Out of the corner of her eye she saw Hudson pull a basic, WalMart-issue coffeemaker out of one of the cherry cabinets. “You use that instead of the Jura?” she asked, nodding toward the state-of-the-art espresso maker she knew cost well over three grand.
“It has an on/off switch. Pour water in, black coffee comes out. What more does one need?”
She leaned against the counter, watching as he plugged the Mr. Coffee into the wall and filled the carafe with water. “You don’t know how to use the other one, do you?” she asked, trying hard to hide her smile.
He stared at her impassively for a moment. “While it doesn’t produce your cappuccino with extra foam, hold the nutmeg,” he said, his lips curling into an amused grin. “I prefer to keep it simple.”
While the coffee brewed, Hudson poured them each a glass of orange juice. “Anything I can do to help?” he asked.
“Maybe pop in a few more slices of bread?” She nodded to his Dualit toaster. “Unless, of course, you find all kitchen appliances as daunting as an espresso machine.”
“Funny, Miss Sinclair.”
They worked side by side, Allie scrambling eggs and Hudson making toast. Allie flipping bacon, Hudson setting out silverware. Allie casually eating breakfast, Hudson devouring everything but the plate.
“That was delicious, Allie. Thank you.” He swallowed his last bite and wiped his mouth with his napkin. “I have a call to make and . . .” He glanced at the oven clock. “Shit, just enough time to grab a quick shower.” He stood in a rush, piling his silverware on his plate. “But take your time, finish eating.”
“I’m done.” Allie slid off her barstool, taking Hudson’s plate and stacking it on top of hers. “Go. I’ll clean up.”
“I apologize. I shouldn’t be long. Help yourself to the shower.” He cupped Allie’s chin, tilting her head back and planting a soft kiss on her lips. “I’m sorry I won’t be able to join you. Rain check?”
“Hudson, I really should go home. I don’t have any clothes.”
“You look pretty fan-fucking-tastic in my shirt, and I just happen to have a closetful.” Hudson spanked her playfully on the ass before sauntering out of the room. “Besides,” he called out over his shoulder, “I don’t plan on letting you stay dressed for long.”
After cleaning the kitchen, Allie made her way to the master bathroom. Dark cherry cabinets ran the length of one wall while two sinks with brushed nickel faucets divided an expanse of black granite. More cabinets sat atop the counter. They flanked either end of the vanity and ran clear to the ceiling, perfectly framing the oversize mirror. A large square tub dominated the far end of the room. It was encased in more black granite and was fed by a waterfall faucet protruding from the wall. While the tub was definitely big enough for two, the shower could easily accommodate five or six. The glass enclosure had two rain showerheads suspended from the ceiling and square body sprays mounted at intervals up and down the wall. Allie had seen her fair share of luxury bathrooms, but nothing quite like this. Everything about Hudson’s bathroom was dark, masculine, and larger than life. Just like the man himself.
Tossing Hudson’s T-shirt in the hamper, Allie piled her loose curls on top of her head and stepped into the stream of the body sprays. The water was warm and soothing as it pulsed against her aching muscles. Their adventures across the floor, not to mention the three . . . or was it four . . . rounds in the bed left her sore in places she’d never imagined. And now he didn’t plan on letting her stay dressed for long? She shuddered as she reached for the bar of soap. Her rational side knew she should go back to her brownstone and try to forget all about Hudson Chase. But all rational thought left her as she ran her lathered hands across her body. Allie’s eyes drifted shut as she imagined it was Hudson’s hands touching her, exciting her as they slid over her breasts, down her stomach, and between her thighs. Her eyes popped open. This was not helping.
Rinsing quickly, she turned off the water and reached for a towel. She wrapped it tightly around her and wandered over to the vanity, examining herself in the mirror. Not as bad as she expected considering she’d hardly slept the night before. In fact, her cheeks seemed to have a nice glow to them. She pulled the clip from her hair and ran her fingers through her curls. She could survive without makeup or hair products, but she would kill for a toothbrush. She opened the top drawer and eyed Hudson’s. Oh, what the hell, after everything else they’d done, what was the harm in sharing a toothbrush?
When she was done she put it back in the drawer, idly taking note of the other items. Toothpaste, floss, a travel-size bottle of mouthwash. Nothing out of the ordinary and nothing to suggest a woman stayed over on a regular basis. Then again, Hudson didn’t strike her as the type to have a pink toothbrush lying next to his. No, if anything, he probably had a supply of extra toiletries on hand like the front desk of a five-star hotel. Without thinking she opened the tall cabinet to her left. More of the usual suspects—shaving cream, razor, deodorant—and all of the male variety. No tampons, eye creams, or scented lotions. She shook her head. Get a grip, Allie. She needed to stop acting like a jealous girlfriend and find something to wear.
Hudson wasn’t exaggerating when he said he had a closetful of shirts for her to choose from. Dozens of crisp dress shirts hung on racks above a row of dark suits that stretched from one end of the closet to the other. She selected a white linen button-down and rolled the sleeves to her elbows. The shirt fit her like a dress, but she wasn’t entirely comfortable running around Hudson’s apartment without panties despite the pleasurable outcome when making breakfast. She found a pair of his boxer briefs in one of the drawers and slipped them on. Great. Now what?
Allie wandered back into Hudson’s bedroom, wondering how much longer he’d be tied up on the phone. She sat on the edge of the bed and her eyes shifted to his nightstand. Harper’s voice echoed in her mind. I bet he’s kinky, too. Unable to help herself, she casually slid the top drawer open, bracing herself for what she might find.
Exhaling, she almost laughed at herself. What was she expecting, a crop and a flogger? Damn Harper and her crazy books. There was, however, a rather large box of condoms. Allie felt an unexpected pang of jealousy before telling herself in no uncertain terms to get over it. The man obviously entertained his fair share of women and he swore he’d always been safe. At least until it came to her. She should have been relieved to see the proof of his precautions stored conveniently at his bedside. So why did the thought of it bother her so much?
Her gaze drifted around the room and a door she hadn’t noticed before caught her eye. Curious, she opened it to find a fully stocked wet bar that connected to Hudson’s office. Like his bedroom, the office was decorated in dark, oversize furniture. A polished mahogany desk sat facing a marble fireplace and two wingback chairs, while floor-to-ceiling bookcases lined three of the walls.
Hudson sat in a black leather chair facing a breathtaking view of North Michigan Avenue. With his back to her, Allie was afforded a quiet moment to observe the CEO in action. She was certainly no stranger to powerful men, having been around them her entire life, but as she listened to him she realized there was something inherently different about Hudson Chase. It wasn’t so much the actual words he spoke—she’d overheard talk of mergers, deadlines, and stop orders more times than she cared to remember—but the way he said them. When Hudson issued a directive there was an indisputable finality. As if the person on the other end of the line had no choice but to follow his instructions to the letter. And it was in the way he carried himself. Yes, he was gorgeous, sophisticated, and undeniably sexy. But that was what you saw on the surface. Allie had only known this new version of Hudson for a few weeks, yet already she could tell there was something deeper, something darker even, that commanded the respect of most everyone he encountered.