your strength tonight, Chase.” She waved her fork at the remaining plates. “Dig in.”
Hudson smiled and shook his head as he pulled the salmon closer.
Allie watched him take a bite, then drop his hand beneath the table. Her legs parted slightly in anticipation, but he simply reached for his napkin.
“How is it?” she asked.
“Excellent, which bodes well not only for the evening, but for the investment.” His voice was so level she actually wondered if he’d forgotten that he’d told her to take her panties off. It was just as well. For now. Her earlier thoughts were weighing on her, and although she didn’t want to spoil the mood, the conversation she’d started before the waiter arrived needed to happen sooner rather than later. Might as well get it out of the way so they could enjoy the rest of the night.
After a few more bites she broached the topic again. “Hudson, there’s something we need to discuss.”
He paused with a forkful of risotto midair. “Judging by your tone, I’m assuming the topic is not your current lack of undergarments.”
So he did remember
. “No.” She smiled. “Although we should address that as well.”
His fingertips brushed the hem of her skirt. The unexpected touch made her jump.
“You were saying?” he asked, his fingers pushing the fabric of her pencil skirt higher. He continued eating with his right hand, his expression curious and sincere and giving no indication as to what his left hand was doing under the table.
“We need to talk about Ingram.”
Hudson lifted a dark brow. Below the table he began tracing circles on her knee. “You really want to discuss business now?”
“Not business per se. More us. And how this,” she motioned between the two of them, “will affect business.”
“I don’t see as how this should have any effect on the business.” He smirked. “Well, aside from the obvious perks.”
“Perks?”
His fingers stroked the underside of her knee. “Hmm, working late at the office will certainly be more enjoyable.”
He was missing the point. Allie took a deep breath and went for it. “I’m not letting you sell the newspaper, Hudson. No matter how many times you make me come.”
The hand below the table pushed her skirt even higher, letting cool air rush against her overheated skin. “I would expect nothing less.”
Allie covered his hand with hers, halting its smooth glide up her thigh. “I’m serious, Hudson. I know I’m not qualified for this job, and most of them see me as just some spoiled heiress who should be happy cutting ribbons and playing tennis, but I’m trying really hard to learn everything I can about Ingram, and in the process maybe earn a little respect from the board. I can’t have our relationship undermine that.”
Hudson’s gaze softened and the hand below the table squeezed hers. “Allie, I assure you I would never do anything to undermine you, either in the bedroom or the boardroom. And while I wouldn’t call you unqualified, you were certainly dropped into this position through unusual, not to mention stressful, circumstances. Yet you’ve flourished. The sheer volume of material you’ve had to absorb over the past month would overwhelm even the most seasoned executive, and you’ve not only risen to the occasion but managed to best me in the process, something that doesn’t happen often.” His lips curved in a ghost of a smile. “But it was clear you’d done your homework. You presented a case based on nostalgia but backed with hard facts. And your revenue replacement plan was cutting edge. It didn’t surprise me in the least when you were able to sway the necessary votes your direction. And while I certainly hope to lay you out on that conference table some night when the two of us are burning the midnight oil, I am nearly as intrigued by the idea of facing off on the multitude of topics on which I’m sure we will disagree.” He raised their linked hands to his mouth and pressed a gentle kiss to her wrist. “I am in love with you, Alessandra, and impressed by you more often than you know.”
Allie didn’t think she could ever love him more than she did at that moment.
“Did that address your concerns?” he asked. His tone was gentle and warm, perfectly matching the look in his eyes.
She nodded, unable to speak past the lump in her throat.
“Very well.” He smiled, then checked his watch. “Then for now, Madam CEO, I’d like to make a motion that we table any discussions pertaining to business. I have a surprise for you and it’s set to begin any minute.”
He stood, and with their hands still clasped, led her to the window. When they reached the glass he tugged her to stand in front of him, wrapping his arms around her waist. As if on cue, two rockets of light soared into the air, exploding in a canopy of red and gold over Navy Pier.
Allie gasped. “Fireworks?”
“Do you like them?”
She turned in his arms. “I love them.”
Hudson dropped a soft kiss on her lips. “Then watch,” he said, nodding toward the glass. His hand splayed across her belly, pulling her tight against him, his erection prodding her backside.
“You’re hard for me,” she said.
“Always,” he murmured, his lips drifting up her neck. When he reached her ear he nipped at the lobe. “And you, are you wet for me, Allie?”
“Maybe you should feel for yourself.” Her soft voice sounded desperate and needy, but she didn’t care. His breath in her ear, his lips on her skin . . . it was too much after hours of foreplay and dinner sans panties. She needed his hands on her and she didn’t care who might walk in and see them.
His left hand slipped into the open V of her wrap blouse, kneading her breast, while the right slid down the front of her skirt. A low, sexy sound vibrated through his chest when his fingers encountered her slick flesh. “You’re soaked for me and I haven’t even touched you yet.” He teased her, tugging her hardened nipple between the fingers of one hand while circling her quivering opening with the other. “Do you want me inside you, Allie? Are you aching to feel my fingers and my cock?”
“God yes,” she moaned. She wanted him to take her right there, to fuck her hard from behind with her bare breasts pressed against the cold glass.
“You’re a naughty girl, Alessandra.”
“Only for you,” she panted, her breath fogging the glass in front of her. “Only for you.” It was true. For her entire life she’d been the quintessential good girl. But being with Hudson brought out a side of her she never knew existed. With him she was wild and wanton. No one could elicit the reaction from her body that he did. They were made for each other.
He eased a finger inside. “You’re so ready for me.”
She was. She was on fire for him, her body responding to every skillful stroke of his finger. But it wasn’t enough. Turning her head, she pressed her cheek to his. “More. I need more.”
He squeezed her swollen breast and added a second finger. “Is this what you need?”
“Yes,” she hissed. She was so close. Her hips churned, riding his hand as she chased the orgasm building inside her.
On the other side of the glass, sparkling canopies of blue-and-green light reflected over the dark lake. While inside the room her body trembled, clenching around his fingers as he pumped them in and out of her, again and again.
The buzz from the champagne mixed with her overwhelming desire. In front of her, the finale began. One explosion after the other filling the night sky with a kaleidoscope of color. She leaned her head against Hudson’s shoulder, surrendering to the rhythm of his unrelenting fingers.
His teeth grazed her neck. “Don’t come,” he breathed against her ear. “I want to be inside you when you do.” The sky above the lake grew dark as his movements slowed, bringing her back from the brink. When his hand fell away she nearly whimpered. “I think it’s time I take you home.”
The man was evil. Pure, sexy as hell, evil.
But she knew he was just as turned on as she was, and as she retied her blouse, she wondered if they’d actually make it back to his penthouse. In the elevator, with their fingers entwined as they undressed each other with their eyes, she was pretty sure they wouldn’t. And when the limo door swung shut, cocooning them in total darkness, she knew they didn’t stand a chance.
Before she’d even settled in on the seat, his mouth was on hers, kissing her fiercely. As if he had to. As if the past few hours had been excruciating to endure. She loved it when he was like this, so raw and untamed in his lust for her. It made every cell in her body come alive. She moaned, and when her lips parted he deepened the kiss, his tongue stroking hers with expert skill.
As far as Allie was concerned, all bets were off. She climbed into Hudson’s lap, pulling her skirt high enough to straddle him and revealing her garters in the process. His hands smoothed up her thighs while hers ran down the contours of his chest. She could feel the hard ridges of his abs beneath his dress shirt and the urge to have his bare skin sliding against hers was more than she could bear.
The traffic on Michigan Avenue flowed around them, cars and pedestrians alike, but it didn’t matter. In that limo, nothing else existed but the two of them, their lust, their need. And what Allie needed more than anything was to feel the connection she’d longed for all night.
But when her hands dropped to his belt, he caught her wrists. “I thought we agreed to wait until we got home,” he murmured against her lips.