On her way out she stopped to check her appearance in the mirror. Her eyes were bright and her cheeks were flushed, but other than that she looked completely presentable. No one would suspect she was about to walk through the restaurant pantyless, consumed by the thought of Hudson’s skilled fingers bringing her to climax again and again.
The Michigan Room was on the south end of the building. When Allie pushed the door open she found the intimate space to be completely empty except for one lone table. Draped in white linen, it was set for an elegant dinner for two. Black-and-white china with gold accents sat atop gold chargers, perfectly accenting the city lights that glimmered in gold at her feet. Groupings of crystal stemware flanked each setting, and in the center of the table flickering votives circled an arrangement of fresh flowers.
But it wasn’t the sight of the sumptuous private accommodations that rendered Allie speechless as she walked into the room. It was Hudson, standing against the backdrop of the city’s skyline, that took her breath away.
“Hi,” was all she managed to say when she was finally standing in front of him.
He smiled as he pulled out her chair. She sat, taking note that the other chair was adjacent to hers at the square table and not across. The words ‘within arm’s reach’ popped into her mind and she shifted slightly in her seat.
“You look so lovely in the candlelight,” he said, joining her at the table. “But then, you look lovely in any light.”
Allie felt a warm flush spread across her cheeks. Why in the world was she so nervous? Was it because she was sitting at a table perched high above the city with her panties in her purse? Or because she was sitting at a table perched high above the city with the man she loved? While it should have probably been the former, she suspected the latter was more to blame. Sex had never been a problem for them. They jumped into that rather quickly and their chemistry was undeniable. But a relationship was unchartered territory for them. How would it be now that they didn’t have to sneak around? How would their friends and co-workers react?
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.