Halfway between the Brooklyn and Manhattan bridges, we stop and lean against the railing to admire the view. Breathtaking.

A pang of jealousy stabs me in the chest. “Is this where you take all your girls?”

Oh, why did I open my stupid mouth? Blair Walker, shut up and don’t ruin the moment.

“Actually, no. I usually come here alone.”

“Do you?”

“I enjoy the view.”

“Yep.” I focus on the glittering lights reflected on the water. “Manhattan is irresistible when she’s wearing lights.”

“I know someone else who’s irresistible.” Suddenly Richard’s voice is behind me, his lips brushing my ear.

I turn to look at him and find myself imprisoned between the railing and his strong chest. The scent of his aftershave is intoxicating, and my hands move of their own accord up the crisp cotton of his shirt. After tracing his thumb around my earlobe with one hand, he moves the other under my chin and tilts my head up. Then we’re kissing again, his mouth on mine, gently parting my lips. My hands become frantic, my entire body prickling with anticipation.

I pull away and say, “I think we should go home.”

Richard leaves a trail of soft kisses down my neck. “Sorry for making us take the long road.” He grabs my hand, and we speed-walk through Brooklyn, leaving Manhattan and her lights behind.

For the entire elevator ride to his loft, we make out like a pair of teenagers: bodies wrapped together, oblivious to anything else in the world. Completely lost in each other.

When the doors ping open, we tumble out and laugh our way to Richard’s door. He gets the keys out of his pocket and lets us in.

“Welcome back,” Richard whispers.

“Why are we whispering?” I ask in an equally low voice.

“Chevron might be asleep.”

“Oh, right. Where is she?”

I tiptoe into the living room to find Chevron sprawled on the couch—belly up, legs in the air. I brace my hands on the backrest, staring at her, but soon get distracted by Richard hugging me from behind and kissing my neck. Shivers spread down my shoulders and along my spine, making my toes curl. I turn around and press my lips onto Richard’s.

My body is taking over in a way I’ve never experienced. This man has melted my brain. My heart is beating so fast I’m afraid I might pass out. But what if this is a huge mistake? Richard is still my boss.

“Are you sure you want this?” I breathe, my ribcage bobbing up and down convulsively.

“Walker”—his teeth find my earlobe—“we reached the point of no return a while ago.”

Yeah, agreed.

Richard bends slightly and swings an arm behind my knees, lifting me up and carrying me to the bedroom.

There, on his bed, we make love. I’m confident we’re not just having sex. Yes, it’s sensual, and heated… but if he does not say so in words, the way Richard looks at me tells me everything. I’ve never made love keeping my eyes open, but with Richard, it seems impossible to close them.