“It serves more as background noise. To be honest, it all sounds the same to me.” He drew another plate closer. “A particular favorite of yours?”
“Absolutely. The Chicago Symphony Orchestra is doing a limited engagement of his Fourth Symphony right now. I had hoped to go, but they’re sold out.” She watched him prepare the next bite of food, ravioli in cream sauce. “Aren’t you going to try any?” she asked when the fork once again hovered over her lips.
“Not yet. I enjoy watching you eat.”
She managed to swallow the pasta before rolling her eyes at his comment. “Surely it’s not that exciting.”
“More than you know.” His gaze was dark and penetrating. “The way your lips wrap around the fork. The noises you make. Your eyes fluttering shut as if memorizing every taste.” Hudson’s words were more intoxicating than the wine, and as he raised the next glass she realized her lips were already parted in anticipation. “Try it with Corino’s 2007 Barolo.” His eyes never left hers as she sipped the garnet-colored wine. When she finished he cocked his head to the side. “More?”
“Yes, please,” she said, her breathless reply revealing a desire for more than just wine.
He offered her another sip before moving the ravioli aside and reaching for the next selection. “Spiaggia is known for their perfect risotto.” His lips curved into a wicked grin. “Firm in the mouth and creamy on the tongue.”
Oh, this could be fun.
She licked her lips and saw him pause momentarily as he lifted the next forkful. His jaw fell slack as he eased the bite into her mouth, keeping his eyes focused on her lips as she slid the risotto off the fork.
When she was done he offered her a sampling of yet another red wine. She sipped it slowly, relishing the warm, full-bodied flavor. A small drop remained at the corner of her mouth and she gently wiped it with her finger. He inhaled sharply as she pressed her finger to her lips, letting her tongue swirl around the tip before drawing it into her mouth. She moaned in quiet appreciation as she sucked the last bit of wine from her fingertip.
Hudson moved quickly, surprising Allie by locking his hand on the back of her neck and dragging her mouth to his. His lips were demanding against hers, kissing her as if he had to. As if her mouth churning with his was the only thing keeping him alive.
“Ah, God Allie,” he groaned, deepening the kiss as his tongue swept over hers in firm, lush strokes. He gripped her around the waist and lifted her out of the chair as he stood. She raised her arms, her aching breasts rising and falling against his chest as her fingers weaved into his hair. His hands slid down her back, cupping her behind and urging her against him, every hard inch of him straining to get closer as his body pressed the length of her.
She was vaguely aware of movement; an arm sweeping out, the sound of dishes and silverware crashing to the floor, and then the table was at her back. “You’re making a mess,” she panted against his mouth.
“Fuck the mess,” he growled. His body arched over hers as he kissed and licked his way down her throat. “I’ve been thinking about this all day.” He dipped his head and his teeth caught her nipple through the fabric of her blouse. She gasped as he tugged hard, the sensation echoing through her core.
Hudson shifted fast and smooth, sweeping Allie’s panties down her legs before dropping to his knees. He lifted one leg over his shoulder, spreading her wide, and dragged his tongue up the heart of her. She raised her head and heat pulsed through her veins as she watched him move between her thighs. There was an intensity in the way he consumed her, as if driven by an overwhelming need to give her pleasure.
He gazed up at her with dark, hungry eyes. “I could spend hours between your thighs.” His tongue fluttered across her sensitive flesh. “Teasing you . . . tasting you.”
She groaned, half afraid he planned to do just that. The stubble of his beard was rough against her skin as he continued his relentless torture. Licking, nipping, sucking. Her head dropped down with a thud and her leg flexed, urging him closer as her stiletto dug into his back.
“Oh no, baby, not yet,” he murmured. His breath fanned over her warm, wet skin and she moaned. Her fingers wound through his hair, trying to hold his mouth to her, but he kept her on the brink, changing rhythm whenever her body began to quiver.
“Please, Hudson,” she whimpered.
There was nothing gradual or gentle about the way his arms circled her hips, pulling her onto his thrusting tongue. She rocked against him, her hips moving restlessly in a desperate need for release.
“That’s it, come for me.” His deep drawl vibrated against her and she cried out, splintering apart in a mind-blowing orgasm.
Hudson stood in a rush with her leg still draped over his shoulder. She heard the sound of a buckle and glanced down to see him yank open his fly. Her body still trembled with aftershocks but the sight of his erection springing free had her clenching with need once more. Gripping the back of Allie’s thigh, he lifted her other leg over his shoulders and surged forward, entering her on a solid stroke.
His breath hissed between his teeth. “Fuck.”
Her hands gathered the white linen as her fingers curled around the edge of the table, holding herself in place against Hudson’s relentless drives. He leaned closer, bending her legs under him as he worked his length in and out with each possessive thrust. Her grip on the edge of the table tightened and a moan escaped her lips. She felt herself climbing higher and higher. Hudson’s pace quickened and her head arched back as an orgasm rolled through her body, obliterating everything else around her and numbing her senses.
“Christ, I’m going to come so hard.” His hips jerked in powerful, unforgiving thrusts as he rode out his release. He shouted her name on an explosive breath and then collapsed on top of her, his head resting against her chest.
She cradled his head in her arms and felt the pounding beat of his heart keeping time with hers. They lay like that for a long time, neither one speaking as their collective breathing slowed. Allie closed her eyes, memorizing the feel of his body draped across hers. She wanted to freeze the moment in time. Somewhere in the back of her mind she knew two weeks with this man would never be enough. And when he finally lifted his head and smiled, her heart twisted at the thought of saying good-bye.
Chapter Twenty-two
All eyes were on Hudson as he flipped the pages of the contract his lawyers had drafted that afternoon. He could sense their collective flinching with each stroke of his red felt tip. The thing was a fucking mess. It was taking every ounce of restraint to keep from hurling the POS with enough force to defy the laws of physics, making his legal team play 150-page pickup.
In his peripheral vision, the skirts and suits shifted in their seats as if their asses were in a frying pan. The striped tie checked his watch, the gray skirt her cell phone. His jaw tightened. He was in no mood for bullshit. And it wasn’t just the scrap in his hands that was frustrating the hell out of him, but his personal life as well. As if picking up on his vibe, gray skirt carefully set the phone front and center.
Good call.
Reaching the last page, he tossed the phone book–size contract down the length of the glossy conference table. The thing looked like it was bleeding to death as it skidded to a stop in the center. Hudson’s tone was clipped and impatient as he rose out of his chair.
“I need the amended contract by morning.”
His lawyer glanced down at the carnage. “Those changes will take hours. Even if I keep the whole department—”
Hudson cut off the whining. “I don’t care if they’re here till dawn.” This acquisition, more like an assault, would launch Chase Industries to the top. No one was leaving until he was satisfied.